The Vietnam War And The United States - 872 Words

The Vietnam War was unlike any other war in which the United States has participated. The Vietnam War has many unique attributes, beginning with the unclear reason as to why the U.S. became involved in a war that presented no threat to U.S. citizens or national security. Three unique attributes of the Vietnam War that are very interesting are the U.S. combat strategy, the Vietnamese guerrilla warfare, and the MIA issue. The first interesting attribute is the combat strategy used by the American soldiers through the duration of the War. U.S. soldiers were well-trained in field combat, such as the type of combat used in World War II. The U. S. Army was not trained to fight an enemy in the jungle. According to David Hackworth, an Army colonel who spent five years in Vietnam, this War could not be won with this type of combat (Am. Exp. - Reflections – Hackworth, par. 1). Hackworth states that the Army leaders were so far removed from the fighting, they could not see the need to change the strategy to a more effective style (Am. Exp. - Reflections – Hackworth, par. 8). Interestingly, American soldiers continually exercised field combat for eight years, without much gain in the war effort. I wonder if, at any point during the U.S. involvement, anyone questioned or suggested doing something different. Air support made it possible for soldiers on the ground to gain some victories. It is inter esting to note how many uses the helicopter had: medical evacuations, search and destroyShow MoreRelatedThe Vietnam War On The United States964 Words   |  4 PagesThe Vietnam War is a more frequently and familiar name for the Second Indochina War. It was the longest war America has fought in. The Vietnam War had an impact on the American people, since it was the first war to ever be broadcasted on television. The country was able to see what was happening on the battleground. This war would have lasting effects on the United States and the nation it divided. The Vietnam war started way before America became involved (1955–1975). Indochina, which includedRead MoreThe United States And The Vietnam War946 Words   |  4 Pagesthe fact that; the Montagnard population is dropping. It was once over 3 million during French colonialism, today the race has dwindle to only a few thousand. As the tension between the Montagnard and Vietnam grow the safer place to be is in Cambodia and the neighbor countries. During the Vietnam War a few U. S Special Forces soldiers set up camps in the central highland, deep in the jungle area to block the road from Viet Cong resupplied route. They encounter a tribesmen â€Å"Montagnard† or â€Å"Yard†Read MoreThe Vietnam War And The United States2269 Words   |  10 PagesThe Vietnam War or the Second Indochina War began in 1955 or ten years after World War 2. The United States direct involvement in the war started in 1964 and extended through 1973 but its indirect involvement started much earlier. At the end of the Second World War the United States and the Soviet Union were recognized as the two greatest military powers in the world. As the Soviet Union expanded their influence over Eastern Europe in countries including Bulgaria, East Germany, and China turnedRead MoreThe United States And The Vietnam War1153 Words   |  5 PagesA Day to Remember It seems as if the united states are always fighting a battle whether it is overseas or within its own borders. The citizens were not ready for what the 1970’s was going to bring, socially, economically, and religiously. Jim Jones was going to bring peace and relief to these people in the most tragic way possible. With brain washing, manipulation, and isolation Jones convinced hundreds of people to commit suicide. The Peoples’ Temple religious movement was one of the many goingRead MoreThe United States Entered The Vietnam War901 Words   |  4 PagesThe Reason the United States Entered the Vietnam War Towards the end of Vietnam War over 60,000 Americans lost their lives while Vietnam lost over 2 million Vietnamese. In essence, participation of United States in this conflict culminated in signing of the infamous War Electricity Acts (Kimball 209). This Act became law in the year 1973 where it required the American president to obtain Congressional acceptance before deploying Americans forces abroad. However, in this particular discussion, theRead MoreEffects Of The Vietnam War On The United States1673 Words   |  7 Pageseffects of the Vietnam War with the United States and Vietnam had devastating effects for both sides. The United States entered this war as a way of proclaiming that it was the world power and to help out a country that split into the North and South Vietnam. One side was communist and the other side was a republic. The Viet Cong tried to oppress and take over. The United States reacted to this threat as a communist act and decided to step in and aid the people o f Vietnam. This war was classifiedRead More The United States in the Vietnam War Essay1274 Words   |  6 PagesThe United States in the Vietnam War Many soldiers have been lost in the different wars that the United States has been involved. Although there have been many wars only one is unique from the others, it is known as the war that was never won or lost. The Vietnam War started out as a conflict but soon escalated into a full-fledged war. Many soldiers have been lost in the Vietnam War. The United States sent many soldiers into the jungles of Indochina trying to stop the spread of communism fromRead MoreThe Vietnam War And The United States Of America1766 Words   |  8 PagesFormer Secretary of State and Vietnam veteran John Kerry said it best when he stated â€Å"In our opinion and from our experience, there is nothing in South Vietnam which could happen that realistically threatens the United States of America† and â€Å"To attempt to justify the loss of one American life in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos†¦is to us the height of criminal hypocrisy which we feel has torn the country apart† (Goldstein). Th is statement stands true with many Americans as the Vietnam War was the most opposedRead MoreThe United States Involvement During The Vietnam War1514 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States involvement in the Vietnam War developed into one of the most brutal, yet necessary wars of The Cold War. Although the war was viewed poorly by most, it helped a weak, crumbling South Vietnam stand up to a strong powerful North Vietnam that was forcing communism on them. President Johnson even stated that â€Å"Our objective is the independence of South Vietnam and its freedom from attack.† The United States wanted to stop an oppressive government and to make sure the world is a saferRead MoreThe United States Involvement During The Vietnam War1729 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States involvement in Vietnam was the longest war the U.S. has ever took part in and was considered an extended military engagement due to the fact congress never formally declared war with Vietnam (FCNL). The V ietnam War began on November 1, 1955 and lasted for 20 years until April 30, 1975. The war was fought between the communist Northern Vietnamese and the anti-communist Southern Vietnamese after the country was temporarily divided by the Geneva Accords. Americas entering of the Vietnam