HERITAGE OUTREACH PROGRAM The Vietnam War

Vietnam War Overview U.S. involved from 1955 to 1975 The U.S. began rapidly deploying soldiers in the mid 1960’s The U.S. deployed roughly 3,500,000 soldiers during its involvement 9,200,000 men served in the military from 1964 to 1975 One of the most unpopular wars in our nation’s history

Vietnam War Draft Selective Service Due to the size of the war, we turned to a draft Roughly 2,215,000 soldiers were drafted during The Vietnam War

Vietnam War Home Front First time a war was visually shown to the U.S. public Media portrayed the war in a negative manner Anti-War Protestors sometimes consisted of war veterans themselves

Vietnam War Causes of the War The U.S. feared the spread of communism If one Country fell into communism then it would spread throughout the world Communism was highly feared during the Cold War Era

Vietnam War Sides of the War The United States and South Vietnam fighting against North Vietnam and the Viet Cong The war seemed as a discreet conflict against the U.S. and Russia

Vietnam War North Vietnamese Army Also known as the NVA Very disciplined soldiers Were a uniformed Army

Vietnam War Viet Cong Usually not found in uniform Militia type military in South Vietnam, fighting against south Vietnam and the U.S. Used Guerilla tactics Could easily blend into regular people

Vietnam War The American Soldier Wore solid olive green uniforms or tiger stripped uniforms during the war Combat tours would last one year Combat experienced leaders

Vietnam War Tactics and Technology Jungle Warfare Guerilla Warfare Modern Warfare NVA and Vietcong would dig massive tunnel systems American Soldiers usually lived on small firebases or outposts

Vietnam War Tactics and Technology

Vietnam War Weaponry of the War The U.S. started out with the M14, but it was unable to compete with the AK-47 The U.S. quickly switched to the M16 The M16 was insufficient in the jungle conditions and was modified to the M16A1

Vietnam War Weaponry of the War American soldiers also carried the M60 Machine Gun The M79 Grenade Launcher (Thumper) was also commonly carried

Vietnam War Weaponry Of the War The AK-47 was the standard, preferred weapon of the enemy Very effective weapon for jungle conditions

Vietnam War Weaponry Of the War Punji Sticks and booby traps were commonly used by both sides Booby traps made Soldiers fearful of every step

Vietnam War Weaponry Of the War

Vietnam War Living Conditions When the Soldiers were not out on a patrol, they would live on a small base known as a “Fire Base” Soldiers would commonly go on patrols for days at a time and sleep in the Jungle

Leeches Snakes Bacteria Malaria Vietnam War Jungles

Common to find near villages Landmines could be placed in the water Landmines in rice paddies are still an issue to this day Vietnam War Rice Paddy

Vietnam War Soldier’s Equipment Soldiers would carry a small, metal framed ruck sack Suspenders and a pistol belt would make up the Soldier’s “LBE” Tents and sleeping bags were usually not carried with the soldiers

Vietnam War Soldiers Equipment Flak vests were supposed to be worn but were commonly left behind Helmets were not bullet proof

Vietnam War Soldier’s Diet C rations were the standard field rations C rations were a great improvement from previous wars Hot meals were available on base

Vietnam War Soldiers Routine Receiving mail was a luxury that came only once or twice a month On larger bases, soldiers could have the opportunity to call home While not on a patrol, soldiers would spend much of their time training, training new soldiers, or improving their base