May 11, 1962 - United States aid to South Vietnam has reached a peak and will start to level off, Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara disclosed today. Before departing Saigon for Washington, Mr. McNamara said he doubted whether U.S. military personnel assigned to South Vietnam would be increased above present levels of strength. There are more than 6,000 American servicemen advising, training, and supporting South Vietnamese forces in the struggle against the Communist Viet Cong. After 48 hours in South Vietnam, Mr. McNamara said he was “tremendously encouraged” by developments. Despite his cheerful assessment, Mr. McNamara is reported to hold realistic views on the probable length of the war. He is said to feel that years will pass before South Vietnam is secure.
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