The total number of U.S. troops remaining in Vietnam drops to 196,700--the lowest level since January 1966. This was a result of the Vietnamization program announced by President Richard Nixon at the June 1969 Midway Conference. U.S. troops were to be withdrawn as the South Vietnamese assumed more responsibility for the war. The first withdrawal included troops from the 9th Infantry Division, who departed in August 1969. The withdrawals continued steadily, and by January 1972 there were less than 75,000 U.S. troops remaining in South Vietnam.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- John Glenn returns to space, 1998
- American Revolution
- Hancock resigns as president of Congress, 1777
- Automotive
- Guitarist Duane Allman dies in motorcycle accident, 1971
- Civil War
- The Battle of Wauhatchie concludes, 1863
- Cold War
- Israel invades Egypt; Suez Crisis begins, 1956
- Crime
- Dominick Dunne, chronicler of high-profile crimes, is born, 1925
- Disaster
- Killer smog claims elderly victims, 1948
- General Interest
- Sir Walter Raleigh executed, 1618
- Stock market crashes, 1929
- Hollywood
- Richard Dreyfuss born, 1947
- Literary
- James Boswell is born, 1740
- Music
- "96 Tears" becomes a #1 hit for the enigmatic and influential ? and the Mysterians, 1966
- Old West
- The first store opens in the frontier town of Denver, Colorado, 1858
- Presidential
- McKinley assassin is executed, 1901
- Sports
- Sandy Saddler beats Willie Pep for the first time, 1948
- Vietnam War
- Bobby Seale gagged during his trial, 1969
- U.S. troop strength reaches five-year low, 1971
- World War I
- Jane Addams writes to Woodrow Wilson about dangers of preparing for war, 1915
- World War II
- The British protest against the persecution of Jews, 1942
U.S. troop strength reaches five-year low
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This Week in History, Oct 29 - Nov 4
- Oct 29, 1969
- Bobby Seale gagged during his trial
- Oct 29, 1971
- U.S. troop strength reaches five-year low
- Oct 30, 1965
- Marines repel attack near Da Nang.
- Oct 30, 1970
- Heavy monsoon rains hit Vietnam
- Oct 31, 1968
- President Johnson announces bombing halt
- Oct 31, 1970
- Thieu vows to never accept a coalition government
- Nov 01, 1964
- Military and political situation in South Vietnam deteriorates
- Nov 01, 1968
- Two new programs initiated in South Vietnam
- Nov 02, 1963
- Diem murdered during coup
- Nov 02, 1967
- Johnson meets with "the Wise Men"
- Nov 03, 1967
- Battle of Dak To begins
- Nov 03, 1969
- Nixon calls on the "silent majority"
- Nov 04, 1969
- South Vietnamese battle communists along the Cambodian border
- Nov 04, 1970
- U.S. hands over air base to the Vietnamese Air Force
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