The Trail: The Vietnam Trail

With this new and improved anti-aircraft tank it became one of the perfect air defense weapon systems for potential low-altitude threats, with the M55 Quad 50 as its only rival in versatility. Known as the ‘Whispering Death’, the M55 Quad 50 consisted of four Browning M2 .50-caliber machine guns mounted in a power turret on a deuce and a half (2 ½) or 5 ton truck (“ADA Units in Vietnam”, n.d.). “Generally speaking…Quads could not go cross-country in support for maneuver units. But in operations away from established road nets where heavy machine-gun support was needed, it was possible to slingload the Quad with the CH-47 helicopter” (Charles E. Kirkpatrick, in “Arsenal”, Vietnam magazine,

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” – John F. Kennedy. The American troops have always lived by this type of mentally and Kennedy is absolutely correct to say that Americans have to pay for it, especially our troops. Ever since the both World Wars, there has been an elevation on Traumatic cases within our soldiers regardless of their nation. However, the United States has become more aware of this on-growing situation, but just being more aware is not enough. We keep seeing a rise in the amount of these cases, and we are wondering, “When is this going to be fixed?” In order to understand this issue we need to go to the

elements of the battalion moved toward the Laotian border and Dong Ap Bia, they made initial

An M16 Assault rifle would be weapon to carry in a warzone as well as the rounds that go with the gun. As a second item a minesweeper would be an essential weapon against the masses of mines that were used in the Vietnam war. A Combat radio would be useful which is better than yelling in the environment where silence is needed. On Average the M16 weighed 7.5 pound whereas the ammo weighs .7 pounds, the radio weighed a staggering 26 pounds.

“If the tiger ever stands still, the elephant will crush him with his mighty tusks. But the tiger does not stand still. He lurks in the jungle by day and emerges by night. He will leap upon the back of the elephant, tearing huge chunks from his hide, and then he will leap back into the dark jungle. And slowly the elephant will bleed to death.” This quote by Ho Chi Minh emphasises his belief that Guerrilla tactics would be what would result in a win for the Vietcong. The Vietcong made use of tunnels, known as the Cu Chi Tunnels , which was a network of underground tunnels that the Vietcong resided in, and used to store supplies and care for the sick and injured. The use of underground hiding places meant that the US was unaware of the Vietcong’s whereabouts from ground level, allowed them to be

The article states, “To get news from one end of the empire to the other, the Incas developed a messenger system using their roads.” One can see from this the Inca road system was an advanced transportation system. This also reveals Stone Highways were part of the Inca army’s winning strategy.

Home is not always a good place to be greeted from after coming back from a long, gory, and devastating war. The Veterans of the Vietnam War fought without a choice on the battlefield on Vietnam land. They were forced to hold back their opinions and do what they were told to do, which is to serve the country of America, home to them and many other Americans, in any way possible. Throughout their time in this war, they felt overwhelmed as horrifying events played out in front of them, such as the deaths of fellow soldiers. However, even as they were serving their country to the best of their ability, Vietnam soldiers were treated unfairly when they returned home from war.

Because of this fact, American soldiers were not able to use all the equipment that would normally be used in a war. The fact that the North Vietnamese would hide in the jungle, the soldiers had trouble knowing where they would attack. This was a major disadvantage to the American soldier. The government definitely believed that they had a right to invade Vietnam. Even though the potential loss of life would be so high, the United States still decided to invade Vietnam.

The noise of the tracks carried at night, there was no traffic anymore, not many people out at this time of night – too dangerous, the normal post event noise levels that could be found in your average American city that might have masked the noise of the tracks was gone. It was warm night and the Tank commanders and drivers traveled with hatches open or standing within the turret. They were the only lights on the roads and they could be seen from quite a ways. They took the I-495 north, then merge onto the I-270 and continue onto the US-40 W into Frederick, and hoping there were no issues there. From there continue onto US-15 N into Pennsylvania and exit onto secondary roads and secure an area to conduct reconnaissance operations from. They did have a shortwave radio which would allow them to communicate with the rear echelon and give and get SITREPS (situation reports).

As I rose from bed, I could hear my wife starting to make breakfast. Today was going to be quite a day, mainly due to a fast coming winter and the need to harvest the squash and corn was increasing each day. I proceeded to change into my work attire and brown maroon felt hat I had bought myself last week. I walked out of my room and went into the main room where I had my breakfast every morning. I walked over to the table and sat in a hand carved chair made by the finest carpenter in Saybrook where my porridge awaited me. After sitting down at the table with my two sons and wife, I blessed our porridge and had my younger son read a Bible verse. Reading the Bible is a crucial part of being a Puritan since if one could not read the Bible they

As I drove downtown to visit Carol and Lee, I looked for a back way back in which would mean that I wouldn’t be seen. I wandered around for a while, eventually finding their house situated a few hundred yards from a McDonald on Bragg Boulevard and saw an alleyway behind the restaurant. I went to McDonald, where I waited a while before exiting into the back alley to see if I was followed. When I was convinced that it was all clear, I leaped over the fence into Carol’s backyard and up to the door.

Both the American and Canadian Armies used the roadways to get to the bases. The road was a restricted route for military operations until 1948. Today the road way is still in use providing the people of Alaska a supply route and way by vehicle to the lower 48 states. It is a way for people to enjoy the scenery of uncivilized land. If you travel Alaska you will still find remnants of the units and engineers that were once there. Most of the towns with any significant population were once the areas that housed the Soldiers whom were stationed

They were provided food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and many more of their needs. They helped them grow food, provided medical services as needed and even provided schooling. Land was given to them to run, taxes were also set a reasonable rates. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a supply line used by the Communists to transport people and goods from the north to the south. Helicopters a new military asset was use to quickly transport soldiers in and out missions. That left many civilians without food or shelter. By spraying some of their 12 gallons of Agent Orange. They hoped it would cut off their food supply, it also destroyed the forest and farmland. That exposed millions to toxic chemicals. VC and NVA made it difficult to know the difference between civilians and military combatant. The tunnels that stretch through North and South Vietnam was for safe travel. The Communist aided that provided safe haven, food, and support in local villages across south vietnam. January 21, 1968, the NVA driving the Marines into underground bunkers. Sheltering in rat-infested underground bunkers that lacked food and supplies. Khe Sanh ultimately defeated the NVA by resupplying the Marines manning the base, bringing in food, ammunition, and

Throughout the documentary it shows the dangers of constructing the Ledo Road from India to China with the inclusion of a pipeline to provide gas and to the Chinese war machines. Such as enemy troops firing at the Allies or even a more worse threat that was malaria carried by mosquitoes in the moist jungle. If one the alley soldiers were injured, they were carried miles either by foot, mule, raft, or a vehicle through the dangerous terrain of the jungle. You even see in the film showing these soldiers being transported through dangers

According to the primary sources, the Kokoda track cuts trough 96 kilometers of dense rainforest and over mountains. All supplies and heavy equipment