Alphabetical Index
(Click on a Letter)
The “Unofficial” Vietnam Dictionary

Written by Paul Kasper

Edited by Bob Nelson

Dedicated to all Vietnam Veterans –

“Especially those who didn’t come home.”

1

1049 -               Military Personnel Transfer Request Form.
11-B -               MOS of an Army infantryman, also eleven-bravo, or eleven-bush.
1505s -             Lightweight, class-A, tan colored, USAF issue uniform (worn no tie).
22 -                   The average age of the U.S. male (GI) in Vietnam.                                            

1965 -                          Military slogan "They told us if we voted for Goldwater, we'd be at war in a year. I did, and here I am!"
122mm Rocket - A VC/NVA rocket (with booster) capable of flying 22 kilometers.                                                             Larger than a US 81mm mortar by 50 percent. Nicknamed the “Super Chief.”
201 File -         US Army personnel file.
2200 hrs -        The typical curfew for safe cities in Vietnam.
50 cal. machine gun - Must be cocked twice to have it ready to fire.
51mm -            A communist heavy machine gun.
7 and a wake-up - Eight days left in-country, the end of a tour. Could be any number counting down. (See DEROS).
81mm -             US mortar (the metric size of the shell) Nicknamed 81.                                     

Six By (6X) –              2.5 ton truck (see Deuce and a half)

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A

A1-E / A1-G Sky Raider -   A US fighter-bomber developed at the end of WWII.  There were both one and two seat versions used in Vietnam.  Many, if not all, of the planes used in Vietnam were left over from the US Navy.  Used primarily for close support missions, they were well liked by US servicemen as they had over 20 stations/points for various types of ordnance and could stay on site for many hours.                                                                                                                                                             A Shau -          A valley in the Southwest corner of Thua Thien province - a stronghold of the VC/NVA.                                                                                                                                                  AA –                “Air America”, a CIA controlled airline used through out SEA.                                            AA –                      Automatic Ambush                                   
AAA -                         Anti-aircraft artillery – usually called “triple A” – primarily 12.7mm, 14.5mm, 23mm, 37mm, 57mm, 85mm.
AAR -             After Action Report.
Abrams, Creighton - A US General who commanded US military forces in South Vietnam (1968+). General Abrams was a former tank commander under General Patton in WWII.
ACAV -           Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle.
Acid -              Another term for LSD.
AFN -              Armed Forces Network
AFVN -           Armed Forces Vietnam Network
AFRTS -         Armed Forces Radio and Television Service
AFSC -            Air Force Specialty Code.
AG -                Adjutant General.
Agent Orange -{at the time of its first use, it was called 50/50 2,4D and 2,4,5T. It did save many lives at the time by removing heavy vegetation} and other herbicides): 

• A defoliant / herbicide containing trace amounts of the toxic contaminant dioxin that was used during the Vietnam War to defoliate areas of jungle growth. The name was derived from the orange identifying strip on drums in which it was stored.
• Agent Orange was a 1:1 mixture of the n-butyl esters of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). A byproduct contaminant of the manufacturing process for 2,4,5-T is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD), commonly referred to as dioxin. Demand for military Agent Orange resulted in higher levels of dioxin contamination than in the 2,4,5-T produced for civilian applications.
• Agent Orange caused Vietnamese farmers to lose about 70% of their crops.
• 18 million gallons of Agent Orange were reported to have been dumped on areas in South Vietnam (this is debated to this day about the crops).
• Over 6250 square miles of South Vietnam cannot be farmed because of defoliation.
• C-123 (Provider) was the plane used in Operation Ranch Hand that dumped 11,000 lbs of Agent Orange over 300 acres in just four minutes.
• A class action suit against seven chemical companies was settled out of court in 1984 for victims and families of those exposed to herbicides for $180,000,000 (the lawyers got a staggering 100 million dollars).

AID –               Agency for International Development.                                                                               Air America - CIA sponsored airlines and clandestine operations                                                               Air Burst –             Explosion of a monitions (ordnance - bombs/rockets/grenades) in the air.                     Air Cav –             Air Cavalry, referring to helicopter-borne infantry soldiers.
Aircraft -          Approximately 9,000 US military aircraft were lost by the end of the Vietnam War.
Airmobile -     Helicopter borne combat personnel.
Airborne -        Personnel trained to parachute into combat.
AIT -                Advanced Individual Training: the period following Basic Training, specialized training given each soldier based on their job code.
AK-47 -            Russian Kalashnikov rifle,11.3 lbs loaded with a 30 round magazine, used by the VC: an excellent and reliable weapon for the Vietnam War.  Originally made in Russia, most of the later weapons were manufactured in China and in Czechoslovakia.  A notable aspect were the green tracers.                      ALCE –              Airlift Control Element – a regional Tactical Airlift Command.                             Alpha-Alpha - An automatic ambush – a combination of claymore mines designed to detonate simultaneously when triggered by a trip-wire/battery mechanism.
Alvarez, Lt. Everett - The first U.S. military pilot taken prisoner (August 5, 1964).
An Hoa -          US Marines nicknamed this valley, The Badlands.
Annamite -       The mountain range traversing South Vietnam.
Anti-Malaria Pills - Ingested on a daily basis, and/or once a week while stationed in South East Asia.
AO -                 Area of Operation.
Ao Dia -           A long shirt like garment. Traditional Vietnamese female dress (split) worn over pants.
Apache Snow - See: Operations.  An operation in the A Shau Valley also known as Hamburger Hill.
APC -               Armored Personnel Carrier, amphibious, M-113.

Arc-Light -       See: Operations.  Code name for the B-52 Stratofortress raids against enemy positions in South Vietnam.  The first Arc Light attack took place in III Corps just north of Saigon on June 18, 1965, on a suspected Viet Cong base camp.  In November 1965, B-52’s directly supported American ground forces for the first time, and were used regularly in that role.                                                                        ARCOM –        Army Commendation Medal
Article 15 -      A summary disciplinary judgment of a soldier by his commander; action less than court martial. May result in monetary fines or confinement in the barracks or stockade.  Named for its place in the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (see UCMJ). 
ARVN -           Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Army of South Vietnam.                                            ARTY -            Artillery
ASPB or Alpha boats - Assault Support Patrol Boat
ATC -               Armored Troop Carrier.                                                                                    ATFV/ATFG – Australian Task Force.
AWOL -           Absent Without Leave.
Axiom of the sixties culture - You can't trust anyone over thirty.
Azimuth -         A bearing from the North.

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B

B-40 -              A shoulder fired Chinese rocket propelled grenade (RPG).  .
B-52 -              Largest US Air Force bomber used in Vietnam. Nicknamed “BUFF” – big ugly friendly fellow/big ugly fat f***er.  Capable of carrying one-hundred-eight 500 lb bombs; 84 internally and 24 externally.  It originally joined the Air Force inventory in the 1950’s replacing the B-36.
B-57 -              A bomber user in the early years of US involvement in Vietnam.  Originally named the Canberra, it was primarily designed for night attacks. 
Bac Si -           Vietnamese term for a medical corpsman; doctor.
Badlands, The - US Marine nickname for the An Hoa Valley.
Baez, Joan -   Folk singer strongly opposed to war. She later recanted her position after she saw what happened when we left Vietnam and has become a supporter of veterans. She (December 72) and Jane Fonda (August 72) went to North Vietnam. Although Ms. Baez did not believe in the Vietnam War, she refused to cooperate with the North Vietnamese. "Hanoi Jane" made a radio broadcast, as well as the infamous photo of posing with North Vietnamese forces on an anti-aircraft weapon.
Bamboo Viper – A small, deadly snake - nicknamed by GI’s as the two-step snake.                          Banana Clip – A banana-shaped ammunition magazine – originally manufactured as an optional magazine for the M-1/M1A1 carbine and later as an option for the M-16 rifle.  It was standard issue on the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle. 
BAR -                          Browning Automatic Rifle - .30 cal automatic weapon.
Bars, John Wayne - Nickname for the chocolate bars in the C-rations pack.                                          Base Camp –              Semi permanent field headquarters and center for a given unit – usually within that unit’s tactical areas of responsibility.  A unit may operate in or away from its base camp.  Base Camps usually contain all or part of a given unit’s support elements and materials.                                                           

 Battalion –         Organizational institution in the Army and Marine Corps.  Commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), an infantry battalion usually has around 900 people, and an artillery battalion about 500 people.  During the Vietnam War, American battalions were using much smaller and there was a very high turnover of personnel.
BDA -                         Bomb Damage Assessment.
Beaucoup -     French, meaning, a lot, or very many.
Beaver -         US Army U-6A, utility transport.
Beehive Round - An artillery shell used as a last resort for the artillery when they were about to be overrun. The round was composed of "fleshettes," small arrow projectiles. Sort of a super shotgun shell.  It’s main function was as a ground base defense munition against ground attack.
Bennies -        Warm beer and mail from the world.                                                                                 BIC –                       A Vietnamese word meaning “understand.”  Used by US personnel as slang – “Do you understand?”
Berm -            An earthen embankment (normally around a perimeter).                                                     Bien Hoa –     A major US air base in III Corps, formerly a French airfield.                                            Bipod – A two-legged support stand placed on the front of many weapons; BAR, M-14, etc.
Bird -              Any aircraft, a plane or helicopter.
Bird Dog -      O-1 reconnaissance plane, used by Forward Air Controllers (FAC).
Black Boxes - Sensors dropped from helicopters during the Vietnam War to detect enemy movement.
Black Bird - Nickname of the SR-71 reconnaissance plane. Also known as the "SLED"                                                                                                                                                                      Black Spot –   A C-123 cargo plane that was converted as a strike aircraft.  It had infared red and laser capability, advanced navigation equipment, and assorted weapons dispensers.
Black Panthers - A radical African-American group of the sixties.  The Black Panthers were also the 9th Div., 2/47th Mechanized Bn. The patch had a black panther coming out of a jungle, fangs bared. It was the logo above the Bear Cat EM club.  The Black Panthers of the 9^th Division in no way were related to the above radical group.          

  Black Power - An African-American theme to gain equality in the sixties.
Blackhorse -   The name of the code used for sending numbers on the radio (ten digits (zero through nine)).
Blasting Cap - A device used to detonate explosive materials.
Bloused -        Pants tucked into boots.
Blown-Away - To be killed, or get really high on drugs.
Blue-Eyed Soul Brother - A white man who related well with blacks (African Americans).                                                                                                                     

Blue leg –        Infantryman, “grunt.”
Blue-Max -     Slang term for the Medal of Honor.
Blues -            A slang term for quick response reinforcements, normally called for by another field unit (Reaction Force).
Bn -                 Battalion.
Body Bag -     A black plastic bag used to transport dead personnel.                                                 BOHICA –           Slang expression used by GI’s – “Bend Over, Here It Comes Again.”
Bombs -          A day's worth of bombs and shells cost US taxpayers $1,000,000. Eight million tons of bombs were dropped during the Vietnam War. Three times as many bombs were dropped during the Vietnam War as were dropped during WWII.         

Boom Boom – A slang expression signifying sexual relations.
Boonie rat -     An infantryman.
Boonies or Bush - Informal term for the field or jungle.
Booby Trap - An explosive device used to wound or kill personnel. It is estimated that booby traps accounted for 25%-30% of injuries to U.S. military personnel in Vietnam.
Boot -              Someone fresh out of Boot Camp.
BOQ -             Bachelor Officers' Quarters.
Boston Five - Dr. Benjamin Spock was known as one of these people who were anti-war.
Bouncing Betty - (DH-10) A conical three pronged mine. The bouncing betty mine would jump about three feet in the air when triggered, and explode at waist level.
Bowl -             A pipe for smoking marijuana, or other drugs.                                                                  Bring Smoke – To direct intense fire on an enemy position.                                                                   Break Squelch – Used by radio operators when silence was required.  The response when the push-to-talk button was depressed was a “click-hiss” signal.
Bro -               Short for Brother.                                                                                                         Bronco –         An OV-10 aircraft.                                                                                                        Bronze -          A metal used extensively in South East Asia (commonly for flatware, dishes, and statuary); harder than brass (from which its made). Also, a slang term for a Buddhist monk.
Brown Power - A Mexican-American theme to gain equality in the sixties.
Buddhist -       The religion of the majority of the Vietnamese people.
BUFF -            Nickname of a B-52 bomber - Big Ugly Friendly Fellow/Big Ugly Fat F***er.
Buffalo, Water - The big, horned creature often used on a farm in South Vietnam.
Bush or Boonies - Informal term for the field or jungle.                                              

Bush Masters – A group highly skilled in jungle operations.
Butter bar -    A Second Lieutenant – insignia of rank a single gold bar.
Buy (bought) the farm - Die, or death.
BX -                Base Exchange.

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C

C-Day -           Conversion Day, The date MPC was exchanged for a new version (making the old version useless) C-Ration - Combat Ration. Three meals comprised one C-ration. One ration is the food required for one man for one day. There were twelve C-rations in a case in Vietnam. C-1 (C-Ration) had fruit in it in Vietnam. Ham & limas was the least favored C-ration meal in Vietnam. Paste with bad taste.
C-4 -                A plastic explosive preferred by soldiers, it is highly stable, lightweight, and only exploded by detonators. Used to heat C-rations when heat-tabs weren't available.
CA -                Combat Assault.                                                                                                             CaCa Dau –             A slang Vietnamese expression meaning to “to kill you.”
Calley, Lt. William - Ordered the killing of 200-500 civilians at My Lai.
Cam Ranh Bay - A supply depot, and the place where largest U.S. Air Force base (12th Tactical Fighter Wing & 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing) and hospital was located. Several other units were based there such as Special Ops squadrons.
Cambodia - Was (reportedly) invaded by the US and South Vietnamese troops, May 1970.  81 US military personnel were reported killed in Cambodia or Laos during the Vietnam War.
Cammies -      Camouflaged jungle fatigues.
Cane-pressure mine - Named for the exertion of air on its detonator. The VC/NVA mine was placed in the trees to destroy incoming helicopters dropping off personnel and supplies.                                              CAP - Combined Action program                                                                                                                    

CAR –             The predecessor of the M-16 rifle – a Carbine, the CAR-15.
Cargomaster - C-133 aircraft; a large cargo plane
Caribou -          C-V-2A or B.(Army) C-7A  or B(Air Force) pilots were known as Bou (Boo) drivers.                                                                                                                                                     CAS –             Close air support.                                                                                                    Casualties –     It has been estimated by the Vietnamese government in recent years that over two-million civilian casualties were killed during the 10 years of the war.  North Vietnamese military losses were given as one-million killed.
Casualty Staging Areas – Primarily US military hospitals in Vietnam.  Wounded soldiers were usually air lifted to the nearest hospital where their condition was  “triaged” and the determination was made on the spot for their next level and location for continuing care.                                                                                                                                                        CBU –             Cluster Bomb Unit – a bomb that breaks apart while being deployed and fragments into many bomblets.
C.C. -              Company Commander.                                                                                                    C&C –          Command and control.                                                                                                       CCB -                       Command and Communications Boat. Converted LCM-6 landing craft similar to the Monitor but with radio equipment in the well deck. They were used to relay radio traffic from the MRF base to units in the field.
CDS -              Container Delivery System. The manner in which supplies were dropped from aircraft.
Cedar Falls -  See: Operations.
Central Highlands, The - The highlands of South Vietnam are a prominent geographic region with elevations ranging from 100 meters to over 1000 meters.                                                                         CG –                    Command General.
CH-47 -           Chinook helicopter: nickname" flying banana" or "Hook" or “Shit Hook.” 
CH-54 -           Skycrane helicopter.
Charlie -         The enemy, the Viet Cong.
Charlie Four - C4 plastic explosive.
Cherry -          A new person in a unit without combat experience.                                                      Chicken Plate – Early body armor worn over the upper half of the body.  Initially used by soldiers on tracked vehicles and by door gunners on helicopters.  Many choose to sit on the armor plate.
Chi Lai -         Known as Surf City in South Vietnam (also an in-county R & R center).
Chicago Eight - The eight people arrested, and tried for disrupting the Democrat's 1968 Convention.
Chicom -         Chinese Communist.
Chieu Hoi -     “Open arms” in Vietnamese. A program to encourage defectors from Viet Cong and NVA in 1969-70 in South Vietnam. About 80,000 took advantage of this program. These were called Chieu Hois.
China Beach - Located near Da Nang. An in-country R&R center in the Northern part of South Vietnam.
Chinook -        CH-47 troop/cargo helicopter.  Nicknamed – “Shit Hook” by US forces.                         Choi Oi –   A Vietnamese expression literally meaning “holy mackerel! - what the heck?”                         Church Key – A bottle opener.                                                                                                                CIB –                         Combat Infantry Badge.  A US Army award given to infantrymen following a sustained period of combat.                                                                                                                   CIA -               Central Intelligence Agency - sponsored “Air-America” in S.E.A.
CID -              Criminal Investigation Division.
CIDG -           Civilian Irregular Defense Group.  Militia forces trained by US Special Forces..
CINPAC -       Commander in Chief, Pacific
Citadel, The - A rectangular-shaped structure in Hue surrounded by walls - home to early Vietnamese royalty.
Clacker -        See: Klacker.  A firing device (exploder) for triggering claymore mines and other electrically initiated demolitions.
Claymore Mine – A fan-shaped anti-personnel mine that uses C-4 explosive to project shrapnel in a fan-shaped pattern of fragments.                                                                                                           Cluster Bombs – A single bomb that consists of several smaller bombs/bomblets contained in a single casing.                                                                                                                                                    CMB –            Combat Medic Badge
C.O. -              Commanding Officer; Conscientious Objector.
Coal, Anthracite (hard) - Vietnam's most abundant mineral.
Cobra -           AH-1G attack helicopter first introduced in Vietnam in October 1967. Nicknamed by some as the “Snake” or “Shark.”  It carried 2.75-inch rockets (HI/WP/Smoke), and it mounted a 40mm traversing gun under the aircraft nose.  They were painted with eyes and a shark mouth reminiscent of Flying Tiger airplanes of WWII.  The paint job was purely for psychological impact.
Combat Master Piece - .38-caliber (six inch barrel) pistol used by military, especially USAF Security Police personnel. {Four-inch barrel was issued to pilots for a sidearm.} The 45 cal (M1911A1) was also issued to security personnel).
Combat Hornet - C-119 (Also Flying Boxcar), manufactured by Fairchild.
Combat Pay - Added $50 to $65 (per month) to the U.S. military serving in Vietnam.                         Combat Photographer – Each of the US military services had dedicated photographers who accompanied soldiers and units in all phases of the war.  Their pictures appeared around the world.
Comics -         Topographic maps.
Commo Check - Communications check on the radio.
Communes -   People with similar ideas living in groups.
Company -      A military unit of 250 men usually commanded by a captain and consisting of two or more platoons depending upon it’s assigned mission.  In the artillery a company is called a battery – in the cavalry, a troop.                                                                                                                                                      Cong Khi –     A monkey.                                                                                                                       Cong Moui –  A mosquito.
Con Thien -    Near the DMZ. Termed the Hill of Angels during the Vietnam War by the Marines.
Concertina Wire - Razor wire used as part of the perimeter defense around most secured areas in Vietnam.
Contact -         Engagement with the enemy.                                                                                       CONUS –          The continental United States – the “world” in GI slang.                                                    Cook Off –            A term used to describe a weapon that fired too many rounds and built up sufficient heat that it fired other rounds/shells without the trigger being pulled.
Cooper-Church Amendment - (passed on December 12, 1969) prohibited US military from entering Laos.                                                                                                                                                  CORDS –       Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support.
Corps -            South Vietnam was divided into four military sections (Corps): designated  I, II, III, and IV.  Also, two or more military divisions.  Also a term used to describe specialized military services: Medical Corps, Signal Corps, Transportation Corps, Finance Corps, etc. 
Cost –                         The Vietnam war cost US taxpayers approximately 150 billion dollars.
CP -                 Command Post.
Cronauer, Adrian - US Air Force Disc Jockey who became famous with his "Good Morning Vietnam" morning radio program opener.
Crusader -      US Navy F-8. Used as a reconnaissance plane due to its speed and maneuverability.
CQ -                Charge of Quarters.
CS -                 Riot control (tear) gas.
Cut and Slash - A day hiking through elephant grass and bamboo would do this to a person and their clothing.                                                                                                                                                   Cyclo –            (Sic-low) Three-wheeled peddle driven vehicles powered by a person. 

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D

82^nd Airborne Division – The 3^rd Brigade of the Division served in Vietnam from February 18, 1968 to December 11, 1969.  Attached to the 101^st Airborne Div, the brigade fought primarily in I Corps.  The division was notable during the battle for Hue during Tet in 1968.  Later that same year the 3^rd was moved to Saigon to defend Tan Son Nhut Air Base.                                             

Dac Cong -     (Dak-Kong) VC Special Forces Unit.
Dai-uy -          (Die-wee) Vietnamese for Captain.
Dai-ta -           (Day-tah) Vietnamese for Colonel.
Daily-Daily - Daily anti-malaria pill.
Daisy Chain - Detonation cord linking several claymores together.
Daisy Cutter - 15000 lb bomb is incorrect.  It was mis-named during Desert Storm.  The correct definition is Commando Vault or Blu-82 (sometimes referred to as ole blue) = 15000 lb bomb.  A Daisy Cutter was/is a 4 ft M1A1 Fuze Extender which was/is used on MK-82's (500 lb) MK-84's (2000 lb) etc., & other dumb bombs.  It was used to make an instant firebase.
Dak To -         A major battle in November 1967 that was a lesson to US military forces.                                                                                                                                                      Da Nang –      The farthest north port of South Vietnam, I Corps, many US Navy and Marine units were stationed in the area.  Home of Monkey Mountain.                                                                                    DAP – A stylized, ritualized manner of shaking hands, started by African American soldiers as a means of recognition.                                                                                                                                    DAPZONE – A small pill taken periodically by US soldiers, ostensibly to prevent malaria, but actually meant to prevent Leprosy.
DD Form 4 -   Enlistment contract with US armed services.
DD 214 -         Formal record of military service – provided at discharge.
Decompression – Time away from a battle, relaxation.  A vast number of nurses observed that decompression time was needed (but not gotten). GIs were quickly returned (individually) to the States after a tour in S.E.A. and therefore had minimal time to decompress prior to returning to their families.
Deer -             In the jungles of Vietnam they are the size of a large dog.
Defoliant -      A chemical that is sprayed or dusted on vegetation that cause the leaves to fall off, and vegetation to die. See: Agent Orange.
Delaware -      See: Operations.
Delta Dagger - F-102 jet fighter. Nicknamed the "Lead Sled" - usually based in Thailand  or the Philippines.                                                                                                                                 Demilitarized Zone – (DMZ) The designated area between North and South Vietnam.  In accordance with the original agreement the area was supposed to be free of all military forces from both sides.  This did not happen; there was intense action continuously.
Democrat, 1968 Convention - Held in Chicago, Illinois - the site of a major anti-war protest.
DEROS -        Date of Estimated Return from Overseas.
Desertion -     There were only 24 proven cases of battlefield desertion during the Vietnam War.
Desoto -          See: Operations.
Det cord -       Explosive or detonation line for plastic explosives, or (daisy) claymores.
Deuce-and-a-half - A two and a half ton military truck.
Dew or Doo - Marijuana (short for doobie).
Dex tabs -       A mild form of speed. Military personnel took them to stay awake.
D-I -                Drill Instructor.
Di di mau -      Vietnamese, to send away. Go, or get out.  (Short form – di di – Go!).
Diddy boppin' - Slang term when someone moved carelessly without caution.
Diem -             President of South Vietnam. Diem refuse to allow general democratic elections (as required by the Geneva Conference) because 80% of the people would have voted for Uncle Ho.
Dien Bien Phu - The site of a major battle that turned the war against the French in Vietnam in 1954.  The Communist Commanding General was Vo Nguyen Giap.
Dien Tin -       “The Telegraph.” Vietnamese newspaper known for its anti-war stance.
Dime -             Number 10, or one ounce.
Dioxin -           Toxic chemical substance was never specified to be a component of any defoliant used in Vietnam..
Dinky Dau -   Vietnamese for crazy.
Disabled -       Approximately 519,000 Vietnam Vets were disabled because of injuries.                            Di Wee –     Vietnamese for Captain.
DMZ -            Demilitarized Zone. Established between North and South Vietnam - July 22, 1954.  US ground troops could not cross the DMZ due to the Geneva Convention.
Don ganh -      Shoulder pole on which Vietnamese women carried goods to market. 
Dong -             Currency of (North) Vietnam.
Dong Nai -      The river just North of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).                                                          Dong Xoai –     Located in III Corps north of Saigon, a major battle was fought there in June 1965. Two Medals of Honor were awarded for that battle. 
Dong Tam -    The 9th Infantry division/Navy base on the north bank of the Song My Tho River about 50 miles south of Saigon.                                                                                                                             Donut Dolly – American Red Cross Volunteer.
Doobie -          Marijuana cigarette.
Doper -           A person who used illicit drugs.
Double Intender - Something whose intent can be taken a way other than what is simply stated.
Doughnut Dolly - The name given a woman Red Cross volunteer in Vietnam.
Dove -                         A person who is opposed to war.
Draft -             Draft dodging (failure to register or respond to a notice) was a Violation of US Laws.

• During the Vietnam War, of the 250,000 charged with this crime, only 2,000 were sent to jail.
• Every U.S. male at 18 had to register.
• Of the 27 million U.S. males eligible for the draft, only nine million served, and less than three million went to Vietnam.
• A manual for US draft-age immigrants was published by the Toronto Anti-Draft Organization in the sixties.
• Canada and Sweden - Countries where those fleeing the draft went to avoid prosecution. These countries did not return draftees.
• A draft lottery was implemented in 1969.

Draft Classification (ca. 1964-1972):

• 1-A - Draft Classification for eligible to serve.
• 2-S - Draft Classification for students.
• 4-F - Draft Classification for medically unable to serve in the U.S. armed forces.
• The U.S. military draft ended in 1972.

Drag bombs - (High Drag Bombs) Bombs dropped at low level that were perfect for the topography in Vietnam.
Dragonfly -     A-37 jet fighter.
DROS -          Date Return from Over Seas
DRV -                         Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam)
Drugs -           By 1969, it is estimated by some that over 50 percent of US military personnel took illicit drugs on a regular basis.
Dung burning detail - A rather odoriferous task (for which most enlisted personnel took turns) burning human waste (excrement).                                                                                                                                   Dung Lai –            Vietnamese for stop or halt.
Dust off -        Nickname for a medical evacuation of wounded personnel by a helicopter.
DX -                Direct Exchange, or to kill someone.    

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E

F

1^st Cavalry Division -  Activated in 1921, the 1^st Cav Div fought in the Pacific during WWII and in Korea in the early 1950’s.  In 1965 the Colors of the division were transferred from Korea to the experimental 11^th Air Assault Division at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  In the unit reorganization the former horse cavalry became the first division to move it’s soldiers to the battlefield by helicopter.  The Division was deployed to Vietnam in September 1965 and it’s first major battle was in the Ia Drang Valley where it won the Presidential Unit Citation.                                                                                                                     F-4 -                Twin jet engine, all-weather fighter.  Nicknamed the Phantom.  The F-4 was the plane used in the initial response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964.  Five Phamtoms were deployed from the aircraft carrier, USS Constellation, to attack North Vietnamese patrol boats.  Fifty F-4’s were the planes used in the first strike into North Vietnam on April 3, 1965.  Their target was a road bridge south of the capital of Hanoi.
FAC -              Forward Air Controller – usually flew at low levels at low speeds in Cessna O-1 “Bird Dog” spotter planes to better see and call in air strikes on enemy positions.  
FANK -           The Cambodia Army (Forces Armies Nationals Khmeres).
Farewell gesture – Toss a smoke grenade from exiting chopper when leaving a firebase to catch a freedom bird.
Fart Sack -     Sleeping bag.                                                                                                                     Fast Burners – or Fast Movers - jet aircraft called in by Forward Air Controllers (FACs)  to bomb, strafe or napalm enemy positions.                                                                                                              Fat Albert –    Air Force C-5 cargo plane.
Fat City -        MACV Head Quarters in Vietnam.
Fatigues -       Standard issue field or work uniform (usually olive drab).                                      

FIGMO –       Slang – “F**k it, I got my orders.”
Fire Base -      (FB)  A bunkered, fortified area.  Firebases were temporary sites where artillery guns were stationed in support of area ground operations.  The 105mm guns were usually brought in by helicopters– the firebases were secured by infantry troops.  The firing crews normally consisted of four guns/howitzers.
Fire Mission – Artillery fire.
Firefight -       Confrontation with the enemy in which a minor, or major battle takes place.                                                                                                                                                         Fire For Effect – When this is called all guns are aimed directly at the enemy and fire continually until told to cease firing.                                                                                                              
Fishhook -       See: Operations.
Fishing Trawlers – The Russian’s monitored B-52 bombing runs from Guam to North Vietnam from these craft.
Flak Vest / Jacket – A protective vest worn by U.S. military personnel. Many personnel when flying sat on them (folded) for more protection.
Flexgun -         7.62mm, M60 CA1 machine gun.
Flight Time – From Vietnam to a US military hospital in Japan 5-7 hours (to the Continental United States (CONUS) was 23+ hours).
Flower Children – The non-violent hippie movement of the sixties and seventies.
Flowers -         A Vietnamese girl would put flowers in her hair if she wanted to be dressed up.
Flying Boxcar – C-119 (Also Combat Hornet).
Flying Telephone Pole – The slang name of the Russian-built SA-2 rocket used in Vietnam.                                                                                                                                                  FNG –             “Fucking new guy” – a negative name for all new replacements.
FO -                 Forward Observer.  Calls in adjustments for artillery and mortar fire.
Foo Gas -        A combination of jet fuel and explosives in a 50-gallon drum usually buried in a berm used to defend a perimeter from VC assault.
Fonda, Jane – Went to North Vietnam because of her political beliefs in July 1972. However, American POWs were severely beaten when they refused to talk to her. Jane Fonda is still held in low-esteem by the majority of Vietnam-era and other veterans.                                                                                 Formaldehyde – A chemical in Vietnamese beer(Bier 33 – Ba Moi Bah))  used as a preservative in Vietnam (gave a kick if you weren’t expecting it).                                                                                    Forward Observer – (FO)  The person who calls in fire missions to the nearest artillery base or to a Navy ship                                                                                                                                                          Frag -              Short for fragmentation grenade.
Fragging (or Frag) – Intentional killing of someone, usually by his own troops, usually by means of a grenade.
Fraternization – Prohibited socialization between officers and enlisted personnel.
Freak -            The slang term for a drug-addict, pothead, or society dropout in Vietnam and the US.
Freak Flag -    Long hair.
Free Fire Zone – The name of the area where anything moving could be fired upon during the Vietnam War. Usually a no-man’s land.
Freedom Bird – A US bound plane that returned troops to the “world.”

Freedom Fighter – F-5. This jet was tested in Vietnam - built up to squadron level.
Frequent Wind – See: Operations.                                                                                                    Friendly Fire – Euphemism used during the war to describe air, artillery, or small-arms fire from friendly forces mistakenly directed at friendly positions.
Friendlies -     US soldiers, allies – all forces on our side.                                                                                                                                                          FSB –              Fire Support Base                                                                                                            FTA –          Slang expression meaning “F**k the Army.”
FTX -              Field Training Exercise.                                                                                                 FUBAR –          An expression from WWII meaning “F**ked Up Beyond All Repair/Recognition.”  The term is used to describe situations or events that are out of control.
Fulbright, Senator William F. – US Senator from Arkansas. Became critical of US involvement in Vietnam when he realized the US wasn’t going to win with its employed military tactics.
Funny Money – (MPC) Military Pay Certificate.  This was also known as “script” and used by US/Allied forces to pay the soldiers – the idea being to help slow down or help eliminate the thriving black market.

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G

G1 -                 Personnel officer on a general staff.
G2 -                 Military intelligence officer on general staff.
G3 -                 Operations officer on a general staff.
G4 -                 Supply officer on a general staff.
Gecko -           A small, green lizard often kept as a pet to catch flies and other insects.
Ghost or Ghosting -   Goldbricking, sandbagging, or hiding out in the rear as if not seen.
Giap, Vo Nguyen General -   North Vietnamese Commander. Believed control of the Central Highlands to be militarily critical in South Vietnam.
Gibraltar -      See: Operations.
Globemaster II- C-124 cargo plane - known as "Old Shakey"
GMT -            General Military Training, i.e., required knowledge of military life such as chain-of-command, rank, etc.       

 Gomers –        Slang expression for North Vietnamese soldiers.
Gook -             Derogatory term for Vietnamese and other Orientals.  Originated during the Korean War – slang for Hon Gook (Korean People).  

   GP –              “General Purpose”  When referring to a tent, a GP is a large tent that can house a squad plus their equipment.                                               

GQ –                  “General Quarters” An alarm that signals for all personnel to man their battle stations.
Grease Gun -              M-3 sub-machine gun.
Green Backs - US currency was forbidden in Vietnam, but if you did have it, you got a better deal.                                                                                                                       

Green Beret – Member of the US Army Special Forces – called for their distinctive green beret headgear authorized by President Kennedy.                                                                                                     Green Eye –            Starlight Scope.  A device that amplifies available light – allows personnel to see at night.
Grunt -            A term used during the Vietnam War as slang for ground (infantry) troops. Supposedly derived from the sound an infantryman made lifting up his rucksack.                                                          Guerrilla –      Soldiers of a resistance movement organized along paramilitary lines.
Guerrilla Warfare - The mode of fighting of the VC/NVA in Vietnam - irregular forces.
Gung Ho -       A very pro-military person or pro-mission
Gunship -        A helicopter equipped with machine gun(s) and rockets.                      

GVN –            Government of South Vietnam.

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H

H & I -            Harassment and Interdictory (artillery) fire.
Half-Track -   An M16 light armored vehicle with .50 cal machine guns.                     

Hai Van Pass – A mountain pass north of Da Nang – south of Phu Bai - the scene of many ambushes.
Haight Ashbury - The area in