The Vietnam War was a pivotal conflict in United States’ history. Fought over a period of multiple years, the war took a toll on the American psyche, as 2.7 million U.S. personnel were deployed to Southeast Asia. Though most Americans associate the Vietnam War with the early 70s, full-scale U.S. combat operations were ongoing during the eight-year period between 1965 and 1973. However, the totality of U.S. involvement in this major war lasted almost two decades, from 1955 to 1975.
The war did not end with an American victory. The U.S. achieved many tactical successes but failed strategically to prevent North Vietnam’s victory. However, several tactical victories on America’s part caused major North Vietnamese casualties. Our military vehicles played a substantial role in this success.
Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the military vehicles that played a number of roles during this time. To identify the vehicles that fought 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.
One iconic vehicle that emerged from the conflict was the American M113 that acted as an armored personnel carrier. It was crucial for troop mobility and safety, despite the rough terrain of the Vietnamese jungles.
Although tanks were not widely used during this war (due largely to the dense jungle terrain), 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 again they were effective in assaulting fortified positions. A number of other vehicles, ranging from artillery to armored vehicles, played different roles throughout the conflict on both sides.
This post was updated on October 4, 2025 to clarify the number of Americans drafted to Vietnam, the areas in which the U.S. was successful in the war, armaments of select vehicles, and the correct variant of the M113, as well as to remove any vehicles which were obsolete before Vietnam or used by allies only.
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 war were studied and refined for years afterward. Understanding this facet of the conflict gives context and provides insight into the evolution of military doctrine.
Here is a look at the vehicles that fought the Vietnam War:
T-34
- Type: Up-gunned medium tank
- Year introduced: 1943
- Manufacturer: State Factories
- Top speed: 30 mph
- Armament: 85mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns
UNIMOG
- Type: Utility vehicle
- Year introduced: 1947
- Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz
- Top speed: 50 mph
- Armament: N/A
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: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, 40mm grenade launcher
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: .50 cal machine guns, 20mm cannon, 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, light MGs or recoilless rifles
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 APC
- 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: Standard versions had M2 .50-cal and M60 7.62mm machine guns.
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
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: 152mm main gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenades
M561 (Gamma Goat)
- Type: Utility vehicle
- Year introduced: 1969
- Manufacturer: Ling-Temco-Vought
- Top speed: 56 mph
- Armament: N/A
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