America Takes America Takes ChargeCharge

1965-19671965-1967

Why go to Vietnam?Why go to Vietnam?

Communism = evilCommunism = evil

N. Vietnam was communist and at war N. Vietnam was communist and at war with S. Vietnamwith S. Vietnam

America, being anti-communist, supports America, being anti-communist, supports S. VietnamS. Vietnam At first, only advises S. Vietnam At first, only advises S. Vietnam FAILFAIL Takes over war and fightsTakes over war and fights

Unwelcoming ArrivalUnwelcoming Arrival

Young soldiers – draftedYoung soldiers – drafted200,000 by end of year200,000 by end of yearMinor Discomforts Included:Minor Discomforts Included: Jungle terrainJungle terrain Constant wet feetConstant wet feet 120 degree days / Cold nights120 degree days / Cold nights Bouncing Betty's Bouncing Betty's Indefinite enemiesIndefinite enemies People trying to kill youPeople trying to kill you

Marines Vs. Vietcong Marines Vs. Vietcong

Vietcong SoldiersVietcong Soldiers NativesNatives Carried light loadsCarried light loads Knew the areaKnew the area Support of localsSupport of locals

MarinesMarines ForeignersForeigners 70lbs. Backpacks70lbs. Backpacks Tough terrainTough terrain Unprepared for drastic changesUnprepared for drastic changes

Taking ActionTaking Action

AirstrikesAirstrikes More technologically advanced than More technologically advanced than

VietnameseVietnamese Often saved ground troopsOften saved ground troops Used to make Vietnamese talk peaceUsed to make Vietnamese talk peace

Population MovementPopulation Movement Villagers moved to break Vietcong tiesVillagers moved to break Vietcong ties Destroyed villagesDestroyed villages Villagers often left homelessVillagers often left homeless

Taking ActionTaking Action

Firefights (Jan. 1967)Firefights (Jan. 1967) Chaos of fightsChaos of fights Soldiers greatly woundedSoldiers greatly wounded Soldiers question there place in the warSoldiers question there place in the war

Village sweepingVillage sweeping Villages completely destroyed – including peopleVillages completely destroyed – including people Soldiers extremely cruel – built up hatredSoldiers extremely cruel – built up hatred

Killed livestockKilled livestock

Burned villagesBurned villages

Tortured young and oldTortured young and old

Leaving VietnamLeaving Vietnam

Soldiers were only required 365 days of Soldiers were only required 365 days of serviceservice Many left mentally and physically unbalancedMany left mentally and physically unbalanced

Last major actions of U.S. before Vietcong Last major actions of U.S. before Vietcong launched there last big offensivelaunched there last big offensive