Vietnam War Photographs That Were Never Shown In History Class

The Vietnam War was one of the longest, deadliest, and most significant conflicts in U.S. history, but if you were to flip open any old history textbook, the words within would just barely scratch the surface of its impact. Over the course of 20 years, the war completely reshaped America's image both at home and abroad, yet the realities of the conflict still remain lost on even those that lived through it. Though nearly half a century has passed since the final shots were fired, these rare photos prove there was much more to the Vietnam War than what we learned in history class.

A Job Well Done

The thrill of survival was a rare feeling for U.S. troops that crossed into the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. Here, a group of American soldiers are seen celebrating following their safe return from the Long Tom spiking raid near Con Tien in 1968.

Pups On Patrol

Plenty of wars have seen dogs deployed on the battlefield, though not all of these pups were made for fighting. While some dogs were returned home if they proved unfit for duty, others were kept around as pets to help boost soldier morale.

First Shots Fired

On September 30, 1968, the USS New Jersey fired its first shells into the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. The New Jersey was the only U.S. battleship to provide gunfire support during the war.

Visiting Troops

While Lyndon Johnson began his presidency with widespread approval, public support declined as he ramped up U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Here, LBJ is pictured greeting American troops overseas circa 1966.