Behind the Lines: Declassified Photos of the Vietnam War
By Jack Ripley | June 19, 2024
South Vietnamese infantry on the march
Few conflicts have left a mark on the American national consciousness and collective cultural memory like the Vietnam War. The war in American society will never be forgotten and was a transformative event in American history. Fought between the Communist North Vietnam and the American backed state of South Vietnam between 1955 and 1975, with direct American ground involvement occurring between 1965 and 1973, Vietnam was one of the seminal moments of the 20th century.
Although the direct consequence of the conflict was North Vietnam unifying the country and establishing a communist regime, the war had several more indirect but more consequential outcomes. The relationship between the American public and the American government was irreversibly changed, as many Americans came to distrust their leaders over the alleged lies told about the course of the war. The United States' image around the world was similarly altered, as many countries came to see the United States negatively for its methods of waging war against the North Vietnamese. These changes in perception were greatly influenced by photographs of the conflict, which laid bare the horrors of the war.
In far, far greater numbers than commando units, the United States also trained regular South Vietnamese infantry units, as pictured here. Many South Vietnamese units fought bravely, but in general, American efforts to establish a completely self-sufficient Army of South Vietnam that would be able to hold its own and defeat the north were futile. The effort was hampered by a lack of trust in the South Vietnamese government the U.S. backed amongst the population, which inspired little loyalty. As shown in the photo, the South Vietnamese Army was almost completely supplied and equipped by the U.S.
U.S. Huey Helicopters Taking Off for Air Assault Mission
This picture shows Huey helicopters taking off prior to an aerial assault operation. Due to the terrain of the jungle in Vietnam, which made advancing for U.S. troops by foot or by ground vehicle very difficult, helicopters in conjunction with air support from the Air Force were often used to attack North Vietnamese positions. Such units transported by helicopter were known as Air Cavalry. Air assault attacks, once commenced, consisted of Air Force bombers clearing the way for helicopters by bombing the North Vietnamese positions. While this was going on, the Hueys would drop troops off at a relatively safe distance from the enemy stronghold and the Air Force would continue to provide cover along with attack helicopters while the man advanced from a good position to do so on foot.
Australian Officer helps fix American M79
An officer from the Royal Australian Navy helps to repair an American M79 grenade launcher. Although the United States sent the bulk of foreign forces to aid in South Vietnam’s fight against North Vietnam, they were not the only country to do so. New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia all provided support to the U.S. and the South. Their reason for doing so was the same as the United States: they were staunchly anti-Communist and feared the consequences of North Vietnam's victory and potential communist expansion thereafter. Australia sent the second largest contingent and fought alongside U.S. forces in many battles. Their expertise in jungle warfare was highly valuable and of great assistance to the U.S. and South Vietnam.
U.S. Soldier rescues Vietnamese children during battle
An American soldier risks being shot to aid two young Vietnamese children. The hideous and brutal nature of the fighting in Vietnam, which was ultimately a civil war between the communist North Vietnam and the U.S. backed Republic in South Vietnam, meant that tragically civilians were often in the line of fire and middle of the fighting. The underdeveloped nature of both the North and South Vietnamese economies during the war and the strain on resources meant that there was little attention paid to aiding civilians or trying to evacuate them.
U.S. Soldiers examine captured North Vietnamese rifle
Two U.S. soldiers show captured Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle to the camera. The Mosin-Nagant was a Russian rifled provided in large numbers by the Soviet Union to North Vietnamese forces. Although the Soviet Union did not send troops to support their ally, North Vietnam, they provided extensive amounts of material support in the form of weapons and other equipment. The weapons they did provide were often surplus supplies from World War II, such as this rifle shown, which the Soviets had massive stockpiles of and little need for themselves.
South Vietnamese Child Soldiers Share a Cigarette
This photo of two very young North Vietnamese child soldiers sharing a cigarette on the front lines. Due to a desperate need for soldiers to fill the ranks as the fight against the South and the United States became more and more costly, North Vietnam deployed children as troops. Their speed, small size, and ability to act as non-soldiers made them valuable scouts and guerillas for North Vietnam and the Vietcong, who relied on such tactics against the materially superior U.S. and Southern armies.
American Commando uses Bow and Arrow
This American Commando is shown using a bow and arrow with a flaming arrow attached to try and expose Vietcong positions hidden beneath and behind the jungle vegetation. The Vietcong was highly adept at utilizing the terrain of the jungle to hide from and later ambush U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. As a response, American troops often utilized fire, from flamethrowers to napalm to even flaming arrows as shown here to try and burn through the jungle vegetation, after which they could infiltrate the Vietcong positions.
The Thousand Yard Stare
This U.S. Marine, waiting to be evacuated from the city of Huế in 1968, is an example of what is called a “1,000-yard stare”. The brutal nature of the fighting in Vietnam and especially in urban battles like Huế turned images like this into some of the most well-known depictions of the conflict. The psychological wounds suffered by American troops in Vietnam meant that for many who fought, they were never able to truly leave the conflict. This legacy of post traumatic stress disorder has cemented itself as one of Vietnam’s many horrific legacies.
Tunnel Rat enters Vietcong hideout
“Tunnel rats” was the term used by American troops for those soldiers who were tasked with going inside the hidden Vietcong tunnels discovered by U.S. forces. The Vietcong’s main tactic in the jungles of South Vietnam that the U.S. was helping defend was to construct enormous tunnel networks in the jungle and emerge to ambush U.S. and South Vietnamese troops. Thus, this was one of the most difficult and dangerous tasks performed by American soldiers during the war, and the most necessary.
U.S. Troops prepare for aerial assault attack
Due to the difficulty of navigating the jungle in between towns and villages, as well as on the way to North Vietnamese positions, the United States used helicopter units, called Air Cavalry, in order to attack by air. The image of Hueys attacking has become one of the most enduring popular images of the conflict. Films and popular media have contributed to this enduring image greatly: films such as Apocalypse Now and Platoon feature prominent scenes with aerial assaults via helicopter.
"V.C. Go Home" Helmet
This American soldier has written “V.C. Go Home” on his helmet. The “V.C.” stands for Vietcong, the guerilla warfare branch of the North Vietnamese Army. “G.I. Go Home” was a popular saying amongst North Vietnamese forces, so this American soldier decided to mock them and write it on his helmet, as soldiers often did with their helmets. Often times, officers did not want their men to vandalize their helmets and equipment in such a manner, but many soldiers did so anyway to pass the time and send a message.
American Troops look over the ruins of Huế
The Battle of Huế was one of the most brutal and intense battles in the entirety of the Vietnam War. Due to its strategic significance in the middle of Vietnam, which is vertically very long but horizontally very slim, both sides fought ferociously over the city. Controlling it would give either side a large strategic advantage, as the city was a major settlement and operating base. The U.S. troops are armed with M-16 rifles, which made their debut during the conflict.
Soldier at Hill 875, Battle of Dak To
This Marine has inscribed on his helmet a record of the fact he fought at and survived the Battle of Hill 875. Hill 875 was a horrifically and ferociously fought over strategic hill during the Battle of Dak To in November of 1967. The American 4th Infantry Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade helped South Vietnamese forces push back a major North Vietnamese offensive, which had been aimed at destroying as many South Vietnamese and U.S. units as possible and maximizing casualties to demoralize both armies. Soldiers often put messages on their helmets to reflect their experience or thoughts on the war.
Marines fighting the Battle of Huế
A colorized picture of urban combat in the city of Huế. The U.S. Army ran into great difficulties in fighting against the North Vietnamese, because American troops were trained and equipped for World War II style conventional warfare, not guerilla warfare that the Vietcong practiced. However, in bloody urban battles such as Huế, the United States was better able to utilize it’s training and equipment and had an advantage. The Americans were able to use tanks and exploit their advantage in conventional fighting against the lightly armed Vietnamese troops.
American Soldier's Helmet Decorated with Pictures of his Girlfriend
For many of the Americans who were drafted into the military and sent to fight in Vietnam, the war had little meaning to them and they intensely missed the homes they had left to fight a war they increasingly saw as futile and useless. Most of those drafted were young men, barely out of school, who yearned to simply go home and do normal things young people did. This soldier has decorated his helmet with pictures of his girlfriend back home stateside.
Marines Patrolling the Jungle, Colorized
The main duties of the U.S. troops deployed to Vietnam was to aid the South Vietnamese in rooting out the Vietcong guerillas that hid in the jungle and attacked South Vietnamese outposts and villages. To achieve this, U.S. troops spent vast swathes of their time patrolling the jungle to search and destroy Vietcong hideouts that were in the jungle. This picture shows a group of American soldiers out on patrol, trying to find the Vietcong and protect local bases from them.
U.S. Soldier with a Homemade sawed-off Carbine
Much of the equipment used by American troops (which was also supplied to South Vietnamese troops) was designed for conventional, World War II style fighting, and not close quarters fighting in the jungle. As such, many U.S. troops modified their weapons to better suit this style of combat. This soldier has sized down his wooden carbine to make it easier to maneuver with and use in the jungle. A smaller weapon would allow a soldier to move quicker, make their way through tunnels quicker, and weighs much less.
Infantry Fighting Vehicle Stuck in the Mud
Since the dawn of war, mud has been one of the great banes of armies. Mud makes it extremely difficult to move soldiers around, and it particularly makes it nearly impossible to move large vehicles like tanks or other armored vehicles like the one pictured. The U.S. military relied heavily on using tanks and vehicles in their training, and were forced to adapt in Vietnam, where the constant heavy rain and resulting mud made them unusable. The Vietcong, by contrast, moved by foot and were able to quickly get around and escape the slow and frequently stuck American vehicles.
U.S. Soldier makes his way through a burning Vietnamese village
The main job of American troops in Vietnam was to root out Vietcong forces embedded in countryside villages around South Vietnam, where they often hid and operated out of. The central American tactic in doing so was to use overwhelming amounts of firepower, via airstrikes and artillery strikes, to destroy enemy positions before ground troops went in. The fact most Vietnamese villages were made of wood meant that explosives like napalm would often destroy these enemy positions, such as the village pictured. This resulted in frequently high rates of civilian casualties, which fueled discontent with the war.
U.S. Soldier lays down machine gun fire while air strikes land
American’s biggest advantage when fighting North Vietnam was it’s air power. The North Vietnamese could not even come anywhere near to the staggering amount of air strikes the U.S. had the capacity to launch. The Air Force both engaged in bombing runs of Vietnamese positions to support ground attacks, as well as massive carpet-bombing campaigns to destroy North Vietnamese supply depots and transportation routes. Ultimately, the U.S. dropped more bombs on Vietnam than all the U.S. dropped bombs in World War II put together.
U.S. Solder takes shelter in a church during a mortar attack
This picture, one of the more famous photographs of the war, shows a U.S. Marine taking shelter during a North Vietnamese mortar attack in 1967. Although most of Vietnam was and remains Buddhist, the fact that Vietnam was a colony of France for several decades led to a sizable minority of the Vietnamese people becoming catholic. The catholic population was mostly located in the South and concentrated in the ruling political class, which led to many South Vietnamese Buddhists supporting the North covertly. The identity of the soldier in the picture remained disputed until the 1990’s, when it was revealed to be Richard Sutter, who was killed in action a year later.
Secret Picture of Vietcong troops advancing through the jungle taken by U.S. Commando
The biggest difficulty for the United States in trying to fight the Vietcong and aid the South was the ability of the enemy troops to move through the jungle undetected in between secret hideouts. To counteract this, many American commandos were deployed in small units to secretly observe and track Vietcong movements, an extremely risky and dangerous undertaking against an enemy that knew the terrain far better than American troops did. This incredible picture was taken by a hidden U.S. commando of Vietcong forces moving through the jungle.
U.S. Soldier helps elderly Vietnamese Woman
One of the most tragic and horrific aspects of the Vietnam War was the way in which civilians found themselves in the middle of it. Due to the fact that the Vietcong operated hidden throughout South Vietnam, there was no one “front line” as in more conventional wars such as the First and Second World Wars, or even the Korean War. As such, civilians such as the elderly woman pictured found themselves constantly in the crossfire across small villages to cities in South Vietnam.
Dreams of Better Times
This photograph by Toshio Sakai entitled "Dreams of Better Times" of an American soldier sleeping on sandbags in the middle of a monsoon won the 1968 Pulitzer Price for Feature Photography. It dramatically evokes the sentiment and psychology of many of the American servicemen sent to Vietnam: uncomfortable, tired, and yearning for home. Photographs such as this were widely circulated around the world and their quite melancholy tone contributed to the loss of faith in the war amongst the American public as the conflict dragged on thought the late 1960’s and into the early 1970’s.
MPs help wounded comrade in Saigon
This picture is of two military policemen helping a wounded comrade get to safety from the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Tet Offensive was a massive, country wide surprise offensive launched by the Vietcong in early 1968. Whereas previously, the Vietcong had not engaged in extensive attacks on urban areas, they decided to strike during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year when most South Vietnamese soldiers were on leave directly into major cities in South Vietnam. The offensive shocked both the US and South Vietnam and even the American embassy in Saigon was attacked.
Soldier marks down his deployment time
This picture shows an American G.I. marking down how much time is left in his deployment on his helmet. As the war escalated over the course of the mid 1960’s, and more and more troops were needed to fight in Vietnam, an ever-increasing number of young American men were drafted for a year to fight. For many, Vietnam proved to be very different than it was portrayed prior to their arrival, and they simply wanted to get their deployments over with and return home.
MedEvac Helicopter Arrives to transport wounded G.I.'s out of combat
When a soldier was injured in combat, there was often little to be done except very basic first aid until MedEvac, short for medical evacuation, helicopters arrived. The medical equipment needed for serious wounds simply could not be taken to the front lines. This picture, which is of stunningly high quality, shows American soldiers evacuating wounded men from the jungle so their more serious wounds can be treated by Army surgeons in hospitals safely away from any combat or threat from the Vietcong.
Soldier with an XM2 "People Sniffer"
The never-ending difficulty for U.S. forces patrolling the rural and jungle areas of South Vietnam was being ambushed by Vietcong guerilla troops that were immensely difficult to find. The Vietcong’s extreme adeptness at hiding and using the terrain forced the United States to develop ways to detect the enemy. This soldier is show with an XM2 “People Sniffer”, a device that detected sweat and could help lead G.I.’s to the Vietcong, although it was not always reliable, as it sometimes detected the sweat of the user.
Downed U.S.A.F Pilot captured by the North Vietnamese
During the height of the Vietnam War in what was known as Operation Rolling Thunder, the United States sought to leverage its massive advantage in firepower and airpower by relentlessly bombing North Vietnam and it’s hidden supply routes through the jungle to South Vietnam. This made American pilots a special target of hatred for the North Vietnamese population. When pilots were shot down, as in this picture, they were heavily photographed by the Vietcong and NVA for propaganda purposes.
M.P.'s defend the U.S. Embassy during the Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive in 1968 took the United States and South Vietnam completely by surprise, and they were shocked by the boldness of the North Vietnamese attack. Such was the initial success of the offensive that Vietcong guerillas embedded within Saigon were able to mount an attack directly at the U.S. embassy, which reflected just how poorly the war was going for the South. Images of the American embassy itself under attack helped dispel the notion for the American public that the war was going well.
Brown water boats in the Mekong Delta
Vietnam is made up of many large rivers, most notably the Mekong delta which flows out the south China sea in South Vietnam. Moving by small boats upriver was a far quicker and easier way of navigating the jungle than going by foot, and American troops used brown water (brown water refers to navy ships that operate inland and not at sea) swift boats to quickly go up river into Cambodia and attempt to search and destroy the Vietcong outposts.
Daily life in Saigon, 1967
Saigon was the capitol of South Vietnam and the center of the war effort. It was where vast swathes of American troops and equipment entered and exited the country and it was where most troops spent their leave time out of combat. The city was largely built up by the French during their colonization of Vietnam and still has a distinct Franco-Vietnamese style to it. Ultimately, it would be the last city to fall to the Vietcong in 1975, ending the war. This picture was taken by an American serviceman while on leave.
Navy SEAL in action, somewhere in the South Vietnamese countryside
Navy SEALs are among the most famous and prestigious units in the U.S. military today, and their reputation around the world is being one of the most effective special forces units on earth. This picture shows a Navy SEAL (which stands for Navy Sea, Air, and Land) on a covert mission in Vietnam. The SEALs were originally formed in 1962 for the express purpose of fighting in Vietnam. Their abilities made them an invaluable part of the American war effort as they were highly effective at clandestine jungle missions.
Photojournalist Don McCullin with American Troops
Photojournalists like the one pictured here, Don McCullin, who was behind the famous “Thousand Yard Stare” photo, were key contributors to keeping the American and global public informed about the state of the war on the ground. Their pictures, many of which are shown in these slides, had an immense impact on forming the public’s perception of Vietnam and contributed greatly to the disenchantment in the United States with the war as well as the world’s attitude towards the United States as a result of the way in which it waged the conflict.
Tunnel Rat Emerges with Puppy
Going inside of Vietcong tunnel networks in the jungle, which connected the extensive underground bases that the Vietcong operated out of, was one of the most dangerous missions that U.S. troops undertook. Oftentimes, they had little idea of what was inside once they went in and were normally armed with little more than a flashlight and pistol. This picture shows a soldier re-emerging from a tunnel, inexplicably having discovered a puppy belonging to the North Vietnamese inside. The image of “Tunnel Rats” has become one of the most popular symbols of the war in public imagination.
American Soldier burns through the Jungle with a flamethrower
Originally developed in the First World War for attacks on trenches, the flamethrower was an invaluable weapon for American troops in the jungles of Vietnam. They were highly effective at destroying the vegetation that made it difficult for troops to navigate the jungle and obfuscated hidden Vietcong outposts and tunnels. However, they were not without drawbacks: flamethrowers were large and cumbersome to carry, and soldiers armed with them were at the top of the list of Vietcong targets due to their deadly effectiveness.
MIKE Force Soldiers Celebrate Christmas
One of the biggest priorities for the United States in Vietnam was training and aiding the South Vietnamese in counterinsurgency and anti-guerilla warfare tactics. The pictured soldiers were part of the MIKE Force, or Mobile Strike Force Command. They were used in conjunction with South Vietnamese troops as quick reaction and reconnaissance units against Vietcong incursions in the south. MIKE Force also played a major role in search and rescue operations of downed American pilots shot down during bombing runs.
Soldier with smuggled in Budweiser and Coca-Cola
American G.I.s sent to Vietnam had to suffer through the brutality of combat against a largely hidden enemy in a climate and country utterly unlike anything in the United States. American troops, as all troops do, were homesick for just the basics of life back home. This picture shows an ecstatic American G.I. who has managed to smuggle two great American comforts in country: Budweiser Beer and Coca-Cola soda. For the G.I.’s, something as simple as a soda or beer from home was always welcome.
American Sniper and his Spotter in action
Both sides in the Vietnam War made great use of snipers to hit enemy officers and troops from afar and out of sight. Using a sniper rifle is an incredibly difficult task that required extensive training, and was done in two-man teams, as pictured here. The soldier with the binoculars is finding the enemy and helping the other soldier armed with the sniper rifle identify his target and line up his shot. To remain hidden, snipers typically take only one shot from one location at a time, so accuracy is critical, lest the shot be wasted.
Freed American P.O.W.'s on the plane home
Over the course of the war, many American soldiers were captured by North Vietnam and kept in horrendous conditions inside prisoner of war camps. Given that the North Vietnamese were often dealing with food and supply shortages of their own due to the war, combined with their deep animosity for American troops who they viewed as foreigners trying to colonize Vietnam, American prisoners of war suffered cruel treatment, malnourishment, and even torture. This picture shows jubilant American troops flying home after the U.S. withdrew from the war and secured the release of all prisoners.
South Vietnamese American-trained commando prepares for action
In an attempt to lessen the need for American ground forces in Vietnam, a central focus of American policy was to train the South Vietnamese forces to a point where they could fight the war without American boots on the ground. This picture shows an American trained and equipped South Vietnamese commando, preparing to head out on a mission with his American counterparts. Although the South Vietnamese Army never reached the standards the U.S. wanted it to, some units did their American instructors proudly.
Marines landing on Cape Batangan, 1965
One of the main combat responsibilities of the U.S. Marine Corps is amphibious landings, where soldiers land on and thereafter storm beaches via small landing craft. This photo shows the Marines landing on Cape Batangan, 1965. The Marine Corps played a major role in the Vietnam War, as their training in both land combat and navy supported ground attacks, such as the operation pictured, made them a reliable weapon in the American arsenal for taking on the Vietcong.
U.S. Command and Communications Outpost
Armies consist of much, much more than just troops in combat. One of the most essential elements for any army is having an extensive and effective communications system to distribute orders to combat units and coordinate operations. The U.S. attempted to utilize its large advantage in communications technology when coordinating the fighting against the North Vietnamese, and employed immense amounts of radio, radar, and other technology for this purpose. Ensuring this aspect of the American military presence functioned correctly was of considerable importance.
Marines in the aftermath of an attack on Khe Sanh
Since the First World War, the machine gun has played a significant role in battles. These two American troops are pictured in the aftermath of a Vietcong attack on the Marine outpost of Khe Sanh, having used the pictured M-60 machine guns and expended considerable amounts of ammunition to do so. During the Battle, the Vietcong launched massive attacks with infantry units in an attempt to overwhelm U.S. and South Vietnamese forces and were ultimately unsuccessful, but did manage to tie them down and prevent them from fighting elsewhere.