Good R.E.D. Friday Morning RallyPoint on this, 2 April 2021 Fools day, thank you for your service. Here is your history for the Vietnam War on this day 2 April through the years of the war..... Welcome home all Veterans… and to those that gave their all, …may you rest in peace...!

Today, 2 April in Vietnam War History;

2 April 1965, National Security Council meetings were held that resulted in a change in U.S. policy in South Vietnam. On April 6, National Security Action Memorandum 328 was drafted and signed by National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy on behalf of President Lyndon B. Johnson. (April 1-2)

2 April 1966 – 13 April 1966, Operation Bun Kae 66-5, ROK Capital Division operation, Bình Định Province, 292 Enemy KIA, 23 ROK KIA.

2 April 1966, Some US vehicles damaged in wave of violent Saigon demonstrations.

2 April 1966, Ten thousand protesters (including 2,000 South Vietnamese soldiers and sailors in uniform) marched through the streets of Da Nang and denounced both the United States and the South Vietnamese government of Prime Minister Kỳ. Da Nang Mayor Nguyen Van Man, who had allowed protesters free use of city offices, motor vehicles and printing facilities, was accused of treason by Kỳ, who said that he planned to have Man executed by a firing squad.

2 April 1966, The 3-13 Art arrive in Vietnam.

2 April 1966, US officials express concerns that the North Vietnamese may be brainwashing US prisoners of war in order to elicit propaganda statements from them.

2 April 1967 – 9 May 1967, Operation Harvest Moon, Controlling headquarters: 5th SFGA (2-5 Apr); 1st Inf Div (from 5 Apr), Task organization: TF BLUE: A-503, Elts Co E (Prov), 5th SFGA, 2d and 3d Cos, 5th MSF; 1st Inf Div: 1-16 Inf (+), search and destroy, security.. DZ BELLMONT, LZ 1, LZ 2, LZ 3, Bunard CIDG Camp, Phuoc Long Province.
Execution: HARVEST MOON was mounted to protect the construction of a new CIDG Camp at Da Diem Bunard. On 2 Apr, 18 USSF pathfinders were dropped by a CH-47 helicopter followed by 8C-123 transports carrying 350 strikers, 29 USSF and 3 LLDB jumping onto dry rice paddies called DZ BELLMONT. Suffering only 10 jump injuries, the strikers immediately secured three landing zones for additional MIKE Force units. On 5 Apr, 1-16 Inf from the 1st Inf Div closed in to Bunard and began offensive operations to protect US engineers building a new C-130 capable airfield there. Several enemy base camps were found but there was no contact or significant enemy activity observed in the area and the operation was terminated on 9 May. Results: (no info).

The following is Contributed by SGT Robert Pryor, SF. Thank you!
On this day in U.S. Army SF history....02 April 1967 - 356 troops (including Montagnards) of 5th Special Forces Group (ABN), 1st Special Forces: Detachment A-503 Mike Force: Co's. 2 & 3 jumped into Bunard, Phouc Long "Happy Dragon" Province Vietnam as part of Operation Harvest Moon. It was the second mass tactical combat jump by US forces in Viet Nam, and the first by 5th Special Forces GP. A member of the Pathfinder element on ground was an old friend Skip Ettinger. The actual jump was commanded by a friend of mine, then CPT Lee B. Wilson. One of the medics on the jump was Scott Whittington, another friend. Lee was injured on the jump and had to be evacuated. He sprained his ankle on an abandoned piece of logging equipment.
Something you Airborne will enjoy is that some of the jumpers had only been through one week of training with no practice jumps. Their very first jump was a fully equipped combat jump from 700 feet into hostile territory with an obscure drop zone many missed anyway. AIRBORNE! Our Brother SGT Robert arrived at Bunard about 21 months later.

(Dennis’ Note, I also found this tidbit;
Operational Report for Quarterly Period Ending 30 April 1967 limiting infiltration into this stronghold. In IV CTZ, Camps My Phuoc Tay and My An have been opened in the infamous Plain of Reeds. In addition to these five new camps, it should be noted that three camps-Con Thien, Cau Song Be, anr Tra Cu--mere opened shortly before the be-ginning of this reporting period. (See enclosures 11, 12, 13).The first mass parachute assault by Special Forces advised troops in Vietnam was conducted by Mike Force elements and USASF advisors to initiate Operation Harvest Moon, a search and clear action in preparation for the opening of Camp Bunard. The operation went exactly as planned, securing a landing zone for the subsequent deployment of a large heliborne force.In several cases the enemy has reacted strongly to these intrusions into what he had considered to be his territory. On 14 April Camp Prek Klok received approximately 150 rounds of 82rmi mortar fire, followed with a ground attack by an estimated two VC battalions* This was the first large scale attack on a Special Forces camp since a shau was overrun in March 1966. In the vicinity of Camps My Phuoc Tay and My An, numerous contacts were made with company and battalion size VC units. Because of the aggressive tactics employed by CIDG and Mi J Force units and the rapid reaction of tactical air and artillery support the VC suffered several telling defeats in this area. A few days after the end of this reporting period, on 8 May, Camp Con Thien was subjected to a determined attack by two NVA battalions employing mortars, rockets, and flame throwers as well as grenades, satchel charges and small arms. A complete report of this action, and also the attack on Lang Vei which occurred on 4 May, will be included in the next ORLL .During the past three months the Mobile Guerrilla Forces were expanded so that there are now two of these units in each corps area. Mobile guerrilla operations penetrated deeply into enemy held areas and successfully interdicted enemy in route to (ailtrZ týo2? ) over extended periods, During these operations 'unconventional warfare tactics and techniques were refined, perfected, and, in some cases adapted for special situations. Heavy enemy contacts continued to be made in the vicinity of Camp Bu Dop by CIDG and Mike Force elements. The enemy showed increasing willingness to stand and fight, often in spite of severe losses. The Group's Revolutionary Development Support Activities (RDSA) Section published the "Support Plan for Special Forces Revolutionary Development in Vietnam." on 1 March, delineating the responsibilities for all elements of this command. To acquaint RD personnel in the detachments with this plan, courses were given at the SFOB for NOOJs from each company, '"B, and "A" detachment. The Group's RD support program is pushing ahead aggressively in the task of pacification. Detachments are assuming a sense of urgency with regard to the RD mission and are striving to integrate RD projects with their tactical operations. In same cases, however, enemy action such as that at Suoi Chan in Long Khanh Province has been directed at RD personnel in a determined effort to block progress in this field.

2 April 1967, Per a new South Vietnamese constitution elections are held in 948 villages, some 5 million people, voted for local People’s Councils.

2 April 1967, The 210th Avn Bn, 1/4 Marines arrived in Vietnam. And the CAPITAL Avn Bn Departed. Assets to 210th Avn Bn.

2 April 1968, North Vietnam's official government radio station broadcast that "The North Vietnamese government declares its readiness to send its representatives to make contact with U.S. representatives to decide with the U.S. side the unconditional cessation of bombing and all other war acts... so that talks could begin."

2 April 1968, Public criticism of continuing heavy air strikes in North Vietnam prompts the administration to explain that such attacks are limited north of the 20th parallel. This area contains 90 percent of the population and 75% of it’s territory.

April 1969 – May 1970, Operation Sea Tiger, US Navy Swift Boats, River Division 543 PBRs, Vietnamese Coastal Group 14 junks, and River Assault Group 32 operation to clear and keep open the Cua Dai River for commercial and fishing activities, Cua Dai River.

2 April 1969, A South Vietnamese spokesperson announces that the Vietcong have assassinated 201 civilians in the last week of March, bringing the total for the quarter of 1969 to 1,955.

2 April 1969 – 10 April 1969, Operation Overland, 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment reconnaissance in force operation, borders of Biên Hòa Province, Long Khánh Province and Phước Tuy Province.

2 April 1972, Soldiers of Hanoi's 304th Division took the northern half of the Quang Tri province. This attack, which began on March 30, was the opening move of the North Vietnamese offensive later referred to as the "Easter Offensive."

2 April 1972, In response to the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive, President Nixon authorized the US 7th Fleet to target NVA troops massed around the Demilitarized Zone with air strikes and naval gunfire.

2 April 1972, Soldiers of Hanoi’s 304th Division, supported by Soviet-made tanks and heavy artillery, take the northern half of the Quang Tri province. This left only Quang Tri City (the combat base on the outskirts of the city) and Dong Ha in South Vietnamese hands. South Vietnam’s 3rd Division commander Brig. Gen. Vu Van Giai moved his staff out of the Quang Tri combat base to the citadel at Quang Tri City, the apparent North Vietnamese objective. This attack was the opening move of the North Vietnamese Nguyen Hue Offensive (later called the “Easter Offensive”), a massive invasion by North Vietnamese forces designed to strike the blow that would win them the war. The attacking force included 14 infantry divisions and 26 separate regiments, with more than 120,000 troops and approximately 1,200 tanks and other armored vehicles. The main North Vietnamese objectives, in addition to Quang Tri in the north, were Kontum in the Central Highlands, and An Loc farther to the south. Initially, the South Vietnamese defenders were almost overwhelmed, particularly in the northernmost provinces, where they abandoned their positions in Quang Tri and fled south in the face of the enemy onslaught. At Kontum and An Loc, the South Vietnamese were more successful in defending against the attacks, but only after weeks of bitter fighting. Although the South Vietnamese suffered heavy casualties, they managed to hold their own with the aid of U.S. advisors and American airpower. Fighting continued all over South Vietnam into the summer months, but eventually the South Vietnamese forces prevailed against the invaders and retook Quang Tri in September. With the communist invasion blunted, President Nixon declared that the South Vietnamese victory proved the viability of his Vietnamization program, instituted in 1969 to increase the combat capability of the South Vietnamese armed forces.

2 April 1972 – 11 July 1972, Operation Eastertide (An Loc), ARVN 5th Division, reinforced by TF 52 comprising the ARVN 18th Division, 21st Division, 35th Regiment and 1st Airborne Brigade defense and recapture of An Loc. (Dennis’s note; The information on this Operation is too massive to post here, If you want to read more, go to the following site; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Offensive#An_Loc

2 April 1972, ARVN forces numbering about 1,500 soldiers at Camp Carroll, a former United States Marine Corps base a few miles south of the DMZ, surrendered to the PAVN. Camp Carroll was important to South Vietnam because of its M107 175 mm artillery with a range of up to 20 miles (32 km). The capture of Camp Carroll gave the PAVN control of western Quảng Trị Province.

2 April 1972, With the city of Đông Hà near the DMZ threatened, Nixon authorized U.S. naval vessels offshore to strike at the PAVN with warplanes and naval gunfire.

2 April 1972, Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Hambleton was the sole survivor of an EB-66 shot down near Đông Hà. His rescue was the longest and most costly search and rescue mission during the war resulting in the loss of five aircraft, 11 U.S. killed and two captured.

2 April 1973, Presidents Nixon and Thieu end a two day visit with a an expression of “full consensus” and a US promise of continuing economic aid. Thieu says he will never ask the US to send troops back to Vietnam.

2 April 1975, Apr 2, In Oakland, Ca., a World Airways plane landed with 52 Vietnamese orphans as part of Operation Baby lift. The Presidio of San Francisco served as an impromptu crossroads for over 1,500 Vietnamese orphans to be sent to American families for adoption.

2 April 1975, As North Vietnamese tanks and infantry continue to push the remnants of South Vietnam’s 22nd Division and waves of civilian refugees from the Quang Ngai Province, the South Vietnamese Navy begins to evacuate soldiers and civilians by sea from Qui Nhon. Shortly thereafter, the South Vietnamese abandoned Tuy Hoa and Nha Trang, leaving the North Vietnamese in control of more than half of South Vietnam’s territory. During the first week in April, communist forces attacking from the south pushed into Long An Province, just south of Saigon, threatening to cut Highway 4, Saigon’s main link with the Mekong Delta, which would have precluded reinforcements from being moved north to assist in the coming battle for Saigon. This action was part of the North Vietnamese general offensive launched in late January 1975, just two years after the cease-fire had been established by the Paris Peace Accords. The initial objective of this campaign was the capture of Ban Me Thuot in the Central Highlands. The battle began on March 4 with the North Vietnamese quickly encircling the city. As it became clear that the communists would take the city and probably the entire Darlac province, South Vietnamese president Thieu decided to protect the more critical populous areas. He ordered his forces in the Central Highlands to pull back from their positions. Abandoning Pleiku and Kontum, the South Vietnamese forces began to move toward the sea, but what started out as an orderly withdrawal soon turned into panic. The South Vietnamese forces rapidly fell apart. The North Vietnamese pressed the attack and were quickly successful in both the Central Highlands and farther north at Quang Tri, Hue and Da Nang. The South Vietnamese soon collapsed as a cogent fighting force and the North Vietnamese continued the attack all the way to Saigon. The South Vietnamese surrendered unconditionally on April 30.

2 April 1975, With the northern part of South Vietnam firmly in the hands of the PAVN after the west-to-east attacks, General Dung ordered most of his soldiers to turn south and drive toward Saigon, still 300 kilometres (190 mi) distant.

Today is 2 April 2021
Vietnam War Memorial facts
126 Names on the wall were born on 2 April
159 Names on the wall died on 2 April
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 & Notes left at the wall;

“RANDY MARTHE. JUST TAKING A MOMENT TODAY TO REMEMBER YOUR ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. IT HAS BEEN 50 YEARS AGO. WE WERE YOUNG SOLIDERS ONCE. I TRY TO NOT TO FORGET YOU AND OTHERS. 1 ST. BATTILION 92 SD FIELD ARTILLERY. ARTILLERY HILL PLEIKU VIETNAM.”- JIM A BRTY. 1970 -1971

Vietnam war quotes and other interesting items;

“Scholars have argued that America recovered from its amnesia about the Vietnam War only when Ronald Reagan -- who pronounced in 1980 that "it's time that we recognized that ours was in truth a noble cause" -- became president, opening the gates to a wave of American texts about the war.”-MAUREEN RYAN

“Involvement in Vietnam was not--as the critics were later to assert--a conspiracy of the best and brightest brought into government by Kennedy and inherited by Johnson but the application of principles pursued for a decade by two presidents of both parties. Like his predecessors, Kennedy considered Vietnam a crucial link in America's overall geopolitical position. He believed, as had Truman and Eisenhower, that preventing a Communist victory in Vietnam was a vital American interest. Like his predecessors, he viewed the Communist leadership in Hanoi and Beijing as a surrogate of global Kremlin designs.”-HENRY KISSINGER

“No one has proved to me that my husband isn’t still alive somewhere in Southeast Asia. So, as far as I’m concerned, if even one man is alive, we own him more than this – than presuming him dead for the sake of tidying paperwork.” ― A.S. King.


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;

“Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire.”- Patti Smith

"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted." - James Madison

“It is better to hide ignorance, but it is hard to do this when we relax over wine.”- Heraclitus, On the Universe

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”- Thomas Alva Edison

"A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man."- U.S. President John Adams

Congressional Medal of Honor Citation for actions taken in the Vietnam War on this day 2 April in Vietnam War history. None on this date.