On the Line: Intrepid and the Vietnam War, a major exhibition exploring the events and impact of the Vietnam War through the lens of Intrepid’s history, is now open at the Intrepid Museum.

The legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid served three tours of duty in Vietnam between 1966 and 1969. Set within the very spaces where men lived and served, the exhibition focuses on the experiences of Intrepid and its crew “on the line”—the periods when the ship was active in the Gulf of Tonkin, launching aircraft for missions over mainland Vietnam.

The exhibition, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the war, offers a site-specific immersion into an important chapter of American history. It includes a newly designed exhibition area on the hangar deck and a unique look at Vietnam War–era aircraft, displayed on the flight deck. This localized history serves as the starting point for understanding the larger historical landscape, including the Cold War, Operation Rolling Thunder and protests at home.

The exhibition includes artifacts, photographs and film clips from the Museum’s collection, many of which will be on display for the first time. The exhibition also draws from the Museum’s Oral History Project, an initiative launched in 2013 to record and preserve the stories of those who served on Intrepid. Visitors will have the chance to hear the experiences of veterans in their own words and to learn history firsthand.

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