Have You Heard About Hue,Vietnam and The TET Offensive?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 14:27:29 -0400

In 1968 The City Of Hue,Vietnam was attacked by the NVA and Viet Cong during Vietnams TET seasons. Normally during TET, it was pretty calm. But not in the TET year of 1968. The Marines fought hard and won the battle, but at the loss of a lot of lives, enemy, civilian, and American Marines. Several reasons they won were because they were physically and mentally fit. They were a team. Nobody was disobedient, and followed orders, and protected their buddies back.

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES ARE GRAPHIC AND SAD.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13476480@N07/ [login to see] /in/photostream/

U1586254

13 Mar 1968, Hue, South Vietnam --- Children Trip Viet Cong Mine. Hue, South Vietnam: Two miles south of here March 9th, a group of Vietnamese children accidentally tripped a Viet Cong mine meant to blow up vehicles carrying 82nd Airborne troops into Hue. Here a member of the 82nd stands near site of the blast while Vietnamese woman in foreground tries to aid her husband injured by mine fragments. A number of the children also were seriously...

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 8 at 2015 2:49 PM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 08 May 2015 14:49:28 -0400

Yes Sir.

Hue was, as I understand it, the bloodiest Urban Combat since WWII, and where supposedly a famous saying came from a leader who said words to the effect of we had to destroy the city in order to save it.

Tet was the clear (psychological) turning point in the war. Although we were surprised, we crushed and quickly turned back the widespread offensives.... It turned US popular opinion completely against the administration and the war. We lost whatever national we had remaining, is critical to military success. Tet was the beginning of the end.

Many many tactical victories (I am told we won every battle), but in the end, strategically, we failed to meet our war aims.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 8 at 2015 2:50 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 08 May 2015 14:50:45 -0400

Ah Tet!
Forecast
Light to medium AK-47 fire in the morning with chance of RPG in the late afternoon and early evening.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made May 8 at 2015 3:03 PM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 08 May 2015 15:03:22 -0400

Thanks SGT I hadn't heard of Hue, but thanks for sharing it! I'm up to learning anything else that you might think advantageous.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 8 at 2015 5:11 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 08 May 2015 17:11:58 -0400

Wasn't Hue the main subject of the last half of Full Metal Jacket?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 10:07 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 22:07:58 -0400

I am reading 'The Cat From Hue'. Outstanding read.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made May 10 at 2015 10:15 PM

LTC Gavin Heater — Sun, 10 May 2015 22:15:38 -0400

The Vietnam War ran in the background of my life as a child in CA and NY. Relatives would come and go and Walter Cronkite updated is nightly. I learned more about these battles in High School and College.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 10 at 2015 10:25 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sun, 10 May 2015 22:25:59 -0400

Nowaday we stick together, back then mostly you on your own type of thing. As far as i know, Tet mean new year.

Response by MAJ Allen Tiffany made May 10 at 2015 10:46 PM

MAJ Allen Tiffany — Sun, 10 May 2015 22:46:34 -0400

Actually I have... In fact, just published a novel about actions around Dak To shortly before Tet '68. There is a short reference to the Marines at Hue in the novel, and the vicious fight going on there during Tet.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V6WXVF2

It is free via Kindle Unlimited, so would be happy to hear your thoughts on it if you are interested.

Amazon.com: Youth In Asia: The Vietnam War's 1968 Tet Offensive in The Central Highlands: Young...

Amazon.com: Youth In Asia: The Vietnam War's 1968 Tet Offensive in The Central Highlands: Young men will change. Some will die. eBook: Allen Tiffany: Kindle Store

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 11 at 2015 6:53 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 11 May 2015 18:53:49 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member . I have a friend (and a Pastor) who fought at the battle of Hue City. He was wounded three times in a single day during the battle. We was a a young PFC at the time with H Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. He promised God if he survived that battle he would serve him the rest of his life. He has kept his word.

Attached is a picture of him after being wounded the first time. This image was first released in a book about Hue City (forget the exact title) many years ago.

It was a hell of a fight, which we won, but you would have never known it the way it played here in the press.

I did not mention his name as I do not have his permission but this photo is widely available on the web and has his name and the Corpsman's name that is with him.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 5:59 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 05:59:00 -0400

I also have AFTER TET

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 12 at 2015 12:28 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:28:04 -0400

I have.