Iconic Photos from the Vietnam War

Self Immolating Monk

The picture of the Vietnamese monk who set himself on fire is a powerful and iconic image that captures a moment of extreme protest and sacrifice. The image shows Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, sitting calmly and meditating while engulfed in flames in the middle of a busy street in Saigon in 1963. The self-immolation was a protest against the oppressive policies of the South Vietnamese government and the persecution of Buddhists in the country. The picture quickly spread around the world and became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and human rights. It remains a poignant reminder of the power of individual acts of protest and sacrifice in the face of injustice. 

Napalm Attack

The picture of the young Vietnamese girl running away from a napalm attack is a haunting and powerful image that captures the horrors of war and its impact on innocent civilians. The photograph was taken by Nick Ut in 1972 during the Vietnam War and shows 9-year-old Kim Phuc running down a road, naked and screaming, after being severely burned by a napalm bomb. The image became a symbol of the senseless violence and destruction of war and helped to galvanize opposition to the conflict.

Execution of Viet Cong

The picture of a Viet Cong getting executed is a controversial and unsettling image that captures the brutality and dehumanization of war. The photograph was taken by Eddie Adams in 1968 during the Vietnam War and shows a South Vietnamese police chief executing a handcuffed Viet Cong suspect on the streets of Saigon. The image sparked widespread outrage and controversy, with many questioning the morality and ethics of the execution.

Anti War Protest 

The picture of an anti-war protester with a flower is a peaceful and iconic image that captures the spirit of nonviolent resistance and protest. The photograph was taken by photographer Bernie Boston in 1967 during a march on the Pentagon to protest the Vietnam War. The image shows a young woman placing a flower into the barrel of a National Guardsman's rifle, a powerful symbol of peace and love in the face of violence and aggression. The image quickly became a symbol of the anti-war movement and helped to inspire others to take action against the war. 

Kent State Shootings

The picture of the Kent State University massacre is a tragic and powerful image that captures the brutality and violence of state repression against peaceful protest. The photograph was taken by John Filo in 1970 during a protest against the Vietnam War on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio. The image shows a young female student named Mary Ann Vecchio screaming over the body of Jeffrey Miller, a fellow student who was shot and killed by the Ohio National Guard. The photograph became an enduring symbol of the anti-war movement and the struggle for civil rights and social justice. 

Evacuating Saigon, American Embassy

The picture of the US embassy evacuation from Saigon is a striking and symbolic image that captures the end of a long and costly war. The photograph was taken by Hugh Van Es in 1975 during the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. The image shows a line of US helicopters evacuating people from the rooftop of the US embassy in Saigon as chaos and desperation unfold below. The picture became an iconic symbol of the futility and tragedy of the war and the end of US involvement in Southeast Asia.