The Best Historical References In Forrest Gump

The most extensive historical reference in "Forrest Gump" is the movie's portrayal of the Vietnam War. Forrest joins the army in the 1960s, just as the war is starting to heat up. There, he befriends Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue (Mykelti Williamson) and meets Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise). Forrest turns out to be a standout soldier who excels in taking direction and following orders to a T.

When he actually gets to Vietnam, Forrest experiences the harsh reality of the war. Bubba dies in his arms, he gets wounded, the foreign climate presents many trials, and surprise attacks are frequent. Through it all is the constant hunt for the Viet Cong. Forrest also works as a "tunnel rat," which, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Army, was one of the more dangerous jobs one could have in Vietnam.

Forrest fights for the 9th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, which was active in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969. This means it's possible that Forrest could have potentially fought during the Tet Offensive, which was one of the bloodiest, deadliest, and most significant operations in the entire war.