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 31 Collections and/or Records:
John Donaldson Lancer Helicopter Photograph
Collection — Box Small Collections Oversize 2019- , oversize: folder
Identifier: 2020-10-23
Content Description
The John Donaldson Lancer Helicopter Photograph is small collection consisting of one 13x19-inch color photograph depicting a Lancer helicopter. The helicopiter is serving in Laos and men hanging from a ladder are a Special Operations team of MACV/SOG/CCN (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam/Special Operations Group and Combat Command North) that were just extracted under heavy fire. Images of two patches superimposed on the left side of the picture are the Lancer unit patch and the...
Calvin H. and Yun Yau Kam Papers
Collection
Identifier: 2017-03-24
Abstract
Yun Yau Kam served in the U.S. Army for 19 years and was the father of Calvin H. Kam. Calvin H. Kam was born in Hawaii and enlisted in 1969, completing flight school in 1970. The collection contains military documents, photographs, and slides relating to the military service of Calvin H. Kam during Vietnam and photographs and clippings related to his father's, Yun Yau Kam, service during World War II and the Korean War.
Map and Photographs of the Vietnam War era
Collection
Identifier: 2018-00-00-15
Abstract
The Map and Photographs of Vietnam War era is a very small collection comprised of a map and three (3) photographs related to Vietnam War, circa 1960s.
McDonnell F-4C (F-110A) Phantom II Collection
Collection — Box Assorted oversize box 3, oversize: folder
Identifier: 2019-00-00-93
Contents of the Collection
This small collection is comprised of four items: a map of Vietnam, a lithograph of a McDonnell F-4C, a photograph of a F-4C, and a typed note. The map is 20x21.5" and has a plastic overlay annotated what is likely code names, such as "Dressy Lady," "Paddy," and "Playboy." The color lithograph depicts a F4-C Phantom II (tail number 64-0776). Part of the lengthy caption reads: "142nd FIG [Fighter Interceptor Group], Portland IAP, March 1988. 123rd FIS [Fighter Interceptor Squadron], Oregon ANG,...
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.
James H. Platt Vietnam War Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2017-10-19
Abstract
James H. Platt served in Vietnam from 1967-1968 as a United States Air Force Rescue Commander. The collection contains twenty (20) slides and one (1) photocopied document related to his service.
Fred Quarnstrom Vietnam War Collection
Class
Identifier: 2019-05-14
Overview
Fred Quarnstrom was a combat denstist who served in the Vietnam War from May-December 1965 with the Fourth Marine Force. The collection documents Quarnstrom's military service in Vietnam and the construction of Chu Lai airfield during the with color 35mm photographic slides, digitized film clips, and a personal memoir.
Blake V. Stoltey Vietnam War Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2023-08-09
Overview
Blake V. Stoltey served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1966-1969. This small collection is comprised of textual and photographic materials related to his military service. The documents date from 1965 to 1971.
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.
Hallman, David -- oral history interview, 2017 August 28
File
Interview Summary
Vietnam War veteran David Hallman is interviewed about his U.S. Air Force service as a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crew member. He discusses his wartime experiences as B-52 navigator in Southeast Asia and his bombing missions to North and South Vietnam in 1972 and 1973. He also provides an overview of his later assignments as a radar navigator, including his time stationed on nuclear alert at Ellsworth Air Force Base (South Dakota). Topics discussed include his training and service history, his...
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