8. John F. Kennedy
As U.S. President, John F. Kennedy significantly increased American involvement in Vietnam. He expanded military aid and advisors, raising the number of U.S. military personnel from approximately 700 to over 16,000 by 1963. Kennedy’s administration also authorized the use of herbicides like Agent Orange to combat guerrilla forces. These actions laid the groundwork for further escalation after his assassination in 1963. (jfklibrary.org)
