The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was the only war the United States lost. The war was between North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam had these countries as its allies: the Russian Army and Red China. On the South Vietnam's side was: South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Phillippines, and Thailand. The war started in 1954, shortly after the Korean War started, and ended in1975. At the time United States President John F. Kennedy was commander in chief until he got assassinated in 1963. When he got assassinated Vice President Lyndon Johnson took over until 1965. The south lost many battles due to guerrilla tactics and the turning point became the Tet Offensive for the north.
The Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a series of syncronized attacks by the Vietcong and NVA. The death total was 58,000 U.S. soldiers killed and 304,000 wounded. While the Vietnamese death toll was 1,400,000 soldiers K.I.A. and 2,100,000 wounded. The Tet Offensive was planned by General Vo Nguyen Giap who mastered the art of guerrilla tactics. First, he set a date to attack the south which was on New Year's when no one expected it. Next, he set up a distraction, while the plan was carried out, which was the Battle for Khe Sanh. Now the main plan was to infiltrate South Vietnam's Command Posts and main villages. By 1968 General Giap set his strike teams at both Khe Sanh and other cities. When General Giap was alerted that his soldiers were attacking, he initiated more strike teams into South Vietnam which started the war.