Essential Question # 4 What was a U.S soldier’s experience like in the Vietnam War? Include information about a soldier’s experience both during and after the war.

Issues Facing Soldiers in Vietnam What are soldiers feeling? What are soldiers thinking about? What are they seeing? What are they experiencing?

End of the War 1972 = 139,000 troops remain VC and NVA launch 3-pronged attack into the South US bombs Hanoi, capital of North Vietnam August, 1972 = last combat troops leave * No peace treaty, 591 POWs January, 1973 = “Paris Peace Accords” March, 1973 = “Operation Homecoming”

After the War 1974 = Aid to Vietnam cut by 75 % North invades the South 50,000 “At Risk” Civilians evacuated April 30, 1975 = Last US chopper leaves Saigon 4 hours later, Saigon falls Renamed “Ho Chi Minh City” 1995 = US formally recognizes the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

FALL OF SAIGON

2.5 million served in Vietnam Average age = 22 58,303 Americans killed The War 2.5 million served in Vietnam Average age = 22 58,303 Americans killed 3.5 million killed total

Issues Facing Veterans Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Traumatic Brain Injury Health Complications from Agent Orange High Suicide Rates 23% of America’s nation-wide homeless population are veterans 33% of America’s nation-wide male homeless population are veterans 47% are veterans of the Vietnam Era

Issues Facing Soldiers in Vietnam What are soldiers feeling? What are soldiers thinking about? What are they seeing? What are they experiencing?

Issues Facing Soldiers in Vietnam Guerilla Warfare M-16 Rifles Weather Terrain/ landscape Leadership Morale

Essential Question # 4 What was a U.S soldier’s experience like in the Vietnam War? Include information about a soldier’s experience both during and after the war.