List of Vietnam War Weapons and Equipment
5:37 AM
Weapons of the ARVN, US, South Korean, Australian, and New Zealand
Chemical weapons
In 1961 and 62 the Kennedy administration authorized the use of chemicals to destroy vegetation and food crops in South Vietnam. Between 1961 and 1967 the US Air Force sprayed 12 million US gallons of concentrated herbicides, mainly Agent Orange (a dioxin) over 6 million acres (24,000 km²) of foliage, trees and food crops, affecting an estimated 13% of South Vietnam's land. In the year 1965, 42% of the herbicide used was allocated to food crops. The herbicide use was also intended to drive civilians into RVN-controlled areas. In 1997, an article published by the Wall Street Journal reported that up to half a million children were born with dioxin related deformities, and that the birth defects in South Vietnam were fourfold those in the North. The use of Agent Orange may have been contrary to international rules of war at the time. It is also of note that the most likely victims of such an assault would be small children. A 1967 study by the Agronomy Section of the Japanese Science Council concluded that 3.8 million acres (15,000 km²) of land had been destroyed, killing 1000 civilians and 13,000 livestock.
Small arms
1. * M6 bayonet
- M7 bayonet
- KA-BAR (USMC)
- KCB70 bayonet (Limited use with Stoner 63 rifle only)
2. Pistols & Revolvers
- FNH Browning H-P Mk III pistol - used by Australian and New Zealand forces
- Smith & Wesson Mark 22 Mod.0 "Hush Puppy" - Suppressed pistol used by SEALs, among others
- Colt M1911A1 pistol and its variants
- Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Carried by General Officers
- Colt Commander
- Smith & Wesson Model 15 (USAF M-15) carried by USAF SPs (Security Police Units)
- Smith & Wesson Model 12
- M1917 revolver
- High Standard HDM
- Walther PPK with suppressor
- Ruger MK II with suppressor (Navy SEALs)
3. Shoulder arms
- L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR) - Used by Australian and New Zealand soldiers in Vietnam
- Springfield M1903 limited use
- M1 Garand limited use
- M1 Carbine
- M2 Carbine
- M14 rifle
- XM16E1 and M16A1 Early issue M-16 had problems replaced by M16A1. After 1968 were issued to special forces and then infantry a year or two later.
- XM177E2
- M1A1 Thompson
- M3 Greasegun
- Swedish K
- Smith & Wesson M76
- Madsen M/50
- Beretta M12
- MAC-10
- MP40 (CIDG)
- UZI (SOG recon teams)
- Owen Gun (Australian submachine gun)
- F1 submachine gun (Australian, replaced Owen Gun)
- L2A1 a copy of the British sterling used by the SASR for prisoner extraction also used with Silencer
- T223 which is a copy of the Heckler & Koch HK33 Assault Rifle under license by Harrington & Richardson used in small numbers by Navy SEAL teams
- Winchester Model 1912 pump-action shotgun
- Ithaca 37 pump-action shotgun
- Remington 870 pump-action shotgun
- Remington 11-48 semi-automatic shotgun
- The shotguns were used as an individual weapon during jungle patrol; infantry units were authorized a shotgun by TO & E (Table of Organization & Equipment). Shotguns were not general issue to all infantrymen, but were select issue, such as one per squad, etc.
4. Sniper Rifles
- Winchester Model 70 bolt-action sniper rifles - used by U.S. Marine Corps snipers
- M-40 sniper rifle - used by U.S. Marine Corps snipers* M21 Sniper Weapon System (or XM21 in test phase) - an accurized version of M-14
- Springfield M1903A4 sniper rifle
- M1 Garand M1C and M1D sniper variants
5. Machine guns
- L2A1AR Full auto machine gun version of the L1A1 SLR used by ANZAC forces
- Stoner M63a Commando & Mark 23 Mod.0 - used by U.S. Navy SEALs and tested by Force Recon
- M60 machine gun GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun)
- M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle, known as BAR
- M1917 Browning machine gun .30cal heavy machine gun
- Browning M1919-A6 medium machine gun
- Browning M2HB .50cal Heavy Machine Gun
6. Grenades and Mines
- Mark 2 Fragmentation Hand/Rifle Grenade
- Claymore M18A1 is an anti-personnel mine
- M61 Fragmentation Hand Grenade
- WP M34 grenade White Phosphorus Hand Grenade is a smoke grenade that uses white phosphorus, which, when in contact with air ignites and creates white smoke. The white phosphorus was also a useful way to dislodge the Viet Cong from tunnels or other enclosed spaces as the burning white phosphorus absorbs oxygen, causing the victims to suffocate or suffer serious burns.
- M18 grenade Smoke Hand Grenade
7. Grenade Launcher
- M79 grenade launcher
- M203 grenade launcher used late in the war by special forces.
- China Lake NATIC a pump-action grenade launcher - used by U.S. Navy SEALs
- XM148 grenade launcher
- Mk.19 Automatic Grenade Launcher
8. Flamethrower
- M2 flamethrower
Infantry support weapons
- M18 recoilless rifle 57-mm,
- M20 recoilless rifle 75-mm
- M67 recoilless rifle 90 mm
- M40 recoilless rifle 106-mm
- M19 Mortar 60 mm
- M29 Mortar 81 mm
- 4.2 inch mortar 107 mm commonly referred to as the "four deuce"
- M20 Super Bazooka used mainly by U.S. Marine Corps before introduction of M72 LAW
- M72 LAW Light Anti-Tank Weapon
- FIM-43 Redeye MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defence System)
Artillery
- 75mm Pack Howitzer M1
- 105 mm Howitzer M102
- 105 mm Howitzer M2A1
- L5 (Aust) Pack Howitzer 105-mm
- M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
- M107 Self-Propelled Gun 175 mm gun
- M110 8-inch self-propelled howitzer
Artillery ammunition
- Beehive rounds
- White phosphorus (marking round) "Willy Peter"
- HE, general purpose (High Explosive)
- Canister
Combat aircraft
- A-1 Skyraider ground attack aircraft
- A-37 Dragonfly ground attack aircraft
- F-5 Freedom Fighter fighter used in strike aircraft role
- A-4 Skyhawk carrier borne multirole strike aircraft
- A-6 Intruder carrier borne all weather multirole strike aircraft
- A-7 Corsair II carrier borne multirole strike aircraft
- AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter
- AC-47 Spooky gunship (four) with the 1st Air Cavalry Division
- AC-130 "Spectre" Gunship
- AC-119G "Shadow" Gunship
- AC-119K "Stinger" Gunship
- B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber
- B-57 Canberra medium bombers - used by the U.S. Air Force
- Canberra B.20 Royal Australian Air Force medium bomber
- F-4 Phantom II carrier and land based fighter-bomber
- F-8 Crusader carrier borne fighter-bomber
- F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber
- F-100 Super Sabre fighter-bomber
- F-101 Voodoo (RF-101) fighter-bomber/reconnaissance plane
- F-102 Delta Dagger fighter
- F-104 Starfighter fighter
- F-111 Aardvark medium bomber
- OH-6 Cayuse Transport/ Observation helicopter
- OH-58 Kiowa Transport/ Observation helicopter
- OV-10 Bronco, light attack/observation aircraft
- UH-1 "Huey" gunship role (various models)
Support aircraft
- C-123 Provider tactical cargo aircraft
- C-130 Hercules tactical cargo aircraft
- C-141 Starlifter strategic cargo aircraft
- UH-1 Iroquois helicopters in several configurations
- CH-47 Chinook medium lift helicopter
- C-5 Galaxy strategic lift cargo aircraft
- C-7 Caribou tactical cargo aircraft - used by the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force
- CH-46 Sea Knight rescue helicopter
- H-2 Seasprite helicopter
- H-3 Sea King rescue and recovery helicopter
- UH-34 Seahorse Transport/Cargo helicopter
- CH-53 Sea Stallion medium lift helicopter
- CH-54 Skycrane heavy lift helicopter
- H-43 Huskie Transport/cargo helicopter
- O-1 Bird Dog, observation aircraft
- O-2 Skymaster, observation aircraft
- OV-1 Mohawk battlefield surveillance and light strike aircraft
Aircraft Ordnance
- GBUs
- CBUs
- BLU-82 Daisy cutter
- Napalm
- Bomb, 250 lb, 500 lb, 750 lb, 1000 lb, HE (high explosive), general purpose
- Rocket, aerial, HE (High Explosive), 2.75 inch
Aircraft weapons
- M61 Vulcan, 20 mm (aircraft mount)
- Minigun, 7.62 mm (aircraft and helicopter mount)
- M197 Gatling gun, 20 mm
- M60 machine gun, 7.62mm (helicopter mount)
Vehicles
- M38A1 1/4 ton jeep
- Ford M151 MUTT 1/4 ton Military Utility Tactical Truck (jeep)
- Dodge M37, 3/4 ton (pick-up truck)
- Kaiser Jeep M715 1 1/4 (Pickup Truck)
- Truck, cargo/troops, 2 1/2 ton (deuce and a half)
- Truck, cargo/troops, 5 ton
- M520 Goer Truck, Cargo, 8-ton, 4x4
- Land Rover short and long wheelbase Australian and New Zealand forces.
Armoured fighting vehicles
Tanks
- M41 Walker Bulldog light tank Used by South Vietnamese Army [ARVN]
- M48 Patton medium tank
- M551 Sheridan airborne reconnaissance assault vehicle, currently referred to as a light tank
- Centurion main battle tank - used by the Australian Army
- Sherman m4a3-m4a6 variants medium tank used in small numbers refitted with 76mm - used by American Army/Marines
Army and USMC vehicles
- M113 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier)
- M113 ACAV Armoured Cavalry Assault Vehicle
- M8 Greyhound,used only by (ARVN)
- LVTP5 Landing Craft
- M50 Ontos
- Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando
- Mark I PBRs (Patrol Boat River)
- LARC-LX
- BARC
- AMTRAC'S, amphibious tractors, US Marine Corps
- M-114 Reconnaissance vehicle
- M42 Duster (M-41 light tank hull, with a naval twin 40 mm mounted on an open turret)
Naval craft
- Monitor, heavily gunned riverine craft
- Swift Boat, (PCF) Patrol Craft Fast
- ASPB, Assault Support Patrol Boat, (known as Alpha boats)
- PBR, Patrol Boat River, (all fiberglass boats, propelled by twin water jets)
Gunship Vehicles (commonly cargo), armed with automatic weapons.
- Gun trucks, 2 1/2 ton (deuce an a half), and 5 ton cargo trucks with quad .50 cal machine guns mounted in the back
- M16 Halftracks with quad .50 cal machine guns in the back
- Gun jeeps, 1/4 tons with mounted M-60 machineguns
- Land Rover, short and long wheelbase, with single and twin M60 machineguns. Aust. and NZ forces
Weapons of the PAVN/NLF
NVA (North Vietnamese Army) and the Southern communist guerrillas NLF, or Viet Cong as they were commonly referred to during the war, largely used standard Warsaw Pact weapons. Weapons used by the North Vietnamese also included Chinese Communist variants, which were referred to as CHICOM's by the US military. This distinction was in recognition of Taiwan (Nationalist China), a US ally.
Artillery
- ZPU-4 quad 14.5 mm anti-aircraft machine gun
- ZU-23 quad 23 mm anti-aircraft cannon
- M1939 37 mm anti-aircraft gun
- S-60 57 mm anti-aircraft gun
- 82 mm, 107 mm, and 120 mm mortars
- 122 mm Katyusha rockets
- 122 mm guns
Aircraft
- MiG-21 jet fighter
- MiG-19 jet fighter, used in limited numbers
- MiG-17 jet fighter
- MiG-15 jet fighter, used in limited numbers
- An-2 aircraft
- Mi-4 helicopter
- Mi-8 helicopter
Small arms
- AK-47 and AKM assault rifles (from the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries)
- Type 56 assault rifle (from the People's Republic of China)
- SKS semi-automatic carbine, also known as Simonov
- Vz. 58 assault rifle
- SVD-63 semi-automatic marksman rifle, also known as the "Dragunov" sniper rifle
- Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifles and carbines (from the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact countries, and the People's Republic of China)
- Mauser Kar98k bolt-action rifle (many of the Mausers used by the VPA and the NLF were from rifles captured from the French during the First Indochina War and rifles provided to them by the Soviets as military aid)
- Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle (captured by the Soviets during World War Two and provided to the VPA and the NLF as military aid)
- Tokarev TT-33 handgun
- Makarov PM handgun
- Nagant M1895 revolver
- Stechkin APS machine pistol
- Mauser C96 handgun
- CZ 52 handgun
- Type 14 8 mm Nambu Pistol Pistol (Captured From The Japanese) Used By North Vietnamese officers
- K-50M submachine gun
- PPSh-41 submachine gun (both Soviet and Chinese versions)
- MAT-49 submachine gun
- Sa vz. 23 submachine gun
- Skorpion vz. 61 submachine gun
- RPD light machine gun
- Degtyarev DP light machine gun
- RPK light machine gun
- MG-34 light machine gun (captured by the Soviets during World War Two and provided to the VPA and the NLF as military aid)
- MG-42 light machine gun (captured by the Soviets during World War Two and provided to the VPA ans the NLF as military aid)
- Uk vz. 59 general purpose machine gun
- DShK heavy machine gun
- MP40 submachine gun (captured by the Soviets during World War Two and provided to the VPA and the NLF as military aid)
- PPS-43 submachine gun
- Arisaka rifles (Captured from Japanese)
- F1 grenade
- RG-42 grenade
- RGD-5 grenade
Infantry support weapons
- RPG-2 (rocket-propelled grenades)
- RPG-7
- Type 69 RPG
- 82-PM-41 mortar
- B-10 recoilless rifle
- B-11 recoilless rifle
Flamethrowers
- LPO-50 Flamethrower (Limited Use)
Vehicles
- PT-76 amphibious tank
- BTR-50 APC
- BMP-1 APC
- ZSU-23-4 anti-aircraft self-propelled systems
- T-34/85 medium tank, used in limited numbers
- T-55 main battle tanks
- ZSU-57-2 anti-aircraft self-propelled system, fielded in limited numbers.
- BTR-60 APC
- Bicycles
Substitute standard weapons used by irregular forces
[edit] Small arms
- Arisaka bolt-action rifles
- M1 Garand rifle, semi-automatic
- M1 carbines, semi-automatic
- Springfield M1903 bolt-action rifles
- MAS-36 bolt-action rifles
- MAS-49 semi-automatic rifles
- MAT-49 submachine gun and local variants
- MP40 submachine guns
- PPS-43 submachine gun and local variants
- Swedish K submachine guns
- Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifles and carbines
- Mauser Karabiner 98k bolt-action rifles
- Type 99 light machine gun Used occasionally by the Viet Cong
- Nambu semi-automatic pistol
- Colt M1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol
Hand combat weapons
- M6 bayonet U.S. Used on M-14
- M1 Bayonet U.S. and ARVN Used on M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, and M-14
- M7 Bayonet U.S. Use with the M-16
- Other types of knives, bayonets, and blades.
A wide variety of anti-personnel landmines and booby traps were used in the Vietnam war, including punji stakes.
Aircraft Losses During the Vietnam War
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United States aircraft
United States Air Force
All told, the U.S. Air Force flew 5.25 million sorties over South Vietnam, North Vietnam, northern and southern Laos, and Cambodia, losing 2,251 aircraft: 1,737 to hostile action, and 514 to operational causes. 110 of the losses were helicopters and the rest fixed-wing. A ratio of roughly 0.4 losses per 1,000 sorties compared favorably with a 2.0 rate in Korea and the 9.7 figure during World War II.
Sources for USAF figures:
- USAF Operations Report, Nov. 30, 1973
- Campbell, John M. and Hill, Michael. Roll Call: Thud. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1996. ISBN 0-7643-0062-8.
- Hobson, Chris. Vietnam Air Losses, USAF, USN, USMC, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia 1961–1973. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-85780-115-6.
USAF fixed-wing
- A-1 Skyraider-- --191 total, 150 in combat
- –First loss A-1E 52-132465 (1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th TG) shot down during the night of 28–29 August 1964 near Bien Hoa, SVN
- –Final loss A-1H 52-139738 (1st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing) which was shot down 28 September 1972 (pilot was rescued by an Air America helicopter).
- A-7D Corsair II-- --6 total, 4 combat
- –First loss 71–0310 (353d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 354th TFW) on 2 December 1972 shot down on a CSAR mission in Laos (Capt Anthony Shine KIA).
- –71-0312 (353d TFS) mid-air collision with an FAC O-1 Bird Dog in Laos on 24 December 1972, (Capt Charles Riess PoW)
- -71-0316 (355th TFS) operational loss (non-combat) crash in Thailand on 11 January 1973 (Pilot Rescued)
- -70-0949 (354th TFW) shot down Laos on 17 February 1973 (Maj J J Gallagher Rescued)
- -71-0305 (3rd TFS, 388th TFW) shot down in Cambodia on 4 May 1973 (1Lt T L Dickens Rescued)
- -Final loss 70–0945 (354th TFW) shot down in Cambodia on 25 May 1973 (Capt Jeremiah Costello KIA)
- A-26 Invader-- --22 total
- –First loss B-26B 44-35530 (Detachment 2A, 1st ACG) shot down in IV CTZ on the night of 4–5 November 1962 killing the 3 crew.
- –Final loss A-26A 64-17646 (609th SOS, 56th SOW) lost over Laos on the night of 7–8 July 1969 killing both crewmen.
- A-37 Dragonfly-- --22 total
- –First loss 1967; final loss 1972
- AC-47 Spooky-- --19 total, 12 in combat
- –First loss 1965, final loss 1969
- AC-119 Shadow/Stinger-- --6 total, 2 in combat
- –First loss AC-119G 52-5907 (Det.1, 17th SOS, 14th SOW) which crashed on take-off from Tan Son Nhut, SVN on 11 October 1969 killing 6 of the 10 crewmen.
- –Final loss 1971
- AC-130 Spectre-- --6 total, all combat.
- –First loss AC-130A 54-1629 (16th SOS, 8th TFW) hit by 37mm AAA over Laos and crash-landed at Ubon RTAFB, 2 crewmen died (one died of injuries before reaching Ubon) but 11 others survived.
- –Final loss 1972
- B-52 Stratofortress-- --31 total, 17 in combat
- -First losses were operational (non-combat) mid-air collision 2 B-52F 57-0047 and 57-0179 (441st Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Wing), 18 June 1965, South China Sea during air refueling orbit, 8 of 12 crewmen killed
- -Final loss B-52D 55-0056 (307th Bomb Wing Provisional) to SAM 4 January 1973, crew rescued from Gulf of Tonkin
- B-57 Canberra-- --56 total, 38 in combat
- -First loss 1964, final loss 1970
- C-5A Galaxy-- --1 total, 0 in combat. Crashed while attempting emergency landing at Tan Son Nhut AB 4 April 1975, as part of Operation Babylift. Five of the 8 US Military women killed during the Vietnam War, were aboard this airplane.
- C-7 Caribou-- --19 total, 9 in combat
- -First lost C-7B 62-4161 (459th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483d Tactical Airlift Wing) which was hit by a US 155mm shell on 3 August 1967 in SVN killing the 3 crewmen. Note: there were two fatal crashes during Operation Red Leaf transition training of USAF crews in Army CV-2's, on 4 and 28 October 1966[3].
- -Final loss was C-7B 62-12584 (483d TAW) which crashed in SVN on 13 January 1971, all 4 crewmen survived.
- C-47 Skytrain-- --21 total
- -A C-47 was very first USAF aircraft lost in the SEA conflict, C-47B 44-76330 (315th Air Division) on TDY at Vientiane, Laos which was shot down by the Pathet Lao on 23 March 1961 killing 7 of the 8 crewmen. The sole survivor, US Army Maj. Lawrence Bailey was captured and held until August 1962.
- -Final loss EC-47Q 43-48636 (361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, 56th SOW) shot down in Laos on the night of 04/5 4–5 February 1973 killing all 8 crewmen.
- C-123 Provider-- --53 total, 21 in combat
- -First loss was C-123B 56-4370 attached to the 464th TAW which came down on an Operation Ranch Hand (defoliation) training flight between Bien Hoa and Vung Tau, SVN on 2 February 1962
- -Final loss 1971
- C-130 Hercules-- --55 total, 34 in combat
- -First loss was C-130A 57-0475 (817th Troop Carrier Squadron, 6315th Operations Group) on 24 April 1965, a Blind Bat flareship that crashed into high ground near Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, attempting to land in bad weather with a heavy load, two engine failures, and low fuel, killing all six crewmen. This was the 14th recorded loss of a C-130 to all causes.
- -Final loss C-130E 72-1297 (314th TAW) destroyed by rocket fire at Tan Son Nhut AB on 28 April 1975.
- C-141 Starlifter-- --2 total, 0 combat
- -C-141A 65-9407 (62d Military Airlift Wing) destroyed in a night runway collision with a USMC A-6 at Danang, SVN on 23 March 1967 killing 5 of the 6 crewmen.
- -C-141A 66-0127 (4th Military Airlift Squadron, 62d MAW) crashed soon after take-off from Cam Ranh Bay, SVN on 13 April 1967 killing 6 of the 8 man crew.
- E/RB-66 Destroyer --14 total
- -First loss was RB-66B 53-0452 (Det 1, 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 6250th Combat Support Group) which crashed 22–23 October 1965 west of Pleiku, SVN killing the crew.
- -Final loss EB-66B 42nd TEWS, 388th TFS lost to engine failure on Dec. 23, 1972 during Operation Linebacker II. 3 crewmen were KIA.
- EC-121 BatCat-- --2 total, 0 combat
- -EC-121R 67-24193 (554th Reconnaissance Squadron, 553d RW) crashed 25 April 1969 on take-off in a thunderstorm from Korat RTAFB, killing all 18 crewmen.
- -EC-121R 67-21495 (554th RS) crashed on approach to Korat RTAFB on 6 September 1969, 4 of the 16 men were killed.
- F-4 Phantom II-- --445 total, 382 in combat
- -First loss was operational (non-combat), F-4C 64-0674 (45TH TFS, 15th TFW) which ran out of fuel after strike in SVN on 9 June 1965; first combat loss F-4C 64-0685 (45th TFS, 15th TFW) shot down Ta Chan, NW NVN on 20 June 1965. 9 of the losses were parked aircraft struck by rockets.
- -Final loss 1973
- F-5 Freedom Fighter-- --9 total
- -First loss 1965, final loss 1967
- F-100 Super Sabre-- --243 total, 198 in combat
- -First loss 1964, final loss 1971
- F-102 Delta Dagger-- --14 total, 7 combat
- -First loss 1964, final loss 1967. 4 of the combat losses were parked aircraft
- F-104 Starfighter-- --14 total, 9 combat
- -First loss 1965, final loss 1967
- F-105D Thunderchief-- --335 total, 283 in combat
- -First loss 62–4371 (36th TFS, 6441st TFW) written off from battle damage over Laos 14 August 1964, at Korat, Thailand
- -Final loss 61–0153 (44th TFS, 355th TFW) shot down Laos 23 September 1970, pilot Capt. J. W. Newhouse rescued
- F-105F/G Thunderchief: "Wild Weasel," "Ryan's Raiders," "Combat Martin"-- --47 total, 37 combat
- -First loss EF-105F 63-8286 (13th TFS, 388th TFW) shot down by AAA RP-6 July 1966, Maj. Roosevelt Hestle and Capt. Charles Morgan KIA
- -Last loss F-105G 63-8359 (Det.1 561st TFS, 388th TFW) shot down by SAM 16 November 1972, RP-3, crew rescued
- F-111A "Aardvark"-- --11 total, 6 in combat
- -First loss mission-related TFR failure, 66-0022 (428th TFS 474th TFW, Project Combat Lancer), 28 March 1968, Maj. H.E. Mccann and Capt. D.L. Graham MIA
- -Final loss 67–0111 (474th TFW) mid-air collision over Cambodia, 16 June 1973, both crewmen rescued
- HU-16 Albatross-- --4 total, 2 combat
- -51-5287 to unk cause 19 June 1965
- -51-0058 to unk cause 3 July 1965
- -51-0071 (33d ARRS) shot down by AAA 14 March 1966, two crewmen killed
- -51-7145 (37th ARRS) disappeared 18 October 1966, 7 crewmen KIA-BNR
- KB-50 Superfortress tanker-- --1 total, 0 combat
- -Only loss KB-50J 48-0065 (421st Air Refueling Squadron Detachment) at Takhli RTAFB which crashed in Thailand on 14 October 1964, all 6 crewmen survived.
- KC-135 Stratotanker-- --3 total, 0 combat
- -Two crashes in 1968, one 1969, all operational (non-combat)
- O-1 Bird Dog-- --172 total, 122 in combat
- -First loss 1963, final loss 1972
- O-2 Skymaster-- --104 total, 82 in combat
- -First loss 1967, final loss 1972
- OV-10 Bronco-- --63 total, 47 in combat
- First loss 1968, final loss 1973
- QU-22 Pave Eagle-- --8 lost, 7 in combat
- -First loss YQU-22A 68-10531 (554th RS, 553d RW) crashed due to engine failure on 11 June 1969
- -Final loss QU-22B 70-1546 (554th RS) on 25 August 1972, pilot killed.
- RF-4C Phantom II-- --83 total, 76 in combat
- -First loss 1966, final loss 1972
- RF-101 Voodoo-- --39 total, 33 in combat
- -First loss 1964, final loss 1968
- SR-71A Blackbird-- --2 total, 0 combat
- -64-17969 (Det OL-8, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) suffered engine failure over Thailand on 10 May 1970, both crewmen ejected safely
- -64-17978 (Det OL-KA, 9th SRW) crashed on landing at Kadena, Okinawa on 20 July 1972, both crewmen survived
- T-28 Trojan-- --23 total
- -First loss 1962, final loss 1968
- U-2C "Dragon Lady"-- --1 total, 0 combat
- -Only loss 56–6690 (349th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron 100th SRW) which crashed on 8 October 1966 near Bien Hoa, SVN, Maj. Leo J Stewart ejected and was rescued.
- U-3B Blue Canoe-- --1 total, 1 combat
- -Only loss 60–6058, destroyed on the ground during a VC attack on Tan Son Nhut, SVN on 14 June 1968.
- U-6A Beaver-- --1 total, 0 combat
- Only loss 51-15565 (432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing) which crashed in Thailand 28 December 1966, both crewmen survived.
- U-10D Courier-- --1 total, 1 combat
- -63-13102 (5th SOS, 14th SOW) shot down 14 August 1969 near Bien Hoa killing 1/Lt Roger Brown.
USAF rotary-wing
- CH/HH-3 Jolly Green Giant-- --34 total, 25 in combat
- -First loss CH-3E 63-9685 (38th ARRS) to AAA North Vietnam on 6 November 1965, three crewmen POW, one rescued
- -Last loss HH-3E 65-12785 (37th ARRS) 21 November 1970, combat-assaulted inside Son Tay POW camp (Operation Ivory Coast) and deliberately destroyed by U.S. Special Forces
- HH-43B Pedro-- --13 lost, 8 in combat
- -First loss 63–9713 (38th ARRS) damaged by fire 2 June 1965, crew rescued and aircraft destroyed to prevent its capture
- -Final loss 60–0282 (38th ARRS) crashed Cam Ranh Bay 7 August 1969, crew rescued
- CH/HH-53 Super Jolly-- --27 total, 17 in combat
- -First loss HH-53C 66-14430 (40th ARRS) in Laos, damaged by gunfire 18 January 1969 crew rescued and aircraft destroyed by bombing to prevent capture
- -Last losses four CH-53's (68-10925, −10926, −10927, 70–1627 all from 21st SOS, 56th SOW) to AAA on 15 May 1975, Koh Tang, Kampuchea, (Mayaguez incident final aircraft losses of Vietnam War)
- UH-1 Iroquois-- --36 total
Twenty-one aircraft carriers conducted 86 war cruises and operated 9,178 total days on the line in the Gulf of Tonkin. 530 aircraft were lost in combat and 329 more to operational causes. Resulting in the deaths of 377 naval aviators, with 64 airmen reported missing and 179 taken prisoner-of-war.
Sources for USN carrier-based figures:
- Francillon, René. Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club: US Carrier Operations off Vietnam, Naval Institute Press (1988) ISBN 0-87021-696-1
USN fixed-wing carrier-based
- A-1 Skyraider --65 total, 48 in combat
- -First loss A-1H 139760 (VA-45, USS Constellation), to AAA 5 August 1964, Lt.j.g. R. C. Sather KIA (Body recovered in 1985)
- -Final loss A-1H 134499 (VA-25, USS Coral Sea), to MIG 14 February 1968, Lt.j.g. J. P. Dunn MIA
- A-3 Skywarrior --7 total, 2 in combat
- -First loss A-3B 142250 (VAH-4, USS Hancock), operational loss (non-combat) 22 December 1964, 3 rescued, 1 killed
- -Final loss A-3B 144627 (VAH-4, USS Kitty Hawk), AAA 8 March 1967, 3 crewmen KIA
- A-4 Skyhawk --282 total, 195 in combat
- -First loss A-4C 149578 (VA-144, USS Constellation), AAA 5 August 1964, Lt.j.g. Everett Alvarez POW (second longest held prisoner)
- -Final loss A-4F 155021 (VA-212, USS Hancock), AAA 6 September 1972, pilot rescued
- A-6 Intruder --62 total, 51 in combat
- -First loss A-6A 151584 (VA-75, USS Independence), own bomb detonation Laos 14 July 1965, crew rescued
- -Final loss A-6A 157007 (VA-35, USS America), AAA South Vietnam 24 January 1973, crew rescued
- A-7 Corsair --100 total, 55 in combat
- -First loss A-7A 153239 (VA-147, USS Ranger), SAM North Vietnam 22 December 1967, LCdr J.M. Hickerson POW
- -Final loss A-7E 156837 (VA-147, USS Constellation), operational loss (non-combat) 29 January 1973, pilot missing
- C-1 Trader --4 total, 0 in combat
- -C-1A 146047 (VR-21, USS Independence), non-combat 30 August 1965, 7 passengers and crew rescued
- -C-1A 136784 (VR-21, USS Independence), operational loss (non-combat) 12 September 1965, 9 passengers and crew rescued, 1 killed
- -C-1A 146054 (Carrier Air Wing 11, Kitty Hawk), operational loss (non-combat) 16 January 1968, 7 passengers and crew rescued, 3 killed
- C-2 Greyhound --1 total, 0 in combat
- -Sole loss C-2A 155120 (VRC-50, USS Ranger), Gulf of Tonkin crash 15 December 1970, 9 passengers and crew killed
- E-1 Tracer --3 total, 0 in combat
- -First loss E-1B 148918 (VAW-12, USS Independence), operational loss (non-combat) 22 September 1965, crew rescued
- -Final loss E-1B 148132 (VAW-111, USS Oriskany), operational loss (non-combat) 8 October 1967, 5 crewmen killed
- E-2 Hawkeye --2 total, 0 in combat
- -E-2A 151711 (VAW-116, USS Coral Sea), 8 April 1970, 5 crewmen killed
- -E-2B 151719 (VAW-115, USS Midway), 11 June 1971, 5 crewmen missing
- EKA-3 Skywarrior-- --2 lost, 0 in combat
- -EKA-3B 142400 (VAQ-132, USS America), operational loss (non-combat) 4 July 1970, 3 rescued
- -EKA-3B 142634 (VAQ-130, USS Ranger), operational loss (non-combat) 21 January 1973, 3 crewmen killed
- EA-1 Skyraider --4 total, 1 in combat
- -First loss EA-1E 139603 (VAW-111, USS Yorktown), operational loss (non-combat) 15 April 1965, crew rescued
- -Final loss EA-1F 132543 (VAW-13, USS Franklin D Roosevelt), operational loss (non-combat) 10 September 1966, crew rescued
- F-4 Phantom --138 total, 75 in combat
- -First loss F-4B 151412 (VA-142, USS Constellation), operational loss (non-combat) 13 November 1964, crew rescued
- -Last combat loss (also last USN combat loss of war) F-4J 155768 (VF-143, USS Enterprise), AAA South Vietnam 27 January 1973, Cdr H.H. Hall and Lcdr P.A. Keintzer POW
- -Final loss F-4J 158361 (VF-21, USS Ranger), operational loss (non-combat) 29 January 1973, crew killed
- F-8 Crusader --118 total, 57 in combat
- -First loss F-8D (VF-111, USS Kitty Hawk), to AAA over Laos 7 June 1964, LCdr C.D. Lynn rescued
- -Final loss (operational) F-8J 150887 (VF-191, USS Oriskany) 26 November 1972, pilot rescued
- KA-3 Skywarrior- --2 lost, 0 in combat
- -KA-3B 142658 (VAH-4, USS Oriskany), operational loss (non-combat) 28 July 1967, 1 crewmen rescued, 2 killed
- -KA-3B 138943 (VAH-10, USS Coral Sea), operational loss (non-combat) 17 February 1969, 3 crewmen killed
- RA-5 Vigilante --27 total, 18 in combat
- -First loss RA-5C 149306 (RVAH-5, USS Ranger), operational loss (non-combat) 9 December 1965, 2 crewmen killed
- -Final loss RA-5C 156633 (RVAH-13, USS Enterprise), to MIG North Vietnam 28 December 1972, Lcdr A.H. Agnew POW, Lt. M.F. Haifley KIA
- RF-8 Crusader --29 total, 19 in combat
- -First loss RF-8A (Det. C VFP-63, USS Kitty Hawk), 6 June 1964, to AAA in Laos, Lt. C. F. Klusmann POW
- -Final loss RF-8G 144608 (VFP-63, USS Oriskany), operational loss (non-combat) 13 December 1972, pilot rescued
- S-2 Tracker --4 total, 2 in combat
- -First loss S-2D 149252 (VS-35, USS Hornet), unk combat loss 21 January 1966, 4 crewmen MIA
- -S-2E 152351 (VS-21, USS Kearsarge, combat loss 11 October 1966, 4 crewmen KIA
- -S-2E (VS-23, USS Yorktown), unk combat loss 17 March 1968, 4 crewmen KIA
- -Final loss US-2C 133371 (VC-5, USS Hornet), operational loss (non-combat) 27 September 1967, crew rescued
USN fixed-wing shore-based
- C-47 Skytrain (1)
- OV-10 Bronco (7)
- P-2 Neptune (4)
- P-3 Orion (2)
USN rotary-wing
- SH-2/UH-2 Sea Sprite-- --12 lost, 0 in combat
- -First loss UH-2A 149751 (HC-1, USS Hancock), operational loss (non-combat) 10 January 1966, 4 crewmen rescued
- -Final loss UH-2C 149767 (HC-1, USS Bon Homme Richard), operational loss (non-combat) 10 August 1969, 4 crewmen rescued
- SH-3 Sea King-- --20 lost, 8 in combat
- -First loss SH-3A 148993 (HS-2, USS Hornet), AAA North Vietnam 13 November 1965, 4 crewmen rescued
- -Final loss SH-3D 156494 (HS-7, USS Saratoga), operational loss (non-combat) 31 December 1972, crew rescued
United States Marine Corps
U.S. Marine Corps aircraft lost in combat included 193 fixed-wing and 270 rotary wing aircraft.
USMC fixed-wing
- A-4 Skyhawk --81 lost
- A-6 Intruder --25 lost
- C-117 Skytrain --2 lost
- EA-6 Prowler --2 lost
- EF-10 Skynight --5 lost
- F-4 Phantom --95 lost, 72 combat
- F-8 Crusader --21 lost
- KC-130 Hercules --4 lost
- O-1 Bird Dog --7 lost
- OV-10 Bronco --10 lost
- RF-4 Phantom --4 lost
- RF-8 Crusader --1 lost
- TA-4 Skyhawk --10 lost
- TF-9 Cougar --1 lost
Source for F-4 losses is Phantom with U.S. Marine Corps (Joe Baugher), others are unsourced
USMC rotary-wing
- AH-1 Cobra – 7
- HUS-1 – 75
- UH-1E Huey – 69
- CH-37 Mojave – 1
- CH-46D Sea Knight – 109
- CH-53 Sea Stallion – 9
United States Army
USA fixed-wing
- OV-1A Mohawk – 3 lost
- OV-1B Mohawk – 2 lost
- 0–1 Bird Dog – 297 lost
USA rotary-wing
5,086
- 1 205 was destroyed (Air America)
- 270 AH-1G were destroyed
- 1 BELL was destroyed
- 14 CH-21C were destroyed
- 2 CH-34 were destroyed
- 1 CH-37B was destroyed
- 1 CH-37C was destroyed
- 83 CH-47A were destroyed
- 20 CH-47B were destroyed
- 29 CH-47C were destroyed
- 9 CH-54A were destroyed
- 3 H-13D were destroyed
- 2 H-37A were destroyed
- 147 OH-13S were destroyed
- 93 OH-23G were destroyed
- 45 OH-58A were destroyed
- 842 OH-6A were destroyed
- 60 UH-1 were destroyed
- 1 UH-1A was destroyed
- 357 UH-1B were destroyed
- 365 UH-1C were destroyed
- 886 UH-1D were destroyed
- 90 UH-1E were destroyed
- 18 UH-1F were destroyed
- 1313 UH-1H were destroyed
- 176 UH-34D were destroyed
Republic of Vietnam aircraft
- A-1 Skyraider
- A-37A/B Dragonfly
- AC-47
- AC-119G/K Stinger – served Mar'72 –
- B-57 Canberra
- C-7A Caribou – served late'71 – mid'74 (grounded due to budget cuts)
- C-47 Skytrain
- C-119 Flying Boxcar – served Mar'68 –
- C-123K Provider – served May'73 – 1973 only (replaced by C-130A) 10 lost, 4 to ground fire
- C-130A Hercules – 2 combat losses
- F-5A/B/C Freedom Fighter
- F-5E Tiger II
- U/H-1D/H Iroquois (helicopter)
- C/UH-34C/D/G Choctaw (helicopter)
- CH-47A Chinook (helicopter)
- O-1 Bird Dog
- O-2A Skymaster – served 1970 – mid'74 (grounded due to budget cuts)
- T-28 Trojan
- T-37 Tweety Bird (trainer)
- T-41D Mescalero (trainer)
- U-6A Beaver
- U-17A/B Skywagon
VNAF a/c details sourced from "Flying Dragon – The South Vietnamese Air Force" Robert C. Milikesh, Schiffer Military History , 2005
Royal Australian Air Force
Fixed wing
- C-7 Caribou --3 total, 1 in combat
All from No. 35 Squadron RAAF.
- -No 293 was destroyed by mortar fire while taxiing at That Son (near the Cambodian border) on 29 March 1970.
- English Electric Canberra --2 total, 2 in combat
Both from No. 2 Squadron RAAF
- -First loss Serial No. A84-231 disappeared on 3 November 1970 on a night bombing mission in the northern 1st Corps Tactical Zone region of South Vietnam after dropping its bombs near Da Nang. Pilot Officer Robert Charles Carver (24) and Flying Officer Michael Patrick John Herbert (24), were both MIA until 30 July 2009 when their remains were positively identified.
- -Final loss on 14 March 1971 shot down by a SAM. Wing Commander F.J.L. Downing and Flight Lieutenant A.J. Pinches were both rescued.
Rotary wing
- UH-1 – 6 total
All from No. 9 Squadron RAAF.
North Vietnamese aircraft
Fixed-wing losses (air to air combat only)
- An-2 4 claimed
- MiG-17 Fresco 110
- MiG-19 Farmer 10
- MiG-21 Fishbed 90
Fixed-wing losses (air to air combat only)
- MiG-17 Fresco 3 claimed
Vietnam War Timeline
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Vietnam War Timeline 1954
French are defeated at Dien Bien Phu after the United States refuses to send air support. The Geneva accords are signed by French and Vietminh, establishing the International Control Commission, deciding that the 17th parallel will be the temporary dividing line between the two, and creating plans for a free election in Vietnam no later than July 1956. Ngo Dinh Diem gains power in South Vietnam. United States sends technical and financial aid in expectation of social and land reform. SEATO formed by Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, France, United Kingdom, and United States. South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia join later. The nations agree to consult regarding military affairs; the commitment is not as strict or as binding as that required by NATO.
Vietnam War Timeline 1960
Political opposition in South Vietnam goes underground. Sporadic terrorism occurs; NLF ask for, and obtain, help from North Vietnam.
Vietnam War Timeline 1960
NLF conduct a campaign to assassinate village chiefs appointed by Diem.
1961
John F. Kennedy sends 1,364 American advisors to South Vietnam. Still no land reform. An operation of U.S. military pilots and planes were ordered to bomb targets in South Vietnam. The operation is cancelled moments before takeoff.
1962
The number of U.S. advisers increases to 9865. U.S. pilots are clandestinely bombing North Vietnam in an attempt to destabilize the Ho Chi Minh government. "The U.S. did not want to harm relations with Diem, and he was the last political stronghold in Vietnam facing the communists. This 'fact' is debatable..."
1963
15,500 Americans in Vietnam. Diem is losing his grip on the Buddhist revolutionaries. Kennedy agrees with South Vietnamese generals to remove Diem. With the CIA's conveying Kennedy's approval, Diem is assassinated in a military coup and succeeded by a series of military commanders. John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas. He had reconsidered the Vietnam strategy —hundreds of soldiers were on route to the US at the time of his assassination.
1964
Situation in South Vietnam deteriorates rapidly. In August, Gulf of Tonkin Incident occurs. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed by the United States Congress gives Lyndon B. Johnson a free hand to protect American forces in Vietnam, the pretext for deepening the U.S. military commitment. Publicly, Johnson had taken a mild position during his election campaign regarding the Vietnam issue, but privately agrees to proceed with the escalated Vietnam policy, now seemingly an entrenched policy.
1965
In February, the United States begins to bomb North Vietnam on a steady basis after the Pleiku attacks. In March, Marines land at Da Nang to begin full scale U.S. military action. In May, a 6-day bombing pause occurs. In August, 125,000 American troops are in Vietnam. In December, American bombing pauses again, with no apparent reaction from the Vietnamese.
Vietnam War Timeline 1966
400,000 American troops are now in Vietnam. In September, South Vietnam elects Thieu and Ky under their new constitution. One of Thieu's first acts after being put in power is to arrest the leader of his opposition.
Vietnam War Timeline 1967
500,000 American troops in Vietnam. U.S. conducts demonstration election and claims Saigon government is legitimate based on voter turnout.
Vietnam War Timeline 1968
Tet offensive occurs. The US Embassy, Saigon is occupied for a short while. On March 12, the state of New Hampshire gives strong support to Eugene McCarthy, running on a campaign to end the war. On March 16, 1968, U.S. Army troops murder 347 civilians in My Lai. News of the massacre does not reach the U.S. public until November, 1969. On March 31, Lyndon Johnson calls for a partial bombing halt, and announces "I will not seek or accept my party's nomination for President of the United States." In April, the United States and North Vietnam begin talks in Paris. In October, Johnson halts all bombing north of the 17th parallel. Four-way talks begin.
Vietnam War Timeline 1969
In March, Richard Nixon announces secret talks have been taking place. As of April, 33,000 American troops have been killed in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Secret bombings in Cambodia begin. On November 15, there is a massive peace demonstration in Washington. Seymour Hersh breaks the My Lai massacre story. The Anti-war movement gained steam upon the evidence of atrocities by U.S. forces. The first draft lottery is instituted since World War II.
Vietnam War Timeline 1970
President Nixon announces during a TV address, the withdrawal of 150,000 troops over the next 12 months. However, most people believe this not to be true and that it is merely a tactic to stop the massive anti-war movement. President Nixon sends US forces into Cambodia, causing widespread war protest in the streets, and plunging Congress into a session-long debate over Congressional war powers. Four Kent Statecollege students were shot to death by Ohio National Guardsmen during an anti-war protest on the campus. This led to mass protests on campuses and city streets.
Vietnam War Timeline 1971
As of February, approx. 325,000 American troops remain in Vietnam. South Vietnam invades Laos with support from the U.S. About 45,000 American soldiers have died in Vietnam thus far.
Vietnam War Timeline 1972
In October, Nixon and Henry Kissinger announces that "peace is at hand", with an agreement to end the war. In December, the U.S. begins to bomb North Vietnam again, with the famous Christmas day raids. Demonstrations in the U.S. begin anew.
Vietnam War Timeline 1973
U.S. involvement in Vietnam finally ends. Kissinger wins Nobel Peace Prize. The U.S. lost about 50,000 soldiers in Vietnam, and suffered more than 300,000 wounded. Later estimates put the figure of Vietnamese deaths up to nearly 5 million, 4 million civilians killed. The war cost nearly 150 billion U.S. dollars.
Vietnam War Timeline 1975
On April 30, Saigon falls to North Vietnam and becomes Ho Chi Minh City. President Gerald Ford, in the days shortly preceding the collapse of Saigon, asked for $750 million from Congress to help the U.S. ally.
Vietnam War Timeline 1975
Conflict begins right after the fall of Saigon between the Communist governments of Vietnam and Cambodia, culminating in the Vietnamese invasion and subsequent occupation of Cambodia and the removal of the Khmer Rouge regime from power.
Vietnam War Timeline 1975
Since 1975 as many as 1.5 million people have fled Vietnam, many in unseaworthy boats risking storms and pirates to reach an uncertain haven. Perhaps 500,000 of them died at sea.
Vietnam War in Movies (Film)
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The Vietnam War has been the subject of many films. One of the first major films based on the Vietnam War was John Wayne's The Green Berets (1968). Further cinematic representations were released during the 1970s and 1980s, including Michael Cimino's The Deer Hunter (1978), Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979), Oliver Stone's Platoon (1986), based on his service in the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War, and Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987), among others.
Other films in this genre include films that deal more with the issues veterans face at home after returning from the war. Films of this type include Heroes (the first postwar film to be released), Combat Shock (1986), First Blood (1982), The War at Home (1979), Taxi Driver (1976) Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Dead Presidents (1995), and Music Within (2007).
Post-war films
After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, there was an increase in films that were more "raw", containing actual battle footage. A FilmReference.com article noted that filmmakers "appeared more confident to put Vietnam combat on screen for the first time" during that era. These post-war film representations have generally been more realistic and gritty, such as The Deer Hunter (1978) and Apocalypse Now (1979).The musical Miss Saigon focuses on the end of the war and its aftermath. In cinema, noted films that have shaped the popular conception of the war include Apocalypse Now, Platoon, The Deer Hunter, Hamburger Hill, Forrest Gump, Full Metal Jacket, Good Morning, Vietnam, Born on the Fourth of July, and the Rambo films. It was represented on television by the series Tour of Duty.
List of Vietnam War Movies
Documentary of Vietnam War film list
| Year | Country | Title | Events depicted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964? |  Canada | Mills of the Gods | |
| 1967 |  France | The Anderson Platoon | |
| 1968 |  USA | A Face of War | |
| 1969 | USA | In the Year of the Pig | |
| 1970 | USA | No Substitute for Victory | Narrated by John Wayne |
| 1974 | USA | Hearts and Minds | |
| 2004 | USA | In the Shadow of the Blade | |
| 2005 | France | Enemy Image |
