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Vietnam was Americas first war in which "gaining ground" (conquering enemy held territory) was not an issue (not part of the war). Consequently, the only way to "win" the war was by a attriting the enemy (killing more of them than they us). The only way to keep track of that "attrition" was by counting bodies.

The only problem with that was both sides tended to exaggerate their opponents losses while down playing their own. Example: One war correspondent wrote that according to US figures the enemy should've run out of men by now. This was prior to Tet; and Tet proved they hadn't run out of men.

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Q: What was the purpose behind the US announcing a body count during the Vietnam war?
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