Too bad the US didn't take Ho Chi Minh up on his offer of an alliance in 1945-46, which few Americans ever knew about. All he wanted was to keep the French and the Chinese out, which is why he was willing to be an Asian Tito and ally of the US. It would have been far better for all concerned if someone had at least answered all his letters back then.

The use of Agent Orange does not make a person a whiz kid, or does it!

I'd be interested to see some comments from some US Vietnam War Vets that served under him. He's wasn't thought of tooooooooo highly, by the people serving, at the time.....

JFK's administration and cabinet was referred to as the "best and the brightest" – Robert McNamara was one of JFK;s chief advisors during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later served other presidents with the Vietnam War. He was a good public servant and will be missed. I send his family my condolences on his death this morning.

As the "whiz kid" who helped revitalize Ford 1/2 century ago by ditching the Edsel (among other things), it's too bad no one asked him to comment on the state of the US auto industry in this downturn.

McNamara correctly identified the Military Industrial Complex and the might of that giant ship and how almost unstoppable it is. McNamara was appointed as Sec Def in the usual goal of reorganizing that bloated bureaucracy. But like so many, he got sucked in the vortex. DoD, the Pentagon is like quick sand. If you fight too hard you will be pulled under and if your are lucky, you might actually escape with your life. But once entered, you must tread lightly and carefully in an attempt to "walk away", but this almost obviates any possibility of changing the environment itself.

puggles, I'm truly impressed. Finally someone who knows something.

Fog of War is a great documentary, i enjoyed it very much and it was an eye opener. I have been shocked today by how many never heard of Robert McNamara. Someone asked me who he was, I told them and followed it up with telling them they must check out Fog of War

WOW careful... read the other comments. Thought he was already dead!! Guess only the good die young!!! My husband was in the Viet Nam war era and never had much positive feelings towards this man. My husand is a disabled veteran now. ..or should I say he has been disabled since 1974. He says they did call McNamara the "whiz kid" but he didn't do much to help the regular GI. Guess you have to be in the trenches to understand where you are and where you have been. Doubt that Mr Mac was ever anywhere to understand what all those young men were doing and fighting for ...was to keep him and his family's safe.. Good night Mr McNamara. My husband also has MBA elect...and has been in logistics for several years. What are his chances? Sorry, he hasn't done any backpacking around the world as yet... but has done extensive travelling around the globe., Sec, of State or Sec of Def perhaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Book in works... like everyone else in the country.

Mr Anderson Cooper.

Just read the CNN comment policy and it stated that the blog may or may not appear on this blog. That is fine. Just wanted you to know how the regular American people feel about different issues that are presented to CNN and how it affects our lives. My husband has talked about Mr McNamara for 35 years and I thought I needed to get this off my chest, (so to speak). You are a young man and do not know exactly what went on during this time period. We do. Just to give you a different perspective on the Amercan way of life from the regular folks... PS...my daughter, who is 31 years old thinks you are a hottie..whatever that means. Didn't even know that she watches CNN.