50 years ago today, June 8, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

2015-06-08T09:12:27-04:00

---> more heat applied <---

State Dept Press Officer Robert McCloskey notes that, “American forces would be available for combat support together with Vietnamese forces when and if necessary,” alerting the press to an apparently major change in the U.S. commitment to the war.
Prior to this time, U.S. forces had been restricted to protecting American airbases and other installations.
The next day, the White House tried to calm the protests by some in Congress and the media who were alarmed at this potential escalation of the war by issuing a statement claiming, “There has been no change in the missions of United States ground combat units in Vietnam.”
The statement went on to explain that General Westmoreland, senior U.S. commander in Saigon, did have the authority to employ troops “in support of Vietnamese forces faced with aggressive attack.”
Later in the month, Westmoreland was given formal authority to commit U.S. forces to battle when he decided they were necessary “to strengthen the relative position of the GVN [Government of Vietnam] forces.”
This authority and the influx of American combat troops that followed forever changed the role of the United States in the war.

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiments arrives in RVN

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 8 at 2015 9:18 AM

2015-06-08T09:18:13-04:00

Not yet born. Interesting to see US involvement in the early stages.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 9:19 AM

2015-06-08T09:19:34-04:00

panama canal zone

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 8 at 2015 10:37 AM

2015-06-08T10:37:42-04:00

I hadn't been born yet! :)

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 8 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-06-08T14:11:25-04:00

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S., I was at Fort Bragg, attending the Weapons NCO Supervisor Candidate Special Forces Course.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Dec 9 at 2017 8:32 PM

2017-12-09T20:32:23-05:00

Fort McPherson, GA