Good Morning RallyPoint on this, 30 March 2021, thank you for your service. Here is your history for the Vietnam War on this day 30 March through the years of the war. Also today I have the honor of introducing RP members to one (1) Medal of Honor recipient, A US Marine Officer due to actions taken on this day 30 March in Vietnam History..... Welcome home all Veterans… and to those that gave their all, …may you rest in peace...!

Today, 30 March in Vietnam War History;

30 March 1955, Diệm's replacement of the police chief caused a brief battle between the VNA and Bin Xuyen police and militia. The French brokered a cease fire but the Bình Xuyên, army, and French military each fortified the areas they controlled in Saigon. Due to resignations, Diệm's government now consisted mostly of members of his family.

30 March 1960, In response to the request of Ambassador Durbrow, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff reversed MAAG policy and directed that MAAG assist the ARVN to develop an anti-guerrilla capability.

30 March 1965, The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China signed an agreement allowing Soviet trains to travel through China to deliver economic and military aid to North Vietnam. However Mao Zedong rejected a request by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to allow Soviets overflights through an air corridor for shipments.

30 March 1965, The HQ 1st Logistical Command arrives in Vietnam.

30 March 1965, The RAND Corporation publishes its first report on the war: Viet Cong Motivation and Morale in 1964 A Preliminary Report based on interviews with 145 VC POWs defectors and suspects between July and December 1964.

30 March 1965, Viet Cong agents detonate a car bomb outside the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, virtually destroying the building and killing CIA stenographer Barbara A. Robbins, Navy Storekeeper Second Class Manolito W. Castillo, and as many as 19 others. Robbins is the first woman CIA officer to die in the line of duty. The bomb also wounds over 183 other Vietnamese and Americans. These include CIA Saigon Station Chief Peer de Silva and Deputy U.S. Ambassador Ural Alexis Johnson. Congress quickly appropriated $1 million to reconstruct the embassy. Although some U.S. military leaders advocated special retaliatory raids on North Vietnam, President Lyndon B. Johnson refused.

30 March 1966, the 25th S&T Bn, 25th Med Bn, Arrived in Vietnam.

30 March 1966, Following several weeks of Buddhist anti-government and anti-American demonstrations in the northern cities of Huế and Da Nang, U.S. Ambassador Lodge and COMUSMACV General Westmoreland advised the South Vietnamese government to take strong action to end the Buddhist Uprising.

30 March 1966 – 15 April 1966, Operation Abilene, 1stBde: 1-16 Inf, 1-28 Inf, 1-4 Cav (-), 1-5 Art; 2d Bde: 2-16 Inf,1-18 Inf, 2-18 Inf,. and 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment RAR, 1st APC Trp, 161 Bty RNZA operation, Search and destroy, May Tao Secret Zone, Courtenay Plantation, Binh Ba,Xa Can My, , Phước Tuy Province, 41 Enemy KIA, 38 Allied KIA.
The operation searched the Courtenay Plantation and the May Tao Secret Zone harboring the 5th PLAF Division but met little of the enemy except on 11 Apr when 2-16 Inf clashed with the D800 Bn in the Courtenay, killing 41 of the enemy but losing 38 KIA and 71 Allied WIA.

30 March 1966, The 7th Marine Regiment terminated Operation Indiana in Vietnam.

30 March 1967, President Thieu dismisses six more province chiefs as part of his campaign to eliminate corruption and inefficiency.

30 March 1967 – 30 April 1967, Operation Blackjack 12/Oconee, 5th SFGA., A-100 MGF, Reconnaissance-in-force, Quang Nam and Thua Hoa Provinces.
A-100 conducted this reconnaissance-in-force mission in Quang Nam and southern Thua Thien Provinces. 15 contacts were made and 9 air strikes were directed against enemy forces. Results: 63 enemy killed,1 AUS KIA, 1 US WIA, 7 ARVN WIA.

30 March 1968 – 31 January 1969, Operation Cochise Green/Dan Sinh, 173rd Airborne Brigade and 4th Infantry Division reconnaissance in force and pacification operation, Bình Định and Quảng Ngãi Provinces. Operation Cochise Green was a security and pacification operation during the Vietnam War conducted by the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Bình Định Province from 30 March 1968 to 31 January 1969.
Background;
Following the conclusion of Operation Patrick on 30 March 1968 when the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, moved to the Central Highlands to rejoin its parent division. I Field Force, Vietnam commander General William R. Peers redeployed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, as well as its headquarters from Kontum Province to the coastal plain. Now commanded by Brig. Gen. Richard J. Allen, who replaced General Leo H. Schweiter on 20 March, the brigade kicked off Operation Cochise in Bình Định to carry on the mission of Patrick.
Operation;
General Allen began Cochise by targeting a busy People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) supply route in the Vinh Thanh Mountains known as the "Oregon Trail". Intelligence suggested that the PAVN 3rd Division’s command post and elements of the 2nd and 22nd Regiments were in the area. Allen committed parts of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 503rd Infantry, plus an ARVN battalion and some Civilian Irregular Defense Group program (CIDG) soldiers, but the 3rd Division avoided contact for the entire twelve days of the operation and throughout the rest of April. Though the 173rd Airborne Brigade failed to locate its quarry, the sweep kept the PAVN out of the heavily populated Bồng Sơn and Phu My lowlands for six weeks.
The Allies considered two-thirds of the 350,000 people living in the Cochise area of operations to be heavily influenced by the Viet Cong (VC). With the 3rd PAVN Division making itself scarce, General Allen was able to focus much of the brigade’s energy on attacking the local VC apparatus. Making the most use of long-range reconnaissance patrols to screen the approaches to the Bong Son Plain, Allen combined his battalions with ARVN forces to conduct frequent security sweeps in the northern lowlands. Like other U.S. commanders, Allen found it challenging to operate in populated areas where the enemy exercised a deep presence. One of the most serious problems was the steady stream of casualties inflicted on US soldiers by booby traps. During the summer, Allen’s paratroopers discovered and disarmed 125 traps but inadvertently triggered an additional 300 that killed several men and left another 150 wounded. Whenever possible, troops followed armored vehicles whose weight detonated antipersonnel devices before the infantry reached them. Antitank mines not discovered by observation or electronic detectors were rarely powerful enough to damage tanks and did minimal harm to armored personnel carriers, but the force of the blast could injure those inside a carrier, and for this reason many soldiers rode atop, rather than inside, M113s. Allen recorded that "booby traps were very bad psychologically for our young paratroopers and commanders, in that the men develop a sometimes bitter hatred for the local villagers. The men have every reason to believe, and are sometimes correct in this belief, that the booby traps are made by the very people they see living in the villages."
On 22 August, Generals Nguyễn Văn Hiếu and Allen launched Operation Dan Sinh 22-6, a three-phased pacification-support operation by six battalions (three US and three ARVN) to clear the Bồng Sơn Plain. The operation differed from the brigade’s previous activities in that Allen kept allied units in a particular village for a week or two before relocating them to another area, thus allowing sufficient time for an in-depth search. Otherwise, the techniques he used were indistinguishable from those used by all US units in Vietnam for years. Phase I lasted until 6 September and consisted of search-and-clear operations across the entire plain. Aided by the extensive use of Rome plows, the allies uncovered and destroyed numerous tunnels, caves, fortifications, and traps. Phase II lasted from 7 September to 27 October, during which time the Allies used cordon-and-search actions to screen the population. For small communities, the brigade would send a rifle company to establish a cordon either at dusk or at dawn. The screening of inhabitants became more productive once Vietnamese authorities assigned a company of National Police to assist in the interrogations. Popular Forces soldiers also helped with the search, while civic action personnel addressed local needs and VC defectors organized into armed propaganda teams proselytized the residents. By the end of Phase II, the Allies had interrogated nearly 13,000 people, killed 237 VC, and detained 122 confirmed and 115 suspected VC personnel. They had also captured seventy-one weapons. During Phase III, which was to start 28 October with no definite end date, Allen intended to saturate the Bồng Sơn Plain with patrols to prevent the VC from returning, creating a fertile environment for pacification activities. Allied operations on the Bồng Sơn Plain helped the province as a whole improve in the hamlet evaluation standings to a point where by 31 September Allied officials considered over 71 percent of the province’s population to be relatively secure.
Aftermath;
The operation concluded on 31 January 1969, US losses were 114 killed while PAVN/VC losses were 929 killed and 25 captured.


30 March 1971, A confidential U.S. Army directive ordered the interception and confiscation of anti-Vietnam War and other dissident material being sent to U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam.

30 March 1972, A major coordinated communist offensive opens with the heaviest military action since the sieges of Allied bases at Con Thien and Khe Sanh in 1968. Committing almost their entire army to the offensive, the North Vietnamese launched a massive three-pronged attack into South Vietnam. Four North Vietnamese divisions attacked directly across the Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri province. Thirty-five South Vietnamese soldiers died in the initial attack and hundreds of civilians and soldiers were wounded. Following the initial assault in Quang Tri province, the North Vietnamese launched two more major attacks: at An Loc in Binh Long Province, 60 miles north of Saigon; and at Kontum in the Central Highlands. With the three attacks, the North Vietnamese committed 500 tanks and 150,000 men, as well as thousands of Viet Cong, supported by heavy rocket and artillery fire. After initial successes, especially against the newly formed South Vietnamese 3rd Division in Quang Tri, the North Vietnamese attack was stopped cold by the combination of defending South Vietnamese divisions (along with their U.S. advisers) and massive American airpower. Estimates placed the North Vietnamese losses at more than 100,000 and at least one-half of their tanks and large caliber artillery.

30 March 1973, Ellsworth Bunker resigned as US ambassador to South Vietnam. He was succeeded by Graham A. Martin.

30 March 1975, As the North Vietnamese forces moved toward Saigon, desperate South Vietnamese soldiers mobbed rescue jets. Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap masterminded the North Vietnamese victory. Da Nang fell as 100,000 South Vietnamese soldiers surrender after being abandoned by their commanding officers.


Today is 30 March 2021
Vietnam War Memorial facts
143 Names on the wall were born on 30 March
204 Names on the wall died on 30 March
245 men earned the Medal Of Honor in the Vietnam war and 160 of those men are listed on the wall

Other wall information/stories/quotes;

“Remembering these heroes that were lost on this day, Feb 16, 1968, in a firefight at Cao Dau Temple in TayNinh City, Vietnam.
1st Lt. Robert S. Hutchinson , Sgt. Jerome Kelly, Sp4 Richard Lee Bosworth and Pfc. Roger Dale Pyne.
Rest In Peace my brothers. Always with me in my heart.” Doug Snyder

“I finally had the opportunity to correspond and talk to your buddies from Nam.
It’s been very emotional for all of us but the love and remembrance that they have of you has been overwhelming.
As one said, you were a special guy, but I knew that and you will always be in my heart as that special guy.
Never forgotten, always loved.” T.T


Vietnam war quotes and other interesting items;

“With 450,000 U.S. troops now in Vietnam, it is time that Congress decided whether or not to declare a state of war exists with North Vietnam. Previous congressional resolutions of support provide only limited authority. Although Congress may decide that the previously approved resolution on Vietnam given President Johnson is sufficient, the issue of a declaration of war should at least be put before the Congress for decision.” -DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

“I see a generation of young people who have not heard about the stories of Vietnam. Who have not heard about that part of our nation's history and has not experienced the lessons we can learn from it.”-JIM PAGLIARINI

Links of interest?

Looking for a Brother or sister you served with? This might help you.
The Viet Nam Veterans Home Page to be quite useful in finding living veterans. They maintain a Lost and Found section http://www.vietvet.org/lostfnd.htm, with listings of people looking for people.

To find information on the availability of U.S. Navy deck logs during the Vietnam war era, check out this link. https://historyhub.history.gov/community/military-records/blog/2020/10/08/update-on-availability-of-vietnam-era-1956-1978-us-navy-deck-logs

Unit Reunions, Homecomings, Gatherings, Newsletters, Etc. can be found at http://www.vietvet.org/unitlist.htm
There are two replica versions of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial that tour the United States regularly. The first of them which is called The Moving Wall, has been traveling the country for almost twenty years. You can find their schedule at http://www.themovingwall.org/
Where can I find the latest information on the status of Prisoners of War and those listed as Missing in Action? A: The Library of Congress maintains POW/MIA information at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pow/powhome.html


Quotes;

“Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction.”- Aesop

“Those loud voices that are occasionally heard charging that the Government is trying to solve a security problem by throwing money at it are nothing more than noise based on ignorance.- President Reagan, March 23, 1983

“If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat.”- Herschel Walker

“I worship the quicksand he walks in.”- Art Buchwald

"Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order."- John Quincy Adams

“Take the time to come home to yourself everyday.”- Robin Casarjean



Congressional Medal of Honor Citation for actions taken in the Vietnam War on this day 30 March in Vietnam War history. Second Lieutenant John Paul Bobo, USMC.

John Paul Bobo (February 14, 1943 – March 30, 1967) was a United States Marine Corps second lieutenant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Vietnam War on March 30, 1967.

Biography;
John Paul Bobo was born on February 14, 1943 in Niagara Falls, New York. He attended Bishop Duffy High School where he is today distinguished as an honored alum. He graduated from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1965.
US Marine Corps;
Bobo enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on May 28, 1965 in Buffalo while attending Niagara University. He received a B.A. Degree in History in June 1965, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on December 17, 1965. He completed the Officer Candidate Course, The Basic School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in May 1966.
South Vietnam;
Bobo was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) in June 1966 and was assigned duty as the Second Platoon commander, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. While serving in Company I, 9th Marines, during Operation Prairie III, he was mortally wounded when a large number of NVA soldiers attacked his rifle company's night ambush position (at Hill 70, west of Con Thien) in Quang Tri Province near the Demilitarized Zone in South Vietnam on March 30, 1967. Knowing his wounds would prevent him from making it to safety, Bobo ordered his men to retreat while he stayed behind alone to fight the North Vietnamese aggressors. His actions saved the lives of all of his men. For this, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
He was 24 years old.
Burial;
He is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston, New York.
Military decorations and awards;
Medal of Honor, Purple Heart Medal w/ one 5/16 inch gold star, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation w/ one bronze service star. 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment cited for the periods 15 Aug 65 - 7 Jan 67 and 1 Mar-15 Sep 67., Vietnam Service Medal w/ two bronze service stars for the Vietnam Counteroffensive (25 Dec 65 - 30 Jun 66) and Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II (1 Jul 66 - 31 May 67) campaigns, National Order of Vietnam, Knight, RVN Gallantry Cross Medal w/ palm, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (in the colors of the Gallantry Cross), RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame (in the colors of the Civil Actions Medal, First Class), RVN Campaign Medal w/ 60- device.
Medal of Honor
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant John Paul Bobo (MCSN: 0-92986), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 30 March 1967, while serving with the Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. Company I was establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. Second Lieutenant Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from position to position encouraging the outnumbered Marines despite the murderous enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machinegun positions. When an exploding enemy mortar round severed Second Lieutenant Bobo's right leg below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location. With a web belt around his leg serving as a tourniquet and with his leg jammed into the dirt to contain the bleeding, he remained in this position and delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the Marines. Second Lieutenant Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the main point of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. Second Lieutenant Bobo's superb leadership, dauntless courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Lt. Bobo naming’s and honors include;
The U.S. Navy has three classes of ships in its Marine Prepositioning Fleet — the newest class, which were built by General Dynamics and delivered to Military Sealift Command in the mid-1980s, is named the 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo Class.
The lead ship of the 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo Class of the Marine Prepositioning Fleet is the 673-foot (205 m) long maritime prepositioning ship, USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo. Since 1985, the ship had been under long-term lease to Military Sealift Command from American Overseas Marine. On January 16, 2007, the Military Sealift Command purchased the 673-foot (205 m) maritime prepositioning ship, USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo.
The Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Officers Mess, is called Bobo Hall.
John Bobo's name is memorialized on the Medal of Honor monument, Niagara Falls State Park.
John Bobo's name is etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 17E, Row 070.
Niagara University's baseball field is named, John P. Bobo Field.
The Marine Corps Security Forces Response facility at Naval Weapons Station Earle was dedicated to 2nd Lt. John Bobo