24/7 Wall St. Insights

• Without appropriate vehicles, American troops could not have traversed the unknown Vietnam terrain
• A number of craft, ranging from artillery to armored vehicles, played necessary roles during the war
• Also: Discover the next Nvidia 

The Vietnam War took place over a 20-year period from 1955 to 1975, when communist North Vietnam sought to unify the nation by taking the southern portion of Vietnam. Acting as an ally to the south, America entered this costly conflict early on. Vietnam was a particularly bloody war, with over three million people losing their lives, including 58,000 U.S. soldiers.

In 1961, Kennedy committed to sending U.S. soldiers to Vietnam. By 1969, roughly 500,000 American troops had been deployed to South Asia. During this war, Americans carried out massive operations in the jungle environment of Vietnam. Without the appropriate vehicles, American troops could not have traversed this unknown terrain. An assortment of vehicles was used in the war effort, including some that defined the Vietnam War.

Here, 24/7 Wall St. takes a closer look at the military vehicles that played a number of roles during this notorious war. To identify the vehicles that aided the Vietnam War, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of vehicles from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries worldwide. We ranked these vehicles chronologically. We included supplemental information regarding the type of vehicle, year introduced, manufacturer, top speed, and armament.

Although this war was not fought primarily with tanks, a few did make an appearance. The M48 Patton main battle tank saw some service, but it was primarily used in set-piece battles. The jungle terrain made it difficult for tanks to traverse, but they were effective in assaulting fortified positions. A number of other vehicles ranging from artillery to armored vehicles played necessary roles throughout the conflict on both sides.

Why Are We Covering This

The Vietnam War was one of the first modern military conflicts that employed new vehicles, helicopters, and fighter jets. As such, the tactics and strategies used throughout the conflict have been studied and refined for years. Understanding this facet of the conflict gives context to the overall conflict and provides insight into the evolution of military doctrine.

Here is a look at the vehicles that fought the Vietnam War:

BM-8 / BM-13 / BM-31 (Katyusha)

• Type: Multiple launch rocket system
• Year introduced: 1939
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Top speed: 47 mph
• Armament: 300mm rockets, 132mm rockets, 82mm rockets

M3 Scout Car

• Type: Armored car
• Year introduced: 1940
• Manufacturer: White Motor Company
• Top speed: 56 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns

Ford GP / GPW (Government Pygmy)

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer: Ford Motor
• Top speed: 65 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

Willys MB

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer: Willys-Overland
• Top speed: 70 mph
• Armament: 75mm recoilless rifle, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun

Daimler Armored Car

• Type: Armored fighting vehicle
• Year introduced: 1942
• Manufacturer: Daimler
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Armament: 40mm main gun, 7.92mm machine guns, 7.7mm machine guns

M8 Scott

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1942
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 36 mph
• Armament: 75mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun

GAZ-67

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer: Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod
• Top speed: 56 mph
• Armament: Typically, none

T-34/85

• Type: Up-gunned medium tank
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 85mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns

M24 Chaffee

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1944
• Manufacturer: Cadillac / Massey Harris
• Top speed: 35 mph
• Armament: 75mm main gun, smoke grenade mortar, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

Centurion (A41)

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1945
• Manufacturer: Leyland Motors / Vickers / Royal Ordnance Factory
• Top speed: 21 mph
• Armament: 105mm main gun, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, smoke grenades

UNIMOG

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1947
• Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Armament: N/A

T-54

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1949
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 100mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62 machine gun

BTR-40 (Bronetransporter)

• Type: Armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1950
• Manufacturer: Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Armament: 14.5mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

M35 / G742

• Type: Medium-class military truck
• Year introduced: 1951
• Manufacturer: Reo Motor
• Top speed: 55 mph
• Armament: Oerlikon 20mm cannon, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, 40mm grenade launcher, XM134 minigun

M41 Walker Bulldog

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1951
• Manufacturer: Cadillac Gage
• Top speed: 45 mph
• Armament: 76mm main gun, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

M108 SPG

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 35 mph
• Armament: 105mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, M20A1B1 rocket launcher

M42 (Duster)

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 45 mph
• Armament: 40mm Bofors cannon, 7.62mm machine guns

M48 Patton

• Type: Medium tank
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer: Chrysler / Ford / General Motors
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 90mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns, smoke grenades

M53 SPH

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer: Pacific Car and Foundry Company
• Top speed: 22 mph
• Armament: 155mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun

M55 SPH

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer: Pacific Car and Foundry Company
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 203mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun

PT-76

• Type: Amphibious light tank
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Top speed: 27 mph
• Armament: 76mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun

M56 Scorpion

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1953
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 28 mph
• Armament: 90mm main gun

M59 APC

• Type: Armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1953
• Manufacturer: Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation
• Top speed: 32 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine gun

M50 Ontos

• Type: Tank destroyer
• Year introduced: 1955
• Manufacturer: Allis Chalmers
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 106mm recoilless rifle, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

LVTP-5

• Type: Amphibious armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1956
• Manufacturer: FMC
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 105mm howitzer, 40mm anti-aircraft guns, 7.62mm machine guns

M274 Truck

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1956
• Manufacturer: Willys / Bowen-McLaughlin-York
• Top speed: 25 mph
• Armament: 106mm recoilless rifle, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, TOW anti-tank guided missiles

T-55

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1958
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Top speed: 31 mph
• Armament: 100mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns

Type 59

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1959
• Manufacturer: NORINCO
• Top speed: 28 mph
• Armament: 100mm main gun, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

BTR-60

• Type: Armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1960
• Manufacturer: Gorkiy Automobile Plant
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Armament: 14.5mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns

M113 SPA

• Type: Tracked armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1960
• Manufacturer: FMC Corporation / United Defense
• Top speed: 38 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 20mm cannons, smoke grenades, TOW anti-tank guided missiles

M60 (Patton)

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1960
• Manufacturer: General Dynamics
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Armament: 105mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenades

M88 Hercules

• Type: Armored recovery vehicle
• Year introduced: 1961
• Manufacturer: United Defense
• Top speed: 25 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine gun, smoke grenades

M1068 SICPS (Standard Integrated Command Post System)

• Type: Tracked command post vehicle
• Year introduced: 1962
• Manufacturer: FMC
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Armament: N/A

M107 SPA

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1962
• Manufacturer: Pacific Car and Foundry
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Armament: 175mm main gun

M110

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1962
• Manufacturer: Pacific Car & Foundry / FMC Corporation
• Top speed: 35 mph
• Armament: 203mm main gun

M114 CRV

• Type: Command and reconnaissance vehicle
• Year introduced: 1962
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 36 mph
• Armament: 20mm cannon, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, M72A1 LAW launchers

M578 LARV

• Type: Light armored recovery vehicle
• Year introduced: 1962
• Manufacturer: FMC Corporation
• Top speed: 37 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine gun

Cadillac Gage Commando (M706 / G-392)

• Type: Armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1963
• Manufacturer: Textron
• Top speed: 62 mph
• Armament: 105mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns, smoke grenades

M109 (Paladin)

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1963
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Armament: 155mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun

Type 62

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1963
• Manufacturer: NORINCO
• Top speed: 37 mph
• Armament: 85mm main gun, 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, smoke grenades

Type 63

• Type: Armored personnel carrier
• Year introduced: 1964
• Manufacturer: NORINCO
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine gun

M106 MC

• Type: Tracked 107mm mortar carrier vehicle
• Year introduced: 1965
• Manufacturer: FMC
• Top speed: 42 mph
• Armament: 107mm field mortar, 12.7mm machine guns

ZSU-23-4 (Shilka)

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1965
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Top speed: 31 mph
• Armament: 23mm cannon, SA-16 or SA-18 surface-to-air missiles

Kaiser-Jeep M715 (Five Quarter)

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1967
• Manufacturer: Kaiser-Jeep
• Top speed: 55 mph
• Armament: Typically, none

M551 Sheridan

• Type: Armored reconnaissance assault vehicle
• Year introduced: 1968
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Top speed: 43 mph
• Armament: 155mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenades

M163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS)

• Type: Self-propelled artillery
• Year introduced: 1969
• Manufacturer: General Electric
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Armament: 20mm gatling gun

M561 (Gamma Goat)

• Type: Utility vehicle
• Year introduced: 1969
• Manufacturer: Ling-Temco-Vought
• Top speed: 56 mph
• Armament: N/A

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