About Rufus Phillips

Rufus Phillips is author of “Why Vietnam Matters: An Eyewitness Account of Lessons Not Learned.” He served in the military, the CIA, USAID and as a consultant to the State Department.


Recent Posts By the Author


Opinion: Why Vietnam Continues to Matter

Opinion: Why Vietnam Continues to Matter

Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, Calif.

Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, Calif.

Unknown to many, 95 miles north of San Diego in the city of Westminster stands a memorial to the Vietnam War erected by the Vietnamese-American community. The centerpiece is a statue of two soldiers standing close to each other, South Vietnamese and American.

As we honor Veterans Day, we should remember that it was not just an American war but a non-communist Vietnamese one as well. They suffered many more casualties than we did and also lost their country. Read More