Category Archives: Vietnam War

LBJ makes offers to start Vietnam peace talks unconditionally 50 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1965)


Video: 'President Johnson's Remarks on Vietnam at Johns Hopkins University, 4/7/65. MP549.'

(Wednesday, April 7, 1965, 9:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson said tonight that the United States was ready to begin, without prior conditions, diplomatic discussions to end the war in Vietnam. Continue reading LBJ makes offers to start Vietnam peace talks unconditionally 50 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1965)

Ford, Kissinger, Weyland conclude deadlock is best hope for Vietnam 40 years ago today (Apr 5 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 5, 1975, at 34:33)

(Saturday, April 5, 1975; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Just back from South Vietnam, General Frederick Weyand met today with U.S. President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at Palm Springs.

They concluded that a military deadlock was their best hope. Even if only part of South Vietnam could be defended, the Communists might agree to a political deal — with or without South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu.

78 Vietnam orphans killed in Saigon plane crash 40 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1975)


Video: 'Air Crash Investigations S07E05 Operation Babylift Tan Son Nhut C 5 accident English'

(Friday, April 4, 1975, 4:45 p.m. ICT; during Operation Babylift, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — More than 130 people, most of them children, were killed today when a U.S. Air Force transport plane evacuating Vietnamese orphans crash-landed shortly after takeoff from Saigon.

The cause was ascribed to loss of flight control due to explosive decompression and structural failure.

Thieu meets with American officials, pleads for help 40 years ago today (Apr 2 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 2, 1975, at 34:10)

(Wednesday, April 2, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, still believing that America would not abandon him, met today with U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin and President Gerald Ford’s special envoy, General Frederick Weyand, who promised to recommend more aid.

Lon Nol resigns, flees into exile as Khmer Rouge 40 years ago this hour (Apr 1 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Cambodia and Laos [8/11]' (Apr. 1, 1975, at 49:25)

(Tuesday, April 1, 1975, about noon ICT; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — With Khmer Rouge guerrillas closing in, Cambodian President Lon Nol resigned and departed Pochentong International Airport west of Phnom Penh into exile, spending the rest of his life in the United States.

Communist forces occupy Da Nang 40 years ago today (Mar 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 30, 1975, at 31:50)

(Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A speedy North Vietnamese force moved into chaotic Da Nang today, sweeping across the vast air base where the first U.S. ground forces had landed in 1965.

Two Americans killed as bomb in Vietnam rips U.S. embassy 50 years ago this hour (Mar 30 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Mar. 30, 1965, at 32:41)

(Tuesday, March 30, 1965, 10:55 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — A huge bomb exploded at the United States Embassy today in Saigon, South Vietnam, killing two Americans, one female CIA employee, Barbara Robbins and another American, as well as 19 Vietnamese and one Filipino serving in the U.S. Navy along with injuring 183 others.

Last American flight out of Da Nang captured on camera 40 years ago today (Mar 29 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 29, 1975, at 30:24)

(Saturday, March 29, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Against official American advice, a World Airways jet with company president Ed Daley aboard made a perilous landing today at Da Nang for one last rescue mission.

Daley wanted to save women and children first, but desperate South Vietnamese soldiers jammed into the airplane. They scrambled into the baggage compartment and clung to the stairway as the plane took off.

100,000 refugees crowd Da Nang by 40 years ago today (Mar 21 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 21, 1975, at 29:21)

(Friday, March 21, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — 100,000 refugees, many of them troops and their families, had crowded into Da Nang by today as South Vietnam’s collapse intensified.

Woman, 82, sets herself afire in street as Vietnam protest 50 years ago tonight (Mar 16 1965)

asked0309c

(Monday, March 16, 1965, evening, during the the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Peace activist Alice Herz, 82, set herself ablaze on a Detroit street corner today to protest the Vietnam War (the first activist in the United States known to have immolated herself in protest of the escalating Vietnam War, Herz died 10 days later).