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40 Rare Vietnam Photos

The Vietnam War was a conflict that spanned over a decade in the '60s and '70s that left an estimated millions dead. The conflict, fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, attracted support from outside countries—with the United States taking the side of South Vietnam and communist countries like the Soviet Union and China supporting the northern soldiers. While North Vietnam ultimately won the war, the massive bloodshed on both sides paints the picture of a conflict that ended with only losers, no winners. 

As photographic technology began to advance during this era, pictures became an important part of telling the story of the Vietnam War. They were able to capture the horror, strife, and grief in a way that words never could. While some of these photographs would go on to become emblematic of this conflict, such as the disturbing and award-winning "Napalm Girl," others didn't receive as much attention, even though they were just as important in telling the story of this bloody war. Here are 40 of those photos. 

Marines on an M-48 Tank

Marines on an M-48 Tank

Date: April 3,1968

Marines riding atop an M-48 tank covering their ears as the 90mm gun fires during a road sweep southwest of Phu Bai Combat Base, a former U.S. Army and Marine Corps base in central Vietnam.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Company Gathers Around a Guitar

Company Gathers Around a Guitar

Date: January 1, 1968

Following a hard day, a few members of Company "A," 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Mechanized), 25th Infantry Division, gather around a guitar player and sing a few songs during Operation "Yellowstone." The primary objective of Operation Yellowstone was to disrupt the Viet Cong's logistical supply lines and infrastructure in the region. The operation proved to be successful in inflicting significant casualties on the Viet Cong and disrupting their activities in the area. However, it was also a costly operation for U.S. forces, with a significant number of casualties.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Operation "Oregon" Search and Destroy Mission

Operation "Oregon" Search and Destroy Mission

Date: April 24,1967

An infantryman of Troop B, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) is lowered into a tunnel by members of the reconnaissance platoon as part of Operation "Oregon." The operation's main goal was to eliminate Viet Cong forces and destroy their infrastructure. Marines conducted search and destroy missions, discovering and destroying Viet Cong tunnel complexes. Although successful in inflicting casualties on the enemy, the Marines also suffered losses. Despite this operation, the Vietnam War continued, with ongoing battles between the U.S. and Viet Cong forces.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Keeping Track of Time Left

Keeping Track of Time Left

Date: 1968

A Sky Trooper from the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) keeps track of the time he has left on his 'short time' helmet, while participating in Operation Pershing. A large number of U.S. troops, supported by air and artillery, conducted search and destroy missions. The operation was marked by heavy fighting, but ultimately resulted in a significant victory for the U.S. military, disrupting Viet Cong operations in the Central Highlands.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Carrying Wounded Soldier Through Swamp

Carrying Wounded Soldier Through Swamp

Date: 1969

The specific image location or squad/platoon information for the image is unknown.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Marine Stands Watch During Mass

Marine Stands Watch During Mass

Date: July 31, 1967

A Marine stands watch in an observation tower as Lieutenant Commander McElroy, the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines chaplain, holds mass on Hill 950.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

"Home is Where You Dig It"

"Home is Where You Dig It"

Date: 1968

"Home is where you dig it" was the sign over the fighting bunker of Private First Class Edward, Private First Class Falls and Private First Class Morgan of the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, during Operation Worth. The operation involved a significant number of U.S. troops, supported by air power and artillery. They conducted search and destroy missions, ambushes, and patrols to locate and engage Viet Cong forces. While the operation achieved some success in disrupting Viet Cong supply lines, it was also a challenging campaign due to the complex terrain and the Viet Cong's guerrilla tactics.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Navy Seal Team 1 Moves Down the Bassac River

Navy Seal Team 1 Moves Down the Bassac River

Date: November 1967

Members of U.S. Navy Seal Team One move down the Bassac River in a Seal team Assault Boat (STAB) during operations along the river south of Saigon.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Red Cross Volunteer Playing Cards with Marine

Red Cross Volunteer Playing Cards with Marine

Date: August 2, 1967

Loretta Clause (a volunteer worker for the Red Cross in South Vietnam) plays cards, talks, etc., with Marines of H&S, 1st Marine Division.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Aboard the USS Repose Near South Vietnam

Aboard the USS Repose Near South Vietnam

Date: April 22, 1966

Lieutenant Commander Dorothy Ryan checks the medical chart of Marine Corporal Roy Hadaway of Calera, Alabama, aboard the hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16) off South Vietnam. Miss Ryan, from Bronx, New York, is one of 29 nurses aboard the hospital ship selected from 500 volunteers of the Navy Nurse Corps.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Intensive Care on USS Repose

Intensive Care on USS Repose

Date: October 1967

A nurse tends a patient just out of surgery in the intensive care ward of the hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16). The ship is steaming off the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea a few miles south of the 17th parallel.

(Image via National Archives, CC0)

Preparing for a Mission in War Zone 6

Preparing for a Mission in War Zone 6

Date: Unknown

A soldier paints a fellow soldier's face in preparation for a mission.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

U.S. Commanders Survey Damage After Halloway Attack

U.S. Commanders Survey Damage After Halloway Attack

Date: 1967

U.S. commanders point out damage after the Halloway Attack. This was a significant incident during the Vietnam War that occurred on April 12, 1967. It involved the accidental bombing of a U.S. naval vessel, the USS Halsey-Powell, by a U.S. Air Force F-4 Phantom II fighter jet. It resulted in the deaths of 34 U.S. sailors. The incident prompted a thorough investigation by the U.S. military, which concluded that the bombing was accidental due to a series of errors and miscommunications.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Unloading Supplies at Bien Hoa

Unloading Supplies at Bien Hoa

Date: Unknown

Soldiers unload palettes of supplies using a forklift at Bien Hoa Air Base, the largest air base in the country. At one time, it was the joint operating base for both the USAFand RVNAF (Republic of Vietnam Air Force, aka South Vietnam).

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

USS Boxer Arrives at Qui Nhon

USS Boxer Arrives at Qui Nhon

Date: 1966

USS Boxer (CV-21) arrives at Qui Nhon during its second trip to Vietnam transporting Marine Corps aircraft to South Vietnam. The ship was only used as a transport vessel and did not see any combat action during the war. Later in the year, the ship served as a pickup ship for NASA spacecraft after they splashed down in the ocean.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Military Police Headquarters in Saigon

Military Police Headquarters in Saigon

Date: Unknown

Soldiers stand outside of military police headquarters in Saigon.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Soliders Arrive at Qui Nhon

Soliders Arrive at Qui Nhon

Date: Unknown

Soldiers disembark from an LCVP (landing craft, vehicle, personnel) or Higgins boat in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Truck Maintenance

Truck Maintenance

Date: Unknown

A soldier performs maintenance under the hood of a faulty vehicle in South Vietnam.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Mission in War Zone D

Mission in War Zone D

Date: Unknown

Soldiers walk away from helicopters in War Zone D, an area located in the designation III Corps that was northeast of Saigon. The area was the site of many U.S. actions early during the Vietnam War as a means of extending control out from the greater Saigon region.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Montagnard Ceremony at Ban Me Thout

Montagnard Ceremony at Ban Me Thout

Date: Unknown

Soldiers participate in a Montagnard Ceremony at Ban Me Thout. The Montagnard Ceremony is a cultural event held by the Montagnard people, an indigenous group in Vietnam. The ceremony is a celebration of their heritage, traditions, and way of life. It typically involves various cultural performances, such as traditional dances, music, and ceremonies.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

1st Royal Australian Regiment Arrive at Vung Tau

1st Royal Australian Regiment Arrive at Vung Tau

Date: Unknown

Soldiers from the 1st Royal Australian Regiment transfer boats at Vung Tau.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Guard Station at Saigon

Guard Station at Saigon

Date: Unknown

Guards inspect the indentification and car of a Vietnamese visitor to a military police in Saigon.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Allied Nations Color Guard in Saigon

Allied Nations Color Guard in Saigon

Date: April 8, 1965

The inauguration ceremony marking the formal opening of the International Military Assistance Office building (IMAO) of the Republic of Vietnam. The Color Guards represent South Vietnam, the United States, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Australia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), New Zealand, and Thailand.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Bulldozer at An Khe

Bulldozer at An Khe

Date: Unknown

A soldier bulldozes trees and other debris out of the way at Camp Radcliff, a strategic U.S. Army base in the Central Highlands region.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

1st Calvary Division Arrives at Qui Nhon

1st Calvary Division Arrives at Qui Nhon

Date: 1966

The 1st Calvary Division disembarks off a Higgins boat at Qui Nhon, South Vietnam.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Huey Flies Over Soldiers Near An Khe

Huey Flies Over Soldiers Near An Khe

Date: Unknown

A "Huey" helicopter flies over soldiers at Camp Radcliff near An Khe. A "Huey" helicopter is a colloquial name for the Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter. It's one of the most recognizable helicopters in the world, known for its distinctive "teardrop" shaped fuselage and the distinctive "thump-thump-thump" sound of its rotor blades. The Huey gained widespread fame during the Vietnam War, where it became an iconic symbol of American military power. It was used extensively for troop transport, medevac, and providing close air support.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Australians Arrive at Vung Tau

Australians Arrive at Vung Tau

Date: Unknown

Australian soldiers arrive at Vung Tau. The United States used the Vung Tau airbase during the Vietnam War to station Army, Air Force, and Navy units. It was also the main based used by Australian support personnel during the war. Vung Tau's deepwater port provided excellent access for ships bringing in troops and supplies from Australia.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Huey Crew Prepares for Mission

Huey Crew Prepares for Mission

Date: Unknown

Two soldiers prepare a "Huey" helicopter before becoming airborne and heading off on their mission.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Huey Medevac on USS Croatan

Huey Medevac on USS Croatan

Date: Unknown

Two soldiers maneuver a "Huey" helicopter with the help of a crane, preparing it to be unloaded from a large ship.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Duc My Ranger Training Center

Duc My Ranger Training Center

Date: Unknown

Vietnamese soldiers march past officers at the Duc My Ranger Training Center. Duc My was an important training center for the Vietnamese Rangers during the Vietnam War. It was designed to train Vietnamese soldiers in advanced combat skills and tactics, including jungle warfare, patrolling, and ambushes.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Soldiers Prepare for Transport to An Khe

Soldiers Prepare for Transport to An Khe

Date: Unknown

Soldiers line up to board a Chinook helicopter for transport at Camp Radcliff in An Khe.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Students at Duc My Ranger Training Center

Students at Duc My Ranger Training Center

Date: Unknown

Vietnamese soldiers engage in combat training in front of officers at the Duc My Ranger Training Center.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Helicopters Fly Over Soldiers in War Zone D

Helicopters Fly Over Soldiers in War Zone D

Date: Unknown

"Hueys" fly over Soldiers in the War Zone D area of III Corps. The helicopters often provided support for soldiers along the ground.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Vietnamese Solider Load Supplies

Vietnamese Solider Load Supplies

Date: Unknown

Vietnamese soldiers load supplies along the beach onto a boat to be transported to a larger ship in the distance.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Class at Duc My Ranger Training Center

Class at Duc My Ranger Training Center

Date: Unknown

Vietnamese soldiers listing to a training seminar put on by officers at the Duc My Ranger Training Center.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Army Photo Crew Interview Soldier

Army Photo Crew Interview Soldier

Date: Unknown

An Army Photo Crew interviews a soldier about his experiences in the field.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Soldiers Receive Mail

Soldiers Receive Mail

Date: Unknown

Soldiers open, read, and respond to mail while on a break.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner

Date: Unknown

Soldiers prepare a Thanksgiving meal out in the field while they are away from home on the holiday.

(Image via US Army/Department of Defense, CC0)