Jan. 1968, (SOUTH VIETNAM)  They hoped to achieve a dramatic victory that would force the U.S. to accept defeat. First, they attacked Khe Sanh, a U.S. Marine base in far northwest South Vietnam. Nine days later, they attacked throughout the country, striking numerous installations, cities and airfields simultaneously.

Initially, the enemy made some gains but under a withering assault from both air and ground, the offensive failed by late February. However, the Tet Offensive had a devastating effect upon the U.S. Many people at home, watching the nightly T.V. news, were appalled by the carnage they saw; some even believed the Communists had won and the U.S. had lost. As a consequence, the U.S. sent even more troops to South Vietnam in an attempt to accelerate the time when responsibility for the war could be turned over to South Vietnam and the U.S. could withdraw its forces.

U.S. C-130 Spaying Agent Orange