Episode 3090 – Vietnam War History – Part 4, Turning Points of the Vietnam War: 1967–1968

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American soldiers are pictured here firing artillery on Nov. 21, 1967, during the battle of Dak To. [FRANCOIS MAZURE/AFP via Getty Images]

Vietnamese refugees fleeing during the Battle of Hue [Terry Fincher/Express // Getty Images]

Episode 3090 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will continue a look at the  story about 46 facts about the Vietnam War you may not know. The featured story appeared on the MSN website and was aptly titled: 46 facts about the Vietnam War you may not know. The story was submitted by Elias Sorich.

The years 1967 and 1968 marked a dramatic shift in the Vietnam War, both on the battlefield and at home in the United States. With the draft pulling nearly 40,000 young men into service each month, antiwar sentiment grew steadily. By April 1967, massive demonstrations drew hundreds of thousands into the streets, with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. lending his voice to the movement. Later that year, 100,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, with tens of thousands marching on the Pentagon in a defining act of protest.

Meanwhile, South Vietnam saw political change. In September 1967, Nguyễn Văn Thiệu rose to the presidency, a staunch anti-communist who had fought both with the French and against former leader Ngô Đình Diệm. His leadership, backed by Washington, would last until America’s eventual withdrawal.

On the front lines, November 1967 brought the costly Battle of Dak To in Kon Tum Province. U.S. and South Vietnamese forces succeeded militarily, but at a staggering price—over 1,800 U.S. casualties.

The following year shattered American confidence. In January 1968, the Tet Offensive unleashed widespread assaults across South Vietnam. Though North Vietnam suffered heavy losses, the offensive exposed the grim reality that the war was far from over. Images of Marines praying at Khe Sanh and refugees fleeing Hue underscored the human toll.

Together, these moments revealed the widening gap between U.S. government assurances and battlefield realities, fueling disillusionment and shaping the war’s lasting legacy.

Listen to Episode 3090 and discover more the incredible story of Navy Vietnam Vet Doug Hegdahl and how he outfoxed his North Vietnamese captors.