<P> Terry's book Bloods: An Oral History of the Vietnam War by Black Veterans (1984), includes observations about the impact of the war on the black community in general and on black servicemen specifically . Points he makes on the latter topic include: the higher proportion of combat casualties in Vietnam among African American servicemen than among American soldiers of other races, the shift toward and different attitudes of black military careerists versus black draftees, the discrimination encountered by black servicemen "on the battlefield in decorations, promotion and duty assignments" as well as their having to endure "the racial insults, cross-burnings and Confederate flags of their white comrades"--and the experiences faced by black soldiers stateside, during the war and after America's withdrawal . By the war's completion in 1975, black casualties had declined to 12.5% of US combat deaths, approximately equal to percentage of draft - eligible black men, though still slightly higher than the 10% who served in the military . </P> <P> During the early stages of their insurgency, the Viet Cong mainly sustained itself with captured arms (often of American manufacture) or crude, self - made weapons (e.g. copies of the US Thompson submachine gun and shotguns made of galvanized pipes). Most arms were captured from poorly defended ARVN militia outposts . </P> <P> In the summer and fall of 1967, all Viet Cong battalions were reequipped with arms of Soviet design such as the AK - 47 assault rifle and the RPG - 2 anti-tank weapon . Their weapons were principally of Chinese or Soviet manufacture . </P> <P> While the Viet Cong had both amphibious tanks (such as the PT - 76) and light tanks (such as the Type 62), they also used bicycles to transport munitions . The US' heavily armored, 90 mm M48A3 Patton tank saw extensive action during the Vietnam War and over 600 were deployed with US Forces . They played an important role in infantry support . </P>

When did us go to war in vietnam