Frank Kearns and the Impossible Assignment for CBS News: A Journey into the Heart of the Vietnam War

Algerian Diary: Frank Kearns and the "Impossible Assignment" for CBS News

by Robert Anderson

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22888 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

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Frank Kearns was one of the most celebrated war correspondents of the Vietnam War era. His groundbreaking reporting, which revealed the true horrors of the conflict and challenged the government's narrative, earned him a reputation as one of the most courageous and honest journalists of his generation.

In this article, we will explore the life and career of Frank Kearns, focusing on his groundbreaking work during the Vietnam War. We will discuss the challenges he faced, the risks he took, and the impact his reporting had on the American public and the course of the war itself.

Early Life and Career

Frank Kearns was born in New York City in 1930. He studied journalism at Columbia University and began his career as a reporter for the New York Daily News. In 1955, he joined CBS News, where he quickly became one of the network's top correspondents.

Kearns' early assignments took him to war zones around the world, including the Congo and Algeria. He covered the Cuban Missile Crisis and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In 1965, he was sent to Vietnam to cover the escalating conflict there.

Reporting from Vietnam

Kearns' reporting from Vietnam was groundbreaking. He was one of the first American journalists to truly understand the nature of the war and the suffering it was causing the Vietnamese people. He reported on the atrocities committed by both sides, and he challenged the government's rosy picture of the war.

Kearns' reporting was often controversial, but it was always accurate and honest. He was not afraid to speak truth to power, even when it meant putting his own life at risk.

In one particularly memorable report, Kearns filmed the aftermath of a napalm attack on a Vietnamese village. The images of burned and disfigured children were so powerful that they helped to turn the tide of public opinion against the war.

Kearns' reporting also helped to expose the lies that the government was telling about the war. He reported on the My Lai massacre, in which American soldiers murdered hundreds of Vietnamese civilians. He also reported on the use of torture by American troops.

Kearns' reporting had a profound impact on the course of the war. It helped to change public opinion and it forced the government to be more honest about the conflict.

Later Career

After the Vietnam War, Kearns continued to work as a journalist. He covered the Watergate scandal, the Iran-Contra affair, and the first Gulf War. He also wrote several books, including "The Impossible Assignment: My Vietnam War" (1995) and "Crimes of War: A Legal and Moral Examination" (2002).

Kearns died in 2009 at the age of 79. He is remembered as one of the greatest war correspondents of all time.

Frank Kearns was a courageous and honest journalist who risked his life to report the truth about the Vietnam War. His reporting had a profound impact on the course of the war and on American public opinion. He is a reminder that journalism can make a difference in the world.

Algerian Diary: Frank Kearns and the "Impossible Assignment" for CBS News

by Robert Anderson

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22888 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

FREE