The Vietnam War is one of the bloodiest, most controversial wars in U.S history. To stop the rapid spread of the Soviet Union’s political influence and communism, the U.S primarily waged this as a proxy war. It led to the deaths of 2.5 to 3.5 million Vietnamese and 60,000 Americans, and it destroyed Vietnam. It went on for 20 agonizing years, from 1955 to 1975.
Also called the Second Indochina War, it divided Vietnam into two factions. The north was supported by the Soviet Union and other communist allies, while the south was supported by anti-communist America, Philippines, Thailand, and others. The latter conceded defeat after the simultaneous risings of the Laotian and the Cambodian Civil War, which signaled the reign of communism in these three states. Here is a closer look at what happened during those times.
Intervention From The Montagnard
South Vietnam had formidable allies, but they also had deadly foes. It is why the U.S army sought the much-needed intervention of local minority groups. The perfect candidate was the Montagnard, or “People of the Mountain” in French.
The photo shown above is of an American officer talking to a Vietnamese civilian, and it is proof of their successful attempt of seeking out another ally. This group dwelled in the highlands of Central Vietnam and served as a great friend to the anti-communist movement. The U.S Army reinforced this ethnic group’s strength by training them to be well-versed in unconventional warfare tactics.
