The true numbers in country both CIA and SF in the 50's have never been released, but exceeded 15,000 before '60 and rapidly increased before '62 hence the formation of MACV, It had more than risen to just assistance well before Kenndy/Johnson Administration.
And hell talk about the number of kids and civilians killed in that air strike, look up the number of civilians and children killed in air strikes during the trump years after he deliberately eased restrictions..
Phil
