(Photo: Cossey) Obviously Martin is the winner here. He got a man sized one. We all look like we just came out the hills where we have our stills hid away, haha. Of the 14 troopers in this photo, 8 are now deceased. Farewell old friends! God speed Stallion! Bird-out … [Read more...]
O rang – copy
“Standin’ on a corner in…” O rang, Cambodia. This has got to be the ultimate war souvenir/photograph. Damn, I shoulda had Cossey take my photo with this! That honor goes to Bruce Hammonds of Bessemer, Alabama displaying the Cambodian National Flag in the traditional blue and red with the temple at Angor Wat. Recon walked into O rang early in May, 1970. There was a hospital, school, army base and an airstrip there. That would be a grass and dirt airstrip, of course. Not too … [Read more...]
Strategic Hamlet Program
Things are not going well in South Viet Nam By 1961, the Kennedy administration became alarmed that the 4 year insurgency by the National Liberation Front was taking control of many rural areas in South Viet Nam. The Diem administration had eliminated many of the civil positions and replaced them with officials loyal to Diem and his family. These officials and their military counter parts were frequently moved to different positions due to Diem's fear that they would organize and turn against … [Read more...]
General Maxwell Taylor
"The fighting is going on in four fronts: the government versus the generals, the Buddhists versus the government, the generals versus the ambassador, and, I hope, the generals versus the VC". General Maxwell Taylor speaking to American correspondents in Saigon, 1965 Taylor had retired from the army and was serving as Ambassador to South Vietnam from 1964 to 1965. Bird-out … [Read more...]
Vietnam Issue/Essential gear
What were the things that we couldn't have lived without? Besides your issue weapon. The small but oh so important can opener: the P-38. The cook stove, usually the empty cracker can from your C-rations. Of course, the canteen cup. In service since WWII. I wonder if they still issue these? Then, of course, a "church key", essential to opening the beers and sodas we would get. Everyone I believe had some kind of heavy duty knife, frequently a Ka Bar or an M-16 bayonet. Too many … [Read more...]
Kessler – copy
On my way out of Taipei following my R & R, I was walking through the customs free area in the airport and spotted a bottle of Kessler whiskey. Hell, that's Martin's preferred drink! I immediately purchased a bottle and stowed it in my bag. After arriving back at FSB Nancy, I unpacked and placed that bottle on a shelf in the bunker that Cossey and I shared with Dob and Mike Beldy. The next morning we were informed the Colonel would be inspecting the men's quarters. When the hell did the … [Read more...]
Helicopter War-Veterans Day
On this Veterans Day I am reminded of the bravery and sacrifice of the helicopter pilots who served in Viet Nam and all of Indochina during the years 1961 to 1975. They hauled precious supplies of medicines , food, ammunition, mail and many other items to soldiers and marines. These could be small recon units, battalion sized forces, isolated outposts or big bases. They supported and ferried ARVN troops and regional forces as well as U.S. units. (Photo: Cossey) They could also deliver … [Read more...]
LBJ and McNamara
(Photo: Yoichi Okamoto) From a recorded phone call in March, 1964. McNamara: Mr. President. LBJ: I want you to dictate to me on this situation in Viet Nam. Now I've got to have some kind of summarized, logical, factual, analysis of it. McNamara: Well I do think Mr. President, that it'd be wise for you to say as little as possible. Bird-out … [Read more...]
Ngo Dinh Diem
Anyone familiar with the "Viet Nam experience" will be acquainted with the many characters involved: Gen. Westmoreland, Gen. Giap, various American presidents, Le Duc Tho, Henry Kissinger and don't forget... Ho Chi Minh is a son of a bitch! Got the blue ball fever and the seven year itch! But of all the actors in this drama, Ngo Dinh Diem is perhaps the most pivotal. Born into a Catholic family in central VN, his father was a high ranking civil servant. Their clan had converted to Catholism … [Read more...]
Echo Co. Mortars
I raise my glass to the men of Echo Co. Mortars! Bartender-make that a double! Echo mortars on FSB David Nick Mychajluk has forwarded some good photos. I think I see what's going on here. Echo must have just arrived on the firebase and got some aiming stakes up. Have to sight in the tubes. Firebase Exodus Jeez, can't you guys clean up a little? Actually I like this because it does show the conditions when setting up and building a firebase. They just don't spring up out of the ground. … [Read more...]