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{{Classification|Silver}}{{construction}}{{Template:Cleanup}}{{War
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The '''Vietnam War''' was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 1955 to the [[Fall of Saigon]] on April 30, 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between [[North Vietnam]], supported by the [[Soviet Union]] and others communist allies, and the government of [[South Vietnam]], supported by the [[United States]] and other anti-communist nations. The [[Viet Cong]], a lightly armed South Vietnamese front of communist sympathizers, largely fought a guerrilla war against anti-communist forces in the region, whereas the [[North Vietnamese Army|Vietnam People's Army]] engaged in a more conventional war, at times committing large units into battle. U.S. and South Vietnamese forces relied on air superiority and overwhelming firepower to conduct search and destroy operations, involving ground forces, artillery, and airstrikes.
The '''Vietnam War''' was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 1955 to the [[Fall of Saigon]] on April 30, 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between [[North Vietnam]], supported by the [[Soviet Union]] and others communist allies, and the government of [[South Vietnam]], supported by the [[United States]] and other anti-communist nations. The [[Viet Cong]], a lightly armed South Vietnamese front of communist sympathizers, largely fought a guerrilla war against anti-communist forces in the region, whereas the [[North Vietnamese Army|Vietnam People's Army]] engaged in a more conventional war, at times committing large units into battle. U.S. and South Vietnamese forces relied on air superiority and overwhelming firepower to conduct search and destroy operations, involving ground forces, artillery, and airstrikes.
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==Background==
==Background==
The U.S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam as part of their wider strategy of containment. The North Vietnamese government viewed the war as a colonial war, fought initially against France, backed by the U.S., and later against South Vietnam, which it regarded as a U.S. puppet state. U.S. military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U.S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962. U.S. combat units were deployed beginning in 1965. Operations spanned borders, with Laos and Cambodia heavily bombed. Involvement peaked in 1968 at the time of the Tet Offensive. After this, U.S. ground forces were withdrawn as part of a policy called Vietnamization. Despite the Paris Peace Accords, signed by all parties in January 1973, fighting continued.
The U.S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam as part of their wider strategy of containment. The North Vietnamese government viewed the war as a colonial war, fought initially against France, backed by the U.S., and later against South Vietnam, which it regarded as a U.S. puppet state. U.S. military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U.S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962. U.S. combat units were deployed beginning in 1965. Operations spanned borders, with Laos and Cambodia heavily bombed. Involvement peaked in 1968 at the time of the Tet Offensive. After this, U.S. ground forces were withdrawn as part of a policy called Vietnamization. Despite the Paris Peace Accords, signed by all parties in January 1973, fighting continued.
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After attacks on U.S. bases, President Lyndon B. Johnson orders air-strikes against barracks near Đồng Hới. [[Operation Flaming Dart|Operation Flaming Dart I]] and Flaming Dart II were meant as a message to the North to cease hostilities in the South. In February 1965, the U.S. Air Force and the [[Vietnam Air Force]] dropped massive amounts of bombs and on the first day alone, dropped 25 tons in 30 minutes.
After attacks on U.S. bases, President Lyndon B. Johnson orders air-strikes against barracks near Đồng Hới. [[Operation Flaming Dart|Operation Flaming Dart I]] and Flaming Dart II were meant as a message to the North to cease hostilities in the South. In February 1965, the U.S. Air Force and the [[Vietnam Air Force]] dropped massive amounts of bombs and on the first day alone, dropped 25 tons in 30 minutes.
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===The Battle of Ia Drang===
===The Battle of Ia Drang===
'''November 14 – 18, 1965'''
'''November 14 – 18, 1965'''
[[File:BFV Ia Drang Valley US Base.png|thumb|200px|The 7th Cavalry combat base, before the landings started.]]The Battle of Ia Drang Valley was the first true battle of the Vietnam War. Until this point in time, altercations and hostilities were launched in secrecy from either side with the enemy having little chance for defense.
[[File:BFV Ia Drang Valley US Base.png|thumb|200px|The 7th Cavalry combat base, before the landings started.]]The Battle of Ia Drang Valley was the first true battle of the Vietnam War. Until this point in time, altercations and hostilities were launched in secrecy from either side with the enemy having little chance for defense.
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====Landing Zone X-Ray====
====Landing Zone X-Ray====
'''November 14, 1965'''
'''November 14, 1965'''
The [[7th Cavalry Regiment#1st Battalion|1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment]] would land at [[The Ia Drang Valley|Landing Zone X-Ray]] and engage the [[North Vietnamese Army]] 66th Regiment, the 1/7 Battalion would eventually take and secure LZ X-Ray on the 16th of November, the third day of the battle.
The [[7th Cavalry Regiment#1st Battalion|1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment]] would land at [[The Ia Drang Valley|Landing Zone X-Ray]] and engage the [[North Vietnamese Army]] 66th Regiment, the 1/7 Battalion would eventually take and secure LZ X-Ray on the 16th of November, the third day of the battle.
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====Landing Zone Albany====
====Landing Zone Albany====
'''November 17, 1965'''
'''November 17, 1965'''
The remaining battalions abandoned LZ X-Ray on the 17th of November and began a tactical march to new landing zones, 2nd/5th under Lt. Col. Bob Tully to LZ Columbus about 4km to the northeast, and [[7th Cavalry Regiment#2nd Battalion|2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment]] under Lt. Col. Robert McDade to [[Landing Zone Albany]] about 4km to the north-northeast, close to the Ia Drang.
The remaining battalions abandoned LZ X-Ray on the 17th of November and began a tactical march to new landing zones, 2nd/5th under Lt. Col. Bob Tully to LZ Columbus about 4km to the northeast, and [[7th Cavalry Regiment#2nd Battalion|2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment]] under Lt. Col. Robert McDade to [[Landing Zone Albany]] about 4km to the north-northeast, close to the Ia Drang.
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===Operation Game Warden===
===Operation Game Warden===
'''December 18, 1965'''
'''December 18, 1965'''
[[Operation Game Warden]] and other similar operations were a part of early attempts by the United States to help the South Vietnamese combat the movement of supplies along the Mekong Delta. The operation was undertaken by elements of the [[United States Navy]] Riverine Patrol Force, [[Task Force 116]].
[[Operation Game Warden]] and other similar operations were a part of early attempts by the United States to help the South Vietnamese combat the movement of supplies along the Mekong Delta. The operation was undertaken by elements of the [[United States Navy]] Riverine Patrol Force, [[Task Force 116]].
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===Battle of Bồng Sơn===
===Battle of Bồng Sơn===
'''January 28 - February 12, 1966'''
'''January 28 - February 12, 1966'''
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[[File:BFV RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES2.png|200px|thumb|Three Marine Corps [[UH-1 Iroquois]] helicopters during Operation Hastings.]] [[Operation Hastings]] was the largest combined operation in the war to date. Elements of the [[United States Marine Corps]] [[5th Marine Regiment]], the South Vietnamese, and the Republic of Vietnam participated in one of the first "search and destroy" missions of the war.
[[File:BFV RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES2.png|200px|thumb|Three Marine Corps [[UH-1 Iroquois]] helicopters during Operation Hastings.]] [[Operation Hastings]] was the largest combined operation in the war to date. Elements of the [[United States Marine Corps]] [[5th Marine Regiment]], the South Vietnamese, and the Republic of Vietnam participated in one of the first "search and destroy" missions of the war.
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===Operation Cedar Falls===
===Operation Cedar Falls===
'''January 8 – 26, 1967'''
'''January 8 – 26, 1967'''
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[[File:BFV_Crashed_Chinook.png|thumb|A downed [[ACH-47 Chinook]] at Cồn Tiên.]] While defending [[Defense of Con Thien|Cồn Tiên]], suffering from months of constant shelling and probing attacks from hastily constructed NVA bases just north of the Demilitarized Zone, the [[26th Marine Regiment]] and other Marine Corps units are ready to mount a quick strike to destroy the offending artillery positions and raze the surrounding bases. The Marines would go up against the North Vietnamese Army 325th C Division.
[[File:BFV_Crashed_Chinook.png|thumb|A downed [[ACH-47 Chinook]] at Cồn Tiên.]] While defending [[Defense of Con Thien|Cồn Tiên]], suffering from months of constant shelling and probing attacks from hastily constructed NVA bases just north of the Demilitarized Zone, the [[26th Marine Regiment]] and other Marine Corps units are ready to mount a quick strike to destroy the offending artillery positions and raze the surrounding bases. The Marines would go up against the North Vietnamese Army 325th C Division.
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===The Tet Offensive===
===The Tet Offensive===
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{{Construction|section}}
'''January 30 - August 30, 1968'''
'''January 30 - August 30, 1968'''
The Tet Offensive was a massive, multi-pronged assault involved NVA units and Viet Cong guerrilla fighters attacking targets throughout South Vietnam. Major cities such as Huế and Saigon were hit hard by the Viet Cong, catching the American defenders completely off guard.
The Tet Offensive was a massive, multi-pronged assault involved NVA units and Viet Cong guerrilla fighters attacking targets throughout South Vietnam. Major cities such as Huế and Saigon were hit hard by the Viet Cong, catching the American defenders completely off guard.
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====The First Battle of Saigon====
====The First Battle of Saigon====
'''January 31, 1968'''
'''January 31, 1968'''
<br />Although Saigon was the focal point of the offensive, the communists did not seek a total takeover of the city. Rather, they had six primary targets to strike in [[Saigon 1968|the First Battle of Saigon]]: the headquarters of the ARVN General Staff at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, the Independence Palace, the U.S. Embassy, Saigon, the Long Bình Naval Headquarters, and the National Radio Station. The attacks were undertaken by elements of the local Viet Cong C-10 Sapper Battalion. Many ARVN and American units fought back the Viet Cong, one of the units being the [[101st Airborne Division]], who defended a bridge leading into Saigon.
<br />Although Saigon was the focal point of the offensive, the communists did not seek a total takeover of the city. Rather, they had six primary targets to strike in [[Saigon 1968|the First Battle of Saigon]]: the headquarters of the ARVN General Staff at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, the Independence Palace, the U.S. Embassy, Saigon, the Long Bình Naval Headquarters, and the National Radio Station. The attacks were undertaken by elements of the local Viet Cong C-10 Sapper Battalion. Many ARVN and American units fought back the Viet Cong, one of the units being the [[101st Airborne Division]], who defended a bridge leading into Saigon.
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===The Battle of Quảng Trị===
===The Battle of Quảng Trị===
'''January 30, 1968'''
'''January 30, 1968'''
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The city of [[Quang Tri - 1968|Quảng Trị]] had the misfortune of being positioned just south of the all important Demilitarized Zone. The "DMZ," as it was known, was a barrier between the north and south where no military action was to take place. However, this was seldom the case. With the weather working against them, the North attacked Quảng Trị in the attempt to control the DMZ. The [[1st ARVN Division]] attempts to defend the city from the 812th North Vietnamese Army Regiment in the battle.
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The city of [[Quang Tri - 1968|Quảng Trị]] had the misfortune of being positioned just south of the all important Demilitarized Zone. The "DMZ," as it was known, was a barrier between the north and south where no military action was to take place. However, this was seldom the case. With the weather working against them, the North attacked Quảng Trị in the attempt to control the DMZ. The [[ARVN|1st ARVN Division]] attempts to defend the city from the 812th North Vietnamese Army Regiment in the battle.
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====The Battle of Huế====
====The Battle of Huế====
'''January 31 – March 3, 1968'''
'''January 31 – March 3, 1968'''
The Battle of Huế during 1968, was one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War. The [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] and three understrength U.S. Marine Corps battalions was attacked and defeated by more than 10,000 entrenched NVA armed forces and Viet Cong guerrilla forces.
The Battle of Huế during 1968, was one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War. The [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] and three understrength U.S. Marine Corps battalions was attacked and defeated by more than 10,000 entrenched NVA armed forces and Viet Cong guerrilla forces.
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=====<font size ="2.8">Huế is taken by the North</font>=====
=====<font size ="2.8">Huế is taken by the North</font>=====
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[[File:BFV ARVN SOLDIERS.png|200px|thumb|Two ARVN soldiers during the Battle of Huế.]] The city of [[Hue - 1968|Huế]] was one of the North's targets on the Tet Offensive. The [[1st ARVN Division]] stationed in the city, due to the South Vietnamese viewing it as poor public relations to station U.S. forces in the ancient city, had very little U.S. support. The North believed that without the U.S. forces supporting them, the ARVN would be weak.
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[[File:BFV ARVN SOLDIERS.png|200px|thumb|Two ARVN soldiers during the Battle of Huế.]] The city of [[Hue - 1968|Huế]] was one of the North's targets on the Tet Offensive. The [[ARVN|1st ARVN Division]] stationed in the city, due to the South Vietnamese viewing it as poor public relations to station U.S. forces in the ancient city, had very little U.S. support. The North believed that without the U.S. forces supporting them, the ARVN would be weak.
=====<font size ="2.8">Reclaiming Huế</font>=====
=====<font size ="2.8">Reclaiming Huế</font>=====
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'''February 29, 1968'''
'''February 29, 1968'''
For 77 days, the North pounded on the Khe Sahn Combat Base hoping to repeat their victory over the French at Điện Biên Phủ. The NVA tried everything to break the U.S. resolve. Eventually, the U.S. used creative artillery tactics to break the siege and repel the NVA. However, the U.S. would soon later abandon the completely destroyed base complex of Khe Sanh and the NVA would soon occupy the area.
For 77 days, the North pounded on the Khe Sahn Combat Base hoping to repeat their victory over the French at Điện Biên Phủ. The NVA tried everything to break the U.S. resolve. Eventually, the U.S. used creative artillery tactics to break the siege and repel the NVA. However, the U.S. would soon later abandon the completely destroyed base complex of Khe Sanh and the NVA would soon occupy the area.
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===Cambodian Incursion===
===Cambodian Incursion===
'''May 1, 1970'''
'''May 1, 1970'''
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'''April 30, 1975'''
'''April 30, 1975'''
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After the Battle of Xuân Lộc, the [[Fall of Saigon]] was inevitable, the North amassed its armor and infantry, preparing for the final assault on the city of Saigon. But the NVA first had to eliminate the ARVN base and the [[1st ARVN Division]] on the eastern outskirts of Saigon. The ongoing evacuation of American personnel left the ARVN without the air and heavy artillery support to which they have grown so accustomed to.
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After the Battle of Xuân Lộc, the [[Fall of Saigon]] was inevitable, the North amassed its armor and infantry, preparing for the final assault on the city of Saigon. But the NVA first had to eliminate the ARVN base and the [[ARVN|1st ARVN Division]] on the eastern outskirts of Saigon. The ongoing evacuation of American personnel left the ARVN without the air and heavy artillery support to which they have grown so accustomed to.
==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
The North would soon take Saigon and with it, the defeat of the South and the reunification of Vietnam was completed, signaling the defeat of the capitalist forces in Vietnam.
The North would soon take Saigon and with it, the defeat of the South and the reunification of Vietnam was completed, signaling the defeat of the capitalist forces in Vietnam.