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 4 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...
Bruce Mennella Vietnam War Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2017-04-07
Abstract
Bruce Mennella (b. 1946) served during the Vietnam War from 1969-1972 as an Air Intelligence Officer for U.S. Navy Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114). The collection contains photographs and a small amount of ephemera documenting his military service.
Robert Withrow Vietnam War Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2008-10-15
Abstract
Robert Withrow (b. 1946) was born in Seattle, Washington and served as a U.S. Navy Fireman (E-3) aboard the USS Kitty Hawk from 1965-1967. The collection contains photographs, patches, and yearbooks related to his service.
Mennella, Bruce -- oral history interview, 2020 January 28
File
Interview Summary
Vietnam War veteran Bruce Mennella is interviewed about his life and military service. He discusses his career with the United States Navy, focusing particularly on his time as an air intelligence office with Fighter Squadron VF-114 on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). He also touches on his experiences growing up in Washington State during the 1950s and 1960s and on his post-military career managing a car dealership in Seattle.