Resources
Pursue your interest in Vietnam history and services further by using the extensive list of resources below.
Across the Nation, Americans are uniting to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. This is the main focus of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration—a national 50th anniversary commemoration.
GOLD STAR ORGANIZATIONS & FAMILY RELATED TOPICS
American Gold Star Mothers (AGSM). An organization to connect and support Gold Star Mothers & Families.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Caring for the families of fallen heroes.
Gold Star Children Organization that raises awareness about American children survivors whose mothers or fathers were killed or died while serving in the United States military.
National Gold Star Family Registry. Comprehensive database of the United States’ fallen soldiers.
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. Preserve and enhance benefits to surviving United States military spouses and their children.
Honor and Remember To perpetually recognize the sacrifice of America’s fallen military service members and their families.
Military Families United National coalition of Blue Star, Gold Star, next of kin, veterans, and patriotic American families to honor the fallen, support those who fight, and serve their families.
No Greater Love Foundation Provide the nation’s military and their families with opportunities to recover from the stress and physical hardships of protecting and serving America.
Sons & Daughters in Touch (SDIT) All-volunteer, national support organization committed to uniting the Gold Star sons and daughters of American servicemen who were killed, or who remain missing, as a result of the Vietnam War.
Gary Sinise Foundation Serves the nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
Wounded Warrior Project Honors an empowers wounded warriors.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. The Gold Star Mothers’ website provides an incredible wealth of information about more than 70 related service organizations with descriptions and links to their individual web pages. Many of the organizations listed provide extensive resources beyond the support offered by AGSM.
PRISONER OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION (POW/MIA)
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) Conducts global search, recovery, and laboratory operations to identify unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts.
National League of POW/MIA Families Account as fully as possible for American Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action, as well as other US personnel still unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War and wars and conflicts further past, thus ending the uncertainty of their families.
Rolling Thunder Educate, facilitate, and never forget by means of a demonstration for service members that were abandoned after the Vietnam War.
Run for the Wall (RFTW) Annual motorcycle ride from California to Washington, DC.
Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency Provide the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel to their families and the nation.
PeaceTreesVietnam.org Removing dangerous explosives, returning land to safe use, promoting peace and cultivating a brighter future for the children and families of Vietnam.
Mines Advisory Group Vietnam Works to reduce the risk of landmines and unexploded bombs and release land to support socio-economic development.
VIETNAM WAR MEMORIALS
Vietnam Women’s Memorial Honors the women who risked their lives to serve their country.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Never forget those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War.
Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall A 3/5 scale reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. Purpose to help heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their hometown who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.
The Virtual Wall Brings the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to one’s home to help remember the sacrifices of the fallen and their families.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Registry Enables veterans across the world to locate fellow Vietnam Veterans and of course, connect their stories with those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund In Memory Program Honors those who died from Agent Orange and Vietnam War related causes after return.
US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The US Department of Veterans Affairs offers access to a wide range of services offered by the Veterans Administration.
VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS
The American Legion To enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.
Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) To foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families.
Paralyzed Veterans of America PVA uses its expertise to be the leading advocate for quality health care for members, research and education, benefits and civil rights that maximize independence.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Fosters camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Promotes and supports the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and change public perception of Vietnam veterans.
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Enhance and accredit the cohesiveness, esprit de corps, and traditions of valor of rotary wing aircrews that flew in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam Era.
1st Cavalry Division Association (1CDA) Mission: to preserve old friendships and conduct periodic reunions.
82d Airborne Association To further develop the bond between current and past airborne forces of the US military.
VN Dog Handlers Association Unites veteran war dog handlers and honor the memory of their war dog partners.
Honor Flight Network Honor Flight is a national network of independent hubs working together to honor our nation’s veterans with an all-expense paid trip to the memorials in Washington, D. C., a trip many veterans may not otherwise be able to take.
15th Medical Battalion Association Promotes goodwill and brotherhood among our membership, their families, all veterans, and military men and women presently serving in the United States of America.
VIETNAM WAR PODCASTS
Cherries Writer Vietnam See what war is like and how it affects our warriors.
Declassified – Michael Coates Welcome, I’m Michael Coates, a former firefighter and also a former soldier. This podcast documents amazing stories from members of the military community. Our guests include Military Cross winners, athletes, partners of those who have served, high ranking commanders and ‘normal’ veterans who have gained extraordinary experiences. By declassifying stigmas and perceptions, we wish to open issues around mental fitness and wellbeing, talk in depth around subjects such as post traumatic growth and delve into human development on a micro level. Our long-term vision is to provide hope, guidance, support and help for individuals who are suffering from both mental and physical illness or injury.
Don’t Give Up the Ship A podcast for the leadership development of all military personnel and veterans.
Echoes of the Vietnam War (VVMF) Even after 50 years, the impact of the Vietnam War echoes across generations. Hear stories of service and sacrifice from people who are affected — veterans, their families, and others who add perspective to those experiences. Brought to you by the nonprofit that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, “The Wall,” in Washington, DC.
Jan Scruggs Vietnam War Stories Jan Scruggs is founder of the nation’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Vietnam War Stories are a way to discuss military service and the Memorial. Hear inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles from veterans. Each did what was asked of them by the nation – risking their lives. The effort for the Memorial had its beginning in his study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder while getting a master’s degree from American University. Scruggs continues to monitor the societal, spiritual, and other impacts of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. He is Chairman of the Selective Service National Appeals Board and a Member of the District of Columbia Bar Association.
Lead On: Lessons from Military Leaders Learn lessons from past and present military leaders. Lead On is a podcast meant to share the experiences, life lessons, and leadership advice from military leaders so you can learn from them and apply those lessons to your life.
Lions Led By Donkeys A military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict.
Mentors for Military Real People, Real Talk. Imagine a bunch of veterans sitting around a room with their favorite beverages and a topic guaranteed to lead down a rabbit hole. Grab a chair and join in on awesome conversations. Our hosts are military veterans, and our guests are real people with a story to share.
Military Veterans Veterans talk about their stories and their experiences.
Mind of the Warrior Since the dawn of time there has existed an elite warrior class. Those with the courage and the will to achieve victory have always set themselves apart. Today, these warriors can be found not only on the modern battlefield, but also in the sports arena, in the boardroom, and in the classroom. Join Doctor Mike Simpson, former Special Forces Operator and highly regarded expert on both combat trauma and combat sports medicine as he takes you inside the Mind of The Warrior.
NAAFI Break (Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes) Leaving the uniform behind, we speak to Military veterans who have left the services and have forged successful second careers. Showcasing the value of the training and development the military gave them and how it shaped their life, helping them succeed in the transition from the military to civilian life. Insight, inspiration, and honesty from the veterans we speak to.
Napalm in the Morning Two Historians DIVE DEEP on films about the war(s) in Vietnam. Laughs and historical analysis await!
New Books in Military History Interviews with Scholars of Military History about their new books.
SOFREP Radio (Special Operations Forces Report) ON TIME, ON TARGET: Special operations military news and straight talk with the guys in the community. Hosted by former military operators. As seen ranked #1 in Apple Podcasts government category.
The American War A podcast guide to “The Vietnam War,” the new documentary from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. Washington Post opinion columnist Alyssa Rosenberg breaks down each episode of the film with Burns and Novick themselves, getting the story behind the stories, and grappling with the lessons the United States learned – and failed to learn – in Vietnam and at home. Listen after you watch each episode of “The Vietnam War” for a new perspective on how the film was made and what it all means.
The History Network.org History podcasts specialists.
Tracking Our History Vietnam is now part of history. This podcast brings to life the actual experiences of tank crewmen who spent a “lifetime” in Vietnam. It seeks to show the significance of our contributions and those of all tank crewmen to the war effort we now call The Vietnam War.
Warriors in Their Own Words The unsensitized truth of what we have asked of those who defend this nation. From archived tapes of WWI veterans to conversations with modern-day warriors, these are their stories, in their own words.
DIGITAL AND PRINT MEDIA
Vietnam Firsthand accounts of firefights.
Army Digest Official US Army publication.
Stars & Stripes Provides first-hand reporting from bases around the world.
Redstone Rocket Official installation newspaper for the U.S. Army Garrison – Redstone Arsenal located in Huntsville, Alabama.
Saber Association Newspaper of the 1st Cavalry Division.
Paraglide Association newspaper of the 82d Airborne Division.
Vietnam Veterans of America Magazine Association magazine.
PRIMARY SOURCE INFORMATION
Vietnam War National Archives Photographs, textual, and other records from the National Archives related to Vietnam diplomacy, in country, the home front, and post-conflict events.
The Virtual Vietnam Archive and Sam Johnson Archive at Texas Tech University Huge archive of mostly personal items from the war, including documents, photographs, slides, negatives, oral histories, artifacts, moving images, sound recordings.
Vietnam Veterans History Project: Vietnam War Personal accounts, photos, letters, and recordings of American veterans of the Vietnam War.
Antiwar and Radical History Project Hundreds of photographs and documents cataloguing the history of protest and activism against war–particularly, the Vietnam War–among students, soldiers, and citizens.
RECOMMENDED VIETNAM REFERENCE BOOKS
Vietnam War Bibliography
A compilation of hundreds of books, articles, and dissertations by Edwin Moise, professor of history at Clemson University.
Caputo, Philip. A Rumor of War: The Classic Vietnam Memoir (40th Anniversary Edition). New York: Picador, 2017.
Danziger, Jeff. Lieutenant Dangerous: a Vietnam War Memoir. Hanover: Steelfourth Press, 2021.
Downs, Frederick Jr. The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War. Reissue edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2007.
French, Albert. Patches of Fire: A Story of War and Redemption. New York, 1998.
resources • 2009 Halberstam, David. The Best and the Brightest. New York: Ballantine Books, 1993.
Henderson Gary. Memoirs of a Grunt: On the Ground in Vietnam 68/69. Knoxville: Independently Published, 2020.
Herr, Michael. Dispatches. New York: Vintage, 1991.
Kovic, Ron. Born on the Fourth of July. New York: Akashic Books, 2016.
Maraness, David. They Marched into Sunlight. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
Mason, Robert. Chickenhawk. New York: Penguin Books, 2005.
Milligan, Benjamin. By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy Seals. New York: Bantam, 2021.
McCullough, Timothy. Mongoose Bravo Vietnam. Vancouver: Storyteller Books, 2019.
O’Brien, Tim. If I Die in a Combat Zone, New York: Crown, 1999.
Patterson, James & Eversmann, Matt. Walk in My Combat Boots. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2022.
Puller, Lewis. Fortunate Son. New York: Grove Press, 2000.
Sheehan, Neil. A Bright Shining Lie. New York: Vintage, 1989.
Turse, Nick. Kill Anything That Moves. New York: Picador, 2013.
Wallace, Wallace. Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War. Novato: Presidio Press, 1985