<P> Beginning in 1970 , American troops were withdrawn from border areas where most of the fighting took place , instead redeployed along the coast and interior , and US casualties in 1970 were less than half of 1969 casualties after being relegated to less active combat . At the same time that US forces were deployed , the Army of the Republic of Vietnam took over combat operations throughout the country , with casualties doubled US casualties in 1969 , and more than tripled US ones in 1970 . The post-Tet environment saw a rise in membership in Regional Force and Popular Force militias , now more capable of providing village security which the Americans could not under Westmoreland . In 1970 Nixon announced the withdrawal of an additional 150,000 American troops , reducing the number of Americans to 265,500 . By 1970 the Viet Cong forces were no - longer southern - majority , and nearly 70 % of units were northerners . Between 1969 to 1971 the Viet Cong and some PAVN units had reverted to small unit tactics typical of 1967 and prior instead of nation - wide grand offensives . In 1971 Australia and New Zealand withdrew their soldiers and U.S. troop count was further reduced to 196,700 , with a deadline to remove another 45,000 troops by February 1972 . The United States also reduced support troops and in March 1971 the 5th Special Forces Group , the first American unit deployed to South Vietnam , withdrew to Fort Bragg , North Carolina . </P>
<P> Beginning in 1970 , American troops were withdrawn from border areas where most of the fighting took place , instead redeployed along the coast and interior , and US casualties in 1970 were less than half of 1969 casualties after being relegated to less active combat . At the same time that US forces were deployed , the Army of the Republic of Vietnam took over combat operations throughout the country , with casualties doubled US casualties in 1969 , and more than tripled US ones in 1970 . The post-Tet environment saw a rise in membership in Regional Force and Popular Force militias , now more capable of providing village security which the Americans could not under Westmoreland . In 1970 Nixon announced the withdrawal of an additional 150,000 American troops , reducing the number of Americans to 265,500 . By 1970 the Viet Cong forces were no - longer southern - majority , and nearly 70 % of units were northerners . Between 1969 to 1971 the Viet Cong and some PAVN units had reverted to small unit tactics typical of 1967 and prior instead of nation - wide grand offensives . In 1971 Australia and New Zealand withdrew their soldiers and U.S. troop count was further reduced to 196,700 , with a deadline to remove another 45,000 troops by February 1972 . The United States also reduced support troops and in March 1971 the 5th Special Forces Group , the first American unit deployed to South Vietnam , withdrew to Fort Bragg , North Carolina . </P>
when did the us leave the vietnam war
when did the us leave the vietnam war
1970
1970