VW9: Nixon and Vietnamization

Key Battles of American History

History

4.7 • 861 Ratings

🗓️ 30 July 2025

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Sean and James discuss President Richard Nixon’s early approach to the Vietnam War, highlighting his policy of Vietnamization—gradually shifting combat responsibility to South Vietnamese forces while withdrawing U.S. troops. It examines the fractured 1968 presidential election, Nixon’s political maneuvering, and key military developments like the failed Communist Tet ’69 Offensive and the controversial Battle of Hamburger Hill. Nixon’s strategy included a shift to pacification under General Creighton Abrams, secret bombing in Cambodia (Operation Menu), and the CIA-led Phoenix Program targeting Viet Cong leadership. Despite early American successes, the war continued with no clear end in sight, even as Communist forces began to weaken by late 1969.

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0:00.0	The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States.
0:04.2	This medal is for the men who went down that day.
0:08.0	It's for the families of those who didn't make it.
0:10.8	Recipients have done the improbable, showing immense bravery and sacrifice in the name of something much bigger than themselves.
0:19.0	On Medal of Honor, stories of courage, you'll hear about
0:22.4	these heroes and what their stories tell us about the nature of bravery. Listen to Medal of Honor
0:28.2	wherever you get your podcast. War has played a key role in the history of the United States, from the nation's founding
0:41.0	right down to the present. War made the U.S. independent, kept it together, increased its size,
0:47.3	and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America's wars is essential for understanding
0:52.7	American history. Welcome to Key Battles of American History, a podcast in which we discuss American history
0:59.1	through the lens of the most important battles of America's wars.
1:02.9	Here is your host, James Early.
1:19.7	Hello, everyone. Before we get started with today's episode, I wanted to share a major personal update with you.
1:29.2	I have just retired from my day job, where I worked for the past 24 years. I did this in part so that I can devote more time to the podcast.
1:34.4	As you can imagine, my retirement has caused my income to be reduced significantly,
1:40.0	and I'm going to possibly have to get another job to make up the difference, at least until my youngest daughter is out of college. I would like to not do that. I would like to go full-time with
1:45.3	the podcast so that I can keep providing you with the same high-quality content to which you've grown
1:50.9	accustomed. But in order to do so, I will need your help. If you enjoy this podcast, then let me ask you
1:57.2	the same question that the great Dan Carlin asks his listeners. Is it worth the cost of a
2:03.2	cup of coffee to you? Would you please consider supporting me on Patreon? You can do so for as little
2:09.4	as $2 per month. For more information, go to patreon.com, search for key battles of American
2:15.7	history and click C membership options.
	...

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