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During the Vietnam War the Vietcong made a tunnel network under Vietnam which they used for communication and supply routes.

When the American troops found the entrance to one of these tunnels they would send one soldier down into the tunnel armed only with a gun, a knife, a flashlight and a piece of string. These soldiers were called 'tunnel rats'.

They would explore the tunnels and then bring any papers or information back to the rest of his troops at the entrance to the tunnel.

Many 'tunnel rats' were killed while down in the tunnels as the Vietcong set booby traps to kill the 'tunnel rats'.

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What was the Average life expectancy of a us tunnel rat?

The same as the rest of the GI's. The work was mostly scary; snakes, spiders, darkness, etc.


Who were tunnel rats?

Due to the nature of the Vietnam War...infiltration into South Vietnam by NVA troops, and VC guerillas living by day as peaceful civilians and fighting by night as guerillas; plus the ever present deployment of US/Allied jet & propeller driven aircraft and helicopters, communist forces (NVA/VC) relied upon under-ground systems (tunnels) to provide CONCEALMENT & PROTECTION from the aforementioned circumstances. Since the US/Allied forces fought the enemy, by methods of SEARCHING & DESTROYING; patrols and military sweeps often discovered tunnels in the mountains, forests, swamps, jungles, and villages in South Vietnam. When these tunnels were found, a volunteer from the patrol or unit would enter the tunnel, normally armed only with a .45 pistol in one hand, and a flashlight in the other hand; these men were labeled TUNNEL RATS, and the Press picked up on that term. If no man volunteered to go into the tunnel, a man was chosen...or the leader went in. If no one wanted to enter the tunnel, it was blown. If the tunnel was found by a Mechanized Infantry or Armored Cavalry or Tank Unit, sometimes the tunnel's entrance would be crushed by running an ACAV (M-113), M-48 Patton Tank, or M-551 Sheridan Tank over the entrance of the tunnel; to collapse it (destroy it).


What is the underwater tunnel that links Great Britain to France?

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Who lived in Vietnam during the Vietnam war?

Q who was the victor of the Vietnam war? A I have no idea who won the Vietnam war!!!!


Was the Vietnam war in Pennsylvania?

No, the Vietnam War was in Vietnam

Related questions

What was worst job a US serviceman could have in Vietnam?

Tunnel Rat is the worst job in Vietnam.


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What are facts about tunnel cities of the Vietnam war?

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American military personnel who searched the Vietcong tunnels were called?

Always (usually) a volunteer...the tunnel rat.


What is a Tunnel Rat?

Though at first glance, this might refer to a rodent, the term applies to the individuals who, generally armed with a handgun and flashlight, crawled into tunnels dug by the enemy in the Vietnam conflict. These soldiers braved an armed adversary, booby traps, pitfalls and other nasty things to insure the tunnels were clear.


What did Christopher whisper in the ear of the rude guy who referred to him as rat and tunnel boy on the Sopranos TV series?

you stinkbomb...that's what he whispered.


What was the Average life expectancy of a us tunnel rat?

The same as the rest of the GI's. The work was mostly scary; snakes, spiders, darkness, etc.


What kind of rats are on each continent?

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Home of rat called?

The home of a rat is typically referred to as a burrow or a nest. Rats are known to create intricate tunnel systems underground to protect themselves and their young from predators. They may also nest in dark, secluded areas within buildings or structures.


What actors and actresses appeared in Dangerous Missions - 1999?

The cast of Dangerous Missions - 1999 includes: Beau Billingslea as Narrator Tony Cimmarusti Harlan Glenn as Tunnel Rat


Did the us air force utilize military police as tunnel rats during the VietNam war?

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What is tunnel in French?

The word "tunnel" in French is "tunnel".