What was combat like for American combat soldiers in Vietnam?

What was combat like for American combat soldiers in Vietnam?

The Vietnam conflict was a 360-degree war where any soldier – particularly Americans and Westerners – might encounter attacks, ambushes and booby traps at any place or time. It was a conflict where territory changed hands frequently, people moved freely and their political loyalties were often unclear.

Was the Vietnam War gory?

An estimated 500 Vietnamese, mostly women, children, and the elderly, died in the massacre. The brutality has been well documented: American soldiers raped, mutilated, and tortured the villagers before killing them; families were dragged from their homes, thrown into ditches and executed.

How did American soldiers feel about the Vietnam War?

The tense atmosphere and frustrating nature of the war eventually caused a significant decline in the motivation and performance of American forces in Vietnam. Some American soldiers reacted to their situation by lashing out violently against the Vietnamese, while others took out their anger on U.S. military leaders.

What was the rule of thumb for soldiers in Vietnam?

The rule of thumb that ten soldiers were needed to defeat one guerrilla reflected the insurgents” political support rather than their military superiority. For the Saigon government, the task of isolating the Viet Cong from the population was difficult under any circumstances and impossible to achieve by force alone.

Was the Vietnam War the most brutal?

Vietnam War Vietnam went to war five times in the twentieth century, but its most lethal conflict was between 1965 and 1975.

Could two brothers serve in Vietnam at the same time?

Chuck shipped to Vietnam in late 1967; Tom arrived in mid-January 1968. They chose to serve side-by-side in combat as enlisted men. Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. They were the only American brothers to have served together in the same infantry squad in Vietnam.