Category Archives: Vietnam War

B-52 aircraft used for the first time in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (June 18 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-6) America's Enemy (1954-1967)' (June 18, 1965, at 44:10)

(Friday, June 18, 1965, 1965, 6:48 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Under Operation Arc Light, B-52 aircraft were used for the first time today in the Vietnam War. Continue reading B-52 aircraft used for the first time in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (June 18 1965)

Viet Cong win Battle of Dong Xoai in South Vietnam 60 years ago today (June 13 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam Documentary: LBJ Goes to War' (June 13, 1965, at 37:38)

(Sunday, June 13, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Battle of Dong Xoai, a major battle fought during the National Liberation Front Summer Offensive of 1965 in Phuoc Long Province, South Vietnam, ended today with a Viet Cong victory.

41 U.S. servicemen killed in Mayaguez incident 50 years ago this hour (May 15 1975)


Video: 'The Mayaguez Incident'

(Thursday, May 15, 1975, 6:12 a.m. Indochina Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. forces launched an assault on the Cambodian island of Koh Tang today in an effort to rescue the crew of the American merchant ship SS Mayaguez, marking the last official battle of the Vietnam War. Continue reading 41 U.S. servicemen killed in Mayaguez incident 50 years ago this hour (May 15 1975)

Cambodian navy seizes unarmed U.S. ship Mayaguez 50 years ago this hour (May 12 1975)


Video: 'The Mayaguez Incident'

(Monday, May 12, 1975, 2:18 p.m. Indochina Time; part of the aftermath of Cambodian Civil War) — The White House announced today the new Cambodian government had seized an American merchant ship, the Mayaguez, in international waters. Continue reading Cambodian navy seizes unarmed U.S. ship Mayaguez 50 years ago this hour (May 12 1975)

South Vietnam President Duong Van Minh surrenders to North Vietnamese forces 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 30, 1975, at 50:04)

(Wednesday, April 30, 1975, 10:45 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh announced today the unconditional surrender of the Saigon Government and its military forces to the Vietcong. Continue reading South Vietnam President Duong Van Minh surrenders to North Vietnamese forces 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)

Last American troops depart Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 30, 1975, at 41:44)

(Sunday, April 30, 1975, 7:53 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — The last ten Marine security guards and their commander (Major Kean) at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, were evacuated on a Marine Corps helicopter this morning, concluding the United States presence in Vietnam. Total U.S. casualties for the war: 58,303 dead and 303,644 wounded. Continue reading Last American troops depart Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)

U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin flees Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 30, 1975, at 39:55)

(Sunday, April 30, 1975, 4:58 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin boarded a Marine Corps helicopter this morning in Saigon and was flown to the USS Blue Ridge. Continue reading U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin flees Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)

U.S. begins withdrawing Americans from Saigon by helicopter 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam : A Television History ep.12 "End of the Tunnel, 1973-1975"' (Apr. 28, 1975, at 44:54)

(Tuesday, April 29, 1975, 2:00 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. President Gerald Ford ordered the emergency evacuation today of all Americans remaining in South Vietnam. Continue reading U.S. begins withdrawing Americans from Saigon by helicopter 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)

Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport comes under rocket fire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam : A Television History ep.12 "End of the Tunnel, 1973-1975"' (Apr. 29, 1975, at 44:37)

(Tuesday, April 29, 1975, around 4:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport came under the heaviest rocket attack of the war early this morning, preventing passenger planes from taking off, as North Vietnamese troops assaulted parts of the city’s suburbs. But U.S. ambassador, Graham Martin was still reluctant to begin a full-scale helicopter evacuation. Continue reading Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport comes under rocket fire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)

Minh replaces Huong as South Vietnamese president 50 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam : A Television History ep.12 "End of the Tunnel, 1973-1975"' (Apr. 28, 1975, at 44:07)

(Monday, April 28, 1975, 5:00 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — General Duong Van Minh, known widely as “Big Minh,” was sworn in as president of South Vietnam today, as Communist forces moved to within barely a mile of Saigon’s city limits. Continue reading Minh replaces Huong as South Vietnamese president 50 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1975)