The South Vietnamese soldiers of the Vietnam War played a pivotal role in the defense of their homeland against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. South Vietnamese troops exhibited bravery and commitment in the face of a complex and evolving conflict against a tough, cunning opponent. Serving alongside their American allies, and using their hard fought knowledge of the battle spaces and local politics, they engaged in many different types of combat operations to fight back against the NVA and Viet Cong.