Geneva Accords-1954

We got some news today, at the Geneva Accords we all expected Vietnam to be divided along the 17th parallel. However, the division along the 17th parallel was only temporary until the election. We knew war would be coming soon, since the United States believed the South Vietnam candidate would win.

Buddhist Monks Protesting President Diem Regime-1963

The past couple days I have seen horrid things. Monks are setting themselves on fire to protest President Diem's decision to remove them from government positions. The other day I was taking patrol and a monk set himself on fire 5 feet away from me. It is a sight I will never not see, knowing people will harm themselves and think so little of human life in order to get a point across is hard to grasp.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident- August 1964

I hate the North Vietnamese. They are liars and awful. Our General came in running this morning saying, "They attacked our boats! They came in with 3 torpedo boats!". After hearing the news, the camp became more tense and we all realized we might not live another day. Next day, our general told us President Johnson, "take all necessary measures" to protect the Southeast Asian countries.

Operation Rolling Thunder- 1965

We started bombing raids in insurgent regions of South Vietnam. Our troop was told it was to boost the morale in Republic of Vietnam (South) so we all went along with it. I know I should be proud of the U.S, but I hate killing innocent lives.

Tet Offensive- 1968

It has been a rough couple of weeks, the North launched a series of over 100 coordinated attacks. We were not prepared at all and barely survived. Everyone is saying it was a military defeat for the communists, but a political and psychological victory.

My Lai Massacre- March 16th, 1968

What I witnessed today, words do not give it justice. It was inhumane and horrid. My troop was the first group to find the bodies after another troop of soldiers from a different base slaughtered hundred of unarmed civilians in this village. For the first time, I hate the U.S military for what they did.