Tet Offensive January 31, 1968

Tet Offensive 80,000 NVA/VC launched the offensive that attacked 150 hamlets, district capitals, provincial capitals, and autonomous cities 80,000 NVA/VC launched the offensive that attacked 150 hamlets, district capitals, provincial capitals, and autonomous cities Main fighting was at Saigon, Hue, and siege of Khe Sanh Main fighting was at Saigon, Hue, and siege of Khe Sanh Goal was to create a general uprising in South Vietnam and overthrow the government Goal was to create a general uprising in South Vietnam and overthrow the government

Saigon

Attack on the embassy VC commandos blew a hole in the wall surrounding embassy and killed several MPS VC commandos blew a hole in the wall surrounding embassy and killed several MPS The rest of the US MPs moved into building and locked it The rest of the US MPs moved into building and locked it The VC milled around and when US reinforcements arrived the VC were killed The VC milled around and when US reinforcements arrived the VC were killed 19 VC bodies littered the embassy 19 VC bodies littered the embassy Had a huge impact on public opinion in the US Had a huge impact on public opinion in the US

Khe Sanh NVA/VC lay siege to it NVA/VC lay siege to it 40,000 troops vs. 5,000 Marines 40,000 troops vs. 5,000 Marines Marines received aerial resupply to help outlast the siege Marines received aerial resupply to help outlast the siege Marines had close air and artillery support Marines had close air and artillery support 300 Marines were killed in 3 month siege 300 Marines were killed in 3 month siege 15,000 NVA/VC killed 15,000 NVA/VC killed

Battle of Hue Lasted 25 days Lasted 25 days Old imperial city Old imperial city NVA lost 5,000 soldiers NVA lost 5,000 soldiers 210 Americans killed 210 Americans killed Hue Massacre – soldiers killed 3,000 residents and dumped their bodies in a mass grave Hue Massacre – soldiers killed 3,000 residents and dumped their bodies in a mass grave

My Lai-March 16, 1968

1st Platoon William Calley - Lieutenant who led C- Company, the only person convicted David Mitchell - Sergeant Charles Sledge - Radio Operator - testified he saw Calley deliberately kill a young child Paul Meadlo - Private First Class - testified he was afraid of being shot if he didn't participate Dennis Conti - Private First Class - stated he was originally lost and had to find his company Robert Maples - Private First Class, stated to have refused to participate Varnado Simpson - Private First Class, committed suicide in 1997, citing guilt over My Lai Harry Stanley - claimed to have refused to participate

Intervention Hugh Thompson, Jr.Hugh Thompson, Jr. - Warrant Officer Lawrence ColburnLawrence Colburn - Helicopter Gunner Glenn AndreottaGlenn Andreotta - Helicopter Crew Chief

Effects of Tet Offensive Militarily it was a huge US victory Militarily it was a huge US victory -NVA/VC lost 45,000 killed -NVA/VC lost 45,000 killed An increased credibility gap back home- American people felt politicians were lying about the war An increased credibility gap back home- American people felt politicians were lying about the war President Johnson lost the political and moral will to continue fighting President Johnson lost the political and moral will to continue fighting -when Johnson lost faith in the war, why should the public support it -when Johnson lost faith in the war, why should the public support it

Irony of the Tet offensive The VC were virtually destroyed The VC were virtually destroyed The remaining VC were attacked by the Phoenix Program – hired assassins (figures are that they killed 9,000 VC) The remaining VC were attacked by the Phoenix Program – hired assassins (figures are that they killed 9,000 VC) NVA had to take over all of the fighting in South Vietnam NVA had to take over all of the fighting in South Vietnam