Cease Fire And Attacks On South Vietnam example essay topic

The Vietnam conflict Part of French Indochina, Vietnam was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Ironically, America's first involvement in the region was in support of a Vietnamese patriot named Ho Chi Minh, the leader of a small nationalist movement which had been waging a campaign against the Japanese since 1941. At the end of the War, Ho and his 'Viet Minh' movement actively resisted France's attempt to regain control of Vietnam, and turned to the Soviet Union and Communist China for assistance. While the United States did not initially support French return to power, the collapse of the Chinese Nationalist government in 1949 and the outbreak of the Korean War in June, 1950 solidified American resolve to contain communism and prevent worldwide aggression. As a result, President Truman stepped up assistance to France and stationed a small assistance and advisory group in Saigon in September 1950. Successive military defeats over the next four years eroded the French will to carry on the war, even though by 1954 the United States was bearing about 75% of its financial cost.

The Viet Minh ultimately defeated the French in May of that year, but were denied their goal of a united, communist Vietnam. An international conference in Geneva partitioned Vietnam at the 17th parallel and the Eisenhower administration agreed to provide direct U.S. military assistance to the South. American military commitment to South Vietnam was expanded by President's Kennedy and Johnson, as their war with North Vietnam intensified. In August 1964, North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked U.S. Navy ships in international waters off the coast of Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin. Congress responded by passing a joint resolution which 'Americanized' the war by authorizing the President to 'take all necessary measures" to safeguard the troops and prevent aggression.

The Illinois National Guard became involved in the Vietnam Conflict in April 1968, when the 126th Supply and Service Company was called to support the build up of United States forces. The Quincy, Illinois unit which consisted of 200 members was capable of operating a supply and service facility in direct support of approximately 8,000 soldiers. In May, the 126th left Illinois to begin its training at Fort Carson, Colorado. It deployed to Vietnam in September and was assigned to the 23rd Supply and Transportation Battalion, with responsibility for providing logistical support to soldiers near Chu Lai and Da Nang. It supported 111 units, processing an average of 1500 requests for supplies and food per week. Although direct contact with the enemy was limited, the 126th found it necessary to build bunkers as protection against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese rockets and mortars.

In June 1969, the 126th was ordered to return home. After a brief stop at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, the unit arrived in Quincy and was welcomed home by a crowd of approximately 5,000 citizens. In a speech made by Representative Paul Finley, it was "a day not only of local but national and world significance", honoring not only the 126th, but also "all men who have served and have sacrificed and died".

Governor Ogilvie told the returning soldiers that "you and the colleagues you left behind have been magnificent in every way, and we salute you. But as distinguished as your service has been, it was not unexpected, for the record your fathers and grandfathers wrote before you have taught us that uncommon valor is, indeed, a common virtue among men of the National Guard". Overall, the 126th Supply and Service Company served 12 months in Vietnam. According to their superiors and the units they supported, the 126th was one of the most innovative, efficient and productive combat service support units in Vietnam, and always performed their combat support duties to the highest standards. In January, 1973 a cease-fire was signed between North and South Vietnam and active American military involvement ended. Unfortunately, the North repeatedly violated the cease-fire and attacks on South Vietnam continued and intensified.

In the spring of 1975, North Vietnam began a massive, countrywide attack and forced a South Vietnamese surrender. The last Americans were evacuated from Saigon on April 30th.