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American Experience; Vietnam: A Television History: America Takes Charge (1965-67)
05/09/1997
America Takes Charge

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- Series
- American Experience
- Program
- Vietnam: A Television History: America Takes Charge (1965-67)
- Program Number
913 (105)
- Series Description
Premiered October 1988 As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation. Now in its eighteenth season, the series has produced over 180 programs and garnered every major broadcast award. Series release date: 10/1988
- Program Description
When the U.S. advisory effort failed in South Vietnam, the United States took charge of the war. During 1965, the build-up of American forces accelerated, with nearly 200,000 soldiers landing in Vietnam by the end of the year. The soldiers found themselves in a completely foreign land, with a complex Vietnamese culture -- some South Vietnamese villagers defended North Vietnam and the Vietcong; many supported the anti-Communists backed by the United States; and still others belonged to various religious and political factions. This episode of "Vietnam: A Television History" features interviews with several of the soldiers who joined the first U.S. forces in South Vietnam. They recount the confusion they felt in their new environment; the experiences that brought intense anguish, pain and loss; and how, for the first time, American soldiers were questioning their purpose.
- Duration
00:56:46
- Asset Type
Broadcast program
- Media Type
Video
- Genres
- Documentary
- Topics
- History
- Citation
- Chicago: “American Experience; Vietnam: A Television History: America Takes Charge (1965-67),” 05/09/1997, WGBH Media Library & Archives, accessed February 23, 2019, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_7D93398AAFC148A49FD5CBE5E39BF5DC.
- MLA: “American Experience; Vietnam: A Television History: America Takes Charge (1965-67).” 05/09/1997. WGBH Media Library & Archives. Web. February 23, 2019. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_7D93398AAFC148A49FD5CBE5E39BF5DC>.
- APA: American Experience; Vietnam: A Television History: America Takes Charge (1965-67). Boston, MA: WGBH Media Library & Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_7D93398AAFC148A49FD5CBE5E39BF5DC