The Don Englebreston Collection

Servicemen at Mortar Position, Qui Nhon Airfield, April 1965

Servicemen at Mortar Position, Qui Nhon Airfield, April 1965

Two servicemen man a sandbagged mortar position at Qui Nhon Airfield in April 1965, during the earliest stages of the American military buildup in Vietnam. Perimeter defense positions like this one protected airfields and installations from enemy attack, a critical concern as U.S. forces rapidly expanded their footprint in-country that year. Project: 218822