The Viet Nam War ended nearly half a century ago. This book—part history, part travelogue—reveals the war’s legacy, still very much alive, in the places where it was fought and in the memories and memorials of those who survived it. The chronological story is told through the exploration of culture, history, popular music, and the countries that were major players: North and South Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Australia and the United States.

The author traverses significant sites like Dien Bien Phu—where French colonialism ended and U.S. intervention began—the DMZ, Hamburger Hill, the Rock Pile, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and Australia’s most famous battlefield, Long Tan. Residual hazards remain in the form of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in such places as Siem Reap and Luang Prabang, as well as in Quang Tri Province, where nonprofit groups like Project RENEW work to manage removal and provide victim assistance.

Erin R. McCoy, Ph.D., is an associate professor of English and interdisciplinary studies at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Her work on Viet Nam War–era songs and more have been published in various journals and books. She lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Erin R. McCoy
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 206
Bibliographic Info: 32 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8241-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4451-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1
Introduction 3
1. 1940–1960 11
2. 1961 24
3. 1962 35
4. 1963 45
5. 1964 58
6. 1965 68
7. 1966 79
8. 1967 97
9. 1968 109
10. 1969 120
11. 1970 135
12. 1971 147
13. 1972 156
14. 1973 165
15. 1974 and 1975 176
Conclusion 186
Chapter Notes 191
Works Cited 193
Index 197