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Combatants are the participants of the war when speaking of the countries involved, AND, they are the individuals involved, when speaking of their functions (jobs). The countries involved that were combatants were; the US, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, and South Vietnam. Their opponent was; Communist North Vietnam, and the Communist sympathisers living in South Vietnam, the Viet Cong. The Communist North Vietnamese & Viet Cong forces received their war material (aid) from both of the Communist countries of the Soviet Union and Red China.

The second category of "combatants" are the individual's themselves. ALL Military/Naval personnel are considered "combatants" over civilians. However, within the military/naval structure itself, "combatants" are further categorized (broken down). A US sailor performing the duties of a submarine crewman, aboard a submarine at sea during wartime, would be a "combatant" over a US sailor performing the duties of a "Clerk" at a US Naval Base somewhere in the United States.

During the Vietnam War, the US Army consisted of 3 COMBAT ARMS: Armor (tanks), Artillery (Cannons-called "Guns"), and Infantry (Foot Soldiers). (For the 21st Century (Post Vietnam) the US Army has made some changes). ALL other units were support units; such as the Engineers, Transportation, Medical Corps, Aviation units, Ordnance units, Military Police units, Food Service units, Chemical units, Administration units, etc. The function of ALL of those support units consisted of only ONE purpose: to support those 3 combat arms. Consequently, since those three combat arms are fighting the battle on the front lines ( or "in the field" as said in Vietnam), and the support elements are in the rear, or transient when conducting support missions...those men belonging to the "Combat Arms" in the field (on the front lines) are "combatants".
There were the South Vietnamese, supported by the United States, and the North Vietnamese, supported by China.

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Communists.

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Q: Who were the combatants of the Vietnam War?
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