Vietnam War *10 Suprising Facts
The Vietnam War was known as the American War in Vietnam, and was fought between 1 November 1955 and 30 April 1975. In some parts of the world, it was also known as the Second Indochina War or The American War. it is infamous for being one of the most unpopular wars in American history.
1) The Vietnam War Was the Longest War in American History
It was also the second of the Indochina Wars. This conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia lasted from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. The North Vietnamese Army (NVA) wanted to unite North and South Vietnam as a communist state, but the United States wanted to protect their ally in South Vietnam’s government.
2) More Than 58,000 Americans Died in the Vietnam War
More than 58,000 Americans died in the Vietnam War, including more than 8,000 who were classified as missing in action. The number of Vietnamese deaths is unknown but it is estimated to be over 3 million.
It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam.
3) The United States Spent More Than $168 Billion on the Vietnam War
It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. – The United States spent more than $168 billion on the war while it lasted, making it one of America’s most expensive wars.
4) The First U.S. Combat Troops Arrived in Vietnam in 1965
The Vietnam war was officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson approved deployment of American advisors to help South Vietnamese troops fight communist insurgents with support from American air power.
5) The United States Had More Than 500,000 Troops in Vietnam by 1968
The Tet Offensive was a major turning point in the war, when North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops launched simultaneous attacks on South Vietnamese cities.
The United States had more than 500,000 troops stationed in Vietnam at this time, and these forces were hard-pressed to fight off both sides. Yet it was only after this offensive that President Lyndon Johnson increased troop levels to more than 540,000.
6) Major Turning Point in the War – The Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive It is one of the most famous battles of the Vietnam War, and its importance to history cannot be overstated. This attack was a surprise assault launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on January 30, 1968. The intention was to spark a nationwide uprising among South Vietnamese civilians.
7) The United States Began Bombing North Vietnam in 1965
The Vietnam War was one of the most divisive conflicts in United States history and was considered a part of a larger world conflict called the Cold War. The war began on November 1, 1955, when North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam. U.S. involvement escalated in 1965 with Operation Rolling Thunder, an aerial bombardment campaign that lasted three years.
Operation Ranch Hand was also initiated in 1965 as a chemical warfare program to destroy crops and forest cover in order to deprive North Vietnamese troops of their food supply.
8) The United States Used Agent Orange During the War
During the Vietnam War, the United States used Agent Orange as a herbicide to remove forest cover for enemy troops. This resulted in serious consequences for the Vietnamese people and their environment.
The dioxin contained in Agent Orange has been linked to many diseases, such as cancer and birth defects. The pollution caused by its use has killed wildlife, contaminated water supplies, and reduced agricultural output.
9) The United States Supported a Coup Against South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem
President Diem was a person with a lot of power and influence over South Vietnamese society. In 1963, he supported a coup against himself in order to maintain his power. Diem’s brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, had been killed by South Vietnamese generals and Diem never recovered from this blow.
10) The Fall of Saigon Ended the Vietnam War
It is important to note that the war did not end with the fall of Saigon but rather when the last American soldier left Vietnamese territory in 1973. As well as this, there were many other battles which led up to the fall of Saigon and are now worth mentioning.
One such battle is Operation Frequent Wind which took place on 29-30 April 1975. There were 100 US helicopters and 7 aircraft carriers evacuating more than 7000 people including around 6000 Americans (military personnel, dependents, noncombatants).
Another such battle worth noting is Operation Linebacker II which consisted of a strategic bombing campaign carried out by United States air forces over North Vietnam during December 1972 to October 1973 in an attempt to compel the communist nation into negotiating peace terms.
