Lyndon Johnson actually said...

The defense of peace is the very purpose of our power, and peace for the people of Viet-Nam is the purpose of our presence in Viet-Nam.

And when he was first asked, his first and immediate answer was 'Yes, Mr. President.'

Public life can be a cruel life and President Hoover experienced that cruelty.

The United States would never undertake the sacrifice these efforts require if its help were not wanted and requested.