In response to Dana Mathews's recent column "Stories of 'American War' put history into perspective," April 11, the outright display of ignorance and anti-American sentiment by Mathews is sickening. Yes, there were small isolated incidences of war crimes by U.S. forces, but comparing the actions of average your American soldiers to the Nazis is the most disgusting thing I've heard in a long time.

Mathews claims she took a class entirely devoted to the Vietnam War. Perhaps she missed the fact that one of the most common guerrilla tactics used by the Viet Cong was to hide among regular Vietnamese civilians in plain clothes. Is it any wonder that there were increased civilian casualties?

Mathews, why don't you ask Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., about the torture and abuse of American troops during his five years as a prisoner of war at the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison. Then you could have the opportunity to hear stories of those who fell victim to atrocities and unjust treatment from the Vietnamese from a first-hand source.

Being against a war is one thing, but bashing U.S. troops who honorably serve their country is quite another. It is often people like Mathews who spit on our American troops as they come back from their calls of duty where they served this great country.