Early in 1953, the French asked Eisenhower for help in French Indochina against the Communists, supplied from China, who were fighting the First Indochina War. Eisenhower sent Lt. General John W. "Iron Mike" O'Daniel to Vietnam to study and assess the French forces there. Chief of Staff Matthew Ridgway dissuaded the President from intervening by presenting a comprehensive estimate of the massive military deployment that would be necessary. Eisenhower stated prophetically that "this war would absorb our troops by divisions." COUNT 5
QSN1 What war was being fought by France in 1953? ANS1 First Indochina War QSN2 What was John W. O'Daniel's nickname? ANS2 Iron Mike QSN3 Who convinced Eisenhower not to intervene in Vietnam? ANS3 Matthew Ridgway QSN4 Who was providing supplies to the Vietnamese communists fighting against France? ANS4 China QSN5 How large of a military deployment did Ridgway say would be necessary in Vietnam? ANS5 massive