Vietnam War Notes

1. Vietnam War Notes

2. South East Asia

3. History of Vietnam • In Vietnam it is possible to measure time by invasions. Long before the Americans, before the Japanese, before the French even, there were the Chinese.

4. 208 B.C. – 1428 A.D. The Chinese ruled Vietnam for more than 1,000 years. Tried to fight off the Chinese rule – this led to a warrior tradition that would plague invaders forcenturies. Chinese Rule in Vietnam

5. 1627 – 1941 Officially became a French colony in 1857. Turned Vietnam into a money-making venture – forcing the people of Vietnam to live under slave-like conditions. French Occupation

6. Dogs who look like their owners

7. During WWII the Japanese replaced the French in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh believed the chaos of World War II was the perfect time for Vietnam to finally win their independence. He and the Vietnamese people helped the Western Allies fight off the Japanese there. In return, the British and Americans would help the Vietnamese gain independence. A month after Japan surrendered to the Allies, Ho announced Vietnam’s independence. Life, Liberty and Ho Chi Minh

8. Vietnamese nationalists led by Ho Chi Minh. Goal: Overthrow colonial rule Communist – could relate with their 2,000 year long struggle to throw off colonial rule. Who Were the Vietminh?

9. Also known as VC Lived in South Vietnam and were loyal to the communists in the North. Fought against while they lived amongst American troops. Who Were the Viet Cong?

10. French troops entered Vietnam in 1945. Ho appealed to the United States for help. By now the Chinese and Soviets were supplying the Vietminh with weapons. The U.S., committed to stopping the spread of Communism, backed the French. French Defeat: 1954 – Vietminh surrounded 15,000 French troops – the French were defeated and agreed to leave Vietnam for good. Independence Denied Again…

11. The Americans feared the establishment of a Communist Vietnam and picked up where the French left off. A peace accord temporarily divided Vietnam in half, promising elections in 1954. North was led by Ho South was led by American backed Ngo Dinh Diem American Involvement

12. Fictional character Forrest Gump was based on a real Vietnam veteran named Nike Gump, famous for starting a successful running shoe company after the war. TRUE or FALSE

13. In the mid-60s this group wrote a letter to the Defense Department, volunteering to serve as a “gorilla unit” in Vietnam, but only if they were not subject to military supervision. That group was… • the Veterans of Foreign Wars • the Young Americans for Freedom • the Hell’s Angels • Alcoholics Anonymous • the Silent Majority

14. Mid 1940s – 1975 Longest war in American history Only war the U.S. has lost. To prevent Communism from spreading in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world. (Domino theory) U.S. Involvement

15. 57,000+ American lives 4 million Vietnamese lives Costs of the War

16. “Democratic” leader of South Vietnam • JKF supported him until his actions became very “undemocratic” • Alienated the Vietnamese people • Ruthless dictator – arrested thousands and condemned many to death.

17. In Protest of Diem’s Rule

18. Took a strong stance against communism Sent 1,000 advisors to Vietnam “allowed” Diem to be assassinated Kennedy’s Role in Vietnam

19. “Vietnam is the biggest damn mess I ever saw.” He had doubts about fighting but was under great pressure to become more involved there. He didn’t want to appear “soft” on communism and feared being impeached. Johnson’s Role in Vietnam

20. Summer of 1964 (pulled the U.S. into the war) U.S. was conducting covert operations in the Vietnamese region They were fired up by North Vietnamese forces and they returned the fire. The Gulf of Tonkin Incident

21. Johnson sent a pre-planned resolution to Congress that gave the President the right to send troops into Vietnam without an official declaration of war. This resolution greatly extended the powers of the president. The U.S. attacked the North Vietnamese again as they were anticipating an attack. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

23. Conducted air raids on North Vietnam 1965 – 200,000 combat troops 1966 sent 200,000 more combat troops By 1967 500,000 troops in Vietnam Johnson Escalates the War

24. U.S. Military Deaths: 58,152 North Vietnamese & Viet Cong Military Deaths: 855,000 South Vietnamese Military Deaths: 185,000 War Deaths

25. Ho Chi Minh Quote • "If ever the tiger pauses, the elephant will impale him on his mighty tusks. But the tiger will never pause and  the Elephant will die of exhaustion". 

26. Total Vietnamese Wounded (Civilian and Military): 4,000,000 South Vietnamese Civilians Killed or Wounded: 1,435,000 South Vietnamese Civilians Made Refugees: 10,270,000 War Casualties

27. Percentage of U.S. Combat Soldiers Under the Age of 21: 64% Number of U.S. MIAs: 2,583 Tons of Explosives Dropped on Vietnam: 7,600,000 Acres of Land Defoliated in Vietnam: 39.000.000 More War Stats…

28. Hardship and Disillusionment on the Warfront

29. New fighting techniques were used by the Vietnamese – took American troops by surprise. Avoided direct confrontations and instead used hit-and-run maneuvers. U.S. troops were ambushed from tunnels and bunkers; booby traps, mines, punji sticks, etc… Vietnamese forces were equipped with a fighting spirit – they were willing to do ANYTHING to win. Guerilla Warfare

30. Tunnel Rats

32. Bombing of Viet Cong structures along a canal in South Vietnam. 1965

34. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area.  It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers.  In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to school. They only came out at night to furtively tend their crops.

36. Trap

37. More Traps • http://fliiby.com/file/133530/0gj4jsjag9.html

38. Note the row of rocks on top of bridge beam at the foot of the bridge. This is typical of the warning signs used by the VC/NVA to warn of their mining activities. http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-weapons/mines04.htm

39. This particular device would be buried and covered over with loose materials then placed on trails to await it's victim.  An unwitting soldier would then step into the hidden bucket and become severely injured and trapped  by the slightly downward pointing spikes that would prevent easy extraction of the foot.  To add to it's potency, the spikes in the bucket would be dipped in human waste to inflict further injury upon the victim through exposure to infection.

40. Wet going - Marine Private First Class J.L. Collins keeps a battery pack dry as he wades through a muddy hole while on a search mission with "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 12 miles south-southwest ofDaNang Vietnam.

45. Two pet monkeys are brought together in a carefully coordinated marriage ceremony to the delight of all on the base. Charlie, an Army monkey and Victoria, an Air Force monkey are soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Fink with the blessings of two presiding Colonels.  Victoria was flown in especially for the occasion and the two newlyweds sealed the deal with paw prints on a certificate of marriage. Charlie and Victoria soon become local celebrities and many troops would often pay them a visit on their way through the base.

48. A moment in the operating room of a field medical aid station is captured and depicts the skill and urgency of  surgeons working on wounded troops as they arrive from the front lines of the Vietnam War.  Post surgery, this patient would be transferred to a rear army hospital for ongoing care.