50 years ago today, June 18, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:23:52 -0400

Nguyen Cao Ky takes power in South Vietnam as the new prime minister with Nguyen Van Thieu functioning as official chief of state.
They lead the 10th government in 20 months.

Under Secretary of State George Ball wrote a memo to President Johnson stating, "Ever since 1961 -- the beginning of our deep involvement in Vietnam -- we have met successive disappointments.
We have tended to underestimate the strength and staying power of the enemy.
We have tended to overestimate the effectiveness of our sophisticated weapons under jungle conditions.
We have watched the progressive loss of territory to Viet Cong control.
We have been unable to bring about the creation of a stable political base in Saigon."
Ball advised caution in expanding the U.S. military commitment to South Vietnam.

Under Operation Arc Light, B-52 aircraft were used for the first time in the Vietnam War.
Flying out of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 27 B-52s dropped 750- and 1,000-pound bombs on a Viet Cong stronghold.
Two B-52s were lost in a mid-air collision.
An after-action survey found little evidence of Viet Cong casualties

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jun 18 at 2015 9:27 AM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:27:37 -0400

Great reporting Jan!

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Jun 18 at 2015 11:03 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:03:38 -0400

I was a twinkle in my daddy's eye...

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jun 18 at 2015 3:07 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:07:28 -0400

Danang Viet Nam