PD, it is funny you brought up this subject, one of the best books I have read in the past year was tThe Savage Wars of Peace: Small Wars and the Rise of American Power.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books
It is a good read. Of course all of these wars were pre-vietnam, so the stain had not effected the weak kneed cowards that prevail and scream that every conflict we get into is another Vietnam. It might help you understand a litle more.