Oregon Vietnam vets honored, 50 years after Tet Offensive

Fifty years ago Tuesday, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces launched what would become known as the Tet Offensive. It was a far-reaching and well-coordinated campaign of surprise attacks against military and civilian centers throughout South Vietnam, targeting U.S. military forces and our allies.

It was to be the largest offensive of the war, and the days of bloody fighting that would follow would lead to heavy casualties on both sides. Though the Vietnam War would continue for seven more years, the Tet Offensive is now widely considered to have been one of its most significant turning points.

“On this day, we honor and remember the sacrifices of those who fought in the carnage that was the Tet Offensive, as well as all of our Vietnam-era service members,” Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Acting Director Sheronne Blasi said in a news release. “They fought for freedom and because our country asked them to, and are deserving of their place among America’s heroes.”

There are more than 100,000 Vietnam-era veterans living in Oregon today. They are the largest demographic of Oregon veterans by service era. If you or your spouse or parent is a Vietnam veteran, Blasi urged you to contact the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs or your local county veteran service office for free assistance in accessing your earned benefits.