VIETNAM WAR 1959-1973.

ATTEMPT BY COMMUNIST GUERRILLAS (VIETCONG) IN SOUTH, BACKED BY NORTH VIETNAM, TO OVERTHROW SOUTH VIETNAM.
US. / 40 OTHER COUNTRIES SUPPORTED S. VIETNAM W/ TROOPS / MUNITIONS.
USSR / CHINA SUPPLIED N. VIETNAM.
VIETCONG. BURDEN FELL ON CIVILIANS.
WAR ENGULFED LAOS / CAMBODIA..
1965-1973 - COMMUNIST PATHET LAO FOUGHT GOVERNMENT.
ABOLISHED MONARCHY IN 1975.
1973 - CAMBODIA SURRENDERED TO COMMUNIST KHMER ROUGE.
WAR A STRUGGLE (1946-54) BETWEEN FRENCH (RULERS OF INDOCHINA BEFORE WORLD WAR II / COMMUNIST VIET MINH (LEAGUE FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF VIETNAM).
1950-1954 - U.S. SUPPORTED FRENCH EFFORTS TO SUPPRESS HO.
1940 - JAPANESE POURED INTO SE. ASIA FROM CHINA. (W/HITLER’S INVASION OF FRANCE).
1940 JAPAN INVADED VIETNAM. (WORLD PREOCCUPIED W/ HITLER.).
JAPANESE THREW FRENCH OUT OF VIETNAM.
JAPANESE THREW BRITISH OUT OF MALAYA.
JAPANESE THREW DUTCH OUT OF INDONESIA.
JAPANESE THREW US. OUT OF PHILIPPINES.
1940 - HO CHI MIHN ASKED FOR US. MILITARY AID TO FIGHT JAPANESE.
LATER ASKED FOR US. TO HELP THROW OUT FRENCH.
(UNDERSTOOD THAT US. W/O IMPERIALIST INTENT).
8/1945 - JAPANESE SURRENDERS.
VIETMINH FILLS VACUUM.
BRITISH RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCEPTING JAPANESE SURRENDER S. OF 17TH PARALLEL. (THOUGHT WOULD BE CEREMONIAL).
FRENCH DETERMINED TO REGAIN OLD EMPIRE.
FRENCH TO EXPEL VIETMINH IN S.
ROOSEVELT DISLIKED FRENCH.
HATES COLONIALISM.
AFRAID TO SUPPORT VIETNAMESE INDEPENDENCE.
FEARS COMMUNIST WILL TAKE CONTROL.
4/1945 ROOSEVELT DIES / TRUMAN PRES.
TRUMAN ADVISORS RECOGNIZE SOVIET AMBITIONS FOR GLOBAL COMMUNISM.
1ST 3 YRS OF WAR - U.S. PRO FRENCH NEUTRAL.
FRENCH USE MARSHALL PLAN MONEY FOR WAR AGAINST VIETMINH U.S. NEED FRANCE AS ALLY FOR BAL. OF POWER IN EUROPE.
FRENCH GOVT. THREATENED W/ STRONG COMMUNIST PARTY.
SPRING/1947 - U.S. COMMITTED TO CONTAINMENT. (GEO. KENNAN).
S. VIETNAMESE RELUCTANT TO FIGHT FOR "FRENCH" CAUSE.
8/1945 - JAPAN SURRENDERED.
VIET MINH SEIZED HANOI. (9/2/1945 - FORCED OUT EMPEROR BAO DAI).
VIET MINH VIETNAM INDEPENDENT.
ANNOUNCED CREATION OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. (NORTH VIETNAM).
HO CHI MINH - PRESIDENT.
FRENCH BACKED BAO DAI.
7/1/1949 - SET UP STATE OF VIETNAM ( SOUTH VIETNAM).
ESTABLISHED CAPITAL AT SAIGON. (NOW HO CHI MINH CITY).
HO CHI MIHN -  MISUNDERSTOOD.
COMMUNIST.
NOT FRIEND OF CHINA.
NOT FRIEND OF USSR.
FIERCELY INDEPENDENT.
FRANCE - 1ST OCCUPIED INDO-CHINA IN 1869S.
RULED ALL OF INDO-CHINA IN 1925.
VIETNAMESE FOUGHT MONGOLS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
HO SPOKE ENGLISH / FRENCH / RUSSIAN / VIETNAMESE / 3 CHINESE DIALECTS.
LIVED IN FRANCE 6 YRS.
LIKED LIVING IN FRANCE.
1924 - HO LIVED IN MOSCOW FOR SHORT TIME.
HATED IT.
RUSSIANS NOT INTERESTED IN VIETNAM IN 1920S.
TEMPORARILY INVITED FRENCH IN TO EVICT NATIONALIST CHINA’S ARMY FROM N. VIETNAM.
(BETTER TO PUT UP WITH FRENCH CRAP FOR A LITTLE WHILE THAN CHINESE CRAP FOREVER).
FRENCH PLEDGED INDOCHINA INDEPENDENCE AFTER JAPANESE OUT. (NEVER MEANT IT).
IKE CALLED FRENCH PLEDGE "WEASEL WORDS"
1945 - US. OSS. MEDICAL TEAM (CODE NAME DEER).
PARACHUTED INTO N. VIETNAM JUNGLES TO HELP HO.
(HO RUNNING / HIDING FORM JAPANESE).
SUFFERING FORM MALARIA / DYSENTERY / TROPICAL DISEASES.
PILE OF BONES / SAVED HIS LIFE.
1950-1954 - 1ST INDOCHINA WAR.
DEAD END ALLEY FOR FRANCE.
9/2/1945 - HO CHI MINH PROCLAIMED INDEPENDENCE FROM FRENCH RULE.
QUOTED T. JEFFERSON "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS ________.ETC.
PLAYED STAR SPANGLED BANNER. U.S. WARPLANES FLEW OVERHEAD.
HO - SEND IN 1 MILLION AMERICANS / NOT 1 FRENCHMAN.
POTSDAM (1 MO. BEFORE JAPANESE SURRENDER) -
ALLIES DIVIDED VIETNAM AT 16TH PARALLEL.
BRITISH WOULD TAKE S. VIETNAM.
CHINESE NATIONALIST WOULD TAKE N. VIETNAM.
(FORMULA FOR CATASTROPHE).
FRANCE - WANTED COLONY BACK.
(MANY FRENCH MERCHANTS / CITIZENS / INVESTMENTS).
BRITISH WANTED FRENCH IN INDOCHINA / COULDN’T BACK FRENCH OPENLY.
(WOULD ANGER CHINA & ANT-COLONIAL AMERICANS).
BRITISH GAVE AMERICAN ARMS OVER TO FRENCH.
SLIPPED OUT QUIETLY.
US. DID NOT OBJECT AT THE TIME.
CHIANG KAI-SHEK (CHINESE NATIONALIST LEADER) WANTED CLOSE TIES WITH US.
US. SAW CHINA AS REPLICA OF AMERICA. (MANIFEST DESTINY FROM 1845).
1949 CHINA FALLS (MAO TSE-TUNG)
CHINESE COMMUNIST MOVE S. (CLOSER TO INDOCHINA).
FOR POSSIBLE COLLABORATION W/ VIETMINH.
8/1949 -SOVIETS TEST BOMB.
SOVIETS FANATIC ABOUT CONTROLLING WORLD.
SE ASIA - WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER OF RUBBER.
(MUCH OIL, TIN, TUNGSTEN).
VIETNAM - U.S. LINE OF DEFENSE IN PACIFIC.
WITH CHINA COMMUNIST / JAPAN NEXT.
1950 - U.S. CONVINCED OF DOMINO THEORY.
RUSSIA TAKES GERMANY'S PLACE IN EUROPE.
CHINA TAKES JAPAN'S PLACE IN ASIA.
U.S. WAITED TOO LONG TO COMMIT.
VIETMINH GAINS FOOTHOLD.
SUMMER/1950 - KOREAN INVASION - SOVIETS OUT TO TAKE OVER ASIA.
1950 - TRUMAN - HELPED FRENCH HOLD INDOCHINA.
HELPED FRENCH DISARMED JAPANESE.
(WANTED TO HOLD BACK CHINESE COMMUNIST FROM SE. ASIA).
U.S. RECOGNIZED SAIGON GOVERNMENT.
TRUMAN DISPATCHED ADVISORS TO TRAIN SOUTH VIETNAM.
1952 U.S. PAYING FOR 1/3 OF WAR.
FRANCE DEMANDS MORE.
1952 IKE TAKES OVER.
CONTINUES CONTAINMENT POLICY UNCHANGED.
HO INSTRUMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNISM.
5/8/1954 - DECISIVE BATTLE. (VIET MINH ATTACKED FRENCH FORTRESS OF DIEN BIEN PHU IN NORTHERN VIETNAM).
55-DAY SIEGE / FRENCH SURRENDERED.
AGREED TO PARTITION AT 17TH PARALLEL.
U.S. REFUSED FRENCH CRY FOR AIR SUPPORT.
IKE BLAMES FRENCH DEFEAT ON ATTEMPT TO REBUILD FRENCH EMPIRE.
US TO BOLSTER SAIGON GOVERNMENT.
10/24/1954 - US BEGINS COVERT ACTIVITIES AGAINST HANOI.
EISENHOWER AIDED S. VIETNAM.
2/1954 - U.S. MILITARY ADVISERS TO S. VIETNAMESE.
10/23/1955 - S. VIETNAM A REPUBLIC.
NGO DINH DIEM - PRESIDENT.
HANOI TO REUNIFY NATION UNDER HANOI.
COMMUNIST SYMPATHIZERS (VIET CONG) WHO HAD GONE NORTH AFTER PARTITION BEGAN RETURNING SOUTH.
ATTACKED U.S. MILITARY
US. BELIEVED HO CHI MINH A PAWN OF CHINESE. (DESPITE VIETNAM AND CHINA ENEMIES FOR 2,000 YRS).
U.S. MUST ALLOW COMPLETE COMMUNIST TAKEOVER OF REPLACE FRENCH. ($2.6 BILLION WASTED)
NATION BUILDING IN S. VIETNAM - 1954 - 1961
1954 - FRENCH PULL OUT.
TAKE MOST OF GOOD US. EQUIPMENT W/ THEM.
1954 - U.S. CONGRESS DEMANDS GET TOUGH POLICY W/ SOVIETS OVER VIETNAM.
NOT ANOTHER CHINA.
IKE COMMITS TO SUPPORT NGO DINH DIEM IN SOUTH VIETNAM. (ANTI-COMMUNIST, CATHOLIC).
CATHOLICS BEGAN POURING ACROSS 17TH PARALLEL INTO BUDDHIST S. VIETNAM.
MONKS PROTEST BY SETTING SELVES ON FIRE. (7,000 PER DAY) / TENSIONS RISE.
1955-1961 U.S. SPENDS $1 BILLION. (FRANCE - 5TH AMONG RECIPIENTS OF FOREIGN AID).
US. ACTUALLY UNITED N. VIETNAM % CHINA. (MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE).
MARRIAGE FELL APART W/NIXON RECONCILED W/CHINA. VIETNAM OUT IN COLD.
TRIED TO RUN TO USSR.
(NOT MUCH HELP).
TRUMAN - WORLD LOOKS TO US. FOR LEADERSHIP.
KENNEDY - AMERICA WILL PAY ANY PRICE, BEAR ANY BURDEN, MEET ANY HARDSHIP, SUPPORT ANY FRIEND, OPPOSE ANY FOE, TO ASSURE THE SURVIVAL OF LIBERTY. (INAUGURAL ADDRESS / TALKING ABOUT VIETNAM).
KENNEDY - MASSIVE RETALIATION / FLEXIBLE RESPONSE.
FOCUS ON BEANS / NOT GOALS / NOT OBJECTIVES.
DOMINO THEORY - ALL SE. ASIA WOULD FALL IF VIETNAM WENT COMMUNIST.
450 MILLION PEOPLE UNDER COMMUNISM WHEN US. GETS INVOLVED IN VIETNAM.
LATE 1950S - 1500 AMERICANS. ASSISTING S. VIETNAM.
LATE 1950S S. VIETNAM DOING WELL, FILLED W/ MARKET GOODS, STREETS FILLED W/ NEW CARS.
HO FACED OPPOSITION IN N.
EXECUTED 500,000 TO IMPLEMENT LAND REFORMS.
SPRING 1959 - HO'S VIETCONG (VIETNAM COMMUNIST) RESUMES ARMED STRUGGLE.
TO OVERTHROW S.
USE PROPAGANDA / TERROR.
7/8/1959 1ST TWO U.S. SOLDIERS DIE DURING THE VIETNAM ERA. (LT. COL. A. PETER DEWEY MISTAKENLY KILLED IN VIETMINH AMBUSH OUTSIDE SAIGON. (OSS OFFICER MISTAKEN FOR FRENCH.)
1960 - ATTACKS INTENSIFY.
VIETCONG SET UP POLITICAL ARM (NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (NLF) - HEADQUARTERS IN HANOI).
1960 - U-2 INCIDENT. (FRANCIS GARY POWERS / NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV / IKE).
COLD WAR TURNS HOTTER.
CASTRO EMERGES IN CONTROL OF CUBA.
COMMUNIST SUPPORTED BY SOVIETS.
1960 - SOVIETS SENDING MASSIVE SUPPORT TO VIETCONG.
CIVIL WAR INTENSIFIES.
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP: KENNEDY & DIEM
1/1/1961 JFK TAKES OVER.
"IF AMERICA FALTERS, THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BEGIN TO MOVE TOWARD THE COMMUNIST BLOC."
JFK DEVELOPS "FLEXIBLE RESPONSE" - CONVENTIONAL FORCES / GREEN BERETS.
GUERRILLA WARFARE.
NO US. TROOPS.
KHRUSHCHEV BECOMES MORE MILITANT / THREATENING.
STEPS UP AID TO CASTRO.
JFK - "WHAT’S GONE AGAINST US TODAY?"
4/17/1961 - BAY OF PIGS DISASTER - JFK REFUSED U.S. AIR SUPPORT.
JFK USES CIA.
ARMS 9,000 MEO TRIBESMEN TO CLOSE HO CHI MINH TRAIL.
1961 - BERLIN WALL - SOVIETS STOP FLOW OF E. BERLINERS.
12/1961 - 1ST U.S. TROOPS.
400 UNIFORMED ARMY PERSONNEL TO SAIGON.
OPERATED 2 HELICOPTER COMPANIES.
TROOPS NOT COMBAT UNITS.
A YEAR LATER - 11,200.
1962 JFK BEGINS MASSIVE BUILD UP. (AIRCRAFT / ARMORED PERSONAL CARRIERS / HELICOPTERS). USED DEFOLIANTS.
SENDS 9,000 ADVISORS.
10/15/1962 - CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS.
AFTER CASTRO TAKE OVER - JFK STAGED MILITARY EXERCISES IN CARIBBEAN.
WANTED TO KEEP CASTRO OFF-BALANCE.
MONGOOSE PROJECT.
SS4 INTERMEDIATE RANGE MISSILES. (1,000 KILOMETERS).
SS5 MEDIUM RANGE MISSILES. (2,000 KILOMETERS).
24 LAUNCH PADS / 42 MISSILES IN ALL.
IL 28 BOMBERS
MIG 21S
THEODORE SORENSON - SPECIAL ASST. TO JFK.
WRITES JFK’S SPEECHES.
SOVIET TROOP BUILD-UP IN CUBA.
45,000 TROOPS.
USSR HAD INSTALLED TACTICAL NUCLEAR MISSILES IN CUBA.
USSR HAD DELEGATED INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY FOR LOCAL RUSSIAN COMMANDER TO LAUNCH THEM.
GEORGE BALL - UNDER SEC. OF STATE.
SEC. OF STATE DEAN RUSK.
US. AIR FORCE / NAVY MOVED CLOSE TO CUBA.
EVELYN LINCOLN - JFK SECRETARY. (WORKED TAPE SYSTEM).
JOINT CHIEFS WANTED TO BOMB AND INVADE.
10/21/62 - JFK - HIGHEST NATIONAL URGENCY SPEECH.
DESTROYERS - USS PIERCE / JOE P. KENNEDY.
ADM. HIRATIO RIVERA (COMMANDER OF PAC. FLEET.)
10/22/62 - DEFCON III.
(HIGHEST STATE OF ALERT IN HISTORY).
20 B52S W/NUKE WEAPONS IN AIR NEAR USSR.
TITANS / ATLAS / MINUTEMEN ALL PREPARED FOR LAUNCH.
6 FAU CRUSADERS MAKE LOW PASS OVER MISSILES.
OAS (ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES) - UNANIMOUS VOTE OF APPROVAL FOR QUARANTINE.
55-60 B52S ON AIRBORNE ALERT.
ALL POLARIS SUBS PUT TO SEA.
8 CARRIERS TO CUBA.
SOVIET MARUKLA STOPPED / SEARCHED.
ONLY TOILET PAPER.
JOHN SCALLY / ALEX FOMAN (KGB) MEET IN BAR.
KHRHSHCHEV - LETTER - WE SHOULD NOT PULL ON ENDS OF ROPE IN WHICH YOU HAVE TIED THE KNOT OF WAR. SHOULD LOOSEN OUR GRIP AND TAKE MEASURES TO UNTIE THE KNOT.
10/27/62 - WORST DAY OF CRISIS.
U2 LOST OVER USSR (NAVIGATING BY STARS).
2ND MOSCOW LETTER.
(VERY THREATENING / MUST REMOVE MISSILES FROM TURKEY).
BOB KENNEDY (ATTN. GEN) ANSWER 1ST / IGNORE 2ND).
CASTRO - SENDS LETTER TO MOSCOW. (AFRAID US. ACTION IMMINENT).
U2 SHOT DOWN OVER CUBA.
(MAJOR ANDERSON / ONLY CASUALTY OF CRISIS / NO AUTHORIZATION FROM MOSCOW).
BOB KENNEDY TO RUSSIAN EMBASSY.
(MAYBE MADE OFFER TO REMOVE MISSILES FROM TURKEY / MAYBE RELAYED HOW CLOSE US. WAS TO ACTION)
10/28/62 - KENNEDY TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT ON TV AT 5:00 / KHRUSHCHEV GOES ON RADIO IN USSR 1ST.
MAKES OFFER - WILL REMOVE MISSILES IF US. NOT INVADE.
CRISIS OVER.
DIEM GOVERNMENT - LOSING TO COMMUNISTS.
GROWING UNREST OF BUDDHISTS.
GOVERNMENT CHARGED - BUDDHIST INFILTRATED BY COMMUNISTS.
DIEM / BROTHER EXECUTED.
COUP KNOWN TO BE IMMINENT.
11/1/1963 - DIEM REGIME OVERTHROWN, KENNEDY ASSASSINATED 3 WK. LATER.
U.S. PREPARED TO SUPPORT SUCCESSOR
OTHER COUPS FOLLOWED.
18 MONTHS AFTER DIEM'S OVERTHROW - TEN DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS.
VIETNAM WAR - NO FRONT LINES.
HIT-AND-RUN ATTACKS.
GUERRILLAS STRUCK OUTPOSTS.
RETREATED INTO THE JUNGLE.
EARLY 1960S - SUPPLIES FROM USSR / CHINA SENT DOWN HO CHI MINH TRAILS.
1964-1968 - GENERAL WILLIAM C. WESTMORELAND - COMMANDER OF U.S. FORCES.
1968 - REPLACED BY GENERAL CREIGHTON ABRAMS .
1963-1965 - ENOUGH TO NOT LOSE / NOT ENOUGH TO WIN - JOHNSON’S DECISIONS.
JOHNSON CONCERNED W/ELECTION OF 1964.
REFUSES LARGE SCALE BUILD-UP.
CONCERNED W/'GREAT SOCIETY' PROGRAMS.
END OF 1963 - COSTS - $400 MILLION PER YR.
1,200 MIL. ADVISORS IN VIETNAM.
8/1/1964 - GULF OF TONKIN INCIDENT.
DESTROYER - "MADDOX" IN TONKIN GULF, VIETNAM.
TORPEDO BOATS.
JOHNSON GETS CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION.
10/1964 KHRUSHCHEV REMOVED.
REPLACEMENT EVEN MORE SUPPORTIVE OF V.C.
2/1965 - U.S. BOMBING NORTH VIETNAM.
1965 - YEAR U.S. GOES TO WAR IN VIETNAM.
U.S. VERY OPTIMISTIC.
2/11/1965 - JOHNSON BEGINS OPERATIONS. ROLLING THUNDER.
BEGAN HEAVY USE OF NAPALM.
JOHNSON REFUSES TO EXPLAIN TO AMERICAN PEOPLE.
WILL NOT DEBATE W/ CONGRESS.
5/1965 - HALT ORDERED / HOPE OF INITIATING PEACE TALKS.
N. VIETNAM REJECTED.
BOMBINGS RESUMED.
MARCH 6, 1965 - BRIGADE OF MARINES TO DANANG,
1ST COMBAT GROUND-FORCES TO SERVE.
BEFORE END OF 1965 - NEARLY 200,000.
7/1965 - B52S STEPPED UP BOMBING. (4,800 SORTIES PER MO).
8/28/1965 - 50,000 U.S. TROOPS TO VIETNAM.
MORE SENT LATER.
JOHNSON COMMITMENTS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.
6/1966 - U.S. BOMBING NEAR HANOI.
PORT OF HAIPHONG.
US ASKED SOVIET PREMIER (ALEKSEI N. KOSYGIN) FOR HELP. (BRING HANOI TO PEACE TABLE).
BY 1968 - U.S. FORCES - 525,000.
U.S. BOMBED N. VIETNAM WITHIN 10 MI. OF CHINESE BORDER.
JOHNSON AGAIN OFFERED TO STOP BOMBARDMENT FOR PEACE.
HANOI REJECTED OFFER.
CASUALTIES ROSE.
11/1967 - CASUALTIES SINCE 1961 - 15,058 KILLED / 109,527 WOUNDED.
U.S. PROTESTERS - END THE WAR.
WAR COST - $25 BILLION PER YEAR.
THE TET OFFENSIVE - 2/1965-1973 - S. VIETNAM FORCES FOUGHT VIETCONG GUERRILLAS.
U.S. TROOPS FOUGHT N. VIETNAMESE.
WAR OF ATTRITION.
BATTLES - IA DANG VALLEY / DAK TO / LOC NINH / KHE SANH.
ALL VICTORIES.
1967-68 - NORTH VIETNAMESE GENERAL NO NGUYEN GIAP LAUNCHED TET
OFFENSIVE. (VIETNAMESE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN MID-FEBRUARY)
SERIES OF FIERCE ATTACKS.
100 URBAN TARGETS.
DEVASTATING PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT.
VIETCONG FORCES DRIVEN BACK.
NORTH VIETNAM LOST 85,000 OF ITS BEST TROOPS. 1/30/1968 - VIETCONG SAPPERS BLAST HOLE IN WALL OF US. EMBASSY, SAIGON.
1,100 - US. LOST.
2,300 - S. VIETNAM LOST.
12,500 CIVILIANS LOST.
ENEMY DEFEATED TACTICALLY / WON PSYCHOLOGICALLY.
(PEOPLE BACK IN US. HAD BEEN TOLD THE VC. COULD NOT MOUNT ANOTHER SERIOUS OFFENSIVE).
1965-1967 - ON THE TIGER'S BACK: THE U.S. AT WAR.
U.S. NEVER HAD STRATEGY FOR VIETNAM. (ESP. JOHNSON).
ALWAYS ASSUMED VAST U.S. POWER / PURITY OF MOTIVES WOULD SOMEHOW WIN.
CIVILIANS IN WASH. D.C. RAN WAR.
RESTRAINED JOINT CHIEFS / GENERALS. (GENERALS REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO MACARTHUR / WON’T OPEN MOUTH).
AIR POWER INEFFECTIVE.
BUILT UP TOO SLOWLY.
ALLOWED ENEMY TIME TO ADJUST.
ADJUSTED PSYCHOLOGICALLY.
VC. DUG 30,000 MILES OF TUNNELS.
LIVED UNDERGROUND.
SOVIETS / CHINESE QUICKLY REPLACED EQUIPMENT LOST BY VC.
200,000 N. VIETNAMESE REACHING DRAFT AGE EA. YR.
US. KILLING ABOUT 220,000 PER YR.
WILL TAKE TOO LONG TO END WAR.
1967 - FRUSTRATION SETS IN .
1/2 MILLION TROOPS IN PLACE.
MORE BOMBS DROPPED IN ALL THEATERS OF W.W.II. (1 MILLION TONS OF BOMBS).
SPECTORS (C130 W/INFRA-RED / LASER / ROCKETS / GUNS / CANNON.
OPPOSITION TO WAR INCREASING.
$1 OF DAMAGE COST US. $9.60.
INEFFICIENT.
IMMORAL.
3/31/68 - TURNING POINT - JOHNSON WILL NOT RUN AGAIN.
JOHNSON HALTED BOMBINGS.
ANNOUNCEMENT EVOKED POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM HANOI.
MAY PEACE TALKS OPENED IN PARIS.
TALKS MADE NO PROGRESS DESPITE COMPLETE HALT OF BOMBING IN NOVEMBER.
3/1968 - 200 CIVILIANS MURDERED / VILLAGE OF MY LAI.
LT. WILLIAM CALLEY IN COMMAND.
3/1968 - MARTIN LUTHER KING ASSASSINATED.
6/1968 - ROBERT KENNEDY ASSASSINATED.
VIETNAMIZATION OF THE WAR
1970 - RICHARD M. NIXON - 25,000 TROOPS WITHDRAWN 8/1969.
65,000 MORE TROOPS ORDERED OUT END OF THE YEAR.
VIETNAMIZATION OF THE WAR - ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SOUTH VIETNAMESE.
NEITHER TROOP REDUCTION / DEATH OF HO CHI MINH 9/3/1969 BROKE STALEMATE IN PARIS.
NORTH VIETNAMESE INSISTED ON COMPLETE U.S. WITHDRAWAL.
4/1970 - U.S. TROOPS ENTERED CAMBODIA.
CAMPAIGN IN CAMBODIA ENDED IN 3 MOS.
AIR ATTACKS ON NORTH VIETNAM RENEWED.
1971 - SOUTH VIETNAMESE - PLAYING INCREASED ROLE IN WAR. (FIGHTING IN CAMBODIA / LAOS / S. VIETNAM.
10/ 3/1971 - THIEU REELECTED.
US. WITHDRAWAL CONTINUED.
NEW MILITARY BUILDUP IN NORTH VIETNAM.
PREPARATION FOR MAJOR DRIVE DOWN HO CHI MINH TRAIL INTO LAOS / CAMBODIA.
VC. LAUNCHED MASSIVE ATTACKS AGAINST SOUTH VIETNAM, CAMBODIA, AND LAOS.
1970 - U.S. DEATHS DECLINED DRAMATICALLY TO 1380.
SAIGON FORCES - 21,500 DEAD \ IN CAMBODIA / LAOS \ MAJORITY IN SOUTH VIETNAM.
ENEMY DEAD - 97,000.
1969 - U.S. MILITARY PEAKED AT 541,000.
1971 - NEW YORK - PENTAGON PAPERS CAST A NEW LIGHT ON THE WAR.
1/25/1972 - NIXON UNVEILED 8-POINT PLAN FOR PEACE.
3/23/1972 - PEACE TALKS WERE BROKEN OFF ON 3/23.
QUANG TRI OFFENSIVE.
3/30/1972 - WAR TURNED WORSE.
N. VIETNAM LAUNCHED A MASSIVE OFFENSIVE INTO QUANG TRI PROVINCE.
4/1972 - U.S. RETALIATED W/FIRST BOMBING RAIDS OVER THE NORTH SINCE 1967.
5/8/1972 - NIXON MINED MAJOR PORTS OF NORTH VIETNAM.  (HAIPHONG).
AIR STRIKES DIRECTED AGAINST N. VIETNAMESE RAILROADS.
CAUSED ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
9/15/1972 - QUANG TRI CITY - RECAPTURED (HELD BY THE COMMUNISTS 4 1/2 MOS.).
DESPITE INCREASED BOMBING - BOTH SIDES ANXIOUS TO NEGOTIATION.
12/29/1972 - U.S. ANNOUNCED BOMBING HALT ABOVE THE 20TH PARALLEL.
1/23/1973 - KISSINGER AND LEE DUC THO ANNOUNCED CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT.
1/28/1973 - THE CEASE-FIRE OFFICIALLY IN EFFECT.
145,000 N. VIETNAMESE TROOPS TO REMAIN IN SOUTH VIETNAM.
MARCH 1973. - U.S. FIGHTING FORCES WITHDRAWN.
ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO SOUTH VIETNAM IMPOSSIBLE.
OUTBREAK OF THE WATERGATE SCANDAL.
THE WAR BECAME A ROUT.
APRIL 30 - SAIGON CAPTURED.
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SURRENDERED UNCONDITIONALLY.
3 MILLION WOUNDED.
100,000S OF CHILDREN ORPHANED.
12 MILLION INDOCHINESE REFUGEES.
4/1975-7/1982 - 1,218,000 RESETTLED IN 16 COUNTRIES.
500,000 BOAT PEOPLE FLED VIETNAM BY SEA.
10 TO 15 PERCENT DIED.
U.S. CASUALTIES - 57,685 KILLED.
153,303 WOUNDED.
587 U.S. PRISONERS OF WAR. (ALL WERE SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED).
UNACCOUNTED FOR - 2500.
1969-1973 - A WAR FOR PEACE - NIXON / KISSINGER.
NIXON BEGINS SECRET BOMBING OF VC. SANCTUARIES. (CAMBODIA).
SENDS TROOPS INTO CAMBODIA. (CAMBODIA AN ALLY).
7/1968 - NIXON - GO FOR BROKE STATEGY.
SAVAGE BOMBING MAJOR CITIES .
BLOCKADES PORTS.
THREATENED NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
NIXON TO CONGRESS - I WILL NOT BE THE 1ST PRESIDENT TO LOSE A WAR.
1969 - PLAN NOT WORKING.
BOMBING HALTED.
NIXON HAD NO POLICY.
1970 - NEWS OF CAMBODIAN INVASION / BOMBING BECAME KNOWN.
CAUSED MASSIVE PROTESTS. (KENT STATE / JACKSON STATE).
6 STUDENTS KILLED BY NATIONAL GUARD.
7/1970 - WHITE HOUSE SIEGE MENTALITY.
PRESIDENT VERY NEGATIVE.
1971 - LONG PUBLIC TRIAL OF WILLIAM CALLEY. SENTENCED TO LIFE).
FOCUSED PUBLIC ATTENTION ON BRUTALITY OF VIETNAM.
3/1972 - N. VIETNAM LAUNCHED MASSIVE ATTACK.
HENRY KISSINGER (SEC. OF STATE) NEGOTIATED FOR PEACE.
N. VIETNAM REFUSED.
5/1972 - OPERATION LINEBACKER.
HEAVIEST BOMBING YET.
US. BOMBS KILLED / WOUNDED 5 MILLION IN ALL.
NIXON MINES HAIPHONG HARBOR / PLACES NAVAL BLOCKADE ON N. VIETNAM.
1/1973 - NIXON EXHAUSTED / ISOLATED.
ADMINISTRATION TIRED / DISPIRITED / BICKERING / WARY SUSPICIOUS.
VIETNAM - NUMBER 1 REASON FOR PREMATURE END OF NIXON’S CAREER.  (LED TO WATERGATE).
LEGACY OF VIETNAM.
1/1973 - PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED.
ALLOWED WAR TO CONTINUE WITHOUT US. INVOLVEMENT.
11/1973 - CONGRESS PASSES WAR POWERS ACT.
MUST INFORM CONGRESS WITHIN 48 HOURS OF COMMITTING TROOPS INTO HOSTILE AREA.
MUST WITHDRAW IF NO CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.
CAN TAKE UP TO ADDITIONAL 30 DAY REMOVING TROOPS.
12/1973 - NIXON RESIGNS.
587 POW’s HELD HOSTAGE.
US. FINALLY GETS OUT OTHER AMERICANS / 150,000 S. VIETNAMESE.
4/17/1975 - PHNOMPENH FELL TO COMMUNIST KHMER ROUGE. (CAPITAL OF CAMBODIA).
POL POT - DICTATOR.
(STRONG TIES W/CHINA).
2 MILLION CAMBODIANS KILLED. (ALL INTELLECTUALS)
1/4 OF POPULATION. (EVEN IF WEARING GLASSES).
KILLINGS CAREFULLY DOCUMENTED.
BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS. (HUSBANDS / WIVES / CHILDREN).
MOUNTAINS OF BONES / MASS GRAVES. (MOVIE - "KILLING FIELDS").
5/1/1975 - VIETCONG FLAG RAISED OVER HO CHI MINH CITY. (SAIGON).
1/4/1976 - POW’s COME HOME.
DOMINO THEORY CORRECT. (ALL INDOCHINA TOPPLED). SOVIETS INTERVENED IN ANGOLA / ZAIRE / ETHIOPIA . AFGHANISTAN.
LATE 1978 - VIETNAM OCCUPIED CAMBODIA. (180,000 STILL THERE TODAY).
DROVE POL POT OUT.
STOPPED KILLING.
NOT A HUMANITARIAN GESTURE.
WANTED TO STOP POL POT/S COMMUNISTS (CHINA SPONSORED)
FROM INVADING THE MEKONG DELTA.
CHINA RETALIATES.
INVADED VIETNAM.
1985 - US. SUPPORTS POL POT IN UN. TO KEEP CHINA HAPPY.
CHINA - NEW US. FRIEND / NEW VIETNAMESE ENEMY.
1946-1973 - US. FOUGHT IN VIETNAM TO CONTAIN CHINA.
1980 - SUPPORTS CHINA TO CONTAIN VIETNAM.
VIETNAM TODAY:
FORCED LABOR.
POVERTY.
OPPRESSION.
REEDUCATION.
1.4 MILLION S. VIETNAMESE FLED.
50,000 BOAT PEOPLE DIED TRYING TO ESCAPE.
750,000 VIETNAMESE NOW LIVE IN US.
WESTERN CULTURE OF SAIGON CHANGED HANOI. (NOT OTHER WAY AROUND).
HANOI FORCED TO DEPEND ON SOVIETS.
(SOVIET UNION BROKE APART IN 1991 / CAN’T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES).
SOVIETS BROKE / ABANDONED VIETNAM.
VIETNAM CAN’T RUN BACK TO CHINA.
VIETNAMESE FIND RUSSIAN PRESENCE OBNOXIOUS.
HANOI REFUSED RELATIONS W/US. IN 1977. (US. READY TO PAY $3 BILLION IN REPARATIONS).
US. NOW RECONCILED W/BOTH CHINA / RUSSIA.
VIETNAM WANTS RELATIONS W/US. ON ANY TERMS TODAY.
US. BEING COY.
ASIA - BOOMING TODAY.
VIETNAM - POOREST COUNTRY ON EARTH.
RUSSIANS HATED / SIMILAR TO AMERICANS EXCEPT FAT / NO MONEY.
REFUGEES - IF WORLD OPENED DOORS / ALL VIETNAM WOULD BE EMPTY TOMORROW.
COMMUNISM - COLOSSAL FAILURE.
50,000 AMERASIANS -  SHUNNED.
NOT ALLOWED EDUCATION.
NO JOBS.
LIMITED FOOD RATIONS.
OUTCASTS.
US. TODAY - COLLECTIVE AMNESIA.
IGNORED BY MEDIA / BLOCKED OUT.
VETERANS ARE VICTIMS.
NATION WANTS TO FORGET.
HAVE PROBLEMS W/DRUGS / ALCOHOL / EMPLOYMENT / RELATIONSHIPS / AGENT ORANGE.
SPRING 1965 - POLES OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED LBJ / WAR.
1980 POLE - 82% OF VIETNAM VETS. BELIEVED US. LOST BECAUSE NOT ALLOWED TO WIN.
66% WANTED TO FIGHT AGAIN.
MOST BELIEVED LBJ INTENSIFIED WAR TO SLOWLY.
WOULD NOT ALLOW US. FOLLOW COMMUNIST INTO LAOS & CAMBODIA.
US. MISTAKE - SENT TROOPS TRAINED TO FIGHT RUSSIANS INTO JUNGLES.
COULD NOT TELL FRIENDS FROM ENEMY.
US. EXHAUSTED FROM CHASING GUERRILLAS.(VC. STRATEGY - WEAR DOWN US.).
US. SHOULD HAVE OVERTHROWN N. VIETNAMESE GOVT.
HO CHI MINH - YOU CAN KILL TEN OF MY MEN FOR EVERY ONE I KILL OF YOURS / IN THE END YOU WILL GET TIRED OF IT / YOU WILL LOSE / I WILL WIN.
1971 - 1/3 OF US. TROOPS USING OPIUM / HEROIN / MARIJUANA ROUTINELY. ARMY IN SHAMBLES).
NOBODY WANTS TO BE LAST KILLED.
ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT REACHED MEN IN FIELD.
VIETNAM COSTS -
$120 BILLION.
700,000 VETS. SUFFER FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
NO SECURE AREAS IN VIETNAM.
MEN SERVED ONLY 1 YR. TOUR. (IN DANGER 100% OF TIME).
IN W.W.II MARINES FOUGHT ONLY 68 WEEKS IN MUCH LONGER TOUR.
AVERAGE AGE - 19 (7YRS. YOUNGER THAN W.W.II).
W.W.II - 1 OF 4 CASUALTIES DIED.
VIETNAM - 1 OF 7 CASUALTIES DIED.
PROGRESS IN W.W.II - CAPTURING / OCCUPYING GROUND.
PROGRESS IN VIETNAM - BODY COUNT.
CAPTURED SAME GROUND OVER AND OVER.
HO - SEND IN 1 MILLION AMERICANS / NOT 1 FRENCHMAN.
MILLION US. SOLDIERS WOULD SERVE.
58,000 WOULD DIE.
4 MILLION VIETNAMESE WOULD DIE.
(10% OF ENTIRE POPULATION).
16 YRS. OF WAR.
(AMERICAS LONGEST WAR).
NOBODY WON / WAR PRODUCED ONLY VICTIMS.