Dear America: Letters Home From

i 'W?5? :TK^ •JMy ,:*w' T7&& ^r^?\ 'W

STUDY GUIDE

For Students in Grades 10 and up

Photograph courtesy of Dennis Mannion

Project • - B^X" •. Knowledge &. • . •.".•.".•.".•w. I" •".•."."."J •- •-•--•: Introduction For purchasing information about Welcome to HBO Project Knowledge. We thank you for your interest in our "Dear America: Letters Home From programs and welcome your opinions Our aim in making HBO's original Vietnam" or any other HBO Project and suggestions. programs available to schools, Knowledge titles please contact: libraries and institutions is twofold. Synopsis Over the years, we have received Ambrose Video Publishing thousands of requests for the use of "Dear America: Letters Home From 381 Park Avenue South HBO originals in educational settings. Vietnam" is an emotional chronicle of Suite 1601 We are convinced of the educational the Vietnam War told from the point New York, NY 10016 relevance and significance of our of view of the men and women who 1-800-526-4663 programs and of educators' needs for served there. Soldiers' letters home to such materials. We aim to satisfy friends and family tell the story. News those needs. footage, declassified Pentagon archives, home movies and snapshots We also believe that quality programs taken by GIs show the story; the on interesting topics will stimulate firefights, raids and rocket attacks students to observe and to think and seen in the film are real. Popular will encourage responsible citizenship songs from the 1960s and 1970s and promote the formation of opin­ provide a musical history of the era ions. We want students to defend their (see back cover). "Dear America: ideas. We hope to provide a context Letters Home From Vietnam" was co- for learning that both makes sense to written and directed by Bill Couturie students and enthralls while it and co-produced for Home Box Office enlightens. by Couturie and Vietnam veteran Thomas Bird, founder of the Vietnam Study guides such as this one have Veterans Ensemble Theatre Company been designed to help teachers focus (VETCo). It covers the time from the on each program's educational passage of the resolu­ aspects. They also provide students tion in 1964 to the repatriation of with questions and activities that will prisoners of war in 1973. The film is involve them in their learning process based on the book of the same name, while they grapple with difficult edited by Bernard Edelman for the issues. New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial HBO is a young company whose rapid Commission, and was inspired by the growth has resulted from a commit­ design for New York City's Vietnam ment to innovative ways of thinking Memorial. and doing business. We believe in those principles and hope to carry This study guide may be reproduced for educational use. them over to our involvement with the Research assistance and bibliography supplied by June Behrmann, M. Ed., for educational community. KIDSNET, the computerized clearinghouse for information on children's audio, video, radio and television in Washington, D.C

©1988 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved.

HBO Project Knowledge, 1100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 Goals of HBO Project Knowledge •To employ study and research skills says "There is no end to the war in 4. Point out the 17th parallel in Army of the Republic of Vietnam that can apply across the curriculum in sight." Vietnam and identify it as the line (ARVN)—America's ­ the study of important social issues. Day 2—26 minutes that separated North and South ese ally in the war. •To encourage students to develop and Start tape at end of previous day's Vietnam. Tonkin Gulf Resolution—In August, defend their opinions. segment; stop tape after Lyndon 1964 President Lyndon Johnson •To encourage students to watch Johnson says "With American sons Previewing claimed that the U.S. Navy destroyer television critically and evaluate in the field far away, I shall not seek Activities Maddoxwas fired on by North information thoroughly. and I will not accept the nomination Vietnamese boats as it patrolled the •To expand on students' oral and of my party for another term as your Ask students to describe the circum­ Tonkin Gulf. The incident gave written communication skills. president." stances under which Vietnam was President Johnson the opportunity Day 3—31 minutes divided. If students need extra help, to gain support for his policies in Objectives for Showing Start tape at end of previous day's review with them the following terms: Asia; he submitted, and "Dear America" in the segment; play through to end. Geneva Convention—In 1954 dele­ Congress approved, a resolution Classroom gates from nine nations came giving the president broad powers to Background together in Geneva, Switzerland to deploy U.S. forces in Vietnam as he •To provide students with a historical Information devise a peace plan for Indochina. saw fit. and geographical framework to help The Geneva Agreement called for an them understand the context in which Prepare students for the film by providing them with basic knowledge end to hostilities and stated that Using the Time Line the Vietnam War occurred. Vietnam would be divided "tempo­ about the Vietnam war and the events Hand out the time line in this study •To make connections between events rarily" at the 17th parallel to leading up to it. guide before beginning to show surrounding the war and the current separate the Vietnamese and the 1. Discuss with students the long "Dear America" and separate the state of international affairs. French who were struggling to history of conflict in Vietnam. Point class into three groups. Assign one •To help students see the time rela­ control the country. Communist out that British, French, Japanese day of the film, which corresponds tionships between events important to leader Ho Chi Minh would rule the and Chinese forces preceded the to one segment of the time line, to the United States' involvement in the north; French forces and their anti- United States in this region. each group. Have students take Vietnam War and other issues of the communist sympathizers would Remind students that the war notes on the important events, time. gather in the south. Elections were between North and South Vietnam music and the tone of the letters and •To encourage acceptance, understand­ to be held in 1956 to choose a was the result of a struggle brought personal insights of the soldiers as ing and respect for the men and leader who would unify the country. about by different groups vying for the war progresses. Tell students women who served in Vietnam. South Vietnam and the U.S. control of this small, strategically that their notes will be used to •To explore the relationship between declined to sign the agreement: located nation. create an expanded time chart that individual rights and social responsi­ South Vietnam opposed any should include information about the bility. 2. Use a world map to review the division of Vietnam while the U.S. day-to-day lives of American location and geography of Vietnam felt the agreement favored commu­ soldiers in Vietnam along with How to Show the using both distance from the U.S. nist countries. Videotape and latitude and longitude. Have factual information about the war. students identify neighboring National Liberation Front—The The total running time for "Dear Amer­ countries and important waterways political arm of the People's Libera­ See the section labeled Culminating ica" is 1 hour, 25 minutes. Show the including the Red River, tion armed forces, organized by Activities at the back of the study film over three class periods by River, Gulf of Tonkin, South China to emphasize such guide for more information about stopping the tape as described here. Sea and the Gulf of . popular issues as land reform and how this expanded time line may be Day 1—23 minutes 3. Review with students the geograph­ social justice. used to create a Vietnam memorial Start at beginning; stop tape as it ical areas referred to by the terms North Vietnamese Army (NVA)—The for your school. fades to black after Edwin Newman Indochina and . Communist fighting forces of North Vietnam. 05 E -V F T rrt CO CO CD CO LO CD CM •n- 03 CD CD CD CD CO CO -=1- CD C 3 LD CD rz cz n rz O OO CD E OO CD O) CJ C_) LO CM CD C3 C 3 •=3- CO r-~ o tZ 5 o CO CO CO Z3 CC) CO CM C 3 o3 CO C\l •^d- ^ a) r^ r~~ CD H- UJ CO CD 03 CD s? CD LD CNJ CO co" cre CD o CNJ LD o C\J rz *^r •^r co o CO s> q^ M- CD T3 03 > in CD CO O) CD CD 'd- CD u> o d r-~ ^r c-n CO co T— CO > CD CO CI u> CXI t m Cvl C3 CD CD rz ^ CO >* ^»C E CD rz cn o o OO o Z3 CD ca CD CD O CO rz E o oo Q3 CD E rz CD CO O "cO O F > E g X 03 CD C3 03 03 O CD E rz XZ a> CO E CZ > TZi o E > Q- E o T3 E CO CD rz CD CD CVS on CZL > rz "CD "rz £ o > CO CD ^Z ECD CT •> CD c- 03 rz CD o CO O > CO CD •a CO CD CD CD Z3 ro o CZL rz o •""_ o > TZS r•>z > tz CO O cz CD TZi O CO Z3 > O "rz CD cz zs c/> CD E > CD CD XZ CD co Q > CD -Q CO CD CO O o "53 O (Ti rz o rz c_ In: rz UJ H— CO D_ o o o CD CO CD >. rz CO rz rz CO *± rz * Q. o ZD o rz —CD CD 03 CO CD "53 TZS "55 T3 ro "53 •a CD o o CD co o CO CD CD o rz CD F CO To rz O rz rz O oo rz =3 co rz o CZ E rz o CZL O rz o 03 rz to cn "cO "cO CD "CO O CO > o o CD ro CD F o CD O o o CD en rz o T3 o TZS o -a rz rz O rz o rz TZS b rz o CO CZL o Z3 co CO CO Z3 c to o o CO rz :> < CO O o cn O o co CO o o 'o ro to CJ rz CO "O CD CO CJ CO CZ o o CD £1 CD > CD 03 Z3 oo rz E o E CD cz o o "CJ rz o CL rz CO CO rz rz CZL rz to CO X3 03 Q. o CO CO tz o o 03 T3 to CO rz i CO X2 CO F cn CD rz CO CD o CD > o =3 o 'xz =3 Z3 >^ CD CD -a CO 1 _Q o_ 03 E E rz Irz rz rz rz rz CZL rz rz CO CD E F E Q. CD I o 03 o CD rz oo F CD C3 rri C 5 C3 CC3 o o o CD rz rz "E -CD T3 o3 XJ " 5 03 CO CD 03 cn 03 •a rz O "a •a T3 O) •a > Q3 CD CD a CD rn -? O CD CZL Z3 rz CO CO CD CD O CD cz "co CD 'co 03 CZ n ° 03 CO *= o m CD >, 03 CD CO •a •a CD rz CD > CD TZ5 CD CO T3 03 •a E •a -O > CO rz 03 O •a b b o b X3 CD TZi o3 CZ 'cn rz "a rz CD T3 rz co E rz rz CD ro rz TZS o TZS .a TZi CO rz XZ CO cz CD O CCS .rz Z3 Z3 E CD CD TZ5 .rz CD CD Z3 CO CD D CD CD CO "cO CD CD CO oo D rz cn > CO ro 03 Z3 CO CO CO CO od CO 03 CD rz CO XZ) o o o 00 CL Z3 E CO TZi o 03 o oo CO Z3 o ZD 132 CD CO CO Q CO co CD _i£ j*: Q. Z3 CO 1S2 ZD JsT. 5 CO "O CD ZD g s: C/3 o Q. Q3 5 rz rz E co" 5 CO CO CD E co O o 5 UJ CO CO CO CO rz O rz rz CO X3 CO (— CO o rz 'o CO re TZS | CO CD "53 CD Q. CZL CD O CD CO CO m CD rz "a CO rz CO CO ^ s- CD oo CD CZL CD O E o zc •a 03 XZ! "O C/3 -r "cO CD 5 ° CO "CD -a CD CO CO CD rz CD> o CD CD CD CO o O CD CL CD XD > CD CD 'co rz C/3 CD > OO CO > Q_ Q TZ3 F rz 5 rz T3 CD cn CT> rz rz CD O >, o t- CD CO CD CD r •» C_ VT rz CD CD CJ CO -CZ CD ixC o rz rz o CD o F r-" _) C O cz O —( i3 o f CO F F =3 to cz rz CO rz 03 Z3 O D> F CD X CO =3 ) > cn ro o CO = CD O o CD CO CO o CZL CO OO CO rz OJ CD C E CD co CO "^ rz o to rz co 2! Q. XZ ^z rz CJ CZL 03 CD CD O CO CD CD 03 "cO CD TZJ -3 'oo o co E CD ZD CD rz CD "aj >• "zZS •a o3 CD .2 'cn CD -a CD rz Z3 rz "rz rz o cz tz- rz CD O OO CO CD CO ^Z! CO cn Z3 O XZ 1 —i O CO m CO CZ m T3 o CO F o o F > ro Q_ CO rz tz CZ CO o _a rz CZL CO T3 CD xz> -CD -a >i t CD F TZS CO XZ F CO rz F CO CD E CO CD a) 1 1 CD CD CD CD T3 CD CO CO JO 3F CD < oo CO CO O O CD 03 rz i»- O -Q g rz O CO o CJ Z3 O CO O "3 CD od CO CD E C/3 CD CI CD o> o O o on CD as 03 X CD cn "a CD O) m E ."^CJ) o o> o r- LO­ 5? Ll_ i— 1 CO CD l- Q_ 5= Q_ CZ i— T— LL. o h- rz K- Q J3? OQ_l< ZLt^ "* CXI < CJ) Q. Q Q- O S O S Q _J s; to Q _l

CD recn CO •a CZL D CD oo OJCD CNJ as CD CD CD LO ^J o rz co re CO CO rz o OJ CO o CL CD CD CO CD CO 03 O O CO CD x5 to CD T3 T3 53."^ CO C\J LO ro CD CD LO LO CD CD co 1_ ^3- 1_ r-- co" b i<: rz o. O0 CO CO CD & CNJ o CO oo co .:= E >-03 ±rei E XZ! CD .32 re> OO c > CO E -SEE E Q. E CZL re o co o .92 rO O CO = *= as CD > F F F rz F £= 2 rrez Z3 ro rr> CO on 03 O CD r~ r.. [ aj c~ CO rz CD CD CD ^> oj CD ^> CO > c3 1 j» j*: xz ZD re P re o re > > > > ° re co JZ: o § °-o CD rz 03 03 CD QJ CD C rz cz rz Z3 CZ 03 co •= o ^ rz .co o CJ rz E O CO r- 03 rz O C3 CD .^ 1— "re CO re E re OO re "53 TZi CO "53 CO "53 o "53 ro D) CD CD cz CD TZ5 CD T3 CD TZ! C/3 ,j>» E CO rz rz rz rz rz rz "I = o li: rz CD 03 CD >, o o o CJ m ^ CO _ ;>E F ro CO b CJ •a TD o as re o ror z o cz o a rz rrj o rz CO CD o TZ3 D T3 O o ""> X2 o o o o CD O o rz ao 2 C ) _re CO to rz aj CL CD CO T3 ^> JZ: .-^> _o TD g.°- =j & ° r/o Qre CL c_ E CL c_ CL rz rz O CD CD x: CD CO CD > Q_ CD -CrO _o 03 o re CD re 'co O o re i—i i— CO 0SJ0 re CD O CD o CD rz CD CD E D rz CD rz rz ST cz rz rz 4= "^ = ° re • r>o , ro > ro O 0J C J « S rz o rn CO ra­ TD CO CO CO S.CDf i T3 1 •a TZi r- T3 CO rO T3 cn^2 .td CD LO ro CO g» " CD CD CD CD CD O rz CO cz rz CZ rz co o T3 co TZi T3 cn rz co^ = I o c5 E 03 = CL -> E re o O 03 E CZ CD E "E "^ ^ "2 TTJ rz O TZ! TZi rz rz TD CZ 03 *-' > rz "^ 03 'CO XZ L^ rerz CO X3 xz cn O D » -^ CD Z3 CD D CD Z3 _CD Z3 CD F od •e CO to oo o CD CO 52 co CO CO 03 c: - H rz o "> a> a. T3 rz o o rz o E rz o o CO rz o « g" CQ t ' — (- rz "o 03 o ZD 132 o ZD 132 ZD 132 "o ZD 132 00 tz rz 5 o 5 CD re CD CO o a: -a E CO = o ¥> «= CO CO 1 | 1 rz o Q CO XD. o CD CD > "- F n (/) r H> CO • rz O o o J CO T3 *j ZD 1 LO CD o XZ o > re cn cn CO CD CD ^ — (— CO re CD F CD CD •g = oo re o cn re xz.92 ^ 3> O) o rz rz *) CO co rz OQT3 rr* CD 1 CD CD o CD CD tz o JZJ rei5 ; CD re rz o ^i 2 >,03 ^ —3 , CD rz Q rz la > CD CD CO 03 C3 o 03 Sz OD ^Jz CO -^ X3 E re 3 rz rz E => to E F Z3 b CO o 03 T3 CO E o rz r-n o rz CO 03 4-> —J re ^3 CD o "Es o o CD CO s cn CJ El x: co E CoJ CO co XD CO CO CO rz rz CD CD CD P •= •S 2 rn n re co CO E rz CD o :*: rz CD TZ) H T3 a) +J F £i$ a •w re ^ > rz a> CD cz CD I— QJ 0J •SzS CD CO CO E CD CD E d a) r. re co rz rz XD b X3 CO rz X3 .S2 co 03 CD rz o rz C3 > CO C ) 05 CO A" CO CD XZ 03 T3 T3 rz n F F CD F >re ^ CJ c?-°-3 zzi _C2 . Q_ CO TZi .y o F — o -^ co C J CO c) CO C J CD C J CO IO CO CJ ^ c r„ i) 2^ CwO <>J CD CD h- CO to tt •- cu S m LO CD O) Z3 CD CD CD O 03 cn J= xz i- o> CD CD CO EF "a >cSn "§ 3 F o cn o a> fes ca in* o cn 5 cn o»S.ooo £ Q_ o ZD CD Ll_ co o CT»< Q LJ S CD 1- CD I— Q_ i- CD xz ZD CC CQ ZD Q CD i- Er>.EQ-r >< re i— •_ ll <-: "^ The Role of Presidents Have students describe the role of "not to send American boys nine or population from peasants to mer­ Calley was granted a parole by Presi­ each president who served during the ten thousand miles away from home chants to soldiers; organized by Ho dent Nixon and was released from time the U.S. was involved in conflict to do what Asian boys ought to be Chi Minh in 1941 to resist foreign prison after serving three years of a with Vietnam. Use the following doing." Oversaw escalation of U.S. invaders. twenty-year sentence. information to guide the discussion. war effort in Vietnam. Chose not to seek re-election in 1968 in wake of Bao Dai—Emperor of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh Trail—Name given to 1925-45. Went into exile after abdi­ overland supply route from North to HarryS Truman—1945-53 war's growing unpopularity. South Vietnam. The "trail" was 250 Began supplying aid for France's war cation of throne to communists. miles long, ran through and in Vietnam in 1950 in his policy of Richard M. Nixon—1969-74 Picked by the French in 1949 to included roads, paths, streams and "containment" that aimed to stop the Served two terms as vice-president head the government they had rivers down which supplies could be spread of communism at its current under Eisenhower, defeated for created to rival the Vietminh; ousted moved. boundaries; by 1954 the U.S. was presidency by Kennedy in 1960. in 1955. Conducted withdrawal of troops from paying approximately 75% of Ho Chi Minh—President of North Tet Offensive—A carefully coordi­ France's military costs in Indochina. Vietnam and transfer of combat operations to South Vietnamese army Vietnam, 1945-69. Founder of In- nated, surprise attack launched on (called "Vietnamization") while dochinese Communist Party, he January 31,1968 by seventy thou­ Dwight D. Eisenhower—1953-61 conducting military operations proclaimed Vietnam's independence sand North Vietnamese and Viet- Continued U.S. commitment to against communist strongholds in from France in 1945, leading to war cong troops against every major Vietnam. Supported France's and Laos. Resigned from until the French defeat in 1954 at South Vietnamese city and town. Vietnam involvement with money and office after being implicated in the Dienbienphu. He led the resistance Violating a truce agreed to in honor advisors but would not send troops; Watergate scandal; pardoned of any to U.S. forces and was recognized of the lunar new year (called Tet), it was concerned about the area's wrongdoing by President Ford. as the leader of Vietnam by China shifted the war from rural settings to resources and communist expansion. andtheU.S.S.R. cities and towns. Official reports that In 1954 he said, "The loss of Indo­ the enemies' well-laid plans went china will cause the fall of Southeast Important People Ngo Dinh Diem—Installed by the U.S. afoul clashed with television images Asia like a set of dominoes." and Events as leader of South Vietnam, of carnage, alarming many and 1954-63. His regime was consid­ serving to weaken faith in govern­ JohnF. Kennedy—1961-63 Review these terms with students to ered repressive and corrupt. ment reports on the war. Maintained United States military help familiarize them with the people Refusing to hold elections or adopt presence in Vietnam established and events of the Vietnam War. other reforms, Diem was assassi­ Khe Sanh—Site of U.S. military nated by his own generals in No­ outpost on South Vietnam's under Eisenhower administration and General William Westmoreland— vember, 1963. northern border; under siege for sent first Green Beret advisors to Commander of United States forces over two months during Tet South Vietnam; did not envision the in Vietnam, 1965-68. A target for My Lai—South Vietnamese village Offensive, making it the longest massive buildup that was to occur criticism of unsuccessful U.S. military where hundreds of civilians were American-fought battle of the war. under President Johnson. Assassi­ strategy, he recommended substan­ killed by U.S. troops in March, 1968. nated in Dallas on November 22, tial buildup of U.S. troop support in In 1971 Lt. William Calley was 1963. Vietnam and was accused of falsify­ convicted of premeditated murder in ing reports to President Johnson for connection with what came to be Lyndon B. Johnson—1963-69 the purpose of justifying requests for known as the My Lai Massacre. Elected vice-president in 1960, additional overseas forces. assumed presidency after Kennedy's assassination. Re-elected in 1964 Vietminh—Nationalist movement after campaigning with the pledge composed of a cross section of the CO CO CO CO CO CO CD = cz O "E'CDO CO O CO I H— CD CD.E -a .E •a > CD "> — CO bCZz CD° CD CO B o CO OD CD • 1 CO °-co .E o -a O CD H-- 1ZZ OD CO CD CO & o OD — O CD o cz 4-> O) H—• CO CD CD cz co OD XZ XZ CD a)^S ^ CD H—I CO Oc0-oC0cD.Z?O -1—" C>O OD M Q.ECDcD°O0s-CD A—1 cz cz CO H—1 xz -o o CD XZ KJ -xz; '•= CO CO ^COcOoOf-CDs-Q. a> 00 0 CD CO .z? CO CO Zt OO Z3 ort ^ = "Z7 CO Z3 CO 'o CZ CO -a *— o OO CD cz .E O CD ll'cD.ooiz? 0°2 CD 00 CD ^1 O -Q •7=co: CO CD T3 o Ta-° E cz > o^ CO Z3 CD CD OD co >, XZ cz a> CD ao cz OD ^ •O H— CO _Q E £ co » jl cz >,T: D +—> ^ "E 7 > cz o s^-o" CO CD ZD CD O CD CD- CC »— -4—' '- E tD CO •£ O -Q o CD ~ O O O 'ca >> O) a>iz CO CD O) CD Q_ CO XD "== j= .22 CD c5 °co-ao Z3 z§ cCO: ^c=o= o v_ CO a> •s CO cz o CO CO "> cz O CO ___ Z3 i_ CD CO O CD "co E'E CZ coo^cgEotsg CO XZ > CO CO xz |a -1—> XZ CD O o a CO 0 o a- o o XZ "-4—> CD ^ ^ 7^-t= = CO r_T ^cz cz o ° CD ^ z5 •*-" o CO co-i= cz o_oo^75^r ,_ CO CD O -t-j o CDCOC5.1_JCZCZX.Z2 co" CD CZ CZ CD "^ ^ 0 o .22 -o H—' s ZD CD cz >CD CO 1ZZ CD- Z3 CD- O O =5 H— 1— *—' tz. ZZl CZ -4—• ^^ CD o O err co o E CD § CO I- i— H—1 H—' Si—° Ei^Qrzz 1—1^ CD CD"H i+r5 :"£ c! o E > CO ao- Oo o •as \% ^*> CD -1—• CD ZD CD O £r CD • -a CO 0 E -t—• 8 Zi ^. CD O) CD CO c^ •a f/r co >— "o -cz — CO O CD- CD CO CO O^ r>» 22 ^ { r} Z3 -i—1 CD cz CD O O CD fz? CD -4—< > - z> • • CD -i—• ZJ «-( CD- -•—• c O cz CD "0 cz ^Z CD- >- CO viz , CD to CD XZ CO CD s— CD O- 4—> 4—i CJ +_, C 4_> CZ CD JO T3 cz E5 CO •a •4—> •+-• -1— CO CD • — OD CD -o .b= ^ £2 o3- 2^ S ° CO CD ° -2 52 to Orzz g XD Z3 CO CO D>* CDODpCO-cjCCc/f z5 > >-E .E CD •+=; CD CD CD += CD >, CO Urn CZ J?D -a > o i-cD.Eir;,s_— cz CO O CO CO CO — CO ^"c^-r cz-- ^lE O z5 cz "> O S £> o sS co-5 CO 00^ -£>o CD CD c E co -^ CO CZ O CD -CZ O CO CD P OD ^ E CO 2 "co CD > O) ^=J -cz cz _ O -a CD > CD O) -a -C^ 05 CD =3 cCoO >o •= cz 2 *= •— cz • cz -a E53 l? CO 0 0 CD > iL. CD CD CO JZ: O .z? O !z2 ao E CD- XD o> CD CD CO 0 ^ xz H—• IS CD CO CD CO O -4—> CO > OO CO O > ® CD s— O CO O) "O ^ h= °^° -C2 ^— o E -4—» CD •r~, CD .4—1 CO E CO cz -p •a XD CO 2 0-Drtc — OO CD CD — CO CD O -O s_ -4-- -C= +ZJ CD n-> CZ >, <—1 00 " E CZ CNJ M— CO ,_ co CD CZ .22 CD •_o o> jE co XD o. E - g3 CD ^~ o wcz •*- i— CZ CZ CO TZ3 CD CD O CO r- >CD 0 -L "c-cz '-— cz +- -o = -cz •— > O CD XZ >~i CD - CO .^ co Z3 O -^-, CO co rz: cO ^ CO - cO CD -1—' -CZ o ^ CZ >p a> co> xz CO ^ +- CD •a CZ CD CDxZCDcDCO'^COcj) H—• -4—" E E CD CD OD Q3 CO 0c z >, > CO r: £ co g g-.22 -o z5 « CD cz CD x5 O CO < z5 CZ $ -^ CO gT3 OD OD g+zi^^ CO— 2 O- CO « > E 1 O ZD CZ O CD to CO E CO cz CD =» ^2< ^Oiz?^ Q. E L- CO CO 0 O 3 0 cz xz CO *-' 0 CD CD CD 0 CO E CD co" CO -4—> .,_, CO CD r^-izjcD'a — ^^ O) TD D» M o_ CD- T:3 > CD H— O _CO O 1— ±iCDi CD "a XD CZ O ZD CD CO "ao Si5^E £2co'co "cO 0 CD CD co CO a^"cZ^ CO— CD CD = O co — O i__ C ao XZ \ c •S.E CD Z3 -^ O CD *C~Z CD OO CD CD •*—• CO XZ - C—D T-bzto>xzco-Q Z3 D- CZ CD CZ -— .z? O .=? CO CD C>D CO C>D, CD XZ xz O CZL O CD O cc co >x: rOZdJoj-ZZ CZ CO CO ZD O _OCO-Q= OQ.Q- < 0 -a 0 > xz CD CO A—> O o CZ "> x0z CO XD CD cz CO CO 0 !z? 0 0" -a CO "CD >> CD E Z3 "0 xz 0 •a CO "CO "ZD S •*—> -a "> "cz I CO CD O a- CD TD CD CD CD co 8? CC iz ±= Discussion and Activities Culminating Activities National Office of Vietnam if Indochina was ruled by the Veterans of America, Inc. Vietminh? Time Line 2001 S St. N.W., Suite 700 3. What was President Johnson's • Have students create an expanded end of the war to the present. Use Washington, D.C. 20009-1125 "Great Society"? How did it affect time chart based on their notes on news reports and articles to (202)332-2700 his policy-making in Vietnam? "Dear America" and the time line in research what has happened in Or 4. How did the "climate of protest" this study guide. The time chart Vietnam since the United States Call your local veterans' service created by the civil rights move­ may be used as part of a class or withdrew combat troops. organization, usually listed under ment affect antiwar demonstra­ school memorial to honor Amer­ • Finally, students should analyze United States Government Offices in tions? ica's Vietnam veterans and to your white pages. 5. What was the Tet Offensive? Why remember this vitally important current news reports to see why and where Vietnam appears in the was it considered a turning point in period in America's recent past. 2. Help students prepare for the the Vietnam war? The memorial should include the news today. Have students answer session by encouraging them to questions such as: Why is Vietnam 6. Research General William time chart display with artwork formulate questions about the ex­ Westmoreland's role as the leader created by students to illustrate compared to Central America? periences of the veteran before, What has happened in Cambodia in of U.S. forces in Vietnam. Why their perceptions about the war. during and after the war. Sample was he considered a controversial recent years? questions: In addition to the expanded time leader? What were some of his key chart and student artwork, encour­ Critical Review • Were you drafted or did you decisions and directives? age students to include presenta­ • Assign a student or students to enlist? Did your family and 7. Vietnam was America's longest tions that include transcripts of write a review of "Dear America: friends support your decision? war. Despite President Nixon's news reports, music recordings, Letters Home From Vietnam" for • How much did you know about campaign pledge to bring an "hon­ posters and magazine articles their school or town newspaper. Vietnam before you went? What orable peace" to the area, combat was going on there when you troops remained in place for five about the war. Oral History arrived? years after his election. Why did it • Have students conduct interviews Reports based on the following • When did you serve? What was take Nixon so long to pull out of with extended family members to assignments may be included in the your position and your location? Vietnam? Research the Nixon see how the Vietnam war affected display: What kind of weapon did you use? presidency and his role in bringing their family. Students should look • Did you experience difficulty the war to a close. • Separate the class into three in to who served in or protested returning to the U.S.? Describe groups to investigate turning points against the war, and interview 8. What is Agent Orange? What your experiences after the war. in the Vietnam war. Assign the family members about their atti­ special circumstances of the battle at Dienbienphu to the first tudes toward the conflict. Have • Would you do it again? Would you Vietnam war called for its use? group, the Tonkin Gulf incident to students present the results of want your son to serve in the What effect is it having on veter­ the second and the Tet Offensive to these "oral histories" with taped armed forces? ans' lives today? 9. How did the system of twelve­ the third. Have students research interviews and photographs of Essay Questions and Assignments the incidents and the way in which family members during the late month individual tours of duty they were reported. Groups can 1950s through the early 1970s. 1. How did North Korea's invasion of increase feelings of isolation present the information to the class South Korea in 1950 affect President among combat troops fighting in in the form of news reports or Classroom Speaker Truman's policy-making decisions in Vietnam? How does it compare to articles using maps, diagrams and 1. Invite a Vietnam veteran to address Southeast Asia? the battle strategies used in photographs. your class and answer questions 2. What did President Eisenhower previous wars? about the war. To contact a veteran mean when he said Southeast Asia • Have students create a Vietnam in your area, call or write: would fall "like a set of dominoes" time line for the period from the

12 13 Bibliography The Music of "Dear America" Caputo, Philip. A Rumor of War. Karnow, Stanley. Vietnam. New York: Each of these songs appears on the soundtrack of "Dear America: Letters Home New York: Ballentine Books, 1978. Viking Press, 1983. A monumental From Vietnam." Have students find out when each song was popular and plot it on An ex-Marine officer reflects on his analysis of the Vietnam War. their expanded time chart. Students may prepare a musical presentation entitled 16 months in Vietnam; awarded the "Music of the Vietnam Era" for the class or to be presented upon the opening of Pulitzer Prize. Kovic, Ron. Born on the 4th of July. your school's Vietnam memorial. New York: Pocket Books, 1977. A "Gimme Shelter" Center for Social Studies Education, wounded Marine sergeant's reflec­ "Are You Experienced?" Rolling Stones Jerold M. Starr, Director. The Lessons tions on his experiences in Vietnam. The Jimi Hendrix Experience of the Vietnam War. Pittsburgh: "Going to a Go-Go" Center for Social Studies Education, Lopes, Sal. The Wall. New York: "Back in the USA" I Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 115 Mayfair Drive, Pittsburgh, PA Collins Publishers, Inc., 1987. An MC5 15228, (412) 341-1967. A comprehen­ evocative photographic essay on "Grace" sive high school and college curricu­ Washington, D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans "The Beat Goes On" Country Joe and the Fish lum on the Vietnam War. Memorial. Sonny and Cher "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" Edelman, Bernard, ed. Dear America: Summers, Harry Jr.. Vietnam War "Blue Christmas" is Bob Dylan Letters Home From Vietnam. New Almanac. New York: Facts on File, Elvis Presley York: Pocket Books, 1985. A collec­ 1985. An authoritative source book on "I Shall Be Released" tion of very personal letters from the military, political, diplomatic and "Born in the USA" The Band soldiers, nurses, and other personnel social aspects of the Vietnam War by Bruce Springsteen in Vietnam. a colonel who is a combat infantry "No Expectations" veteran of Korea and Vietnam. "A Change is Gonna Come" Rolling Stones Emerson, Gloria. Winners and Losers: Sam Cooke Battles, Retreats, Gains, Losses and Terry, Wallace. Bloods: An Oral "Once I Was" Ruins From a Long War. New York: History of the Vietnam War by Black "Eighteen" Tim Buckley Random House, 1977. A report on the Veterans. New York: Random House, Alice Cooper effects of Americans on the Vietnam­ 1984. Twenty black soldiers talk about "Signed D.C." ese and the effects of the Vietnam their experiences in Vietnam and their "Family Affair" Love War in America. difficulty readjusting to civilian life. Sly and the Family Stone "Silent Night" Herr, Michael. Dispatches. New York: "Five to One" The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Avon, 1988. Personal commentary The Doors Orchestra and memorable stories from Esquire magazine's Vietnam correspondent. "Fortunate Son" "Under the Boardwalk" Creedence Clearwater Revival The Drifters "For What It's Worth" The Indochina Institute publishes teaching "Walk Like a Man" Buffalo Springfield materials, posters and a newsletter on The Four Seasons "Who's Doing What in the Field" of Vietnam-era events and the life of the "What's Going On?" generation. Write to: „ f Marvin Gaye The Indochina Instititute George Mason University "Wipe Out" Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. The Surfaris

14 15