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The Vietnam War premiered Sunday September 17, 2017 at 8/7c on SDPB and PBS stations nationwide.

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s ten-part, 18-hour documentary series, THE VIETNAM WAR, tells the epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history as it has never before been told on film. Visceral and immersive, the series explores the human dimensions of the war through revelatory testimony of nearly 80 witnesses from all sides—Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as combatants and civilians from North and South Vietnam.

South Dakota Vietnam Stories

Red Bow: Remembering the Lakota Country Music Artist

Last Updated by Katy Beem on
Stardust Red Bow with her father, Buddy Red Bow.
Stardust Red Bow.

As the new doc about the Lakota country music artist sets to premiere Oct. 14, daughter Stardust Red Bow remembers her father and keeps his spirit alive in her own way.

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SD Vietnam Stories: The Tet Offensive

Last Updated by Heather Benson on

On this, the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, we listen to Clark Mola's story of that time.

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SD Vietnam Stories: Donald Dahlin

Last Updated by Krystal Schoenbauer on

As part of our preparation for the upcoming Ken Burns documentary, The Vietnam War, we are recording the stories of South Dakota Vietnam-era veterans and participants. This is Donald Dahlin's story.

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SD Vietnam Stories: Jerry Wilson

Last Updated by Krystal Schoenbauer on

As part of our preparation for the upcoming Ken Burns documentary, The Vietnam War, we are recording the stories of South Dakota Vietnam-era veterans and participants. This is Jerry Wilson's story.

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SD Vietnam Stories: Joe Reiser

Last Updated by Krystal Schoenbauer on

As part of our preparation for the upcoming Ken Burns documentary, The Vietnam War, we are recording the stories of South Dakota Vietnam-era veterans and participants. This is Joe Reiser's story.

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The Vietnam War
Remember
The Vietnam War - Premieres Sunday, September 17, 8/7c.
share your vietnam story

The film features stories from a wide variety of perspectives - and we want to hear your voice too.

If you or a loved one experienced the events surrounding the war, you can either share a video or audio file, personal photographs, or even just write a short narrative in the comment box.

Share your story below or explore the stories.



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Thank You to Our Supporters

Funding for THE VIETNAM WAR is provided by Bank of America; Corporation for Public Broadcasting; PBS; David H. Koch; The Blavatnik Family Foundation; Park Foundation; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; National Endowment for the Humanities; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Ford Foundation Just Films; Rockefeller Brothers Fund; and members of The Better Angels Society: Jonathan & Jeannie Lavine, Diane & Hal Brierley, Amy & David Abrams, John & Catherine Debs, Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, The Montrone Family, Lynda & Stewart Resnick, The Golkin Family Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, The Roger & Rosemary Enrico Foundation, Richard S. & Donna L. Strong Foundation, Bonnie & Tom McCloskey, Barbara K. & Cyrus B. Sweet III, The Lavender Butterfly Fund.

Local support for The Vietnam War comes from Black Hills Energy, Scull Construction Services Inc and Sanford Health.

THE VIETNAM WAR is a production of Florentine Films and WETA, Washington, DC. Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, Lynn Novick and Ken Burns. 

The Vietnam War
PBS Previews: The Vietnam War
Find out about the creation of The Vietnam War, coming to PBS Sunday, September 17, 2017.

See More Video Previews

Not Since The Civil War | First Look
A GI recalls how the Vietnam War divided American society.
How Am I Doing This? | First Look
A GI talks about his fear of land mines, and the courage it took just to walk in Vietnam.
Expanding the Draft | First Look
With the Vietnam War ramping up, college students begin to worry about the draft.