Vietnam

​ ​ ** VIETNAM ** **Helicopter in Vietnam** www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org ** By: Kevin Sherman **

My page contains information related to The Vietnam War. The time period covered is from 1950-1975. Specific categories include a brief history of the war, how the conflict began, America's involvement in the war, what war was like in the jungle, and how the war ended.

**Vietnam War Map** www.sillysoft.net

**I. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR

II. CONFLICT- 1950-1960

III. AMERICA TAKES A STAND- 1961-1964

IV. WAR IN THE JUNGLE- 1965-1968

V. MOVING TOWARD THE END - 1969-1975 ([])**

The Vietnam War cost the United States 58,000 lives and 35,000 casualties (Knauer, pg. 211). The war lasted for 25 years. During the 1950's, The United States began to send troops to Vietnam. The first troops were sent in an advisory role, but it then turned into a total committment. During the next 25 years, the war created some of the strongest tensions in The United States. America became divided over our involvement in the war. This was the first time in history that Americas could watch a war on television. Approximately three milion United States men and women were sent thousands of miles to fight for The United States in The Vietnam War. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people on both sides lost their lives.The largest involvement in The Vietnam War came under the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson and his Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This resolution gave the president very broad war powers. President Johnson replaced President Kennedy after his assassination in Dallas Texas in 1963 (http://www.vietnampix.com/intro).
 * I. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VIETNAM WAR **

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Vietnam War Video

**II. CONFLICT** As early as 1941 conflict was beginning in Vietnam. Communist activist Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam after spending 30 years in exile. He organized a nationalist organization which was known as the Viet Minh (Vietnam Independence League). The United States military intelligence agency Office of Strategic Services (OSS) worked with Ho Chi Minh and guerrillas to fight and harrass Japanese troops in the jungles and to help with downed American pilots. Hanoi and surrounding areas lost many lives due to starvation. With this came political unrest. On September 2, 1945 Ho Chi Minh declares independence of Vietnam. On Septemeber 26, 1945 the first American lost his life in Vietnam during fighting in Saigon. Much unrest and conflict continued. On June 30, 1950 President Harry S. Truman ordered United States ground troops into Korea. He authorized $15 million in military aid to the French. On January 20, 1953 President Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated as the 34th president of the United States. July 8, 1959 fighting led to the Second Indochina War which Americans now know as The Vietnam War (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam).

January 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushehev offers support for "wars of national liberation" throughout the world. The United States is opposed by an emeny dedicated to gain military victory regardless of the cost. As stated by Ho Chi Minh. "whatever the sacrifices, however long the struggle...until Vietnam is fully independent and reunified."([]). President Kennedy sends green beret to South Vietnam to train South Vietnamese soliders. The United States is determined to help Vietnam preserve its independence. This was stated in a letter sent by President Kennedy to President Diem. Shortly after that, President Kennedy sends military advisors and helicopter units to transport South Vietnamese troops into battle. The number of military advisors sent to Vietnam grew to over 16,000. On August 1, 1962 President Kennedy signed the Foreign Assistance Act. This act provides military assistance to countries that were likely to be taken over by the Communist world. November 1963, President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the 36th President of The United States of America. Attacks and fighting continued. President Johnson was re-elected November 1964. The total of American military advisors sent to Vietnam has now risen to 23,000. (http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam).
 * III. AMERICA TAKES A STAND**

After years of trying to strengthen the weak government of South Vietnam, the United States had dropped more tons of bombs against North Vietnam that the total bombs on Germany and Japan during World War II (Knauer, pg. 211). The Vietnam War had a major impact on everyday life in America. America did not have enough volunteers as the war grew which led to the draft being put into place. As Americans were taken to Southeast Asia, the Johnson administration was met with a huge amount of resistance to The United States' involvement in the war. Protests were seen on college campuses and across the country. Fighting in the jungle was very hard for U.S. troops. The Viet Cong were well-supplied. They attacked by setting up ambushes and booby traps. They had escapes through a very complex network of underground tunnels. Simply finding the emeny proved to be a challenge. U.S. troops dropped Agent Orange or napaim bombs which caused the leaves to drop off or burn away. It was also hard for the U.S. troops to determine who the enemy was since women and children could build booby traps and would help the Viet Cong. U.S. soldiers became tired and frustrated fighting in these conditions (http:1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamwar.htm).
 * IV. WAR IN THE JUNGLE**

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 * V. MOVING TOWARD THE END ** On January 20, 1969 Richard M. Nixon was inaugurated as the 37th U.S. President and declares, "the greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker."([|www.historyplace.com]). President Nixon was the 5th President that dealt with the war. His desire and campaign was based on a pledge kof "peace with honor." Fighting and killing continued. After the deadly battle at "Hamburger Hill", United States citizens made a plea to end the loss of American lives in Vietnam due to feeling that lives were being wasted in Vietnam. After MACV Commander General Creighton Abrams was ordered by Washinton to make an effort to avoid this type of confrontation in the future the beginning of the end to the war began. During this time, morale among soldiers serving in Vietnam became very low. On May 14, 1969 President Nixon proposed a peace plan for the withdrawal of troops from South Vietnam. This plan called for North Vietnam and America to simultaneously pull out of South Vietnam. Unfortunately the offer was rejected by Hanoi. Fighting and bloodshed continued. On April 20, 1970 President Nixon announced the withdrawal of 150,000 Americans from Vitenam within the year. On March 10, 1972 The U.S. 101st Airborne Division is withdrawn from Vietnam. On April 30th, 1975 at 8:35 a.m., the last Americans depart concluding the United States presence in Vietnam. The war was over. ([]).

Click on the following for more information on The Vietnam War

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V ietnam War Memorial **

www.trekearth.com

**Conclusion** In conclusion, my page only gives a brief history of The Vietnam War. The facts below provide strong evidence of the impact The Vietnam War had on the United States of America and other countries around the world. The men and women that served during this time played a major role in the many freedoms we enjoy today.

VIETNAM WAR FACTS:


 * THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE WOUNDED AND DEAD WAS 23.11 YEARS.


 * ABOUT 58,000 AMERICANS WERE KILLED DURING THE WAR AND ROUGHLY 304,000 WOUNDED.


 * INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, THAILAND, MALAYSIA, AND THE PHILLIPPINES WERE FREE OF COMMUNISM AFTER THE WAR AND STAYED FREE.


 * DURING THE WAR, THE NATIONAL DEBT INCREASED $146 BILLION.


 * 90% OF VIETNAM WAR VETERANS SAY THEY ARE GLAD THEY SERVED IN THE WAR.


 * 74% SAY THEY WOULD SERVE AGAIN.


 * THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE KILLED WAS 50,000 AND CASUALTIES WERE IN THE MILLIONS.


 * NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEN SERVING THE WAR WERE VOLUNTEERS. ([|www.buzzle.com/articles/facts])

"Facts of the Vietnam War." __Buzzle.com.__ Retrieved December 7, 2009, [|www.buzzle.com].
 * Works Cited**

Knaver, K. (2007). __America An Illustrated History__. New York: Richard Fraiman. pp 211-213.
 * "The History Place Presents The Vietnam War." The Vietnam War. __The History Place__. Retrieved November 24, 2009,** [|**www.historyplace.com**]**.

"The Vietnam War." Retrieved November, 2009.** [|**www.vietnampix.com/intro.htm**]**.

"Vietnam Jungle." __YAHOO__. Retrieved December, 2009.** [|**www.yahoo.com**]


 * "Vietnam War." __About.com 20th Century History__. Retrieved December 7, 2009.www.history1900's.about.com

"Vietnam War Footage." __YOUTUBE__. Retrieved December3, 2009.** [|**www.youtube.com/watch**]


 * "Vietnam War." __Global Security__. Retrieved December 3, 2009.** [|**www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/vietnam.htm**]**.

"Vietnam War." __Hawaii Army Museum Society__. Retrieved November 2009.** [|**www.images.search.yahoo**]


 * "Vietnam War Map." __Sillysoft__. Retrieved November, 2009.www.sillysoft.net.

"Vietnam War Memorial." __YAHOO__. Retrieved November 2009.** [|**www.trekearth.com**]**. youtube.com/watch

"Vietnam War." __New World Encyclopedia__. Retrieved December, 2009.** [|**www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/vietnamwar**]**.**