▲ 55 r/VietnamWar
Wounded Marines lie about the floor of an H-34 Helicopter, as they were evacuated from the battle area on Van Tuong peninsular. 'Operation Starlite'. August 19, 1965.
u/waffen123 — 1 day ago
r/VietnamWar
▲ 1 r/VietnamWar
Searching for UK based veterans
Hi, is there any way I can find UK based Vietnam veterans to possibly interview about their experiences? I believe that while Britain did not engage in large-scale direct combat like the United States, there was secret British involvement in the war through covert operations and proxies. Are there any of you out there that would know more details? Does anyone know of any UK based veterans who might be worth approaching?
u/Apprehensive-Law9429 — 2 days ago
▲ 51 r/VietnamWar
My late father's photos
My dad recently passed after a lot of health struggles at 79 yrs old. My dad never talked about his time in vietnam other than a few rare occasions. I was having pizza with him and a couple of his buddies at the veterans home last winter. One of his friends asked him what he did in vietnam. Without hesitation he answered "photographer" I found a box of slides he took in vietnam going thru his stuff, I never knew these existed.
u/ManagementFit755 — 4 days ago
▲ 23 r/VietnamWar
Why aren’t The Beatles more strongly associated with the Vietnam War? Was it licensing?
I’ve been thinking about something odd: The Beatles were one of the biggest bands in the world during the Vietnam era, and their songs were absolutely part of the broader soundtrack of the 1960s. Soldiers in Vietnam were listening to the same pop/rock music everyone else was hearing back home, so it seems unlikely that The Beatles were somehow absent from the actual lived experience of the war.
But in movies, documentaries, and pop-culture memory, Vietnam is usually represented by CCR, The Animals, Hendrix, The Stones, Buffalo Springfield, etc. “Fortunate Son” practically became a cinematic button that says “we are now in Vietnam.”
My guess is that this is partly because Beatles songs have historically been expensive and difficult to license, especially for film and TV. If a Vietnam movie can get CCR or The Animals more easily and cheaply, those songs get used more often. Then decades of repetition turn those songs into the “official” sound of Vietnam in the public imagination.
u/marcsalty — 4 days ago
▲ 26 r/VietnamWar
1988 satellite photo shows giant "USA" and "walking K" carved in Laos – Why was this never solved?"
In 1988, US satellite imagery over Laos captured a large “USA” carved into the ground — roughly 37.5 feet wide and 12.5 feet long — with what appears to be a “walking K” next to it, a known distress symbol used by American pilots.
A "walking K” was a specific distress symbol taught to American pilots during the Vietnam War. The letter "K" would have “legs” or arrows at the bottom, making it look like it was walking. This told search planes the person was alive and moving in a certain direction.
The "K" looks more like a stick figure of a person walking than a perfect letter "K." That's actually why some called it a "walking K" — the shape resembles a person in motion. The "USA" is much clearer.
The photos were reviewed by intelligence agencies the following year in 1989, but the markings became more widely discussed during POW/MIA investigations in the early 1990s.
The markings were taken seriously enough to be examined during POW/MIA investigations. Some officials later suggested they could have been made by local people or children. However, author Peter Lloyd, who visited the Sam Neua Province area himself, strongly disagreed. He argued that in such an extremely poor farming region, children would not be carving giant English letters into a working rice paddy, when they don't speak or write English. Families were struggling to survive, and any damage to crops would have brought serious consequences. In his view, the “kids did it” explanation didn’t make sense on the ground.
Even if local kids, or anyone else, somehow decided to carve a giant "USA" for whatever reason, it’s highly unlikely they would know to add the specific "K" symbol right next to it. The "K" was a standardized distress symbol taught to American aircrew during the war. It wasn’t common public knowledge in rural Laos. This is one of the stronger arguments against the "kids or locals messing around" explanation.
Pre-1973 intelligence suggested dozens — sometimes estimated up to 40+ Americans might be held in Laos. After the Paris Peace Accords were signed, and POWs were released, only nine came from Laos. There were no specific mechanisms for POW repatriation from Laos or Cambodia like there were for Vietnam. Laos was not covered in the Paris Accords as Vietnam proper, and cooperation from the Pathet Lao/North Vietnamese on Laos-held prisoners was minimal.
The “USA/K” symbols were never conclusively explained and remain one of the more debated pieces of the POW/MIA issue.
I believe Americans were left behind in Laos, and Cambodia.
https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/16/world/us-aide-says-laos-markings-remain-puzzle-in-mia-issue.html
https://archive.ph/wvM2v (free version of NYT article)
u/andrewgrabowski — 6 days ago
▲ 88 r/VietnamWar
Pvt. R. Jones of the 81mm Mortars Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, is wet and cold as he takes a standing break during 'Operation Pitt'. Approximately 12 miles north of Da Nang. December 1, 1967
2/7 was deployed to Vietnam from July 1965 until October 1970 as part of the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. The Battalion operated in the southern half of I Corp most of the time. Qui Nhon, Chu Lai, Da Nang Air Base, Dai Loc and An Hoa. 2/7 were instrumental players in Operation Utah and Operation Harvest Moon.
Vietnam was the longest war for Marines. By its end, 13,091 had been killed in action, 51,392 had been wounded.
u/waffen123 — 9 days ago
▲ 31 r/VietnamWar
Unit information about Charlie Troop, 1st squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, 1966-1967.
My grandpa Staff Sergeant Vicente "Vince" Maltos (1943-2019) was a 3x Purple Heart recipient during the war. I have a newspaper clipping in which he was interviewed saying that he was caught in an ambush in which a driver died as a result. I was just told recently that he was shot in the legs carrying one of his buddies during a battle. I was wondering if there are any Action Reports that I can look over regarding this.
u/Think_Elderberry3391 — 8 days ago
▲ 14 r/VietnamWar
Only wish he could have read it...
This wasn't meant for any of you, and honestly I was never gonna post this originally. It just doesn't feel right, and its really long too. Only I think she knew what she was doing to me, when his daughter wrote back "Please do... in his Honor."
With that said. l now title;
Only wish he could have read it.
Dear LCpl (redacted sorry) USMC Retired. I only hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Now while I can't speak for the latest generation, not negating them or their service. I simply find myself too many years removed. But will none the less assure you there are those out there who still value "True Patriotism". I'd count myself among them.
Now let me just say, I'm not a Vet. I've never served. My career began and ended at Great Lakes Naval, as medically 4-F. So while I don't... I Can't understand. I'm gonna give it a try none the less. I wana take you back in time with me...
You see my parents once took me to D.C. when I was about nine years old. My young self just didn't take any interest. I just wasn't having it. Call it wasted effort on an unappreciative child. But then I had my first "You gotta see it" moment. Kinda like the Grand Canyon you gotta "experience" it, you just gotta "be there". I always thought this was just bullshit. Until years later I stared into a mile deep hole in the ground, but I digress. More than 30 years later I remember this night well. It was around Christmas time and very Cold! My mother had stayed in the room. Not that I wanted to go, but He was on some kinda "mission" and "no" simply wasn't a valid response.
It was well after dark by the time we got there, and the entire park was vacant except a few trying to stay warm in their makeshift dwellings. The air was dead silent, talking eerily quiet. My Father wouldn't tell me where we were going. He'd only say "Come on! Want to show you something." So I'd follow, past a strange statue with cans of beer, an packs of smokes at it's base. Don't people just steal those? I look up an ask. He chuckles, and we just keep on walking.
Then all of a sudden there it was... Five times taller than me. A towering, neverending megalith of a structure. Jet black, yet the characters etched would shine in the pale light. Imposing to say the least, yet all this is lost on me. I was tired, cold, and surly cranky. We'd continue on what seemed like forever until, all of a sudden my father just stops. Like he knew where he was going the entire time.
He'd pause for a moment then kneel, quietly say a small prayer. Stand, Kiss his fingers, and touch them to the Wall... I don't understand we're not a much of a religious family, and this is very unusual. With wet eyes he'll call me over, pointing at something. Now looking back I'll say I'm completely unprepared for whats about to happen. But as is often the case, Life... Simply has it's own plans for me tonight.
So with great trepidation I'll follow his finger and there it was. My Name... It's right there?!? On The Wall. Now I'm just beyond puzzled. Why!?! What's it doing there? Seeing my confusion, he quickly regains his composure and explains, well everything. Where we are. What this place is. Why it's so Important... And lastly "Who" his Big Brother, my Uncle really "Was". You see I knew I'd been named after him but that was all. Only my father never really spoke of him before. I think it was just too painful. But in that moment, teary eyed he told me my Uncle's "story" and time would just kinda stop...
Now it's different. Now I look to my left, the Names won't stop. Look to my right it's the same they only grow smaller in the distance. Now it clicks... Now I understand, an Im tearing up too. But I can't, not now anyways. Emboldened by the strength in my father's eyes I manage to regain my own composure, say my own prayer for my Uncle. An on the tips of my toes I'll touch his name the same as my father.
As we walk away still teary eyed all I can do, hold his hand allowing him guide me. While I watch the Names as we pass. I'll try reading them at first but theres too many, they'll just pass too quickly. Now wondering, Who they were? What were their story's like? Do they have Kids?... Do they have Brothers? Did they find Brothers?... The questions won't stop and never have. I think I've already aged a bit by the time we got back to the hotel that night. So, while some might sneer at a life of Sacrifice dedicated to the Service of others. I Won't. Not me... Never me...
P.S. Rest in peace Dad. Thank you for helping me become the Man I am today. An I'm still working on the promise I made you that night. To one day earn the Name you gave me.
Now if you made it down this memory with me. I'll simply say and then leave you with...
I Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice. Now on behalf of a Greatful Nation, I Vow not to let your story go untold.
"Lives of great Men remind us all. We can make our lives sublime, And departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time." -Richard Winters, 101st Airborne Division
With my greatest regards, yours truly (sorry redacted)
If you've made it this far. I'll salute you for your reading prowess and rededicate this to any Active Duty or Veteran. So keep your head down out there and, Godspeed to you.
u/Conscious_Laugh_3280 — 8 days ago
I need help finding out some information about my great uncle who passed in 1970.
All I know is he was in the 25th infantry division.. passed in 1970, and I have pictures he took in November of 1968.. will give more details in the comments
u/hamilton18889 — 10 days ago
▲ 12 r/VietnamWar
Looking for any info, please
I'm British and live in the UK, but I had a relative from the US who was killed in the Vietnam War. His name was Sherrick Camden Britton, he was in Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
He was killed during Operation Jasper Square on Go Noi Island, south of Da Nang, in Quang Nam Province on 10th April 1968, just before his nineteenth birthday, apparently by small arms fire.
I've looked in what I assume are the obvious places, but can't find out any more than this. I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know anything about Operation Jasper Square, Go Noi Island, or anything that would give me any more context or general understanding? There are no living relatives of his who might know more left to ask.
Thank you!
u/Azyall — 10 days ago
Zippo
My father gave me this lighter. He’s a vet and I’d like to know more about it/him. He doesn’t talk about the war.
u/SeaGuarantee1994 — 11 days ago
▲ 113 r/VietnamWar
My Old Man
My Dad circa 1971 sitting in his track with the platoon medic, near Pleiku. This was Dad’s first tour. He was an armored cav platoon leader with the 4th ID. He came home, went to flight school and left for another tour. He was among the last 5K American troops when he left in 1973.
u/amerpie — 13 days ago
▲ 19 r/VietnamWar
Grunt's Little War | 1969 Vietnam War documentary
Description: In 1969, WCCO reporter Al Austin and photojournalist Gordon Bartouche traveled to the Vietnam War front lines and followed nearly a dozen soldiers (And Marines) from across Minnesota as they battled overseas thousands of miles away from home. Their work, called Grunt's Little War, won national awards, including a Peabody.
Wcco, "Vietnam War Veteran Reflects 50 Years After War's End" (3:53) https://youtu.be/drnmHpuXsVs?is=Hy0cdFMZ5V1LHfiN
–"In 1969, Pfc. John Steele of Minnesota was featured in WCCO's award-winning Vietnam War documentary 'Grunt's Little War.' Decades later, he reflects on his time on the front lines with WCCO's Pauleen Le."
Article:
CBSnews, "Vietnam 50 Years Later: Minnesota veteran featured in 1969 war doc reflects on his service" https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/minnesota/news/vietnam-war-50-years-veteran-john-steele-grunts-little-war/
u/Nearby-Suggestion219 — 10 days ago