jan 30, 1968 - The Tet Offensive

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In late January, 1968, during the lunar new year holiday, North Vietnamese and communist Viet Cong forces launched a coordinated attack against a number of targets in South Vietnam. The U.S. and South Vietnamese militaries sustained heavy losses before finally repelling the communist assault.Although a military loss, the Tet Offensive was a stunning propaganda victory for the communists. In fact, it is often credited with turning the war in their favor. The South Vietnamese began to lose influence as Viet Cong guerrillas infiltrated rural areas formerly held by the South Vietnamese government. When North Vietnam captured parts of Saigon and other cities in South Vietnam. It was shocking for Americans because the footage was not censored and it made them realize that they were not winning and it was a big victory for North Vietnam.The Tet Offensive was a big deal because it marked the peak of U.S. involvement in the war. Before then, U.S. forces had been on the ground for more than three years, fighting with South Vietnam's democratic government to try to expel the communist north.

Highlighting History: How "Tet" Began the End of Vietnam > U.S. Department of Defense > Story
Tet Offensive

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