Photos That Put You in the Middle of the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a complex conflict like no other, spanning two decades of hostilities that sparked civil wars in the area, among other terrible consequences. In the middle of the Cold War, the Soviet Union and China decided to support the people of North Vietnam, while the US joined forces with South Vietnam and other anti-communist nations of the world.
The US had to withdraw from the conflict in 1973 to avoid any more losses, but things were also heating up at home, with more and more local protests against war and violence.
To this day, people in the US and the rest of the world are still dealing with the consequences of the decisions taken back then, but very little is spoken about those who risked their lives in the line of fire. While the biggest powers in the world were playing chess, real humans were risking their lives for their countries, and here are some photos that put you right in the middle of all that.
Burnt Base
Here's a Viet Cong base camp being burned down by US soldiers. This image would repeat over and over during the war.
No Bicycles
The US Army instructed its men to destroy enemy bicycles and rice found in missions.
Navy SEALs
These are the first Navy SEALs to be deployed in Vietnam.
Mike Stahl
Here's Mike Stahl in the field on his first patrol out of Tien Phuoc in 1967.
Viet Cong Message
A US soldier reads a message left by the Viet Cong in English.
Operation Toan Thang II
Members of Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry patrol during Operation Toan Thang II in 1968.
Operation Wahiawa
Members of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry search for Viet Cong during Operation Wahiawa in 1966.
Operation Chinook II
Marines cross a rice paddy during Operation Chinook II in 1967.
Di An Base Camp
Lots of soldiers took their own cameras to register what went on.
Dai Do village
Destruction followed everywhere the US Army went.
Communications Unit
This is what comms looked like for US soldiers in Vietnam.
Women's Army Corps
Col Hoisington meets cadre members of the WAC Detachment.
Captured Soldier
Captured Viet Cong soldiers were blindfolded and tied, and had to stay in stressful positions until the US Army decided what to do with them.
Building a Bunker
It was an all-hands-on-deck situation.
Soldiers Awaiting Orders
The weather and the land weren't on the side of the US.
Vietcong Weapons
An Australian and a US soldier examine captured Vietcong weapons.
Firefight
The 173 Airborne Brigade in a firefight on Hill 823.
Wounded Camp
A soldier reunites with a wounded friend.
Da Nang Air Base
Here are troops taking a break at Da Nang Air Base in 1965.
Memories
Many soldiers had families waiting for them at home, and decided to have photos of them as a reminder of what it was all for.
