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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

In contrast to most photographs of the Vietnam War that still haunt and reverberates decades later, such as the Victims of Agent Orange. These pictures show soldiers relaxing, showing off their squalid jungle living quarters, playing with the Vietnamese children, reveling in a rare ocean swim and enjoying. There is nothing chilling about the Vietnam War. No shots like Nick Ut’s of a naked Vietnamese girl fleeing from a napalm bombing or Eddie Adams’s shot of a Saigon police chief firing a bullet into the head of a Viet Cong prisoner.

Yet these photographs were taken not by professionals but by young grunts barely out of high school. Grinning wide-eyed at this strange land where they had been sent, often against their will, in circumstances they did not fully understand.

#1 Marvin De Witt with two puppies. Special Forces camp, Tay Ninh, Vietnam.

Marvin De Witt with two puppies. Special Forces camp, Tay Ninh, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#2 A wounded Kit Carson Scout, waiting for a helicopter medical evacuation. Vietnam. 1969.

A wounded Kit Carson Scout, waiting for a helicopter medical evacuation. Vietnam. 1969.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#3 The pilots. From left, Capt. Tom Boatman, 1st Lt. John Morrissey, Capt. Charlie Copin, Capt. Matt Kelch, 1st Lt. Sam Waters, Capt. Ray Moss, 1st Lt. Frank Tullo, Maj. Bill Hosmer.

The pilots. From left, Capt. Tom Boatman, 1st Lt. John Morrissey, Capt. Charlie Copin, Capt. Matt Kelch, 1st Lt. Sam Waters, Capt. Ray Moss, 1st Lt. Frank Tullo, Maj. Bill Hosmer.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#4 A U.S.O. performance at Fire Base Rawlings. Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. November 1969.

A U.S.O. performance at Fire Base Rawlings. Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. November 1969.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#5 A Vietnamese boy’s daily work, along highway QL-19 near An Khe Pass.

A Vietnamese boy’s daily work, along highway QL-19 near An Khe Pass.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#6 Light at night used to detect Viet Cong activity during the Tet offensive. Ninh Hoa, Vietnam. 1968.

Light at night used to detect Viet Cong activity during the Tet offensive. Ninh Hoa, Vietnam. 1968.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#7 The Quang Tri River seen from a Huey helicopter. Vietnam.

The Quang Tri River seen from a Huey helicopter. Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#8 A Viet Cong prisoner held for interrogation at Landing Zone Stinson. Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

A Viet Cong prisoner held for interrogation at Landing Zone Stinson. Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#9 Mortar battalion. Cambodia. May 1970.

Mortar battalion. Cambodia. May 1970.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#10 Inside Cambodia, near the Memot District. May 1970.

Inside Cambodia, near the Memot District. May 1970.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#11 Heading-home hug. An Ninh, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam.

Heading-home hug. An Ninh, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#12 The photographer’s helmet, with two bullet holes. Fire Base L.Z. Stinson, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

The photographer’s helmet, with two bullet holes. Fire Base L.Z. Stinson, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#13 Bob Hope, U.S.O. Christmas show. 4258th Heavy Bombardment Wing, Utapao Royal Thai Naval Air Station, Thailand. December 1969.

Bob Hope, U.S.O. Christmas show. 4258th Heavy Bombardment Wing, Utapao Royal Thai Naval Air Station, Thailand. December 1969.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#14 After filling sandbags for bunkers at a base camp by the South China Sea near Ninh Hoa, Vietnam. 1968.

After filling sandbags for bunkers at a base camp by the South China Sea near Ninh Hoa, Vietnam. 1968.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#15 Coke kid and the photographer’s platoon leader, Lieutenant Timor, with his radio telephone operator. Vietnam. February 1969.

Coke kid and the photographer’s platoon leader, Lieutenant Timor, with his radio telephone operator. Vietnam. February 1969.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#16 Michael Patrick Eltrich in trees in the mountains west of L.Z. Stinson. June 11, 1970.

Michael Patrick Eltrich in trees in the mountains west of L.Z. Stinson. June 11, 1970.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#17 Men whom the photographer was stationed with at Phu Bai, taken on his last night at Fort Lewis. August 1968.

Men whom the photographer was stationed with at Phu Bai, taken on his last night at Fort Lewis. August 1968.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#18 A Vietnamese man with marigolds. Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

A Vietnamese man with marigolds. Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#19 Taken while on a mission, with Black Virgin Mountain in view on the left. Cambodia.

Taken while on a mission, with Black Virgin Mountain in view on the left. Cambodia.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#20 Gene Bailey swimming in the South China Sea, near Ninh Hoa, Vietnam. 1968.

Gene Bailey swimming in the South China Sea, near Ninh Hoa, Vietnam. 1968.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#21 At Marble Mountain Air Compound. Vietnam. 1970.

At Marble Mountain Air Compound. Vietnam. 1970.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#22 Brian Mowatt and his sentry dog, Prince, running the exercise course at the Army sentry dog kennels. Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Brian Mowatt and his sentry dog, Prince, running the exercise course at the Army sentry dog kennels. Nha Trang, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#23 A Viet Cong couple, blindfolded. Vietnam.

A Viet Cong couple, blindfolded. Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#24 After the gunships were called in. Northern I-Corps, Vietnam. 1969.

After the gunships were called in. Northern I-Corps, Vietnam. 1969.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#25 Larry Diesburg taking a smoking break after filling sandbags near Binh Long, Vietnam.

Larry Diesburg taking a smoking break after filling sandbags near Binh Long, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#26 Batting practice. Landing Zone Bayonet, near Chu Lai, Vietnam.

Batting practice. Landing Zone Bayonet, near Chu Lai, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#27 Joe Kempt, at Fire Support Base Wood 3. Near Tay Ninh, Vietnam.

Joe Kempt, at Fire Support Base Wood 3. Near Tay Ninh, Vietnam.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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#28 My home while on L.Z. Stinson Fire Base.” Company B, 52nd Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division. Vietnam. 1970-71.

My home while on L.Z. Stinson Fire Base.” Company B, 52nd Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division. Vietnam. 1970-71.

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Candid Photos Of The U.S Soldiers During The Vietnam War

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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