[1965 VIETNAM WAR HOME MOVIE CAMP HORN, DA NANG]

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1965

Description:

Part 1: https://youtu.be/FWOxHVKCOGE
Part 3: https://youtu.be/IuZgviSHrW0

Shot by an unknown American military man or contractor, this home movie takes viewers to Vietnam. It offers viewers a ground view of a day in the life of a soldier or Marine stationed at Camp Horn, located in Danang, Vietnam. The Vietnam conflict was a proxy war included northern and southern Vietnam; the North supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist countries and the South supported by the United States and anti-communist forces. The north, headed by Ho Chi Minh sought to unify northern and southern Vietnam following the defeat of the French colonial administration of Vietnam of 1954. The war began in November of 1955 and lasted until April of 1975. US forces withdrew in April of 1973. NOTE: A large section of this film has lint or human hair that was caught in the "gate" of the camera, and so much of the image is obliterated.

This film appears to show footage of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade headquartered at Camp Horn. Camp horn is situated on the western edge of Da Nang air base. It opens as a helicopter buzzes overhead (:09). An explosion blows in the water (:16). The camera pans over the base (:26). A troop stands with a bazooka slung over his back (1:05). Troops move about with camouflage tacked to their back (1:22). One shows off his guitar against his leg (1:34). A troop's weaponry and personal items lay in a heap on the ground (1:52). Another soldier holds a small tree (2:01). A soldier holds a cigar and a can of egg nog, an African American G.I. smiles for the camera (2:33). A German shepherd runs through the camp (2:43). Two men box outside their tent (3:23). A soldier in his greens digs a hole (3:51). Tent flaps billow in the breeze (4:22). The camera pans over a narrow trench (4:44). Soldiers walk towards the camera with weapons in hand (5:18). A view is presented from a plane as it runs down the runway (6:42). An HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter buzzes by (7:02), dust spins up as it prepares to land. Weapons are cleaned and loaded (9:19). A soldier runs down a long dirt road (9:41) for physical training. A flare is set off (9:49). A Chinook CH47 flies through the air (9:54). The Chinook moves close to the camera (10:37) and touches down on the dirt road (10:52). Troops unload from the back end (11:05). A soldier fires a flame thrower against a fence (12:08). Another plays for the camera (12:24) while eating food. Covered military jeeps zoom by (13:04). A wide shot shows Namo Bridge running over Song Cu De River (13:25). One troop in camouflage bends to pet a small pup (13:37). The camera shoots down the long bridge (14:05). Another troop picks up a small white pup (14:29); a cut out Lucy the character from the Peanuts cartoon is visible behind him. A wide camera angle follows of the bridge and water beneath (14:53). White foam line the shoreline (15:03). A tank sits in the dirt (15:11). An observation post stands on the ground (15:24). An aerial shot of Camp Horn follows (15:30). Mountains line the background (15:42). Blue waters cuts through the land (16:08). Troops stand in high weeds (16:17). Forces play in the water during recreation time (18:40). They play a game of bocce ball (19:34). A sign mentions Namo Bridge (20:48). Bleached out footage shows men during recreation time (21:53). USO show: a woman plays in high boots by the water (22:06). Another dances on stage as she sings into a microphone (22:14). The band plays behind her (22:37). Locals run into the water (24:15).