Browse South Vietnam and Allied Armed Forces
"Nha Trang - Summit at Sea - Representing three close partners in recent operations against enemy forces near Nha Trang, Army Captain Donald J. Banta, 27, Las Vegas (left); Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W Lentine, 45, San Jose, Calif., and Navy Lieutenant (junior grade) Joseph D. Lopez, 30, Central Valley, Calif. scan a chart of Nha Trang, where the action took place. Against a background of the area in which the three found and destroyed Charlie, the three represent Army artillery, Air Force Spooks and Navy harbor defense units that spotted Communists on the coastline." Three American military men stand together looking at a map and talking.

Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel discuss Nha Trang enemy forces

"An SH-3A Sea King Helicopter from the attack carrier USS Bon Homme Richard races to rescue a downed U.S. Air Force pilot from an inland ridge east-northeast of Hai Phong, North Vietnam, May 23. The Sea King is a unit of helicopter squadron two, search and rescue detachment presently on station off the coast of North Vietnam." A US Navy helicopter flies over the open ocean.

SH-3A Sea King helicopter

"Saigon - Soviet-Built Tank - This Soviet-built tank was sight on Feb. 7, in the vicinity of Khe Sanh, by U.S. Air Force reconnaissance pilots." A very poor quality aerial photo of a vehicle in a field.

Soviet-built tank

"Flights of F-105 Thunderchiefs, similar to those shown above, yesterday (March 19), bombed the Viet Tri thermal power plant 38 miles north of Vietnam capital with 500 pound bombs. The Power plants jointly produce 28 per cent of the electrical power in North Vietnam." Four US Air Force jets flying in formation over a rural area.

F-105 Thunderchiefs

"An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft took this unusual photograph of three F-105 Thunderchiefs dropping their bomb-load simultaneously during an air strike over North Vietnam." Three planes dropping bombs

F-105 Thunderchiefs dropping bombs

"Saigon - Offload Starlifter - Air Force air freight specialists at Da Nang Air Base offload cargo of the U.S. Army's 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) from a C-141 Starlifter. Starlifters carried more than 4,000 men and 300 tons of cargo from Peterson Field, Colo., to Da Nang. The troops and cargo were then put aboard Air Force C-130 Hercules transports for movement to their final destination." A forklift lifts a palette of supplies out of an American Air Force plane.

Freight unloaded from C-141 Starlifter

"Da Nang - Cargo Delivery - The trailing hook of a C-130 Hercules cargo load catches on the arresting cable that stretches across the Khe Sanh runway. The new cargo delivery technique, called Ground Proximity Extraction System, decreases the aircrafts exposure time to hostile fire." An American airplane flying very close to the ground drops supplies from its rear hatch. The supplies are mid-air, falling to the ground.

Ground Proximity Extraction System cargo delivery

"Saigon - Container Delivery System - A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo transport airdrops 14 tons of munitions to the A Loui airstrip in the A Shau Valley, using the container delivery system (CDS). Under the CDS method, the pilot gives the "green light" at the appropriate time to his load master, who releases an extraction parachute. This canopy whips out and a knife attached to it shears the webbing which secures 14 pallets in the aircraft. At that exact point the pilot noses his aircraft upward and sends the pallets rushing out the open rear door." An airplane dropping what appears to be supplies with parachutes. There is a satellite dish and an antenna in the foreground.

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules airdrops munitions

"Saigon - Here Comes the Goodies - An Army infantryman watches happily as more rations cascade into the drop zone at the A Loui airstrip in the A Shau Valley. The 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) needed food after several days of fighting in the region, so C-130 Hercules transports were called upon from nearby Air Force installations to airdrop the supplies." An American soldier stands in a field near a pile of supplies. In the distance there are parachutes falling from the sky. It appears that the parachutes are dropping supplies, not personnel.

Rations airdrop

"Da Nang - Airman Second Class James M. Long Jr., left, 23, of Florence, Miss., holds up the head of the water buffalo he was forced to kill to protect Vietnamese Air Force Airman Second Class Trinh Han Cuong, who smilingly assisted him. The crazed animal was slain after it ran through the main gate to Da Nang air base and rampaged down streets, charging pedestrians and cycle riders." An American and a Vietnamese soldier stand in tall grass holding a dead water buffalo. They both hold rifles.

Killed water buffalo

"Saigon - Bonds of Friendship - Air Force Lieutenant Everett S. Martin Jr., 25, (left) holds the Sea Swallow battle standard of Binh Hung which was presented to him when he became the first person from Newburyport, Mass., to visit the hamlet, the sister-city of the New England town. Martin presented Newburyport's Homecoming Flag to Father Nguyen Quang Huan, religious leader of the hamlet, and Vietnamese Army Major Nong Viet Ngoc, battalion commander of the Vietnamese regional forces. The two flags are flown over the hamlet." An American soldier and a Vietnamese soldier stand together holding up flags. They are standing in a village with villagers, children, nuns, and a catholic priest standing behind them.

Flag exchange

"Saigon - Doctor and Family - Air Force Major Paul A, Whelan, 38, Shreveport, La., poses with his wife and 11 children. The major, a C-7A Caribou pilot at Vung Tau, will return to the United States to receive, Feb. 4, his doctorate in history from St. Louis University. The family will be on hand for the graduation." A large American family sits on a couch and has their portrait taken. There are 11 children.

Air Force Major Paul A. Whelan and family

"Cam Ranh Bay - Joint Effort - Airman Second Class Edwin A. McClure of Irving, Tex., gets assistance from a 10-year-old Vietnamese lad as he drills holes in the bulkhead of a newly constructed fishing pier. Fourteen members of he 485th Ground Electronics Engineering Installation (GEEIA) Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay spent six days working on the 180 food pier for the fisherman of My Ca village." A US airman using a hand drill with a Vietnamese boy. A beach with boats and fisherman is in the background.

Airman Edwin A. McClure and a Vietnamese boy drilling a bulkhead

"Saigon - Casualties suffered during a large encounter with Viet Cong forces in the Michelin Plantation area are loaded aboard a C-123 for evacuation." A group of soldiers, probably Pilipino, carry several soldiers on stretchers toward an American Air Force plane.

Michelin Plantation casualties being evacuated

"Saigon - Casualties suffered during a large encounter with Viet Cong forces in the Michelin Plantation area are loaded aboard a C-123 for evacuation." A group of soldiers, probably Pilipino, carry several soldiers on stretchers toward an American Air Force plane.

Michelin Plantation casualties being evacuated

Several American soldiers stand in a group in front of a planes that has landed among the wreckage of Bien Hoa. The plane may have crashed, since it seems to be stained with smoke. (damaged)

Plane and American soldiers in wreckage

Some soldiers and medical personnel walk away from the wreckage of Bien Hoa. One soldier is in American uniform and the other may be Australian. (damaged)

Soldiers and medic in wreckage

An American soldier walks away from a plane landed among the wreckage of Bien Hoa (damaged)

American soldier in wreckage

"Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, South Vietnam - Colonel James S. Timothy (left) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Commander, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and his Sergeant Major, Trinidad Prieto (right) of Anderson, North Carolina, admire a plaque presented to the Colonel by Lieutenant General Coa-Van-Vien, Chief, Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Air Force recently. The plaque tells of the Vietnamese peoples' appreciations of the 101st's 'Heroic and unselfish action in joining the free Vietnamese in resisting aggression by a common enemy.'" Two American soldiers hold up a crest and look at each other.

Colonel James S. Timothy and Sergeant Major Trinidad Prieto with a plaque

"Hq 2AD Tan Son Nhut Afld, RVN - Lt (jg) Grant R. Townsend (left), of West Palm Beach, Fla., Navy pilot rescued from North Vietnam following bailout from his strike aircraft July 28, is all smiles as he embraces U.S. Air Force rescue pilot 1st Lt. Walter F. Turk of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Lieutenant Turk's rescue helicopter snatched the Navy flyer from capture or death with only moments to spare." Two American pilots standing side-by-side embracing.

Lt (jg) Grant R. Townsend embracing U.S. Air Force rescue pilot 1st Lt. Walter F. Turk

"Railroad bridge knocked out - bombs from F-105 Thunderchiefs of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Impact on the Ha Gia railroad bridge, 20 miles north of Hanoi. The bridge's center section and south end were severely damaged during the strike yesterday." Aerial photo of an air strike on a bridge over a river.

F-105 Thunderchiefs of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing bombing Ha Gia railroad bridge

"Southeast Asia - Insertion - VNAF Choctaws "fan out" as they enter the landing zone, prepared earlier by units of the Free World Forces. Still, they encounter enemy fire on most missions." Seven helicopters fly toward the camera, over a field with several soldiers standing in it.

VNAF Choctaws prepare to land

"Southeast Asia - Popular and Regional Forces board VNAF helicopter prior to insertion deep in the Mekong Delta to route reported VC force." A group of soldiers board a helicopter.

Popular and Regional Forces board VNAF helicopter

"Nha Trang - Summit at Sea - Representing three close partners in recent operations against enemy forces near Nha Trang, Army Captain Donald J. Banta, 27, Las Vegas (left); Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W Lentine, 45, San Jose, Calif., and Navy Lieutenant (junior grade) Joseph D. Lopez, 30, Central Valley, Calif. scan a chart of Nha Trang, where the action took place. Against a background of the area in which the three found and destroyed Charlie, the three represent Army artillery, Air Force Spooks and Navy harbor defense units that spotted Communists on the coastline." Three American military men stand together looking at a map and talking.

Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel discuss Nha Trang enemy forces

"Southeast Asia - On the Way - An EC-121D Warning Star of the College Eye Task Force heads out for its combat station over the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of the southern Panhandle of North Vietnam to provide airborne radar surveillance support of Air Force strikes in the southern Panhandle. The College Eye operation completed its third year of combat duty in Southeast Asia recently." US Air Force jet in flight.

EC-121D Warning Star

"Southeast Asia - Plotting Course - Captain Paul G. Hammock, 28, Louisville, plots a course aboard an EC-121D Warning Star of the College Eye Task Force on a combat support mission over the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of southern Panhandle of North Vietnam. Accurate navigation is vital to the CETF operation which marked its third anniversary in Southeast Asia recently." An American soldier listens to his headphones, holding a drafting tools.

Captain Paul G. Hammock plotting a course aboard an EC-121D Warning Star

"Southeast Asia - Setting the Plot - Plotting positions of an Air Force strike force over the southern Panhandle of North Vietnam is exacting business for First Lieutenant Lance D. Scalf, 24, Mataline, Wash. He is a weapons controller aboard an EC-121D Warning Star of the College Eye Task Force which recently marked its third anniversary in Southeast Asia." An American soldier plots positions on a grid.

First Lieutenant Lance D. Scalf plotting positions of Air Force strike force

"Hq 2AD Tan Son Nhut Afld, RVN - Taking it Over - Maj. Luu Kim Cuong, commander of the 83rd Special Air Group, discusses the successful rice airlift with Capt. Joseph Chalk of Bristo, Okla. Of the 309th Air Commando Sq. The occasion was the completion of the first flight of Ban Me Thout, where pilots of the 83rd were host to the U.S. Air Force pilots at a buffet luncheon." Three pilots talk together. Two are wearing flower necklaces.

Maj. Luu Kim Cuong and Capt. Joseph Chalk

"Hq 2AD Tan Son Nhut Afld, RVN - Royal Welcome - Col. George. L. Hannah, left 315th Air Commando Group commander, Maj. Luu Kim Cuong (hatless) commander of the 83rd special Air Group of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, and Lt. Col. Richard M. Kenney, right, 309th Air Commando Sq. commander, are greeted by the people of Ban Me Thuot after bringing the first load of rice to the rice short city. Seen over the left shoulder of Colonel Hannah is A1C Donald, L. LeDuc, of Hartford, Conn., a member of the 309th." US Air Force pilots stand decorated with flower necklaces. In the foreground are a group of Vietnamese women.

People of Ban Me Thuot greet Col. George. L. Hanna, Maj. Luu Kim Cuong, and Lt. Col. Richard M. Kenney after bringing rice

"Hq 2AD Tan Son Nhut Afld, RVN - Off-Loading Rice - Col. George L. Hannah, left, of Knoxville, Tenn., helps unload first rice bag from a Republic of Vietnam Air Force C-47 Sky Train at the City of Ban Me Thout in Darlac Province. Colonel Hannah commander of the 315th Air Commando Group." A group of pilots load a large sack from the cargo hold of a plane.

Col. George L. Hannah unloads rice bags from a Republic of Vietnam Air Force C-47 Sky Train at Ban Me Thout

"Maj. Carl G. Schneider (left), USAF chief of the Air Liaison/Forward Air Control Division, Joint Operation Center, Ten Son Nhut Air Base, and Lt. Col. Carl H. Lee (center), director Air Support Operations Center, III Corps Area, coordinate activities with Maj. Bill Burgin, air liaison advisor to the Republic of Viet Nam's 21st Army Division." Three US airmen discuss a document that they have laid out on the hood of a jeep.

Maj. Carl G. Schneider and Lt. Col. Carl H. Lee coordinating activities with Maj. Bill Burgin

"Hq 2AD Tan Son Nhut Afld - Provider and Escorts - A U.S. Air Force C-123 Provider, one of a flight six Providers and a C-47 propels its way towards Ban Me Thout City in the Province of Darlac with a load of rice for the people there. Escorted by four A1H Skyraiders flown by Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots , the flight airlifted 90 tons of rice in two days, USAF's 309th Air Commando Squadron of the 315th Air Commando Group provided the aircraft." Three US Air Force planes in flight. The wing of a fourth plane can be seen in the top right corner.

C-123 Provider and a C-47 fly to Ban Me Thout City with rice

"Maj. Gen Gilbert L. Meyers, deputy commander of 2nd Air Division, was presented the first oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal by Gen. Hunter Harris, commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces. The ceremony held at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, July 31 honored Gen. Meyers, who was recently assigned as second in command of the 2nd Air Division which supports all Air Force combat strikes and activities in Southeast Asia. During the presentation, Gen Meyers was cited for his 'exceptionally meritorious service to the United States'... as commander, United States Air Forces Tactical Air Warfare Center, Tactical Air Command, from 30 September 1963 to 21 Apr. 1965. During this period, 'the citation continued, his outstanding professional knowledge, dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the development of tactical weapons and air mobility concepts specifically tailored to the global requirements of the Air Force.'" One American man pins a medal to the chest of another.

Maj. Gen Gilbert L. Meyers being presented a Distinguished Service Medal by Gen. Hunter Harris

"Hq 2AD Tan Son Nhut Afld, RVN - Lt (jg) Grant R. Townsend (left), of West Palm Beach, Fla., Navy pilot rescued from North Vietnam following bailout from his strike aircraft July 28, is all smiles as he embraces U.S. Air Force rescue pilot 1st Lt. Walter F. Turk of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Lieutenant Turk's rescue helicopter snatched the Navy flyer from capture or death with only moments to spare." Two American pilots standing side-by-side embracing.

Lt (jg) Grant R. Townsend embracing U.S. Air Force rescue pilot 1st Lt. Walter F. Turk

"Hq 2AD, Tan Son Nhut afld, RVN - U.S. Air Force's First Vietnam MIG Killers Whoop It Up - Following awards of Silver Stars and Distinguished Flying Across by 2d Air Division Commander Lt. Gen Joseph H. Moore at Ten Nhut Airfield today, members of the first U.S. Air Force flight to down Communist MIG Airfield jets whoop it up. Flight Commander Maj. Richard Hall of Forest Lake, Minn., gets a ride to the shoulders of other members of the flight, 1. 1st Lt. George Larson of Winter Haven, Fla.; Capt. Ronald C. Anderson of Fairbanks, Alaska; Capt. Kenneth D. Holcombe of Detroit, Mich,; Capt. Thomas Roberts of LaGrange, Ga.; Capt. Harold Anderson of Yucaipa, Calif.; Major Hall; Capt. Arthur C. Clark of McAllen, Tex., and Capt. Wilbur Anderson of Tarboro N.C." A US Air Force pilot is carried on the shoulders of a group of other pilots, in front of a fighter jet.

U.S. airmen celebrate Lt. Gen Joseph H. Moore's award of Silver Stars and Distinguished Flying Across at Ten Nhut Airfield

"Hq 2AD, Tan Son Nhut Afld, RVN - Silver Stars for MIG Kills - Lt. Gen. Joseph H. Moore, commander of the 2d Air Division with headquarters here, awards Silver Star medals to F-4C aircraft commanders who downed two Communist MIG-type jets over North Vietnam yesterday. Accepting the awards are U.S. Air Force pilots Capt. Kenneth D. Holcombe of Detroit, Mich., and Capt. Thomas S. Roberts of LaGrange, Ga. The MIGs were the first shot down by U.S. Air Force pilots in the Vietnamese conflict." US Air force pilots being given medals in front of an airplane. There are photographers in the foreground.

Lt. Gen. Joseph H. Moore awards Silver Star medals to pilots Capt. Kenneth D. Holcombe and Capt. Thomas S. Roberts

"Saigon - Casualties suffered during a large encounter with Viet Cong forces in the Michelin Plantation area are loaded aboard a C-123 for evacuation." A group of soldiers, probably Pilipino, carry several soldiers on stretchers toward an American Air Force plane.

Michelin Plantation casualties being evacuated

"Saigon - Casualties suffered during a large encounter with Viet Cong forces in the Michelin Plantation area are loaded aboard a C-123 for evacuation." A group of soldiers, probably Pilipino, carry several soldiers on stretchers toward an American Air Force plane.

Michelin Plantation casualties being evacuated