Category Archives: Vietnam War

78 Vietnam orphans killed in Saigon plane crash 50 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1975)


Video: '20th Century with Mike Wallace - Guerra do Vietnã (1994)' (Apr. 4, 1975, at 12:13)

(Friday, April 4, 1975, 4:45 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; 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. Continue reading 78 Vietnam orphans killed in Saigon plane crash 50 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1975)

Thieu meets with American officials, pleads for help 50 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.

Cambodian city falls to Khmer Rouge as President Lon Nol flees 50 years ago today (Apr 1 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-9) Cambodia and Laos' (Apr. 1, 1975, at 48:43)

(Tuesday, April 1, 1975, early afternoon Indochina Time; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — With Khmer Rouge guerrillas taking Neak Leung, a key strategic town along the Mekong River, Cambodian President Lon Nol resigned today and departed Pochentong International Airport west of Phnom Penh into exile. Continue reading Cambodian city falls to Khmer Rouge as President Lon Nol flees 50 years ago today (Apr 1 1975)

Woman, 82, sets herself afire on Detroit street corner as Vietnam protest 60 years ago tonight (Mar 16 1965)

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(Monday, March 16, 1965, evening EST; 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).

North Vietnamese troops attack South Vietnamese forces at Ban Me Thuot 50 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Mar. 10, 1975, at 24:41)

(Monday, March 10, 1975, 2:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Ban Me Thuot, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — The North Vietnamese army began their assault on South Vietnamese forces this morning at Ban Me Thuot.

First American combat troops land in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1965)


Video: '1965, Marines Land in Vietnam - 250041-12 | Footage Farm Ltd'

(Monday, March 8, 1965, 9:03 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam today as 3,500 Marines landed at China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang. They joined 23,000 American military advisors already in Vietnam. Continue reading First American combat troops land in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1965)

Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Mar. 2, 1965, at 28:18)

(Tuesday, March 2, 1965, 3:45 p.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Operation Rolling Thunder, a gradual and sustained aerial bombardment campaign, began today as more than 100 U.S. jet aircraft bombed a North Vietnamese munitions depot and also provided air cover for 60 South Vietnamese bombers striking at a Communist naval base. Continue reading Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1965)

Six U.S. Representatives arrive in Saigon to assess deteriorating situation 50 years ago today (Feb 27 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Feb. 27-Mar. 2, 1975, at 23:51)

(Thursday, February 27, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A group of six members of the House of Representatives arrived at Tan Son Nhut air base near the city of Saigon today to make a four day visit to South Vietnam and Cambodia. They joined two representatives who had arrived Feb. 24, 1975, to assess the deteriorating war situation.

Operation Rolling Thunder postponed due to coup attempt in Saigon 60 years ago today (Feb 19 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Feb. 19, 1965, at 28:40)

(Friday, February 19, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The planned Feb. 20, 1965, launch of Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South, was postponed today due to a coup attempt in Saigon.

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1965)


Video: Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Feb. 13, 1965, at 28:18)

(Saturday, February 13, 1965, LBJ met with top national security advisors from 1:56 to 4:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson today authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1965)