Humanities › History & Culture Vietnam War Pictures Share Flipboard Email Print History & Culture The 20th Century People & Events Fads & Fashions Early 20th Century The 20s The 30s The 40s The 50s The 60s The 80s The 90s American History African American History African History Ancient History and Culture Asian History European History Genealogy Inventions Latin American History Medieval & Renaissance History Military History Women's History View More By Jennifer Rosenberg History Expert B.A., History, University of California at Davis Jennifer Rosenberg is a historian and writer who specializes in 20th-century history. our editorial process Jennifer Rosenberg Updated October 29, 2018 The Vietnam War (1959-1975) was bloody, dirty, and very unpopular. In Vietnam, U.S. soldiers found themselves fighting against an enemy they rarely saw, in a jungle they couldn't master, for a cause they barely understood. These pictures offer a brief glimpse into life during the Vietnam War. Combat Action Da Nang, Vietnam. Sergeant Robert E. Fears clears an area using his flamethrower. (May 22, 1970). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Marine Corp flame thrower tank in action A soldier uses his flamethrower to clear an area A machine gunner and a rifleman firing at the enemy A U.S. Air Force HH-3 helicopter crewman firing a mini-gun Two soldiers wading through a muddy hole while on a search mission Marines take to water Soldiers clearing housing during patrol Napalm bombs exploding on Viet Cong structures A Viet Cong base camp being destroyed Aerial View of bombing Viet Cong structures along a canal An infantry patrol moves up to assault the last Viet Cong position Soldiers moving along a trail during an assault operation Marines riding on a M-48 tank Entertaining the Troops Vietnam. John Wayne signs Private First Class Fonzell Wofford's helmet during his visit to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, at Chu Lai. (June 20, 1966). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Bob Hope on his first Christmas show John Wayne signs Private First Class Fonsell Wofford's helmet Roy and Dale Rogers entertain crew members Actress Carol Baker throwing her arms open to the servicemen Thousands of service personnel listen to Miss Ann Margret sing Soldiers Da Nang, Vietnam. A young Marine private waits on the beach during the Marine landing. (August 3, 1965). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. A Navy gunner mans his 50 caliber machine gun on a utility boat (close-up) Soldier taking a break (close-up) A soldier with his gas mask on (close-up) Young Marine private (close-up) A soldier paddling a three-man assault boat down the canal Members of the 101st Airborn Division aboard a USAF C-130 Colonel Robin Olds Being Carried Away From His F-4 Phantom II After His 100th Combat Mission Personnel wait at the Bien Hoa Air Terminal for a National Airlines flight home President Lyndon B. Johnson Shaking Hands in a Crowd of Troops Life in the Jungle OPERATION "YELLOWSTONE" VIETNAM: 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. (January 18, 1968). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Staff Sergeant Howard Stevens reading his mail Soldiers playing guitar after a hard day Three soldiers sitting in a fighting bunker eating and writing Wounded Vietnam. Medical Evacuation. Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, while under heavy firefight with NVAs within the DMZ on Operation Hickory III, are carrying one of their fellow Marines to the H-34. (July 29, 1967). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Marines carrying one of their fellow Marines to the H-34 under heavy firefight A nurse tending a patient just out of surgery on a hospital ship A nurse checking the medical chart of an injured Marine aboard a hospital ship Two nurses talking with a wounded American soldier Medical evacuation patients on the deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli 1st Lt. Elaine H. Niggemann changes a surgical dressing President Lyndon B. Johnson decorating a soldier in a hospital P.O.W.s United States Air Force Captain Wilmer N. Grubb is given first aid while being guarded by his captors in North Vietnam. (January 1966). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. U.S.A.F. Captain Wilmer N. Grubb being given first aid while being guarded by his captors Wives of Marines waiting for repatriated P.O.W.s to arrive Women in the Military 1st Lt. Elaine H. Niggemann changes a surgical dressing for Mr. James J. Torgelson at the 24th Evacuation Hospital. Mr. Torgelson is civilian employee for HNA, Inc. (July 9, 1971). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. The first five enlisted women in the Air Force arriving Staff Sergeant Ermalinda Salazar, a woman Marine who has been nominated for the 1970 Unsung Heroine Award, holds two youngsters A nurse tending a patient just out of surgery in the intensive care ward of a hospital ship Two nurses talking with a wounded American soldier wounded 1st Lt. Elaine H. Niggemann changes a surgical dressing A nurse checking the medical chart of an injured Marine aboard a hospital ship President Lyndon B. Johnson talking to nurses and children in Vietnam Media Vietnam. Walter Cronkite of CBS interviewing Professor Mai of the University of Hue. (February 20, 1968). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Walter Cronkite interviewing Professor Mai of the University of Hue Walter Cronkite and a CBS Camera crew use a jeep for a dolly Views From the Air Napalm bombs explode on Viet Cong structures south of Saigon in the Republic of Vietnam. (1965). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Napalm bombs exploding on Viet Cong structures Bombing Viet Cong structures along a canal View from inside a helicopter Helicopters One of the unique pieces of equipment brought to Vietnam by the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), U.S. Army, is the huge Sky Crane CH-54A helicopter which can lift tremendous loads. Viet Nam Photo Service. (1958-1974). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Helicopters waiting in a row Vietnam War refugees riding an Air Force helicopter A huge Sky Crane CH-54A helicopter Air Force F-105 Thunderchief refueling in the air A U.S. Army soldier directing a UH-1 helicopter UH-1D helicopters airlifting soldiers Medevac helicopter taking off A U.S. Air Force HH-3 helicopter crewman firing a mini-gun View from inside a helicopter Planes Vietnam. Two F-4b phantoms of VMFA-542, Marine Aircraft Group-11, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, DaNang RVN, on their way to targets in support of Marines working in Northern I Corps. (January 1969). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. A U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft coming in for a landing U.S. Air Force C-47 releasing psychological warfare leaflets C-123 Ranch Hand aircraft spraying defoliant U.S. Aircraft dropping Loran Bombs Two F-4b phantoms of VMFA-542 in the air Boats and Ships The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise cruises in the clear blue water of the Gulf of Tonkin off the shores of Vietnam. With A-4 Skyhawk bombers on her bow, enterprise is ready to recover more aircraft on her angled deck. (May 28, 1966). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise USS Montague lowering a ladder over the side A soldier paddling a three-man assault boat Viet Cong Prisoners A Viet Cong prisoner is brought into the collection area by Marines. Prisoners are blindfolded and tied to prevent escape attempts. The card on the prisoner's black shirt relates to circumstances of his capture. (February 1, 1966). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Soldiers surrounding a captured Viet Cong A Viet Cong prisoner captured during Operation Double Eagle A Viet Cong suspect, captured during an attack, being interrogated MP walking through the Americal Division POW collection point Life for the Vietnamese During War Small girl receives medical aid during fierce fighting in Nam-o Village near Danang, South Vietnam. (January 30, 1968). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Vietnamese woman weeps over the body of her husband Small girl receives medical aid during fierce fighting in Nam-o Village Scene of Viet Cong terrorist bombing in Saigon The destruction after terrorists exploded a bomb underneath the Brinks Hotel Vietnam War refugees riding an Air Force helicopter USS Montague lowering a ladder over the side to take refugees aboard A young soldier from the Popular Forces stands gate guard duty U.S. Air Force Captain vaccinating a Vietnamese woman Vietnam Veterans' Memorials Jimmy Carter and Max Cleland unveil a memorial to Vietnam Veterans during Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. (November 11, 1978). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Jimmy Carter and Max Cleland unveil a memorial to Vietnam Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery Propaganda This picture was used as the cover of a pamphlet which describes the truth about the cause of the subversive insurgency in Vietnam. Such dramatic pictorial appeals draw sympathy from the reader before a word is read. (1966). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. Air Force C-47 releasing psychological warfare leaflets Propaganda Poster Used on the Cover of a Pamphlet About Vietnam Protestors Vietnam War protesters. Wichita, Kansas. (1967). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Vietnam War protestors with sign, "Saigon Puppet" Vietnam War protestors in Wichita, Kansas Vietnam War protestors walking with signs A peaceful demonstrator holding up a sign President Gerald Ford President Gerald R. Ford listens to a briefing by Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger on the situation in South Vietnam. (April 29, 1975). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. President Gerald Ford (close-up) President Gerald Ford on the phone Ford talking to a woman refugee and holding a Vietnamese baby on a U.S.A.F. bus Ford presiding over a meeting of the National Security Council Ford meeting in the Oval Office with Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller President Ford sitting in the Oval Office with Brent Scowcroft, Graham Martin, Frederick Weyand, and Henry Kissinger President Lyndon Johnson President Lyndon B. Johnson in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam: Decorating a soldier. (October 26, 1966). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. LBJ listening to a tape LBJ decorating a soldier in a hospital LBJ decorating a soldier LBJ decorating a soldier LBJ and Westmoreland decorating a soldier LBJ shaking hands with troops in Vietnam LBJ shaking hands with troops LBJ shaking hands LBJ shaking hands LBJ addressing a large crowd LBJ talking to nurses and children LBJ talking with Westmoreland outside of Air Force One LBJ and Westmoreland traveling in a jeep LBJ and Westmoreland talking closely LBJ, Westmoreland, Nguyen Van Thieu, and Nguyen Cao Ky standing together General Creighton W. Abrams LBJ, Robert McNamara, Nguyen Cao Ky, and Nguyen Van Thieu sitting around a coffee table LBJ and President Nguyen Van Thieu talking LBJ and Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky intimately talking President Richard Nixon Meeting at Camp David to discuss the Vietnam situation. Pictured: Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, President Nixon, Maj. Gen. Alexander M. Haig Jr., Deputy Assistant. (Nov. 13, 1972). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. President Nixon speaks to assembled White House staff Nixon during a press conference on Vietnam and Cambodia Nixon shaking hands with armed forces in Vietnam Nixon, Kissinger, and Haig meeting at Camp David General William C. Westmoreland New Port, Vietnam. Queen's Cobra Arrival in Vietnam. General William C. Westmoreland, Commanding General, MACV, watches the ceremonies on the arrival of the Royal Thai Volunteer Regiment in Vietnam. (Sept. 21, 1967). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. General William C. Westmoreland (close-up) U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam chatting with Westmoreland Robert S. McNamara and Westmoreland talking With General Tee Westmoreland talking with President Johnson outside of Air Force One Westmoreland and President Johnson decorating a soldier Westmoreland President Johnson traveling in a jeep Westmoreland, LBJ, Nguyen Van Thieu, Nguyen Cao Ky Westmoreland and President Johnson talking closely President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam President Nguyen Van Thieu (South Vietnam) and President Lyndon B. Johnson. (July 19, 1968). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam standing in front of a world map Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Thieu and Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky President Nguyen Van Thieu and President Johnson talking Official Meetings Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger uses the telephone in Deputy National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft's office to get the latest information on the situation in South Vietnam.(April 29, 1975). Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger using the telephone (close-up) Manila Conference: U.S. & Vietnamese in private meeting The signing of the Vietman Peace Agreement Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller listens intently to the discussion of the evacuation of Saigon Nelson Rockefeller, Brent Scowcroft, and William Colby standing in the Cabinet Room SEATO nation leaders standing together in a group portrait during the Manila Conference Colonel Robert White, Colonel Robin Olds, Colonel James and Colonel John Burns attending a conference President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem is welcomed at Washington National Airport Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Vietnam War Pictures." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/vietnam-war-pictures-1779965. Rosenberg, Jennifer. (2020, August 27). Vietnam War Pictures. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vietnam-war-pictures-1779965 Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Vietnam War Pictures." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/vietnam-war-pictures-1779965 (accessed May 7, 2021). copy citation