The Second Indochina War - 1954-1975

In 1965, under the command of President Johnson, the U.S. escalated military troops in support of South Vietnam. Early on, the majority of Americans supported participation in the war to prevent the spread of communism and considered anti-war feelings anti-patriotic.  ​
"I'm against these demonstrations, all of them that are against United States policies. I feel this is my government and I have to be for it."
- A foreman in Des Moines
"Our country's leaders have decided on a course of action and we should support them."
- Ora Niffenegger, School Board President
Click pictures to enlarge.

​The War At Home

"Starting in 1961, when I was eleven, the Vietnam War had become a major part of our family's dinner discussions. I read a lot about it and I heard speakers talk about it and I made up my mind. ​​I opposed our involvement in Vietnam because it was a war."
- John Tinker
However, ongoing civil rights movements and the rising casualties of American soldiers led to nationwide protests against the war, especially in college campuses, and many refused to enlist. 
Deeply affected by the news of suffering on television, John Tinker and Christopher Eckhardt were among the few Iowans to participate in the largest Washington Peace March in November 1965.
Safer's watershed report from Cam Ne. Source: cbsnews.com Aug. 5, 1965 - Click to Play.

​“We would come home from school and watch the evening news and see images of burned villages, children crying, soldiers injured and dead and talk of war all the time. There was so much uncertainty among families and boys."
- Mary Beth Tinker
​
Walter Cronkite announcing body counts - 1965. Source: C-SPAN.org - Click to Play.