They often traveled to and from Vietnam by air, being an active combatant one day and a veteran returning to a hostile civilian environment the next. Also contributing to the stress many veterans experienced was the lack of unit cohesiveness as many were sent to Vietnam as individuals and left when their year's tour was completed. This situation magnified the stress associated with their combat experiences. Many veterans were attacked personally by their fellow countrymen, who opposed the war. It was also the first time America failed to welcome its veterans back as heroes. It was the first war in which the US failed to meet its objectives.

Fighting resumed and South Vietnam eventually surrendered to the forces of North Vietnam in April 1975.Īpproximately 2,700,000 American men and women served in Vietnam. The last US ground troops left Vietnam in March 1973, after which the peace talks once again broke down. A cease-fire was signed in January 1973 providing for the withdrawal of all troops and return of all prisoners within 60 days. Antiwar demonstrations intensified as did concern over war crimes and the environmental impact of Agent Orange.įighting again intensified in 1972, leading to heavy losses on both sides but this also led to renewed peace efforts. TV coverage brought the war directly to America's living rooms in a way never before experienced. However, a change in US policy led to the greater emphasis on training and supplying South Vietnamese troops and US withdrawal began in July 1968.

In May of 1968, the US began peace negotiations, which eventually broke down. In January 1968, the Tet Offensive began a new phase with savage attacks on the cities of South Vietnam. In the US, increased casualties and higher taxes to support the war lead to great public dissatisfaction and a growing anti-war movement. Despite the US's superior firepower against the guerilla forces of the enemy, the two sides fought to a highly destructive draw. In August of 1964, Congress passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution giving the President the power to take 'all necessary measures' to 'prevent further (Communist) aggression.' Between 19, US troop strength rose from 60,000 to over 543,000 in country. In 1963, the government was overthrown, Diem was killed, and a new government was formed. In 1957, the Vietcong began a rebellion against the South Vietnam government of President Diem, whom the US supported with equipment and advisors. In 1954, the French were defeated and the former colony of French Indochina was divided into Communist North Vietnam and (non-Communist) South Vietnam. America's involvement in Vietnam lasted from 1957 until 1975.

Leave Us Alone 1975