Category Archives: Vietnam War

President Richard Nixon announces all U.S. combat troops out of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1973)


Video: 'President Richard Nixon Address to the Nation On Vietnam and Domestic Problems, March 29, 1973'

(Thursday, March 29, 1973, 9:01 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — “For the first time in 12 years, no American military forces are in Vietnam,” President Richard Nixon declared tonight during a national address on television and radio, ending the United States’ direct military involvement in a war that didn’t officially end until 1975. Continue reading President Richard Nixon announces all U.S. combat troops out of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1973)

116 prisoners of war are flown from Hanoi to the Philippines in first release of U.S. POWs in North Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1973)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Peace is at Hand [9/11]' (Feb. 12, 1973, at 51:53)

(Monday, February 12, 1973, 12:36 p.m. Indochina Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Operation Homecoming, the release of prisoners of war (POWs) in the Vietnam War, began today as three U.S. Air Force C-141 medical transports landed at the Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi in North Vietnam to pick up American POWs. Continue reading 116 prisoners of war are flown from Hanoi to the Philippines in first release of U.S. POWs in North Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1973)

U.S. resumes secret bombing of Cambodia as Khmer Rouge closes in on Phnom Penh 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1973)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Cambodia and Laos [8/11]' (Operation Freedom Deal in 1973 at 37:07)

(Friday, February 9, 1973; during Operation Freedom Deal, part of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The U.S. resumed the secret bombing of Cambodia today after the communist Khmer Rouge refused to respond to pro-U.S. President Lon Nol’s unilateral cease-fire after the Paris Peace Accord was signed on Jan. 28, 1973. Continue reading U.S. resumes secret bombing of Cambodia as Khmer Rouge closes in on Phnom Penh 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1973)

Last official American combat casualty of Vietnam War buried at Arlington National Cemetery 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1973)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Feb. 5, 1973, at 5:39)

(Monday, February 5, 1973; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Army Colonel William B. Nolde, the last official American combat casualty of the Vietnam War, was buried with full honors today at Arlington National Cemetery. Continue reading Last official American combat casualty of Vietnam War buried at Arlington National Cemetery 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1973)

U.S. involvement in Vietnam War ends after signing of Paris Peace Accords at Hôtel Majestic Paris 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 27 1973)


Video: 'SYND 27-1-73 SIGNING OF VIETNAM PEACE AGREEMENT'

(Saturday, January 27, 1973, agreement effective at 7:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Vietnam War cease-fire agreement was signed today at the Majestic Hotel in Paris in eerie silence, without a word or a gesture to express the world’s relief that the years of war were officially ending. Continue reading U.S. involvement in Vietnam War ends after signing of Paris Peace Accords at Hôtel Majestic Paris 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 27 1973)

U.S. President Richard Nixon announces agreement to end Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 23 1973)


Video: 'President Richard Nixon Address to the Nation Announcing Vietnam Peace Agreement, January 23, 1973'

(Tuesday, January 23, 10:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon said tonight that U.S. National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and North Vietnam’s chief negotiator, Le Duc Tho, had initialed an agreement in Paris today, “to end the war and bring peace with honor in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.” Continue reading U.S. President Richard Nixon announces agreement to end Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 23 1973)

President Richard Nixon ends U.S. ‘Christmas Bombings’ of North Vietnam after Hanoi agrees to negotiate 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 30 1972)


Video: 'Wings over Vietnam - Part VIII of VIII - Linebacker II'

(Saturday, December 30, 1972, 9:45 a.m. EST; during Operation Linebacker II, part of the Vietnam War — part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The White House announced today that President Richard Nixon had ordered a halt to “The Christmas Bombing” of North Vietnam above the 20th Parallel after the North Vietnamese agreed to resume negotiations for a settlement in Paris on Jan. 8, 1973. Continue reading President Richard Nixon ends U.S. ‘Christmas Bombings’ of North Vietnam after Hanoi agrees to negotiate 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 30 1972)

Massive U.S. ‘Christmas Bombings’ of North Vietnam begin 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1972)


Video: 'Wings over Vietnam - Part VIII of VIII - Linebacker II'

(Monday, December 18, 1972, 7:45 p.m. Indochina Time; during Operation Linebacker II, part of the Vietnam War — part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Operation Linebacker II, described more generally as The Christmas Bombings — an aerial bombing campaign conducted by U.S. forces against targets in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) during the final period of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War — began this evening as the first wave of 129 B-52 bombers attacked the Yen Vien railroad yards. Continue reading Massive U.S. ‘Christmas Bombings’ of North Vietnam begin 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1972)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated on National Mall in Washington, D.C. 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1982)


Video: '1982 Vietnam War Memorial Dedication, Washington DC - CBS Evening News - November 13'

(Saturday, November 13, 1982, ceremony scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. EST) — Thousands of flag-waving Americans gave Vietnam veterans a belated welcome home Saturday as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a U.S. national memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring service members of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam War, was dedicated today (click here to watch the dedication ceremony). Continue reading Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated on National Mall in Washington, D.C. 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1982)

South Vietnamese forces recapture Quang Tri from North Vietnamese 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1972)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Vietnamizing the War [7/11]' (Sept. 15, 1972, at 47:22)

(Friday, September 15, 1972, 5:00 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — South Vietnam’s Army of the Republic of Vietnam defeated the People’s Army of Vietnam today at the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, ending North Vietnam’s three-plus month occupation of South Vietnam’s northernmost provincial capital and the Second Battle of Quang Tri. Continue reading South Vietnamese forces recapture Quang Tri from North Vietnamese 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1972)