Support for Veterans

---

Twelve significant battles and monuments that highlight key moments in which the U.S. military was engaged during the Vietnam War:

1. Battle of Ia Drang (1965) – The first major battle between U.S. forces and North Vietnamese regulars, fought in the Central Highlands. It marked the introduction of large-scale helicopter air mobility, with heavy casualties on both sides.
   • Monument: The Ia Drang Memorial at Fort Benning, Georgia, honors the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division who fought in the battle.

https://www.vvmf.org/topics/la-Drang/

1. Tet Offensive (1968) – A series of surprise attacks launched by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces during the Vietnamese New Year (Tet). Though militarily a failure for the North, it had a profound psychological impact on U.S. public opinion.
   • Monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors all U.S. soldiers who served, with many of the names of those killed during the Tet Offensive engraved on its wall.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tet-Offensive

1. Battle of Khe Sanh (1968) – A 77-day siege of a U.S. Marine Corps base by North Vietnamese forces. The battle became a symbol of American resilience, though the base was later abandoned.
   • Monument: The Khe Sanh Combat Base Memorial in Vietnam commemorates the fierce fighting and honors the U.S. Marines who defended the base.

https://www.marines.mil/News-Display/Article/3280463/veteran-remembers-battle-of-khe-sanh/

1. Battle of Hue (1968) – Part of the Tet Offensive, the battle for Hue was one of the longest and bloodiest urban battles of the Vietnam War. U.S. Marines and South Vietnamese forces eventually recaptured the city after intense street fighting.
   • Monument: A plaque at the former Citadel in Hue honors the Marines and South Vietnamese troops who fought to retake the city.

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/the-battle-of-hue-city-in-the-thick-of-tet-offensive/

1. Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968) – A prolonged bombing campaign against North Vietnam aimed at weakening the North's resolve. It ultimately failed to achieve its strategic objectives but caused widespread destruction.
   • Monument: The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, includes exhibits and memorials related to Operation Rolling Thunder and the airmen who served.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rolling_Thunder

1. Battle of Hamburger Hill (1969) – U.S. Army forces attacked North Vietnamese positions on Ap Bia Mountain in a brutal, 10-day battle. The high number of casualties and the hill's eventual abandonment stirred controversy back home.
   • Monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico, honors those who fought in battles like Hamburger Hill.

https://history.com/this-day-in-history/paratroopers-battle-for-hamburger-hill

1. Battle of Dak To (1967) – A series of intense battles in the Central Highlands, where U.S. Army and South Vietnamese forces fought to prevent a North Vietnamese offensive. The high terrain and jungle conditions made the fighting especially grueling.
   • Monument: The Special Forces Association Memorial in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, honors the soldiers of the U.S. Army Special Forces who participated in the battle.

https://cherrieswriter.com/2022/10/15/invisible-enemy-battle-of-dak-to/

1. Operation Linebacker II (1972) – Also known as the "Christmas Bombing," this was an 11-day campaign where U.S. B-52 bombers struck targets in Hanoi and Haiphong. It is credited with pushing North Vietnam toward negotiations.
   • Monument: The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Nebraska has exhibits and memorials related to the bombings and B-52 crews.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Linebacker_II

1. Operation Junction City (1967) – The largest airborne operation of the Vietnam War, aimed at destroying Viet Cong bases near the Cambodian border. It was one of the few large-scale operations involving U.S. paratroopers.
   • Monument: The Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, features exhibits on Vietnam and commemorates the paratroopers who served.

https://www.sandboxx.us/news/operation-junction-city-vietnams-only-large-scale-airborne-operation/

1. Easter Offensive (1972) – A large-scale North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam. U.S. forces provided air support that helped South Vietnamese forces repel the offensive.
   • Monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors all U.S. soldiers, including those who fought during the Easter Offensive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wik/Easter_Offensive

1. Battle of An Loc (1972) – A key battle during the Easter Offensive, where South Vietnamese forces, with significant U.S. air support, successfully defended the town of An Loc from a North Vietnamese assault.
   • Monument: A memorial in An Loc, Vietnam, commemorates the fierce battle and the South Vietnamese and U.S. forces involved.

https://www.historynet.com/hell-on-earth/

1. Fall of Saigon (1975) – The final chapter of the Vietnam War, where North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, leading to the collapse of South Vietnam and the end of the conflict. The evacuation of U.S. personnel and allies marked a chaotic end to U.S. involvement.
   • Monument: The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery honors the helicopter crews who played a crucial role in the war and the final evacuation.

https://saberandscroll.scholasticahq.com/post/1986-48-years-on-reflection-on-the-fall-of-sagion

These battles and monuments reflect the intensity of the Vietnam War, highlighting the sacrifices made by U.S. forces and the lasting impact of the conflict.