Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the first American combat troops in Vietnam. On March 8, 1965, 3,500 Marines of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) landed at Da Nang. This event marked a significant turning point in the Vietnam War, escalating U.S. involvement in the conflict.
The U.S. presence in Vietnam began as early as 1944, when American advisors were assisting the French colonial government in maintaining control over Indochine. By 1947, the U.S. was deeply involved in the region, providing military support and guidance to the French forces fighting against the Viet Minh.
The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962 was the beginning of direct military involvement by foreign nations in the conflict. The AATTV played a crucial role in training and advising South Vietnamese forces, laying the groundwork for further international intervention.
In early 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson made the decision to send combat troops to Vietnam in response to increasing hostilities and the perceived threat of communist expansion in Southeast Asia. The Marines who landed at Da Nang were the vanguard of a larger U.S. military presence that would eventually grow to over half a million troops.
The Continental Congress authorizes the creation of the Continental Army, with George Washington as leader. After the Revolution, it would be known as the United States Army, the backbone of American military power. The deployment of combat troops to Vietnam marked a new phase in the conflict, shifting from a primarily advisory role to direct military engagement.
Their specialty: the military's most sensitive—and unconventional—missions. The Marines who arrived in Vietnam faced a challenging and complex environment, with unfamiliar terrain, guerilla warfare tactics, and a determined enemy. The conflict would test their training, resilience, and dedication to their mission.
For three days last week, the government sought to make up for decades of neglect with a series of events on the National Mall meant as a tribute to Vietnam veterans. The sacrifices and contributions of those who served in Vietnam were recognized and honored, acknowledging the impact of the war on individuals, families, and communities across the country.
This year the U.S. Marine Corps commemorates 55 years since the Battle of Khe Sanh, which lasted from January 21 to March 31, 1968. The brutal siege of Khe Sanh was a defining moment in the Vietnam War, highlighting the challenges and sacrifices faced by American forces in the conflict.
March 29 marks 50 years since the United States withdrew combat troops from the Vietnam War, bringing an end to direct U.S. military involvement in the conflict. The withdrawal of troops marked the conclusion of a long and divisive chapter in American history, with lasting consequences for veterans and society as a whole.
A half-century ago Wednesday, the last American combat troops left Vietnam, a war that had stretched over two decades. The withdrawal of troops marked the end of a prolonged and costly conflict, leaving a legacy of loss, trauma, and division that continues to resonate in American society.
