Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Subject
Subject Source: Library Of Congress Subject Headings
Scope Note: The Vietnam War between North Vietnam and South Vietnam lasted from approximately 1955 until 1975 and was fought with the goal of reunification. The North Vietnamese were aided financially and militarily by China and the Soviet Union, while South Vietnam was backed by the United States.Regular U.S. deployments began after the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident. However, U.S. involvement peaked in 1968 following the Tet Offensive, which was an attempt by North Vietnam forces to execute surprise attacks on military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam. The Tet Offensive triggered the decline of support from the U.S. public, eventually dovetailing into the anti-Vietnam War movement. In May 1968, peace talks began between the United States and North Vietnam in Paris, France.
Gradual withdrawal of U.S. ground forces began in 1973 as part of "Vietnamization," a policy of President Richard Nixon's that sought to end American involvement by providing equipment and training to the South Vietnamese with the goal of transferring fighting solely to their forces. Additionally, President Nixon suspended military offensives against North Vietnam and on January 15, 1973, direct U.S. involvement ended.
Despite all parties signing the Paris Peace Accords, fighting continued between North and South Vietnam but South Vietnam was not able to sustain its defense against North Vietnam. The Vietnam War ended in April 1975 when the North Vietnamese Army captured Saigon, the capital city of South Vietnam. The countries reunified the following year.
Source and Further Reading:
Stanley Karnow, Vietnam: a history, New York: Viking Press, 1983.
Found in 30 Collections and/or Records:
Bloch, Paul S. -- oral history interview, 2019 June 4
File
Interview Summary
Vietnam War veteran Paul S. Bloch is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy. He discusses his experiences as a CIC (combat information center) officer and as a bombardier/navigator for the Grumman A-6 Intruder aircraft. Topics discussed include his combat cruises during the Vietnam War; his assignments with Attack Squadrons 52 (VA-52), 115 (VA-115), 128 (VA-128), and 165 (VA-165); and his experiences with various ordnance. He also touches briefly on his later career...
Cable, David -- oral history interview, 2017 September 28
File
Interview Summary
United States Navy veteran David “Dave” Cable is interviewed about his military service during the Vietnam War. He discusses his military career during the 1960s and 1970s and describes his experiences as a naval aviator, including his time with Navy Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35) aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Topics discussed include his personal background, his experiences with the Grumman A-6A Intruder and other aircraft, his aerial bombing missions over North Vietnam, and his...
Clarke, Doug -- oral history interview, 2017 October 28
File
Interview Summary
Naval aviator and Vietnam War veteran Douglas Clarke is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy from 1957 to 1987. He discusses his combat tours in Vietnam and Laos and shares other details from his Navy and post-military careers. Topics discussed include his service and training history; his experiences piloting various aircraft, including the Douglas AD Skyraider, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and Vought A-7 Corsair II; notable missions in Southeast Asia; and his work at...
Crandall, Bruce -- oral history interview, 2017 August 24
File
Interview Summary
Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Bruce Perry Crandall is interviewed about his service as a pilot and engineer with the United States Army. He discusses his experiences conducting topographic studies during the 1950s and 1960s and his service as a helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Topics discussed include his training and service history, his mapping assignments in the Middle East and Central and South America, his participation in the battles of Ia...
Farmer, Jim -- oral history interview, 2017 October 26
File
Interview Summary
Vietnam War veteran James “Jim” Farmer is interviewed about his military service as a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress pilot. He discusses his wartime experiences in Southeast Asia, including his participation in Operations Linebacker I and Linebacker II, and shares other highlights from his U.S. Air Force service. He also discusses his involvement with The Museum of Flight and his work on Project Welcome Home, the Museum’s campaign to construct a memorial park paying tribute to Vietnam War veterans.
American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews
Collection
Identifier: 2002-02-13-OralHist
Abstract
Collection of approximately one hundred twenty (120) oral histories of Fighter Aces and several non-aces, including relatives of aces, other military pilots, and military historians.
David F. Beyl and Donald D. Beyl Logbooks
Collection — Box One
Identifier: 2009-09-22
Contents of the Collection
The David F. Beyl and Donald D. Beyl log books is a small collection of nine (9) United States Naval Aviator and civilian pilot logbooks belonging to brothers David and Donald Beyl, ranging from 1943-1987. Four (4) of the logbooks belonged to David D. Beyl and span approximately from 1954 to 1978, covering David's US Navy service. The other five (5) logbooks belonged to his brother, Donald F. Beyl, and cover his military and civilian flight history, ranging from 1943-1987. ...
James O. Brewer World War II Collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2012-06-04
Contents of the Collection
The James O. Brewer World War II Collection documents Brewer’s service as a pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The collection consists of both photographic and textual material, primarily dating from 1942-1949.Photographs are in color and black-and-white and appear to show military personnel, reunions, and personal candids, though most of the photographs are not dated or annotated. A significant number of photographs were taken in Australia and prominently feature...
Roy T. Church Vietnam War Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2017-09-29
Abstract
Roy T. Church (b. 1944) was born in Great Falls, Montana and served in Vietnam with the U.S. Marines as a bombadier and navigator from 1968-1969. The collection contains slides, photographs and a map related to his military service.
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