Elements of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division battle North Vietnamese regular Army forces at Fire Support Base Ripcord in the A Shau Valley, South Vietnam, in the last major confrontation of the Vietnam War. View of Fire Support Base Ripcord from inside an arriving helicopter. An OH-6A Cayuse / AH-6J (Little Bird) approaching to land at the Fire Support Base. The helicopter lands on a heli-pad. Another OH-6A is parked in the background. Scene shifts to a Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopter leaving the Fire Support Base. It has, white stripe on the top, behind greenhouse, and red dot on the tail boom. This identifies it as belonging to A Company, 158th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) "Ghost Riders." Views of much work going on to fortify the Fire Support Base. An American F-4 Phantom jet fighter aircraft flies overhead at hight speed and drops ordnance on a nearby hilltop. View from Ripcord Base of fire and smoke rising from the target. Soldiers setting up Claymore mines along side of the base, for nighttime protection. More views of fire and smoke at the target hill. A soldier sitting atop Support Base structure, speaking on radio telephone. Closeup shows "Screaming Eagle" patch of the 101st Airborne Division on his left shoulder. More views of defensive work going on, including the setting up of several 155mm howitzers by Battery B 2nd 319th Artillery. A UH-1 flies low overhead. A Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter is seen approaching with supplies suspended underneath in a net sling. Soldiers placing parcels in a UH-1 with engine running, about to depart. Glimpse of hooch with sign reading "FSB Ripcord" and displaying a large ace of spades. A CH-47 descending closeby. More views of bombs exploding on the neighboring hilltop.
Interiors of mess hall at 25th Infantry Division Base Camp in Vietnam. Two American Red Cross women volunteers entertain United States troops by performing a quiz program. 25th Infantry Division 'Tropic Lightning' insignia on women's shoulder sleeve. (Vietnam War period).
Three United States soldiers seated inside EM Club at 25th Infantry Division Base Camp in Vietnam. Group of soldiers stand at bar. (Vietnam War period).
Soldiers dive off diving board into swimming pool at 25th Infantry Division Base Camp in Vietnam during a rest time in Vietnam War. Soldiers seated on edge of the pool. Troops sun bathe wearing sunglasses.
View of stage with benches in front at 25th Infantry Division Base Camp in Vietnam. United States soldiers play a game of billiards. View of their rooms and bathroom with a number of wash basins. Bathing area with a shower. Lounge and bar for soldiers to relax. (Vietnam War period).
United States soldier enters shopping area at 25th Infantry Division Base Camp in Vietnam. Board reads 'Entrance'. Vietnamese salesman shows glasses to United States soldier. Board of 'Kwang Hak Opltical'. Soldiers cash check at the cash counter. United States soldiers look through magazines inside officer's club. Soldiers pay for purchased items at the cash counter. Vietnamese women fill the purchased goods into paper bags. United Sates soldiers leave the room. (Vietnam War period).
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.