Vietnam War

Firebases acted as Forts during the Vietnam War. Firebases normally had a battery (6 guns back then) of 105mm, 155mm Self Propelled Guns (SPG), or split trailed 155mm field guns. Some firebases had M42 Dusters and 175mm SPG.

What separates the military from the civilians is regimentation (treating personnel in an authoritarian manner). Without that regimentation, there is no military. During the Vietnam War (and previous US wars) the US military enforced discipline (after court martial) with the "stockade"; in South Vietnam the most famous stockade was LBJ (Long Binh Jail), and yes LBJ had a double meaning for every man in RVN (Republic of South Vietnam). GIs in South Vietnam could only protest/oppose the war by personal things such as growing a beard, long sideburns, handle bar mustaches, long hair (almost pony tails), wearing patches in unauthorized areas such as on their hats or helmets (the cloth camoflage cover), wearing of beads or bracelets...nearly all made by the nationals (South Vietnamese civilians) from expended rifle, machine gun brass, or tank/artillery cannon empties (melted down shell casings). Or defiant writings upon their helmet covers, such as, "We the unwilling, led by the un-qualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful." Or, "FTA" , which was explained to an inspecting General one day as standing for the "Finest Tank Around", when the General directed that that writing be removed from the tank's gun barrel (called a "gun tube" or "Main Gun"). ANYTHING else was walking the border-line for trouble (LBJ).

The tragic anti-war demonstration on May 4, 1970, took place at Kent State University in Ohio, United States. The demonstration resulted in the National Guard opening fire on unarmed students, killing four and injuring nine others.

The USSR had been training North Vietnamese jet fighter pilots since the late 1950's. North Vietnamese pilot trainees had spent about 2 years in the Soviet Union (Russia) learning how to fly MIGs. During the mid 1960's North Viet pilots began training in Red China. They preferred that, as Red China was closer, just across the border. The NVAF never exceeded about 200 MiG jet fighters at any one given time. The Soviets trained the North Viet MiG-17 and MiG-21 pilots, and supplied the jets. The Red Chinese trained the North Viet MiG-19 pilots, and supplied those jets (J6 versions). Although the NVAF preferred to train in Communist China, they didn't prefer the MiG19 jet; it had two engines and complicated maintenance and flying. North Vietnamese Army (NVA) senior officers were trained in Russia (USSR) and Red China, returned home to North Vietnam and trained their countrymen. Soviet technicians trained SAM (Surface to Air Missiles) crewmen in North Vietnam.

The domino theory was a Cold War policy that suggested a communist government in one nation would quickly lead to communist takeovers in neighboring states, each falling like a perfectly aligned row of dominos.

The Grumman F14 TOMCAT was the newest USN jet during the Viet War, and may have seen some flights over "some" hostile territory in Vietnam, possibly covering the final evacuation in 1975...during the closing months of the war. The F18 HORNET is newer than the TOMCAT, and didn't see any action in Vietnam.

The F4 Phantom II was king from Vietnam until about the time the Hornets and Tomcats really began to fill the ranks. The F4 could do it all...and was the only jet used as a FRONT LINE warplane by all three branches (Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps). The Tomcats, Hornets, Eagles, Falcons, Harriers, and the Raptor...all have a hard act to follow!

The Phantom was also America's LAST flying aces of the 20th century.

Another tough act to follow.

Although it's very possible that some USN airmen (pilots and crewmen) landed and took off from airfields in SOUTH Vietnam; the vast majority of USMC airmen were from airfields in SOUTH Vietnam.

Reason:

1. The primary mission of the USN air arm was attacking NORTH Vietnam from Yankee Station (coast of N. Vietnam). USN attacks in South Vietnam were off the southern shores called Dixie Station.

2. The primary mission of the USMC airmen was supporting US Marines ON THE GROUND in South Vietnam.

3. US Army ground units were primarily supported by the USAF. Altough, quite naturally, the USN & USMC airmen would help out the Army when requested.

The South Vietnamese, U.S., Korean and Australian forces quickly stopped each battle, causing very high numbers of enemy force casualties.

The only battle lasting longer than a day or two was in the old imperial capital of Hue (pronounced 'way'). That battle lasted three weeks.

But because the North Vietnamese regular army forces killed thousands of people in Hue, the people were enraged against the communist forces rather than supporting them.

Chi Minh Ho was born on May 19, 1890, in Hoang Tru, Vietnam, French Indochina.

The USN utilized:

1. Strike aircraft (fighter/bombers) launched from aircraft carriers off the coast of North Vietnam (Yankee Station) and South Vietnam (Dixie Station).

2. Naval gunfire support warships operating along the gunline: One battleship firing 16 inch guns (USS New Jersey, an Iowa class battleship); 8 inch gunned cruisers; 6 inch gunned cruisers; and 5 inch gun destroyers.

3. Riverine units operating 105mm gunned Monitors; Swift Boats; PBRs (Patrol Boat River); and Alpha boats (ASPB-Assault Support Patrol Boats);

The 1968 Tet Offensive was a military victory for South Vietnam and a psychological victory for North Vietnam. Although the South Vietnamese and U.S. forces were able to repel the offensive and regain control of the areas that were initially attacked, the surprise and scale of the offensive showcased the resilience and determination of the North Vietnamese forces, eroding public support for the war effort in the United States.

Field soldiers in Vietnam were ANY men (soldiers, airmen, marines, etc) living in the field...NOT LIVING in a large base. Sometimes, depending upon how primitive it was, a Firebase could be considered living in the field. But if the Firebase had been established there for a while, and had all the luxuries of a large military base (showers, small PX (called a canteen), night club (called a EM, NCO, or Officers club), heavy maintenance section, armory, etc.) then men stationed there might not be considered as "living in the field"; especially if ambush patrols are being sent out every day and night...those men going on patrol & living in the "field" for days at a time would be living in the field. And the men at the Firebase have evolved into "REMFs" (Rear Echelon M- F-'s), whilst the men outside the perimeter are now men living "in the field."

That's how the big bases like Quang Tri Base Camp, Camp Evans, Camp Eagle, Phu Bai, Pleiku, Tan An, Bien Phuc, Tay Ninh, etc. got started. They began as Firebases then evolved into big army compounds. The hundreds (possibly even closer to a thousand) of firebases scattered thru out the country were truly living in the field, and those small firebases were abandoned after weeks or months, or maybe a few years; they were like "forts in the American frontier in the 1800s." Amounting to nothing but a fortified camp of soldiers with a battery of 6 field guns emplaced within their compound.

President Lyndon B. Johnson obtained congressional approval for the war in Vietnam through the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This resolution was passed in 1964 and gave the president broad powers to use military force in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war. It was based on the belief that U.S. naval vessels had been attacked by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin, although subsequent evidence suggested that the initial incident may have been exaggerated or fabricated.

Actually the film "Platoon" is a modified (Hollywooded up) biography of director Oliver Stone's experience in Vietnam; he served as an infantryman (grunt) with the 25th ID which is depicted in the film. Actor Charles Sheen is portraying Mr. Stone. Actor Johnny Depp who portrays Private Learner (a Vietnamese speaking grunt) is the platoon's translater. Depp's role had to be edited to the extreme, as his charactor was stealing Charlie Sheen's thunder in portions of the film.

Soldiers from the United States were sent to South Vietnam to support the government and combat the communist insurgency during the Vietnam War.

Both the USA & USMC used the M14 & M16 rifle in South Vietnam. Both the M14 & M16 rifles utilized the same bayonet, both bayonets were simply modified differently from each other. The M14's M6 bayonet had its release button near the hand guard while the M16's M7 bayonet had its release mechanism near the rear of the handle and had a larger barrel ring (to slip over the M16's muzzle). Both bayonets used the same scabbard, both had close to the same blade length (roughly 6 1/5"). Both had black plastic handles & the standard parkerized blade (in the Viet War all US military small arms were parkerized).

Critics of the anti-global movement argue that it promotes protectionism and isolationism, hindering economic growth and international cooperation. They argue that globalization has brought significant benefits, such as increased trade, job opportunities, and technological advancements. Critics also highlight the potential negative consequences of retreating from globalization, such as reduced consumer choice and increased tensions between countries.

The Viet Cong, a guerrilla force in the Vietnam War, opposed and fought against the US soldiers primarily because they viewed the US as an occupying force interfering in their struggle for independence. They believed that the US was supporting an unjust and oppressive regime in South Vietnam and sought to end foreign intervention in their country. The hatred towards the US soldiers was largely driven by their opposition to the US involvement in the war, rather than a personal animosity towards individual soldiers.

Frustration. Which is what happens when a government deploys "conventional troops" to combat "guerrillas." They're supposed to fight fire with fire (guerrilla to kill guerrilla/also known as "bushwacking") not use artillery and tanks!

Guerrilla (bushwacking) warfare induces low morale on conventional forces...part of its usefulness in war. If an army is going to deploy conventional forces to deal with guerrillas (bushwackers)...then they're just simply falling into the guerrillas plans.

There are a few reasons why asking for help can decrease our credibility. First, when we ask for help, we are admitting that we don't know everything and that we need assistance. This can make us appear weak or incompetent. Second, asking for help takes away our autonomy and makes us appear dependent on others. This can make us seem less capable and less credible. Finally, when we ask for help, we are giving up our power and control. This can make us appear less confident and less credible.

During the Vietnam War, the Selective Service System implemented a draft lottery system. All male citizens and residents between the ages of 18 and 26 were eligible for the draft. The lottery was based on birthdates, and those with lower numbers were more likely to be called for military service. The draft was controversial and led to widespread protests and resistance.

The Vietnam War caused a war at home in the United States for several reasons. First, there was significant opposition to the war due to its high casualty rates and perceived lack of clear objectives. Second, the draft system led to protests and divisions within the country. Lastly, the anti-war movement gained momentum, fueled by media coverage of the war and the disillusionment of many Americans with their government's handling of the conflict.

In May 1950, President Harry S. Truman authorized a modest program of economic and military aid to the French, who were fighting to retain control of their Indochina colony, including Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. When the Vietnamese Nationalist (and Communist led) Vietminh army defeated French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the French were compelled to accede to the creation of a Communist Vietnam north of the 17th parallel while leaving a non Communist entity south of that line. The United States refused to accept the arrangement. The administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower undertook instead to build a nation from the spurious political entity that was South Vietnam. He helped fabricate a government there, took control from the French, dispatched military advisers to train a South Vietnamese army, and unleashed the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct psychological warfare against the North.

President John F. Kennedy reached another turning point in early 1961, when he secretly sent 400 Special Operations Forces (Green Beret) soldiers to teach the South Vietnamese how to fight what was called a 'counterinsurgency' against the Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam. When Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, there were more than 16,000 US military advisers in South Vietnam, and more than 100 Americans had been killed. Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, committed the United States most fully to the war. In August 1964, he secured from Congress a functional (not actual) declaration of war; the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. Then, in February and March 1965, Johnson authorized the sustained bombing by US aircraft of targets north of the 17th parallel. On 8 March he dispatched 3,500 Marines to South Vietnam. Legal declaration or no, the United States was now at war. Eisenhower acknowledged that had elections been held as scheduled in Vietnam in 1956, "Ho Chi Minh would have won 80% of the vote." No US president wanted to lose a country to communism. Democrats in particular, like Kennedy and Johnson, feared a right wing backlash should they give up the fight. They remembered vividly the accusatory tone of the Republicans' 1950 question, "Who lost China?"

The youthful John Kennedy on the other hand, felt he had to prove his resolve to the American people and his Communist adversaries, especially in the aftermath of several foreign policy blunders early in his administration. Lyndon Johnson saw the Vietnam War as a test of his mettle, as a Southerner and as a man. He exhorted his soldiers to "nail the coonskin to the wall" in Vietnam, likening victory to a successful hunting expedition. When Johnson began bombing North Vietnam and sent the Marines to South Vietnam in early 1965, he had every intention of fighting a limited war. He and his advisers worried that too lavish a use of US firepower might prompt the Chinese to enter the conflict. It was not expected that the North Vietnamese and the NLF would hold out long against the American military. And yet US policymakers never managed to fit military strategy to US goals in Vietnam. Massive bombing had little effect against a decentralized economy like North Vietnam's. Kennedy had favored counterinsurgency warfare in the South Vietnamese countryside and Johnson endorsed this strategy but the political side, the effort to win the "hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese peasantry was at best underdeveloped and probably doomed. Presidents proved reluctant to mobilize American society to the extent the generals thought necessary to defeat the enemy.

As the United States went to war in 1965, a few voices were raised in dissent. Within the Johnson administration, Undersecretary of State George Ball warned that the South Vietnamese government was a functional nonentity and simply could not be sustained by the United States, even with a major effort. Antiwar protest groups formed on many of the nation's campuses. In June, the leftist organization Students for a Democratic Society decided to make the war its principal target. But major dissent would not begin until 1966 or later. By and large in 1965, Americans supported the administration's claim that it was fighting to stop communism in Southeast Asia or they simply shrugged and went about their daily lives, unaware that this gradually escalating war would tear American society apart. It was 1967 and the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that the war really was stepped up and a massive troop build up became enormous. Gulf of Tonkin was a resolution over a minor sea incident that Johnson had deliberately overblown to get authorization to allow for the massive build up.

The Vietnam war mattered because that was a time period when most countries in Asia were becoming more and more communist. normally, when a country becomes communist, the neighboring countries will also become communist. that is called the domino effect. North Vietnam not only wanted to spread communism, but completely annex South Vietnam. countries such as United States of America did not want that to happen. As you see, North Vietnam annexed South Vietnam because America could not fight anymore. the population was turning against them and could not fight an invisible enemy.