Winning Their Hearts
The tactic of handing out candies and other goodies in war zones is not a new practice. Some view it as a consumerism tactic that is supposed to “win the hearts” of the locals while they’re making war with their neighbors. Others see the humanity and compassion in it.
Winning Their Hearts
Drinking Rainwater
Vietnam has a tropical climate and a heavy season of rainfall. In this well-captured photograph, U.S. soldiers are filling their army-issue canteens with rainwater leaking off elongated leaves. These conditions proved challenging for U.S. troops during the Vietnam War.
Drinking Rainwater
Sitting Ducks
It was entirely necessary for troops to arrive on helicopter into certain battle zones. However, it did pose a number of lethal challenges for both the soldiers and the pilots. Having to fly low and land in both open and closed spaces meant that they became sitting ducks. They became easy targets.
Sitting Ducks
Surgery In The Swamp
During air raids by the U.S. Air Force, Vietnamese soldiers and civilians suffered. This shocking photograph shows a pop-up operating room where a civilian is being brought through the swamp to waiting nurses. Considering the unsanitary conditions in these areas, it’s difficult to believe that patients received successful surgeries under these circumstances.
Surgery In The Swamp
Vietnamese Entertainment
This photograph shows a lot more than the local population offering entertainment to foreign soldiers. In fact, this also serves as a photographic representation of how some relationships between foreign troops and local South Vietnamese women were. These men formed intimate relationships with local women, and even fathered some of their babies.
Vietnamese Entertainment
Operation Babylift
At the end of the Vietnam War in April 1975, the American government initiated “Operation Babylift”. The mission aimed to evacuate orphaned babies from South Vietnam by airplane and then put them up for adoption. Countries who then participated in the adoption segment were, France, Australia, West Germany, Canada and the United States.
Operation Babylift
Abandoning Their Uniform
This image speaks a thousand words. South Vietnamese soldiers abandoned their military uniforms in the wake of the North Vietnamese army’s approach on Saigon. The North was gaining a fast and powerful advance, and these soldiers knew well enough that the Viet Cong would not treat enemy soldiers with compassion.
Abandoning Their Uniform
Search And Destroy
The Viet Cong were outmaneuvering the U.S. led coalition in Vietnam, so the U.S. Army set up a special force whose task was to search and destroy the enemy. With the Viet Cong’s successful guerrilla tactics of laying land mines and booby traps, the force faced staunch opposition.
Search And Destroy
Elephant Warfare
The size, strength and mobility of elephants, served as a benefit to both the North and South armies. These large animals were used to transport troops and weapons, and to cross rivers and swamps.
Elephant Warfare
The Children
Perhaps the greatest victims of the Vietnam War, were the children. An estimated 84,000 children lost their lives during the violent war, and thousand others lost at least one of their parents. Many of these children were even recruited by the Viet Cong in order to join the fighting.
The Children
Peace In War
This picture might seem ironic, and in a way it is. American citizens were slapped with a compulsory enlistment into the army, and many obviously were anti the war. The 60’s pro-peace culture created staunch lobbyists who wanted no American attachment to the Vietnam War.
Peace In War
Huey Helicopters
Certain weapons are strongly associated with the Vietnam War, like the American-made M16 rifle, and napalm. Another such instrument of war synonymous with the Vietnam War, was the Bell UH-1 Iroquois. It gained the nickname of “Huey” and it would be responsible for many important missions throughout the war.
Huey Helicopters
Long Grass Warfare
The troops that made up the foreign fighting force against the Viet Cong, were the following: The United States, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Khmer Republic and The Kingdom of Laos. Although those from the region knew how to deal with the Vietnamese terrain, the others faced a lot of difficulty.
Long Grass Warfare
Unequipped
It’s one thing coming into a war zone with the latest and best weaponry, but without the hearts of soldiers, loss is inevitable. Many have asked why the Allies lost the war, and the answer comes down to what they didn’t have. America’s soldiers weren’t invested in winning the war, and the U.S. government didn’t have a coherent plan. It was bound to be a lost war.
Unequipped
In And Out
With the threat on the ground and the threat once the helicopters were up in the air, stress levels were through the roof. Helicopters were releasing troops in quick succession, avoiding sticking around for too long so that they could leave safely.
In And Out
Thinking About Home
Soldiers were sent to fight in the Vietnam War, and they didn’t know how long they were going to be away. This soldier is enjoying reading a copy of Playboy magazine; a taste from home.
Thinking About Home
CPR In A War Zone
Here a soldier feverishly attends to a severely wounded soldier. He is performing CPR in the middle of a war zone, which highlights the gravity of the situation he finds himself in.
CPR In A War Zone
Soldiers And Civilians Alike
The Vietnam War took its toll on both soldiers and civilians, and the effects were tragic. Here you can see women and children taking refuge under the wings of American servicemen. In many instances, Viet Cong militia blended in with civilians in towns and villages, which made it difficult for the Allies to identify them and flush them out.
Soldiers And Civilians Alike
Story In A Shot
This Allied soldier is holding a baby whose parents may not even be alive anymore at this point. The tragedy that befell all citizens of both the north and south of Vietnam will live on in history’s infamy.
Story In A Shot
Day During The Night
No matter the time of day or night, the fighting continued incessantly. With the use of night flares, soldiers were able to seek and discover enemies and their positions. The inevitable downfall for this, was that the Viet Cong were then able to spot the Allies.
Day During The Night
Young Guns
This American soldier is terribly young, and yet he had to face one of the most difficult battles in American history. Soldiers were drafted onto the battlefield at a very young age on the Viet Cong’s side. Young children were sent into war zones with rifles and equipment that weighed more than they did.
Young Guns
Pure Exhaustion
The climate was only one factor that wore down American troops in Vietnam. This soldier is the image of what it’s like continuing to move forward even when you’re exhausted. Behind him an Ally tank offers him protective cover.
Pure Exhaustion
The Christmas Truce
Even though this Christmas message was only seen on one side of the battlefield, it resembles a similar sentiment of the First World War. The “Christmas Truce of 1914” was established between German, French and British troops. These troops came out of their trenches on December, 25th and exchanged “gifts”, and some even had a game of soccer together.
The Christmas Truce
Inexperienced Recruits
As the fighting caught fire and became more fierce, the North Vietnam army and the Viet Cong took to new tactics. They started to recruit as many men as they could. Very often they would equip new recruits with weapons that they weren’t trained to use yet.
Inexperienced Recruits
Protests At Home
The Vietnam War was definitely a controversial time for Americans serving in Vietnam, and for those at home. Mass protests erupted across America, calling for an end to the war, but this didn’t come without violence.
Protests At Home
Fallen Comrades
U.S. soldiers grieve as their fellow servicemen have fallen. The Vietnam War claimed the lives of 58,220 Americans, 5,099 South Koreans and almost 1,000 other Allied soldiers.
Fallen Comrades
Love For Your Fellow Soldier
The 1960’s were a time of rampant racial inequality and racism in America. This image captures a touching moment which teaches us that when the time comes, we can all be there for one-another. Brothers in arms could not be more symbolic here.
Love For Your Fellow Soldier
War Destroys
War is destruction. The effects of war can last for years, and sometimes they can last forever. Many villages, towns and cities were completely destroyed, leaving very little to be salvaged.
War Destroys
Local Delights
Here an American soldier gets acquainted with the local creepy crawlies. For many American soldiers, it was the first time that they ever left home, let alone traveled halfway across the world to fight a war they didn’t want to be a part of.
Local Delights
Time For Caring
When soldiers entered towns and villages, many animals were left unattended to. This soldier took it upon himself to care for this monkey that was abandoned during the conflict.
Time For Caring
Total Anguish
It’s hard to even imagine what this young soldier is experiencing at this moment. Conditions were harsh for these soldiers since they had lost friends during the war, and missed their families and friends back home. For many of them, the war would follow them back home and torment them.
Total Anguish
Masked Activists
This eerie photograph showing a number of women in the Nam Cam forest was captured in 1972. These activists would wear masks to hide their identities from one-another so that if they were captured and tortured they would not be able to identify each-other.
Masked Activists
Humanity First
Even after experiencing traumatic and shocking events at the hands of their enemies, U.S. soldiers can be seen treating their enemies with humanity. A soldier tends to a bound and seated Viet Cong guerrilla as he helps him drink from his water canteen.
Humanity First
Adoption During The Vietnam War
Despite the war raging on around them, this soldier found the time to care for another. This little pup probably would have never made it if this tanker didn’t decide to adopt him.
Adoption During War
True Heroes
This beautiful photograph was taken in February 1970 and it shows what a true hero looks like. When this old and fragile Vietnamese woman couldn’t walk any longer during an American liberation of a village, this soldier stepped in.
True Heroes
Recruiting Minorities
The U.S. Army started an initiative to recruit different Vietnamese minority groups that dwelt in the mountains. Their aim was to train them in guerrilla warfare so that they could counter the attacks of the Viet Cong’s own guerrilla tactics.
Recruiting Minorities
Pure Fury
These South Vietnamese soldiers are escorting a group of North Vietnamese prisoners of war through the thick of the jungle. You can see the pure anger of the soldier handling the unarmed enemy soldier.
Pure Fury
Above It All
This tear-jerking photograph can give you the chills and well your eyes up all at the same time. Jeremiah Purdie, a Sergeant in the Marine Corps, fights the pain he sustained from his head injury, as well as the hands of fellow soldiers, to check on another injured Marine.
Above It All
The A-1 Skyraider
Another trademark vehicle of the Vietnam War was the A-1 Skyraider. This single-seat bomber was used
originally during the Korean War, and it is primarily used for dropping bombs on enemy positions.
The A-1 Skyraider
Raquel Welch
In 1967, Hollywood star, Raquel Welch, flew across the world to help uplift the spirit of the troops fighting in the Vietnam War. She was accompanied by Bob Hope, too.
Raquel Welch
Temporary Smile
As an American soldier arrives in Vietnam in 1966, a young South Vietnamese girl puts a floral wreath around his neck. The smile would soon fade, however, as the soldier would join his brothers in heavy fighting in the country’s most populous city, Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City.
Temporary Smile
Protecting The Children
In this terrifying photograph, U.S. soldiers protect South Vietnamese children from an enemy sniper. This took place 10 miles south of Da Nang.
Protecting The Children
The Watchful Eye
Coming across this army outpost at any time during the day or night or should be enough to scare an enemy away. U.S. troops fixed this skull to a tree at the site where ambushes were a constant reality in the Vietnamese jungle.
The Watchful Eye
Hiding Out
When their villages were completely overrun, South Vietnamese civilians had nowhere to run, so they hid. A woman protects her child as South Vietnamese troops from the 21st Division pass near her makeshift hideout.
Hiding Out
Calley’s Revenger
This cannon reads, ““Calley’s Revenger,” which refers to a disgraced Lieutenant William Calley Jr. He oversaw a massacre on helpless Vietnamese civilians on March 16th, 1968. The horrific event claimed the lives of more than 350 men, women and children and the civilian population was severely abused. Eventually 26 soldiers and the Lieutenant faced war crime charges.
Calley’s Revenger
The Picture Says It All
This is perhaps the most iconic photograph of the Vietnam War. It shows a 9-year-old girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, fleeing the scene were she was severely burned in a napalm attack carried out by the South Vietnamese Army. Photographer Nick Ut snapped this shot on June 8th, 1972 and less than a week later it had made its way across the world.
The Picture Says It All
Captured Soldiers
These South Vietnamese soldiers sit on the lawn outside of the presidential palace in Saigon. They were captured and didn’t know what conditions they were to face as prisoners of war.
Captured Soldiers
Violent Protests
Many American citizens were opposed to the Vietnam War and took to mass protests to express it. On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on protesters at Kent State University. As a result four students were killed and an additional nine students were injured.
Violent Protests
The Tet Offensive
One of the biggest military campaigns of the Vietnam War was the Tet Offensive. It would lead to heavy casualties on both fighting sides, and the ultimate depletion of the Viet Cong forces. North Vietnam and Viet Cong forces staged the attacks on U.S. forces and their allies with numbers as great as 70,000 in the first stage.
The Tet Offensive
Dragged To Safety
One soldier drags another injured soldier to safety while still under heavy fire. This engagement took place at Hue, near the citadel’s outer wall.
Dragged To Safety
Catching A Guerrilla
These military policemen handle a captured Viet Cong guerrilla after they staged massive attacks in Saigon. The surprise attacks were aimed at the U.S. embassy and South Vietnamese government buildings.
Catching A Guerrilla
Sharing The Navy
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Samuel D. Berger stands next to General Creighton Abrams at a ceremony set up by the U.S. Navy. It was here that they turned over 80 U.S. Navy patrol boats to their allies, the South Vietnam Navy.
Sharing The Navy
Giving Instructions
During fierce battle, soldiers needed to think with a clear head. Here you can see an American soldier shouting instructions to his brothers in arms.
Giving Instructions
Firing On Targets
This incredible picture shows a Phantom F4B of the U.S. Air Force, firing rockets onto a Viet Cong stronghold position.
Firing On Targets
Reading The News
There weren’t always moments that gave soldiers breathing space, but moments like these were treasured. One soldier reads a Life magazine publication of the war he is currently fighting in.
Reading The News
Praying During War
Whether they were religious or not, many soldiers found comfort with the army chaplain. Here you can see soldiers praying before entering battle.
Praying During War
Alternative Methods
Some unconventional tactics were employed to fight the Viet Cong. One such example is this cargo plane that sprayed “Agent Orange” over a forest area where Viet Cong had hidden themselves. The agent was aimed to defoliate the forest.
Alternative Methods
Defeating A Warlord
War has its riches and spoils, and these soldiers experienced them both. Here they are showing off money and guns that they obtained after capturing a Viet Cong warlord.
Defeating A Warlord
Airlifting Bodies
This image of a dead U.S. paratrooper is both eerie and bizarre. The soldier is being lifted and evacuated by helicopter close to the Cambodian border on May 14th, 1966.
Airlifting Bodies
Elders Reunite
Even though they were at war, the civilians from North and South Vietnam suffered heavily during the Vietnam War. These two elders reunited on May 1975.
Elders Reunite
Dick Jackson
In this photograph you can see 20-year-old Dick Jackson. The man who photographed him shaving his face, is Christopher Gaynor. Sadly the soldier in the picture would be killed in action in 1968.
Dick Jackson
Home Run
In the heat of the Southeast Asia, American soldiers enjoy some down time with a game of baseball. They’re playing at Dau Tieng base camp.
Home Run
Passing Villages
Transporting troops to different areas via roads was sometimes treacherous. The roads weren’t only exposed to ambush attacks, they were also littered with villagers seeking safety from the fighting.
Passing Villages
Allies Fly In
Even though Australia was ready to send troops to help the fight for South Vietnam (60,000 soldiers), New Zealand was more reluctant, only sending 3,500. These Australians and New Zealanders have just flown into Vietnam.
Allies Fly In
Touch And Go
A Huey helicopter makes a quick drop of weapons in the jungle without even touching the ground. Pilots didn’t even land their helicopters when dropping off weapons so as not to be attacked while sitting on the ground.
Touch And Go
Basic Training
This photo shows American soldiers during basic training, enjoying a game of cards. By the end of the war, 58,220 American soldiers had lost their lives, with the average age of those soldiers at 23.11.
Basic Training
Final Moments
An American soldier spends some quality time with his younger siblings before being shipped out to fight in the Vietnam War. For some it would be the last time their families would ever see them.
Final Moments
Smoking Them Out
Americans conducted ‘search and destroy’ tactics to cripple and discourage Viet Cong soldiers from continuing to fight. An American soldier uses a flamethrower to destroy homes suspected of belonging to Viet Cong members.
Smoking Them Out
Severe Interrogation
This disturbing image shows Vietnamese soldiers interrogating a Viet Cong prisoner. Both sides used brutal tactics in order to interrogate their enemies.
Severe Interrogation
Lost In Translation
The language barrier during interrogations was sometimes an obstacle for the Americans since most of them only spoke English. Captain Dennis K. Anderson listens to the interpretation of a South Vietnamese Army interrogator, in September 1967.
Lost In Translation
Letters From Home
Receiving letters from home was an unparalleled gift for soldiers serving in Vietnam. This photo from November 1967 shows Private First Class John J. Schult enjoying a letter from home.
Letters From Home
Shots For Health
This American soldier administers a shot of penicillin to a Vietnamese farmer in May 1967. The soldier is SP4 Manuvel Y. Martines.
Shots For Health
Wounded Enemies
Even when one’s enemies are wounded, it s humanity that must rise above all. American medical staff extract a wounded Viet Cong warrior from a U.S. Medivac helicopter, November 1968.
Wounded Enemies
Women’s Prison Camp
While captured soldiers from the north were put up in prison camps, they were given work to do. In this case a South Vietnamese soldier oversees prisoners’ work in a sewing class in the prison camp.
Womens Prison Camp
Rainy War
American paratroopers wade through the water during a rainy day, carrying their rifles above the water. These troops search for Viet Cong fighters. The photographer who took this photo, Henri Huet, was killed six years later when the helicopter he was riding in was shot down.
Rainy War
Night After
This is the scene following a fierce night of fighting against North Vietnamese troops. We can see a supply helicopter that was shot down the previous night.
Night After
