American Involvement 1954-1975: The 21 year-long Vietnam War was the longest in our Nation's history, beginning in 1954 when the Geneva Accords divided the Southeast Asian country into North and South Vietnam. Soon thereafter, the Communist North started a guerrilla war and the Republic of South Vietnam sought assistance from the U.S.-- with the first Americans dying there in 1954.

The "advisory effort" grew rapidly and in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered a full-scale deployment of U.S. armed forces. Eventually, 2.7 million Americans served in that "limited conventional war" that was never officially declared a WAR--resulting in uncertainty at home as well as in Vietnam--while more than 58,215 lost their lives; 80,000 were severely wounded; 220,000 were wounded; and some 2,400 remain missing and unaccounted for!

During the war, soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines fought with heroism and determination under some of the most difficult circumstances ever encountered by American military personnel. Tragically, upon their return home, they received virtually no recognition for the service and sacrifice-- because of the raging domestic controversy over U.S. war policy.

Negotiations to end U.S. involvement began in 1968 and concluded in 1973. The resulting Treaty/Peace Accord was signed by representatives of the U.S., the D.R.V. (North Vietnam), the R.V. (South Vietnam) and the P.R.G. (Viet Cong). An in-place cease-fire was ordered on 28 January, 1973 and U.S. troops were withdrawn two months later. In the spring of 1975, the North Vietnamese Army launched a full-scale attack on the South and on 30 April, NVA tanks entered Saigon as the Republic of Vietnam fell.

America's Vietnam Veterans often bore the brunt of public frustration and anger until President Reagan honored their service with the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial--a crucial step toward national healing and reconciliation and a constant reminder that America's participation in the Vietnam War was, in fact, a "noble cause!"