U.S. Forces Surprised by Tet Offensive
A war report describes an attack by the Viet Cong on the Presidential Palace. On January 30, 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces launched a massive surprise attack on key cities in South Vietnam. It was a major turning point in the war.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
U.S. Forces Surprised by Tet Offensive
U.S. Forces Surprised by Tet OffensiveAudio Clip (1:23)
Audio Clip (1:23)
A war report describes an attack by the Viet Cong on the Presidential Palace. On January 30, 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces launched a massive surprise attack on key cities in South Vietnam. It was a major turning point in the war.
-
John F. Kennedy on Coup in South Vietnam
John F. Kennedy on Coup in South VietnamAudio Clip (6:06)
Audio Clip (6:06)
On October 29, 1963, President John F. Kennedy meets with the National Security Council to discuss whether to support the overthrow of South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem. During the secretly recorded conversation, Secretary of State Dean Rusk and the president craft a detailed plan involving Henry Cabot Lodge, ambassador to South Vietnam, Gen. Paul D. Harkins and the general of the South Vietnamese military, hoping to avoid setting off a civil war in the country.
-
Nixon Orders Invasion of Cambodia
Nixon Orders Invasion of CambodiaAudio Clip (1:02)
Audio Clip (1:02)
On April 30, 1970, President Richard Nixon asks the American people to support his decision to send troops into Cambodia in response to North Vietnam’s invasion of the country.
-
Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara Plan Airstrikes in Vietnam
Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara Plan Airstrikes in VietnamAudio Clip (3:31)
Audio Clip (3:31)
In a recorded phone call on February 26, 1965, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and President Lyndon B. Johnson discuss possible airstrikes in Vietnam.
-
Lyndon Johnson Considers Troop Increase in Vietnam
Lyndon Johnson Considers Troop Increase in VietnamAudio Clip (5:02)
Audio Clip (5:02)
In June 1965, shortly after a coup in South Vietnam led to the 10th change of government in the war torn country, an attack by the North Vietnamese destroyed three U.S. aircraft at Danang. During a recorded telephone conversation with Defense Secretary Robert McNamara on July 2, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson contemplates whether the war can be won.
-
Nixon on Vietnam War
Nixon on Vietnam WarAudio Clip (3:34)
Audio Clip (3:34)
On March 26, 1971, President Richard Nixon holds a meeting in the Oval Office with his National Security Council to discuss the war in Vietnam. The meeting is secretly recorded. Among the many topics he raises, Nixon recounts a prior conversation with House majority leader Hale Boggs on setting a date for the final withdrawal of U.S. forces.
-
U.S. Army Prepares South Vietnam for American Withdrawal
U.S. Army Prepares South Vietnam for American WithdrawalAudio Clip (2:04)
Audio Clip (2:04)
From his station in Saigon, Vietnam, on October 25, 1973, Col. Gerald M. Steinberg reflects on the difficulties encountered as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared to transfer jurisdiction to ARVN, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, following the Vietnam War ceasefire signed on January 27.
-
Impact of U.S. Withdrawal on South Vietnam
Impact of U.S. Withdrawal on South VietnamAudio Clip (2:47)
Audio Clip (2:47)
Following the January 27, 1973 signing of a ceasefire agreement to end the Vietnam War and the subsequent departure of U.S. troops, the U.S. military prepared the South Vietnamese to take over operations. A U.S. officer who remained in Vietnam to help with the transition is interviewed on October 11, 1973, about the process of bolstering South Vietnam's economy and self-sufficiency.
-
North Vietnam Disregards Ceasefire Agreement
North Vietnam Disregards Ceasefire AgreementAudio Clip (4:44)
Audio Clip (4:44)
In an October 12, 1973, interview, Col. Le Gran, U.S. deputy director of intelligence, discusses the discovery that North Vietnam installed SA-2 missiles in the southern city of Khe Sanh shortly after a ceasefire agreement prohibiting military incursion in South Vietnam was signed on January 27 of that year.
-
U.S. Troops Leave Vietnam
U.S. Troops Leave VietnamAudio Clip (1:13)
Audio Clip (1:13)
After the Vietnam War ceasefire was signed on January 27, 1973, the United States had 60 days to withdraw its troops from Vietnam. In an interview on October 9, 1973, Col. Frago, chief of the Army Division of the Defense Attaché, comments on the problems encountered while drawing down the U.S. forces.
Related Videos (10)
-
F-4 Phantom II: Highest Kill Ratio
F-4 Phantom II: Highest Kill RatioVideo Clip (1:32)
Video Clip (1:32)
The F-4 Phantom II was a successful adversary to the North Vietnamese MiG-17 and achieved a high kill ratio of 2.5-to-1.
-
Finding the Film
Finding the FilmVideo Clip (2:38)
Video Clip (2:38)
Discover how researchers combed archives to uncover rare film for the Vietnam in HD series and found some footage in unexpected places.
-
History Rocks: Vietnam Soldier
History Rocks: Vietnam SoldierVideo Clip (4:42)
Video Clip (4:42)
History Rocks shows us some great images of troops/soldiers while in the Vietnam War. Learn all there is to know about this battle and find out just how hard it was for the average American soldier in this era.
-
Governor Jim Gibbons and Take a Vet to School Program
Governor Jim Gibbons and Take a Vet to School ProgramVideo Clip (1:03)
Video Clip (1:03)
In this short clip we get to sit down with the Governor of Nevada, Jim Gibbons. Learn how he served the United States in the Vietnam War and how he is very happy that the History Channel is trying to make a difference with young students.
-
Shot Down During Vietnam: A Fighter Pilot's Story
Shot Down During Vietnam: A Fighter Pilot's StoryVideo Clip (2:42)
Video Clip (2:42)
In 1966, an American fighter pilot took off from the USS Enterprise near the coast of Vietnam, only to be shot down and captured by enemy forces.
-
Battle of Khe Sanh
Battle of Khe SanhVideo Clip (2:29)
Video Clip (2:29)
In a History Uncut video, see a combination of actual footage gathered from the Battle of Khe Sanh in the year 1968.
-
Massacre at Hu?
Massacre at Hu?Video Clip (3:46)
Video Clip (3:46)
A closer look at the Hue Massacre in Vietnam.
-
Tet Offensive Surprises Americans
Tet Offensive Surprises AmericansVideo Clip (4:01)
Video Clip (4:01)
Take a closer look at the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War.
-
F-105 Thunderchief over North Vietnam
F-105 Thunderchief over North VietnamVideo Clip (2:09)
Video Clip (2:09)
Known as the "wild weasel", the F-105 bomber jet was heavily used during Vietnam and a major target for North Vietnamese counter-attacks.
-
Gulf of Tonkin Incident Escalates War
Gulf of Tonkin Incident Escalates WarVideo Clip (2:25)
Video Clip (2:25)
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution jump started the Vietnam War. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was addressed by Lyndon B. Johnson as a joint resolution and was passed by the U.S. Congress on August 7, 1964.
Related Photo Galleries (2)
-
Vietnam War
Vietnam War(14 Photos)
14 Photos
The Vietnam War lasted longer than any other war in U.S. history and cost 58,000 American lives
-
Vietnam War: Leaders
Vietnam War: Leaders(15 Photos)
15 Photos
View images of the Presidents, politicians, and military leaders who influenced American involvement in the Vietnam War.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
Attack on Pearl Harbor
(1:49)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam War DVD Set
America's first televised war comes starkly and comprehensively alive in this sweeping documentary collection.
-
WWII in HD DVD Set
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now… Own this best-selling series today!
$14.99
Buy Now -
History Channel Presents: The War of 1812 DVD Set
Follow a seemingly disastrous decision to declare war to the glory of the stars and stripes.
$14.98
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
