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O2 - Forward Air Control twin-boom airplane, Cessna Skymaster, also known as the ‘push and pull’ for it’s twin
engines – one facing forward the other facing aft. Used primarily for forward air control and
psychological operations.
O-3-11 - US Marine code for an infantryman (slang term - Oh-3-dum dum)
OCS - Officer Candidate School.
OD - Olive Drab.
OIC - Officer in Charge
OJ - Opium soaked / laced marijuana cigarette.
OJT - On-The-Job-Training.
Olfractronic Personnel Detector - The farcical weapon used in Vietnam for detecting above normal ammonia readings.
(also termed People Sniffer).
Olsen, Betty and Eleanor Vetti - Female POWs.
One-Oh-Five - 105mm howitzer.
OP - Observation Post.
Op Order - Operation(s) order, sometimes, OPORD.
OPCON - Operational Control.
Operations, Vietnam - There were 45 primary US operations that occurred from March 1965 through December 1967 in
South Vietnam.
Arc-Light - A B-52 bombing mission in Vietnam.
Apace Snow - Slang name Hamburger Hill was used by military personnel fighting it in May-June 1969.
Cedar Falls - Took place in the Iron Triangle.
Delaware - Took place in 1968 (after Tet) in which a large cache of ammunition, etc., was captured and destroyed
(thus preventing another invasion like the earlier Tet).
Enhance - Last supply mission to support President Thieu of South Vietnam.
Fishhook - Began in May-June 1970, in Cambodia to search out VC/NVA.
Flaming Dart - Ordered as retribution by President Johnson for an attack on the base at Pleiku in February 1965.
This was a prelude to a major escalation of U.S. involvement.
Frequent Wind - The final mission in South Vietnam to airlift U.S. personnel and select Vietnamese in 1975.
Gibraltar - The first major battle in South Vietnam involving U.S. Army personnel.
Hasting - Took place on the DMZ (by the Marines) in 1966. There were 126 KIAs and 448 wounded during this
massive battle.
Homecoming - The transition of POWs to the USA after being held in North Vietnamese captivity for so long.
Linebacker I - Resumption of bombing of North Vietnam by Nixon, 1972.
Linebacker II - The bombing mission around Christmas 1972 (it was the heaviest bombing of the Vietnam War). This
bombing operation brought the North Vietnamese back to the bargaining table Christmas 1972.
Menu - The bombing missions (though secret) in Cambodia.
Masher - February 1966, near Bong Son.
Phoenix - The campaign to eliminate the infrastructure of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.
Pierce Arrow - The first bombing mission launched in the South China Sea against North Vietnam in August 1964
(after the Tonkin Gulf Incident).
Ranch Hand - The operation that began dropping Agent Orange on areas of South Vietnam.
Rolling Thunder - The bombing missions in North Vietnam from early 1965 through November 1968.
Starlite - The first regimental battle since Korea staged in Vietnam, August 1965.
Steel Tiger - Bombing attacks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, 1965.
Oscar - Slang name for an RTO (Radio Telephone Operator).
OSI - Office of Special Investigations (USAF)
OTS - "Officer Training School". Air Force version of Army OCS.
Otter - U-1, US Army plane used for light transport in South Vietnam.
OV-10 - Bronco; a reconnaissance, close air support twin-engine plane.
An "Unofficial" Vietnam
Dictionary
Written by Paul Kasper
Edited by Bob Nelson
Dedicated to all Vietnam Veterans--"Especially those who didn't come home."
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