Looking back at Vietnam, 50 years later

The Vietnam War ended officially on Jan. 27, 1973 with signing of the Paris Peace Accords.

The governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the United States, plus the revolutionary National Liberation Front (NLF, which included the military Viet Cong) were parties to the agreement.

The 50th anniversary of the event provides a benchmark for analysis. Intense, angry division among Americans over the war tore our country apart for many years.

Fading of that is a blessing. Yet accurate assessment of lessons can remain elusive, clouded by misconceptions and passage of time.

Talented journalist Barton Swaim has conducted an informative interview with former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., published in The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 21-22. Sen. Webb served in Vietnam combat as a Marine Corps officer, was wounded and received the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, among other medals.

Regarding military combat, Sen. Webb knows what he’s talking about.

Sen. Webb emphasizes that