Letters Home from Vietnam Video NotesMany soldiers in Vietnam only felt sane through their writing and receiving lettersPresident Johnson orders Navy to destroy any and all attackers after an American ship isattacked off the coast of VietnamPresident Johnson asked Congress for the power to declare war and take the necessarymeasures to prevent or discourage further aggression towards usVery young and inexperienced boys were sent to VietnamOn March 8, 1965 the first few thousand soldiers were sent to VietnamSoldiers had little with them, mainly just a bar of soap a razor, and the clothes on theirback or soWater wasn’t very good, bugs would eat them alive, elephant grass that cut visibility andcut your skinMany were frustrated that they never saw the enemy, the Viet Cong would set traps,snipe, hide in the trees, etc.Number in Vietnam grew from 25,000 men to 200,000Days are always better than the nights for these soldiersMany were injured/killed beyond recognition, like RankinAt home, tension grew and people were beginning to split—some wanted an end to thewar already
