50 years ago today, June 16, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

2015-06-16T10:29:07-04:00

Navy Department schedules reactivation of hospital ship Repose (AH-16), first hospital ship activated for Vietnam Conflict.

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara announces that 21,000 more U.S. troops are to be sent to Vietnam.
He also claimed that it was now known that North Vietnamese regular troops had begun to infiltrate South Vietnam.
The new U.S. troops were to join the U.S. Marines and paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade that had arrived earlier to secure U.S. airbases and facilities.
These forces would soon transition from defensive missions to direct combat operations.
As the war escalated, more and more U.S. combat troops were sent to South Vietnam.
By 1969, there were over 540,000 American troops in Vietnam.

Senator J. William Fulbright, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said on national television that the U.S. should negotiate directly with North Vietnam and make "major concessions" to end the Vietnam War.
Fulbright's statement was criticized by prominent Republicans, including former Vice President Richard Nixon said that negotiations "would be surrender on the installment plan.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 16 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-06-16T10:50:05-04:00

My Mommy was reading me a book about ducks...I think..and looking forward to watching cartoons later.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-06-16T11:53:04-04:00

Five years from birth, lol. However, Vietnam may be a mission next year.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 17 at 2015 8:55 AM

2015-06-17T08:55:17-04:00

Well, SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S., I had just completed my sophomore year of high school. I worked odd jobs, dated any girl that would go out with me (not many!) and participated in the high school varsity football summer training program. I lived in Jacksonville, FL, so we went to the beach...a lot!

Response by SN Dorance Gray made Jun 17 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-06-17T12:23:17-04:00

jest was waiting to go on active dude by June 30th in NEW PORT, RI FROM THERE I WENT TO CA IN AUGUST ABOARD THE USS BRINKLEY BASS DD 877 IN SEPTEMBER 28TH FOR 6 MOS. TOUR TO VIETNAM