The first contingent of South Korean troops arrives in Saigon. Although assigned to non-combat duties, they came under fire on April 3. The South Korean contingent was part of the Free World Military Forces, an effort by President Lyndon B. Johnson to enlist allies for the United States and South Vietnam. By securing support from other nations, Johnson hoped to build an international consensus behind his policies in Vietnam. The effort was also known as the "many flags" program. By the close of 1969, there were over 47,800 Korean soldiers actively involved in combat operations in South Vietnam. Seoul began to withdraw its troops in February 1972.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- Two national parks preserved, 10 years apart, 1919
- American Revolution
- "The Chancellor" Dies, 1813
- Automotive
- Honda introduces Formula One "Earth Car", 2007
- Civil War
- Rhodes describes life as a Union soldier, 1862
- Cold War
- Sandinistas are defeated in Nicaraguan elections, 1990
- Crime
- World Trade Center is bombed, 1993
- Disaster
- Dam collapses in West Virginia, 1972
- General Interest
- Hitler organizes Luftwaffe, 1935
- Lucky Lady II begins nonstop global flight, 1949
- Last U.S. Marines leave Beirut, 1984
- World Trade Center bombed, 1993
- Hollywood
- Oscar winner Halle Berry accepts Razzie for Catwoman, 2005
- Literary
- Christopher Marlowe is baptized, 1564
- Music
- Fats Domino is born in New Orleans, 1928
- Old West
- Grand Teton National Park is established, 1929
- Presidential
- Coolidge establishes Grand Teton National Park, 1929
- Sports
- Stockton gets 11,000th NBA assist, 1996
- Vietnam War
- First South Korean troops arrive, 1965
- Mass graves discovered in Hue, 1968
- World War I
- President Wilson learns of Zimmermann Telegram, 1917
- World War II
- Corregidor's last gasp, 1945
Feb 26, 1965:
First South Korean troops arrive
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Feb 26 - Mar 4
- Feb 26, 1965
- First South Korean troops arrive
- Feb 26, 1968
- Mass graves discovered in Hue
- Feb 27, 1962
- Diem survives coup attempt
- Feb 27, 1965
- United States assails North Vietnamese "aggression"
- Feb 27, 1969
- Communist offensive continues
- Feb 28, 1968
- Wheeler says Westmoreland will need more troops
- Mar 01, 1965
- U.S. informs South Vietnam of intent to send Marines
- Mar 01, 1968
- Clifford replaces McNamara
- Mar 01, 1971
- Bomb explodes in Capitol building
- Mar 02, 1965
- First Rolling Thunder raid conducted
- Mar 02, 1967
- Kennedy proposes plan to end the war
- Mar 03, 1965
- U.S. jets bomb Ho Chi Minh Trail
- Mar 03, 1971
- U.S. 5th Special Forces Group withdraws
- Mar 04, 1968
- Task Force sends memo to the president
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Grand Canyon
Get the facts on this geological wonder of the world.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Ridiculous Wars
Discover six of history's most preposterous conflicts.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam War DVD Set
America's first televised war comes starkly and comprehensively alive in this sweeping documentary collection.
-
Vietnam in HD DVD Set
Their story is in danger of being lost to history. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later.
$24.95
Buy Now -
The Doomsday Clock
Learn the history of the clock - developed in 1947 as an image to symbolize urgency in the Cold War and the threat of nuclear disaster.
$19.99
Buy Now
