At the same time, anonymous U.S. sources told journalists that the coup was concerning even if it failed, due to its destabilizing effects.[28] Khánh also requested to General William Westmoreland, the commander of American forces in Vietnam, that U.S. Marines come to his aid, and called for the Americans to formulate a "counter-plan" for him.[18] Although no U.S. forces made landfall, marines were placed just offshore near Saigon and Da Nang in readiness.[18]