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Vietnam War Military Activities

Historical photographs capturing U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War, illustrating their daily life, operations, and interactions.

U.S. Marines from the Second Battalion, Fourth Regiment, are seen enjoying lunch at their command post (Dixie Diner) on May 7, 1968. The photo captures them eating a hot noon meal served on paper plates. The Marines had recently engaged in intensive combat with North Vietnamese Army forces during Operation Saline along the Que Viet river near Dong Ha. The photograph was taken by SSgt J. Reid.

Lieutenant Colonel J. Fulton, along with his crew chief Lance Corporal Ralph R. Orlando, conducting a final inspection of the rotor head on their Huey gunship before an upcoming mission. Fulton, as the Commanding Officer of Marine Observation Squadron-2, has an extensive combat experience of over 300 missions.

Troops from Fox Co. and Echo Co. of the 3rd MarDiv are being loaded onto UH-34 helicopters in Chu Lai, Vietnam on July 3, 1965. The image was captured by Sgt L. D. Choate and is part of the Defense Department's photo collection (Marine Corps) with the reference code A184772.

Marines and Popular Forces of the "T" Combined Unit Pacification Program (CUPP) participate in the Morning Colors ceremony in Vietnam on August 9, 1970. Lance Corporals T.H. Fionie and G.M. Alaniz, assisted by local Popular Forces, hold the American flag during the ceremony. This photograph was taken by Sergeant O.L. Snodgrass and is part of the US Defense Department collection.

Cpl. Nelson from "E" Co., 2/1 assists a woman and her child while on patrol 30 miles south of Danang in Vietnam. This image was taken on July 18, 1967, by Cpl. Coates and is a part of the collection of American military activities during the Vietnam War.

"Vietnamese refugees housed at Camp Talega, Camp Pendleton, CA, May 1, 1975. Claudia Cardinale, Nguyen Cao Ky, Rosemary Clooney, and Betty Ford visiting. The tent city, constructed by Marines, accommodates an estimated 18-20,000 refugees. Photo by Sgt. N.E. Albrektsen. Defense Department photo (Marine Corps)."

Caption: Lance Corporal Charles E. Sead, serving as a scout for C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, carrying an elderly Vietnamese civilian during a patrol in the Arizona Territory, located 22 miles southwest of Danang. This photograph was taken on February 12, 1970, during the Vietnam War. (Photo credit: 7 SOARD Lance Corporal Charles E. Sead, US Department of Defense)

Lieutenant Colonel C.M. Brady accepts the unit colors of 5th Communication Battalion from Lieutenant Colonel J.D. Hines during a change of command ceremony near Da Nang in April 1969. This ceremony marked the transfer of administrative control of 5th Communication Battalion from Force Logistic Command III MAP. Hines would soon be reassigned to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

Vietnamese villagers celebrate the opening of "Liberty Road" between Dallang and An Hoa, Vietnam on August 27, 1966. The parade, attended by villagers, marked the progress and improved transportation in the area. This photograph was taken by Marine Corps Corporal K. B. McVeigh.

Marine F-4 Phantom jet retracting landing gear after taking off from Da Nang air base during the Vietnam War, 20th January 1968. The aircraft was prepared to attack the enemy with a significant load of weaponry. This photograph was taken by 1st Lieutenant Olsen for the Defense Department. (Source: 3M-2-107-68 III MAF Vietnam)

Vietnamese and Marine firemen training together to combat fires during the Vietnam War. They are seen here in practice, facing a wall of flame. This image highlights the collaboration and preparation necessary for dealing with dangerous situations, both for training purposes and real-life scenarios. Photo taken by 1stLt C. B. Simmons. Defense Department Photo (Marine Corps).

Major General Lewis W. Walt and General Nguyen Chanh Thi attending the inauguration ceremony of the new Chu Lai village in Vietnam. The ceremony took place on September 2, 1965, and marked the four-month anniversary of the arrival of Regimental Landing Team-4. The Marines were tasked with clearing the Viet Cong guerrillas from the area.

Marigny-Montrevil, France-Second tank, after rocket strike on tank in front of it, was backed in narrow lane to its left rear, and then abandoned.

This is a black and white photograph taken in November 1967 during the Vietnam War. It features a group picture of the executive staff of the Fifth Marine Regiment. In the back row, from left to right, are Lt. Col. James S. Hecker, Colonel Robert D. Boir, and Sgt. Maj. Kenneth A. Chiase. In the front row, from left to right, are Lt. Col. Ernest C. Cheatam, Maj. Curtis E. Caudill, Capt. Byron J. Mulherin, Capt. William F. Bell, and Maj. Dicky A. Saye. The photo was taken by the Defense Department.

ROK (Republic of Korea) Marines ride on an amphibian tractor south of Da Nang, Vietnam on November 17, 1968. The vehicle is from the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Company, 1st Marine Division and has a 106 recoilless rifle mounted on top. This photograph was taken by LCpl Don Barr and is from the Defense Department's collection.

Marine Radioman crossing a calm stream, carrying his gear as he moves toward his destination for the night. Located 8 miles Northwest of Danang, this photograph captures a snapshot of the daily activities of the 1st Marine Division on January 14, 1970 during the Vietnam War.

Training Of Depot Troops In Puerto Rico. Troop And Paratroops

Sgt. Joe Ho Blick, a combat photographer with the 3rd Marine Division, captured in an intense moment during the Vietnam War. This image is part of a series shot by Larry Burrows for Time/Life on March 12, 1967. Sgt. F. Lea took this specific photo. Photographer identification: DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS).

Probable radar installations at Alexishafen, Northeast New Guinea. The truck in photograph 3 was probably the power plant for an installation. It was located in an excavation in a side of a hill and camouflaged with a covering of branches from nearby

Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, visits the Dong Ha Orphanage located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Vietnam's I Corps. The orphanage is supported by the civil affairs section of Marine Force Logistic Support Group-Bravo, which provides supplies and assistance to the 3rd Marine Division. This image captures Gen. Walt surrounded by Vietnamese children during his visit in 1969.

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