Vann's disillusionment grew as the war dragged on from "summary" of A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan
As the conflict in Vietnam continued, Vann found himself increasingly disenchanted with the war effort. The initial optimism and belief in the cause had slowly eroded away, replaced by a sense of frustration and despair. The reality of the situation on the ground did not match the rhetoric coming from the higher-ups in Saigon and Washington. The sacrifices being made by American soldiers seemed to be in vain, with no clear end in sight. Vann's disillusionment was fueled by the incompetence and corruption he witnessed among the South Vietnamese leadership. The lack of political will and the inability to effectively govern their own country only served to exacerbate the problems on the battlefield. Vann's efforts to train and mentor the ARVN forces were often met with resistance and indifference, further adding to his sense of hopelessness. The constant rotation of American troops in and out of Vietnam also contributed to Vann's disillusionment. The turnover meant that any progress made was quickly undone, as new soldiers had to be brought up to speed on the situation. This lack of continuity made it difficult to maintain any momentum in the fight against the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. As the war dragged on, Vann's frustration with the situation only grew. The mounting casualties, the lack of progress, and the seemingly endless cycle of violence all took their toll on his psyche. He began to question the wisdom of the American strategy in Vietnam, wondering if there was any hope of achieving a meaningful victory. In the face of these challenges, Vann continued to soldier on, determined to make a difference despite his growing disillusionment. He remained committed to the fight, believing that his efforts could still have an impact, even as the war dragged on with no end in sight.
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