SIEGE OF KHE SANH

Siege of Khe Sanh begins in Vietnam

Near the border with North Vietnam, United States Marines at the remote base of Khe Sanh found themselves at the center of a looming storm. On January 21st, 1968, North Vietnamese forces began heavy artillery and rocket bombardments, cutting roads and tightening a ring around the base. The isolated garrison, supported by Army and Air Force aviation, braced for a potential ground assault reminiscent of the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu. High-level leaders in Washington and Saigon debated whether Khe Sanh was a trap, a diversion, or a prize worth holding at any cost. For weeks, aircraft flew resupply and close air support missions in dangerous conditions, while defenders endured constant shelling in trenches and bunkers. The siege became a crucial symbol of American resolve and vulnerability just as the Tet Offensive erupted across South Vietnam, reshaping public perceptions of the war.