Gen. William C. Westmoreland

For a "distinguished career of military service and his excellent capabilities as a soldier, military educator, administrator and leader," Westmoreland received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1968.

The general had just returned to the United States to serve as Army chief of staff, following four years as vice commander and commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam.

A South Carolina native, graduated from West Point in 1936 and served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, retiring in 1972. With a degree from Harvard Business School, he was considered to be a new breed of officer: better educated and more managerial than his predecessors.

During his four years in Vietnam, Westmoreland's requests for more U.S. troops brought the number from 16,000 in 1964 to 535,000 in 1968. He was named Time's "Man of the Year" in 1965. In a 1967 address to Congress, Westmoreland said, "In evaluating the enemy strategy, it is evident to me that he believes our Achilles heel is our resolve ... Your continued strong support is vital to the success of our mission."

As the war continued and Westmoreland returned home, the Army shifted to an all-volunteer force. In an effort to attract men and women to enlist, "Westy" tried to make Army life better for them by relaxing some guidelines.

Westmoreland made an unsuccessful bid for governor of South Carolina in 1974. Two years later, he wrote his autobiography, "A Soldier Reports." He died in 2005, at 91.

For more on Westmoreland, click here (http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/1900s/p/westmoreland.htm).