Looking Back At The Vietnam War

Full set – HERE

More info on the Vietnam war – HERE

Very powerful pictures.  A few in this set because very famous, even won Pulitzer prizes.  I remember when the first Rage Against The Machine album came out in 1992 with the picture of the burning monk on the cover.  Definitely their best album by the way.

I’m sure war hasn’t got any easier, but when I look at those pictures it’s amazing to see how much they did with NO modern technology. Sure makes how I spend my days look insignificant.  I have the utmost respect for anyone that has ever served, or is currently serving in the Military.

UPDATE: Steven S. notified me of lots more pictures just put up at another PLOG – HERE


Comments

12 responses to “Looking Back At The Vietnam War”

  1. Steven S. Avatar
    Steven S.

    Wonderful yet dim pictures, It must have truly sucked to be have been there and then come home to people hating you for fighting in that war.

    And +1 for the RATM, Killing In The Name is one of my favorite songs to just rock out to and also a good way to get pumped up before playing some Xbox.

    Oh, and sweet another photoblog to add to my Google Reader.

    1. Admin (Mike) Avatar
      Admin (Mike)

      It must have truly sucked to be have been there and then come home to people hating you for fighting in that war.

      No kidding, that would have been so frustrating. It’s nice to see the Vietnam veteran appreciation events around the country that happen from time to time to make up for celebration that didn’t widely happen when they came home.

  2. Very good pictures. Thanks for finding and sharing those.

    And another +1 to RATM.

  3. Great pictures. It is really something when you stop and think about the technological advances that have been introduced since then. I’m always amazed when I think even farther back to World War 2, and the air war being waged without the benefit of computerized targeting systems, GPS, satellite recon, etc. I think the big difference, as far as the soldiers on the ground are concerned, between previous wars and today is the ability to communicate with home. I can’t imagine what it was like in Vietnam (or any previous war) to be so far away from home and have to wait weeks for a letter to travel back and forth, where now you can send an email around the world instantly, and soldiers have access to phones, and even video chat.

    1. Admin (Mike) Avatar
      Admin (Mike)

      Yea having such a delay in communications with home would really be tough.

  4. Just showed a guy who works with us who is a Retired SF Sergeant Major my dads Vietnam scrapbook. The Retired fella was in Nam himself and relived some memories. Pics like this are priceless history that should not be forgotten. Having been in the Army myself I see the value in this history.

  5. Chase Avatar

    What on Earth do you mean, “no modern technology?” Do you have any idea how high-tech a helicopter is? For that matter, what about assault rifles?

    1. Admin (Mike) Avatar
      Admin (Mike)

      Come on Chase, you know what I mean… I agree helicopters and m16s are a long way from slingshots and fire, but they still pale in comparison to “modern day” (todays) technology that our guys use such as guidance systems, night vision, smart phones, drone aircraft…. I could go on and on…

  6. 1) They didn’t have absolutely no modern technology. They had top of the line technology for the late 60’s and early 70’s. What they lacked were semiconductors that allowed miniaturization and incredible enhancement of efficiency in terms of information processing speed. But they had lasers and TV guided bombs and most of what we have today. Just not as good or efficient.

    2) For technologies that didn’t exist, they had alternative ways of doing things or they simply didn’t undertake those missions. This was the motivation for developing a lot of technologies that are commonplace today.

    3) Many scenarios were simply outside even imagining for either the U.S. or the NVA/VC. Lacking the technology,no one even had cause to think of some situations.

    Yes, our jobs are technically easier today, but as a result, we are giving more responsibility to fewer people. We can do as much today as with a military that was 10 times larger in WWII, simply because it took alot more folks to get the same amount of stuff done.

  7. […] On April 30th, the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam war I posted an article with links to a few picture sets. […]

  8. I’m a Vietnam vet and would love to see these pics but I can’t seem to get them to display. Any suggestions other than I have to be smarter than the computer? Thanks. Your site and pics were sent to me in an email by a friend.

    1. ENDO-Mike Avatar
      ENDO-Mike

      Hey Bill, it wasn’t anything you were doing wrong. The link on the source website changed. I updated it in the post, or else you can go directly to it here – http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/04/looking-back-at-the-vietnam-wa.html

      Thank you for your service.