Vietnam Notes Part II

U.S. Involvement

1961 the first arrival of special forces troops to advise S. Vietnam army

Diem

Loses popularity; there is a coup. He is overthrown, assassinated with US knowledge.

Gulf of Tonkin

Gulf of Tonkin

1964LBJUSS MaddoxUSS Turner Joy

What happened?

• Clash between naval forces of the US and N Vietnam.

• 1st attack appears to be legitimate, 2nd attack is questionable.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: LBJ can use “all means necessary to

protect American forces and to provide for the defense of the nation’s allies in SE Asia”

“Blank Check” – what does that mean?

YouTube - DEAR AMERICA - Letters Home From Vietnam 1/10

Air Raids and Rolling ThunderAir Raids and Rolling Thunder

1965 US begins air raids on N Vietnam 1965 US begins air raids on N Vietnam Operation Rolling Thunder Operation Rolling Thunder

Campaign of INTENSE bombing in the hope Campaign of INTENSE bombing in the hope of trying to get the enemy to surrenderof trying to get the enemy to surrender

It didn’t work. N. Vietnam did not surrender.It didn’t work. N. Vietnam did not surrender.

Continued US Build Up

1966 – 190,000 troops in S. Vietnam N. Vietnam receiving aid from China and the

Soviet Union 1969 there were approximately 500,000 US

troops in Vietnam.

Vietcong

Vietcong National Liberation Front Also known as “Charlie” Or referred to as the “VC”

Guerrilla Warfare

Not your traditional warfare Used booby-traps Ambushes Mines

They were well known for attacking and disappearing back into the jungle (tiger and elephant)

Guerrilla Warfare Continued

The VC were very difficult to tell from the enemy. It really messed with the US soldiers’ heads

YouTube - US Army Massacred by Viet Cong

Tet Offensive

Tet Offensive cont….

1968 Military campaign during the Vietnam

War initiated by the VC Intent was to attack military and civilian

control centers throughout S. Vietnam Surprise attacks (supposed to be

observing a truce)

VC wanted to start an uprising among the population that would topple Saigon (S. Vietnam Capitol) and the government. This would have ended the war VC suffered a military defeat (US lost

5000 troops)

Tet Offensive is a turning point in the war.

It was a huge blow to the US Showed the VC were still strong Helped the anti war effort at home.

YouTube - Tet Offensive & Khe sahn vietnam war footage