50 years ago today, June 12, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 09:18:23 -0400

Mounting Roman Catholic opposition to South Vietnamese Premier Phan Huy Quat’s government leads him to resign.
The next day a military triumvirate headed by Army General Nguyen Van Thieu took over and expanded to a 10-man National Leadership Committee on June 14.
The Committee decreed the death penalty for Viet Cong terrorists, corrupt officials, speculators, and black marketeers.
The Catholics approved of Quat’s resignation and warned the military against favoring the Buddhists, who asked for an appointment of civilians to the new cabinet.

MACV Commander General Westmoreland asked the U.S. Department of Defense for increased authority to undertake offensive operations.
He said, "We have reached the point in Vietnam where we cannot avoid the commitment to combat of U.S. ground troops."
The Pentagon endorsed Westmoreland's request for additional soldiers which would bring the total of American military personnel in Vietnam up to 117,000, plus 20,000 third-country troops, by November 1.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 12 at 2015 9:25 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 09:25:33 -0400

Still in high school with the nuns and God I hope it's a Friday!

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 12 at 2015 9:29 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 09:29:59 -0400

High school....I enlisted in Feb 66.

Response by Capt Phil Williams made Jun 12 at 2015 11:57 AM

Capt Phil Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:57:34 -0400

After Parris Island in the Fall of 1965, I was sent to Camp Pendleton as part of the newly activated 9th Engineer Battalion, FMF. After OJT I was classified as a 1345 - Combat Engineer, Heavy Equipment Operator. Our Battalion left San Diego via ship and landed at Chu Lai, Viet Nam after the crossing. As a Combat Engineer I got to "play in the dirt" a good amount of my time in country north of Tam Ky. Our outpost had 8" self-propelled howitzers, Recon, Engineers and some infantry. I truly enjoyed working with my "big toy" and moving the dirt around for the dump trucks in rebuilding Route 1. However, I received orders to leave Viet Nam at the end of the summer to go to school. But I did manage to "smuggle" something out of country that I did not know about. In 1977 as a Captain in the Marines I came down with diabetes and received a medical discharge - against my wishes. Several years later I had open heart by-pass surgery. In 2013 the VA finally classified my medical problems as being caused by my exposure to Agent Orange while in country and "playing in the dirt". I was always grateful for the 03's who "watched our backs" while were working - night and day. Also, I want to offer my best to anyone who was in 3rd Bn, 4th Marines and knew Capt John Prichard who was killed in Viet Nam. There are many who lost friends and family during this war and like other wars we cannot forget them. The Wall is an emotional time for many because it brings home how much has been lost. If you have the time I would suggest you watch this short Youtube. It show some of the pain that many have gone through because of the American blood that has been spilled in foreign lands. - Semper Fi

"There You'll Be " (Time: 3:56) by Lizzie Palmer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=siaBhhgZ8o4

There You'll Be

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. I had the time last night to make another tribute video. Hope you all like it =) "There You'll Be" ...

Response by Capt Phil Williams made Jun 12 at 2015 12:56 PM

Capt Phil Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:56:09 -0400

I had just finished my Freshman year at the University of Georgia. The Draft was moving forward, and I had to determine what to do with my life....go back to school and take my chances with the Draft or go ahead and enlist. In all honesty, with God's help, I chose to enlist in the Marines. It was a choice that changed both me and my life forever. Semper Fi

Response by Maj Michael StClair made Jun 13 at 2015 10:07 AM

Maj Michael StClair — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 10:07:26 -0400

MCAS Yuma getting ready to go to Viet Nam for my first tour.

Response by Cpl Kristoffer Mischel made Jun 20 at 2015 9:32 PM

Cpl Kristoffer Mischel — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:32:11 -0400

I wasn't even a twinkle in my mothers eye! She was 4.