When was the Vietnam War? What was it over anyways?
Well, it started rather slowly and then ended up being a large “conflict” that had nearly 100 causalities (deaths of american soldiers) a week for a period of time. The US started sending soldiers to Vietnam around 1961, and “consultants” in the late 50’s. Congress never declared it a War. It was officially ended in 1975, but most fighting stopped around 1973 after Nixon took office. Essentially it was a civil war with in Vietnam that opponents within the context of the Coldwar supported with arms and combatants. South Vietnam was supported by the western world, most notably the USA and North Vietnam was supported by communist countries such as China and Russia in the same way. The US had put into effect a draft in the early 60’s requiring young men aged 17 and 18 to enlist. It was not easy to get a deferment. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s song “It ain’t me” is a great example illustrating how many felt. My father and step-father chose to enlist voluntarily in the Air Force rather tha
