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Served with the 57th AHC as a crew chief. During the battle I was assigned in charge of a refueling and ammunition reloading in Kontum. Two days of mortar and artillery attacks I received a bronze star with a V . I can never forget those days.
Joseph Donlon <Josephdonlon@comcast.net>South Bend, In USA - Friday, November 04, 2022 at 09:54:10 (EDT)
Jack,
I stumbled on you when I was doing some research on John Duffy. When I saw John on the news getting the Medal of Honor for his involvement in the Central Highlands in 1972, I looked him up because I was in the Central Highlands then. In search of John Duffy, I found that you had done research on the Battle of KonTum. I contact you now because of my special interest in what you have documented.
I was an Air Force advisor to the Vietnamese 0-1 pilots located in Pleiku during the 1972 offensive. In brief I flew every day and have many memories including directing air strikes on the "rock pile", dodging the almost daily B52 strikes, attending briefings for John Paul Van, and a memory of talking with an American advisor on the ground in a bunker that was getting overrun. It turns out it was John Duffy. I thought I was the last one to talk with him. He sure sounded like it was going to be his last. I also remember being in the air when John Paul launched a ground convey from Plieku to Kontum. They got stopped at the rock pile with heavy "incoming". The American ground commanders' displeasure (putting it mildly) over the radio to John Paul in his helicopter was a classic. He did not appreciate being told to lead a convey when the rock pile was still very much alive. Although I did not know how any NVA could still be alive on that hill outside Kontum. It had been bombed to the point there was no vegetation - B52's, every air to ground weapon by US fighters and some Vietnamese fighters. It was a rock pile.
More about the Central Highlands offensive - there was an ex-marine (Tom Coles) who came back to this area as a civilian medic to help the Montagnards after he left the marines. The Montagnards were the natives of this area. He had spent 6 months with them when they rescued him from the North Vietnamese who had captured him many years before. He learned their language while being with them.
When the air war became too dangerous, he found his way to Plieku where I met him. This was after the offensive started and that area was regularly hit with B52 strikes. I would take him up in my back seat occasionally to see what he could do to help the Montagnards. One of those trips we were up near Ben Het where Tom thought there were Montagnards hole up for safety. Ben Het was a fire base camp northwest of Kontum on the Tri border. That spring it was surrounded and cut off from all support. The helicopter's landing zone was immediately hit with rockets when a helicopter tried to land. The weather was generally overcast, and air drop attempts mostly missed the base camp. I had Tom in my back seat one day when the weather was clear over Ben Het. There was an 0-2 FAC in the air who I knew. I asked him to watch me. We landed on the PSP runway outside the Ben Het camp. Tom jumped out and ran into the camp. He was concerned about the Montagnards who were there seeking safety. I knew from intel reports that many of those in the camp were suffering from malaria. I gave Tom a mirror and told him to flash me when he came out. I took off. I got his flash. I landed; he ran out with an infant baby girl in his arms. The Montagnard mother gave it to him. The baby was sick and going to die without help. What a sacrifice. It still haunts me as to one of the tragedies of war.
My last flight was over Ben Het. It had been overrun. I could see the survivors running for safety. Another sad day but it was my last.
I left a message last week to John Duffy on his mobile phone just to say I am happy now to know that I was not the last one to talk with him.
I would like to learn more from your research work about those who were involved in the "Battle of Kontum". Especially the ground commander that tried to lead the ground convoy to Kontum and also to find Tom Coles (he was known as "Red Beard" to the Montagnards). Tom's story needs to be told.
I flew F-102's out of pilot training in Okinawa and Korea from 1969 to 1971. I went to Vietnam in October '71 as an O-2 FAC in Pleiku. They took the 0-2's out of Plieku sometime in early '72. I stayed to be an advisor to the Vietnamese 0-1 FAC squadron. I resigned from the Air Force in October of '72 when I got back from Viet Nam. I had opportunities in the civilian world that I thought were the best for my family. Looking back, my Air Force experience changed me mostly for the better.
As a side note the 0-1 Vietnamese squadron commander, Major Minh, called me from Atlanta after 20 years in a Viet Nam "reconditioning camp". I felt bad to learn of his treatment just for being associated with the Americans. He was not bitter and grateful to be in the US. Also, as a side note, I retrieved a fellow Vietnamese pilot from a Vietnamese refugee place in Alabama. He was a boat survivor. He shared a bedroom with my 10-year-old son for a year.
Well, this was not so brief. I do not think I have ever talked about this that I just shared to you with others. I found it is easy now I guess because it is to someone who knows about that offensive in the Central Highlands.
Prospect, KY USA - Saturday, August 06, 2022 at 20:04:25 (EDT)
I truly appreciate the excellent work Bill Reeder did in writing his book about John Duffy. It is a gift to all who served but especially the men he wrote about. I am thankful to be able to call both Bill Reeder and John Duffy friends. I put my AMAZON review of the book below.
"Bill Reeder’s book "Extraordinary Valor" is a masterful telling of an epic story of courage and commitment in a heroic last stand by the South Vietnamese 11th Airborne Battalion. Bill brings to life the intensity of the two-week battle to defend a critical fire base during the 1972 Battle of Kontum. His detailed, breathtaking descriptions capture the “white hot heat” of the battle. Bill's insights of the relationship forged in blood between the American Senior Advisor, Maj. John Duffy, and the Vietnamese soldiers he fought alongside, especially the battalion executive officer, Maj. Le Van Me, is a testament to a level of professionalism not often seen. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the Vietnam War and the soldier-to-soldier commitment of the men who fought in it."
Carolina Shores, North Carolina United States - Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 11:53:09 (EDT)
Jack,
Thank you for your service and welcome home.
And, thank you for your outstanding website and the information about the Battle of Kontum.
I appreciate your permission to use/or adapt from the site Map A of the Kontum region and positions on Rocket Ridge. I am writing a second edition of Red Markers, Close Air Support for the Vietnamese Airborne, 1962-1975. Elements of the Airborne were on Rocket Ridge and fought during the early stages of the battle. This map will help illustrate my narrative.
Thanks again,
Gary Willis
Red Marker 18
Manvel, TX United States - Thursday, June 09, 2022 at 14:16:18 (EDT)
Jack
It was an honor to meet you at the 119 AHC Reunion personally. Then, to win your book (THUNDER), I have so much respect for you all that fought in Vietnam! After reading your book, I could fill in so many blanks that my father, my (HERO) Calvin Bohannon, went through as crew chief as a young man, the pressures of the last-minute decision-making you all had to make is so remarkable. I thank God every day for bringing you all back home and for the (HEROS) our country lost.
Again I thank you all for your SERVICE! YOU ALL ARE LOVED THANK YOU !
Sincerely James...
Dayton, TX. Chambers - Tuesday, May 03, 2022 at 12:08:54 (EDT)
Thank you for this site.
Kontum will always bring vivid memories of combat offloads from a C-130 for nights on end. I flew a shuttle (25 day tour in country) as the loadmaster with the crew that was lost. Then returned from CCK with my regular crew and we flew the Pleiku - Kontum shuttles until that night when our missions were switched and we took their Hi-level airdrop. My good friend, David Wagner was the flight enginer that was killed that terrible night. Never understood why they switched the missions.
Thank you for recording the history that few other than those that were there will care about.
PEORIA, AZ United States - Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 22:54:44 (EDT)
Hi Jack,
I bought your book a couple of years ago. My grandson, 12 year old Jackson, just read it with great interest. He is giving a report on it in his homeschool plus class tomorrow.
Thank you for your work,
Vernon Gwaltney (Math at JTCC)
CHESAPEAKE, VA United States - Monday, February 28, 2022 at 21:33:58 (EST)
My grandfather fought in the Battle of Kontum; he was a good man.
Augusta, Maine United States - Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 17:12:39 (EST)
My father, Larry Brassell, passed away 2 weeks ago. I believe this page reunited him with many of the men he fought and flew with in Vietnam. These relationships meant the world to him, thank you. To all of you who served so bravely and selflessly, we are forever in your debt and we will remember you to our children for generations to come. I love you, Daddy.
Laura Beale <lebrassell@hotmail.com>Birmingham, AL United States - Friday, November 19, 2021 at 17:10:58 (EST)
Jack,
Congratulations on this fine web site.
I am not personally a Vietnam Veteran but I knew a number of them, some of whom did not return alive.
I feel that it is so important that the history of Vietnam is told based in truth otherwise it is dishonoring those that served and especially those that served and fell. I can see that is what you are endeavoring to achieve and I thank you for it.
Congratulations also on your book, “Thunder: Stories From the First Tour”.
When I think of Vietnam, my mind races to the Tet Offensive. If you asked someone on the street who won and who lost the Tet Offensive (If they’ve even heard of it) most people would tell you that the U.S. lost but we know that is not true. Given the current state of our universities, I would bet that if they’re taught about it at all, they are told that the U.S. lost.
I believe that when General Giap designed the Tet Offensive he had two things in mind. One was to inflict as many casualties as possible due to the element of surprise. But the second, and more important one, was to hold on to the captured territory for as long as possible to give the impression to anti-war groups, including the media, that the North was winning. It was a propaganda war that he was waging and he was very good at it. He won the propaganda war. This still sticks in my craw.
Consider this interview done with Bui Tin, a former colonel who served on the general staff of the North Vietnamese army.
Q: How did Hanoi intend to defeat the Americans?
A: By fighting a long war which would break their will to help South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh said, “We don’t need to win military victories, we only need to hit them until they give up and get out.”
Q: Was the American antiwar movement important to Hanoi’s victory?
A: It was essential to our strategy. Support for the war from our rear was completely secure while the American rear was vulnerable. Every day our leadership would listen to world news over the radio at 9 a.m. to follow the growth of the American antiwar movement. Visits to Hanoi by people like Jane Fonda and former Attorney General Ramsey Clark and ministers gave us confidence that we should hold on in the face of battlefield reverses. We were elated when Jane Fonda, wearing a red Vietnamese dress, said at a press conference that she was ashamed of American actions in the war and that she would struggle along with us.
Q: Did the Politburo pay attention to these visits?
A: Keenly
Q: Why?
A: Those people represented the conscience of America. The conscience of America was part of its war-making capability, and we were turning that power in our favor. America lost because of its democracy; through dissent and protest it lost the ability to mobilize a will to win.
Q: What else?
A: We had the impression that American commanders had their hands tied by political factors. Your generals could never deploy a maximum force for greatest military effect.
Jack, thanks again for the fine work you are accomplishing here. It is truly important.
Rhode Island United States - Monday, November 08, 2021 at 16:05:55 (EST)
My father is Col Rhotenberry, really missing him and I am so interested in reading all about his time spent in Vietnam. So many things I never knew.......
Janet Johnson <jljohnson@live.com>Rockport, TX USA - Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 13:22:38 (EDT)
Jack, Great to meet you in person. I am working my way through your website. My early impression is that you once again have gone "above and beyond"--to document and share real life experiences in war.
George U Love "Jake" <glove2222@earthlink.net>Shamong, NJ, USA United States - Tuesday, April 06, 2021 at 16:49:35 (EDT)
Kontum Battle Discussion Group Question
I was stationed in Kontum in 1970 at what had been a small, old French compound several miles or less from Kontum Airfield. There were three or so one-story billets, a courtyard in the middle, a mess hall, big outdoor grill, offices, a PX, a church, etc. A few yards from the Church was a dirt field where helicopters swooped in with casualties who were further swooped out. There were no buildings or house surrounding the compound except for an old cemetery across an asphalt highway from the gate. Based on my description, do you have an idea as to the name of the compound and its function?
McCook Lake, South Dakota United States - Monday, April 05, 2021 at 22:31:57 (EDT)
"To those who have fought for it, Life has a flavor that the protected will never know!"-Vietnam soldier saying- WE won our war in Vietnam and if Washington lost theirs then it’s their own damn fault. Courage on the Mountain-Captivating, True, Free on Amazon Prime- Glad that you made it home Brother! courageonthemountain.com
George Alan Reischling <greischling@hotmail.com>Rutledge, TN United States - Friday, March 12, 2021 at 16:57:52 (EST)
My Dak To website has been updated. Please visit and add whatever you can. Thanks. Dak To Memories
ernie camacho <erniecamacho@comcast.net>Windsor, California United States - Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 18:01:17 (EST)
Hello Jack,
I'm writing to you from rainy, windy Port St Joe... Hope all is well with you.
I read your book “THUNDER: Stories From the First Tour” last month, thinking that I could finish it quick, in a few days and give it to Binh. I was so wrong! It was not easy reading about what your family had to go through especially when Jean accepted to share your life...I had to stop, and picked it up a couple times. Your book is poignant in its simplicity; it's the truth, that's all.
Growing up in the 50's-60's in Saigon, South Viet Nam, my parents gave us a very sheltered life. We read books, newspapers in French, and listened to French and English music. We were told we shouldn't be concerned, until one day our lives were turned upside down with the Communists at our door steps... I left Vietnam one day before the Communists marched into Saigon, on the 29th of April 1975.
I didn't read books, documentaries about the Viet Nam War until I came to the USA. Your book is the first one I read about a true testimony of an Army Officer with two tours in Viet Nam. Some places that you mentioned, I've never heard of!
Thank you, Jack, for educating me about what the Americans had come to achieve in my beloved country and the tolls young men and women had to pay over there and back home.
I'm forever indebted to all the service men and women that had come to help us fight the Communists. Thanks to you all, the South Vietnamese had enjoyed 20 years of Peace with Democracy and Human Rights!
I salute you, Lt. Col. Heslin
Port St Joe, Florida USA - Monday, September 28, 2020 at 18:01:18 (EDT)
Jack, can’t thank you enough for the book you sent, you are truly a man of your word. Thanks again for also making the reunion special. Mike
Mike <Gator0834@msn.com>Oldsmar , Florida - Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 18:04:33 (EDT)
Thanks Jack for all you do and your profoundly entertaining. Shaky
Mike Curran <Gator0834@msn.com>Oldsmar , Florida - Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 16:13:40 (EDT)
Great meeting you at the 119th AHC 2020 reunion at Branson, Jack. I need to spend a lot more time on this site to learn about the events involving us and others in the Highlands. Thank you for doing this.
Bob “Doc” Kilpatrick <Hosco6@aol.com>Oldsmar, FL USA - Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 09:57:05 (EDT)
Good day. Like so many others, I am seeking information on events and key personnel during my time as a volunteer ground air/naval gun fire officer. On or about 7 April, 1972 I, along with four other officers, volunteered to join beleaguered SVN units in northern II corps in what is now called the Battle of Kontum. The officer I served with on Firebase Yankee was then Captain Phillip Handley. There we joined a company of SVN Airborne troops and a battery of 105 guns. Almost immediately, the FB came under heavy attack by all manner of indirect fire with considerable loss of life and wounding of these superb soldiers. I have learned after 48 years that I was wounded by a 105 round (captured) while directing air strikes from the perimeter of Yankee. While a medevac was called for both myself and other troopers, the AAA fires were too intense for its dispatch. Lest I overwhelm the reader, the airborne troops were withdrawn and a Ranger Bn replaced them. I remained with the BN and supported them through 15 June, when I was medevaced for wounds to the 67th medical evacuation hospital, where I was awarded the Purple Heart, and declined it thinking that my injuries were caused by a motorcycle accident when an airborne troop and I struck a tank trap while attempting to get to a LZ . I am trying to find then BG Healey's Aide de Camp and a pilot who was my Ward mate, who was shot down in an OH-6. I hope you are well and perhaps able to assist in my search for clarification. Finally, while I have information regarding the overrunning of Firebase Charlie to my south -Major Duffy (DSC) and members of the 2nd Bde HQ-LTC (ret) Kama, Capt Ivy, killed during an attack on the Headquarters, I have no information regarding Advisory personnel with the VN Ranger command, with whom I served for nearly two months. My concussion suffered from the wound on Yankee contributed (I believe) to my lack of memory. That's it. That's all. I may be contacted by phone at 813-758-6885. I retired from the USSOCOM in 1988. That's it. That's all. Thanks for your service and please help with mine.
Curtis R Rogers <crryankee@gmail.com>Gallatin, TN United States - Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 13:15:38 (EDT)
I have requested that you add Roy Sudeck to your list of people involved in the Battle of Kontum. Roy was involved with the Tow Missile Team in 1972 as C&C commander. Thomas McKenna wrote of Roy’s contribution in his book, Kontum: The Battle to Save South Vietnam. Please update your list of those involved. Roy cannot request this for himself as he unfortunately passed a saw in 2012 of cancer. Thanks.
Gayle Sudeck <gcsudeck@gmail.com>Marietta , GA USA - Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 10:31:23 (EDT)
During the Battle of Kontum, Phase III of the battle, I flew the Air Boss mission over Kontum City in an OH-58 helicopter. Kontum airfield and the refuel point on the airfield, were not operational at that time so, in order to refuel, I had to use a FARRP which had been set-up at the old Special Forces camp just south of Kontum City. The camp, which was FOB 2, had been in operation since 1966 to support a clandestine, Top Secret, SF operation called SOG which ran deep recon missions into Laos and Cambodia. I flew in support of the SOG mission in 1967 – 68 and lived at the camp during that period. In 1972 we used the code name “Cracker Box” to identify the camp. It was interesting for me to go back into the camp in 1972 with the memories I had of my time with SOG.
For those of you who might be interested in the history of the SOG mission Stephen Moore wrote a book on it which was published in September of 2018. I put a copy of my book review below.
“Uncommon Valor: The Recon Company that Earned Five Medals of Honor and Included America's Most Decorated Green Beret”
5.0 out of 5 stars: Excellent! Well Done Stephen Moore
This is a well-researched book about a group of incredible warriors most Americans have never heard of. I was pleased to see that the MACV-SOG men were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation in a ceremony at Fort Bragg, NC on April 4, 2001.
In December 1967 and January 1968 I was a lift helicopter platoon commander with the 119th Assault Helicopter Company. We flew in direct support of the SOG mission inserting and recovering teams into Laos and Cambodia. We lived at the FOB with the Special Forces SOG teams. I have a picture of me with the camp commander Maj. Roxie Hart at a Montagnard ceremony. I knew and flew missions with SGTs Bob Howard, Fred Zabitosky and Johnnie Gilreath. The medic SFC Luke Nance was on my aircraft on December 12, 1967, when we were shot down on the Ho Chi Minh Trail just south of the “Bra.” We were pulling out badly wounded men who were part of a “Hornet” force in Laos. I wrote about my experiences in my book “THUNDER: Stories From the First Tour.”
The descriptions in Stephen Moore’s book of combat actions match many of the memories I have of that time. The SOG mission was Top Secret, and none of us could talk about what we did or what we saw. When John Plaster’s excellent book “SOG: The Secret Wars of America’s Commandos in Vietnam” came out in 1997, I stayed up all night reading it just amazed that it told the story I had lived.
Carolina Shores, NC USA - Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 14:51:23 (EDT)
Hi, I tried to send a comment to a family member of LTC McCurdy. I forgot mypass word, if I ever had one, so the message never went through.
Anyway, I served with LTC McCurdy on Firebase November from July to October, 1972.
He meant a lot to me and still does!
Ray Donahue
44th RCAT
Corpus Christi, TX USA - Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 22:56:01 (EST)
When Maj Fishburn went on leave in Jan I was acting CO when the cease fire was signed. He had trouble getting back but finally did in Feb. We departed sometime in March. My old OCS a,d flight school classmate, Walt Moss, the scout plt ldr and Group S-4 at the end, didn't get out until the last day.
John R Parker <jrparkeriii@yahoo.com>Highland Haven, TX United States - Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 12:31:54 (EDT)
1965 & 66, Kontum compound a mile or so west of the dirt & psp air strip??, 24 Special Tactical MACV unit. Anyone have airphotos of our compound or Doc To or Doc Sut or Doc Pek?
John Kenneth Hardie <geologyjohn50@gmail.com>Montrose, CO United States - Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 14:29:30 (EDT)
I was at Kontum the night they ran over us at the airport. I was at the north end of the runway, where the C130 and other planes were on fire. The worst night of my life. Just want to thank you for telling the story of the Fall of Kontum, one great job Sir.
Wade Henson <hensondw@gulftel.com>Foley, Al. USA - Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 11:47:37 (EDT)
LTC (R) James (Bill) Bricker, a senior member of Team 33 in Kontum, and his wife both passed away late in 2017. They will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery with military honors at 0900, Monday, 25 March, 2019. If you are interested in attending please contact me, George Bricker, at 703-624-1604, gebricker@gmail.com, or report to the Arlington administration building not later than 0830. A reception will follow at the Fort Myer Officer's Club. I am Bill's eldest son and met many of the Team 33 members at the reunion in 2008. I do not have all of the team members contact info. Please spread the word. Best regards, George Bricker
George Bricker <gebricker@gmail.com>CLIFTON, VA US - Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 21:50:21 (EDT)
Great website. I was at Tan Canh in October of '70 with Metro Section, 6/14th Artillery before being reassigned to Ben Het/FB12. Strange place. We ate well because we shared a mess with some MACV types. Seemed to be several personnel floating about in tiger stripes with no rank showing. I didn't ask any questions.
Robert Fulwiler <prkjava@verizon.net>- Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 08:54:17 (EDT)
I was there from nov. 72 to march 73. I was assigned to H /17th with the blue team for a short while ,then transferred over to the nung compound.i was the one that replaced all the claymores on the perimeter by myself.
michell, david c. <8mmhakim@gmail.com>onancock, virginia u.s. - Monday, August 27, 2018 at 20:38:31 (EDT)
Thanks Jack!
I just watched your video. It was excellent. And your book is great. I'm not a great writer, but want to write a 5 star review so it may take a few days. However, I did leave the below comment on the video website:
Thank you Mr. Dixon for your platform and excellent coverage. And to Jack Heslin (Lt. Col Ret.) Thank you for finally telling your 1st Tour amazing story. Not many know of the heroics and sacrifices of the SOG group during the Vietnam War. I was very fortunate to find your www.thebattleofkontum.com website soon after you put it online in 2002. I was a young Grunt in 1972 during that 1972 battle and for years had wondered the whole scope of what I had been involved in and who had survived. You Jack, helped me piece together many things that had been unsettling for years. And I very much appreciate your dedication to history and setting the record straight. All these years that I have known you, you never would talk about your 1st Tour so I never pushed. I am truly in awe of SOG missions and your personal exploits and bravery. I can see now why the U.S. Army put you into your position in 1972 in Military Region II. It was a very smart decision as your experience surely contributed greatly to defeating the almost three NVA divisions attacking Kontum in 1972. I read your book, “Thunder - Stories From The First Tour,” in one night. Couldn't put it down. Thank you Jack and your lovely wife Jean. Y'all are the embodiment of true patriotic Americans!
William B. Page
Bay Minette, AL
1st Cav Div (AMBL) 1971-'72
B Co. 2/5th Cav MR III
D Co 1/12th Cav 1972 (OPCON to MR II - SRAG/John Paul Vann
Bay Minette, AL USA - Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 17:38:34 (EDT)
I took part in that battle at several points. I was the fire team lead on the recovery of Minor Role's (JPV) body . The lead slick pilot was Cpt Bob Botnen. Fred Suttle was a good friend and I helped unload his body from his aircraft at Holloway . I was with H/10th Cav as a cobra AC.OH-6 crews - Cpt Powell & Sp4 Pesce were killed during the recon nw of Kontum in the early days of the fight. Lt's Kuntzler and Wilcoxen were killed shortly after that in virtually the same area NE of the city. We lost a lot of good people and were proud of our participation .
Larry W. Richards <lrichards@cobaltventures.com>La Grange, Kentucky United States - Saturday, May 05, 2018 at 12:41:25 (EDT)
Hi Mr. Heslin,
My name is Bill Fowler. I am writing an article about Captain Jim Stein. We were close friends in high school. My sister runs a small town newspaper in Lehi, Utah. Jim (and the rest of you Nam pilots) never received the credit due to you by the U.S. and I wanted to call Jim's heroics to the attention of young people in Lehi. Most of our classmates have very high regard for him.
I found a ton of information online on your site. Thanks for all the work you have done to "set the record straight." Most of us back here in the U.S. never knew much about Kontum. Very informative and insightful. Keep up the good work. I will tell Jim I used your information and gained great insight into that critical battle.
Lehi, Utah USA - Monday, April 23, 2018 at 15:56:33 (EDT)
I nursed at Pat Smiths' Minh Quy hospital in 1969. Special times, special people.Being a British civilian, my stories show the humanitarian side of conflict. We were all very grateful for the support and kindness shown to such centres of healing. Thank you. My Vietnam stories - your stories - can be found in Always the Children - amazon.com Anne Watts <annewatts67@aol.com>
BANBURY, Oxon., Oxfordshire United Kingdom - Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 04:32:16 (EDT)
Vietnam War Documentary this fall
There will be a PBS 10 part 18 hour special documentary coming out this fall on the Vietnam War. In conjunction with the release of the documentary there will be a nationwide effort to make the public aware of the Vietnam War and the documentary with local communities, libraries and schools hosting discussion sessions.
Local communities may turn to their local Vietnam Veterans looking for them to come forward to tell their story and answer questions about the war.
For those of you interested, you may want to read Philip Jennings book "The Politically Incorrect Guide to The Vietnam War", REGNERY PUBLISHING, INC. An Eagle Publishing Company, Washington, D.C.2010.
Phillip Jennings did a wonderful job of pulling together Vietnam War facts in one place and integrating the true story of the Vietnam War. It is a short book that tells a long story better than any other single book I have read.
Mr. Jennings acknowledges that he stood on the shoulders of many other authors who have told bits and pieces of this story, it is not new, but he put it all in one bag. If people read only one book on the Vietnam War, with the intent to understand the real history of our involvement, in my opinion, this is the book to read.
Carolina Shores, NC USA - Friday, April 21, 2017 at 10:13:25 (EDT)
Gentlemen, great site. I am doing a book on:
1972 - The Year of Rescue
and am looking for data on US Army rescues during that year, like the actions of the great soldiers of F/8 in the rescue operation for Bat 21Bravo and Nail 38 Bravo.
Darrel Whitcomb
Author
- The Rescue of Bat 21
- Combat Search and Rescue in Desert Storm
- Call Sign Dustoff: A History of U.S. Army Aeromedical Evacuation from Conception to Hurricane Katrina
- On a Steel Horse I Ride: A History of the MH-53 Helicopters in War and Peace
VA USA - Friday, April 14, 2017 at 17:47:44 (EDT)
Was in 57th ahc 69-70 Crash and Rescue.
Daniel Rodlin <plantons@aol.com>Shasta Lake, California usa - Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 13:28:33 (EDT)
Awesome site, great information. As a Member of North Carolina Vietnam Veterans, Inc. we have as one of our missions to teach the real Vietnam War and the men and Women who were there. We have an established course in 2500+high schools nationwide called "The Lessons of Vietnam" this web site will be one of our recommended sites. It would also be great to have Jack Heslin to tell the story of this site on NCVVI's live streaming show so more people could know the great works available on the War in South East Asia
North Carolina Vietnam Veterans, Inc.
Raleigh, NC USA - Tuesday, February 07, 2017 at 12:44:59 (EST)
I served as a MAT team leader with the Regional Forces/Popular Forces in 68/69. I interviewed General Ba at our COUNTERPARTS reunion in Las Vegas several years ago before he died. The article can be found at Vietamericanvets.com and searching for "The Hero of Kontum refutes Neil Sheehan."
Sheehan's book about Vann is a dishonest book shortchanging the South Vietnamese Army in every aspect and ignoring their many accomplishments as the War progressed. It is true that the war was a battle for hearts and minds which was won by the CORDs program in Vietnam but Sheehan was instrumental, along with David Halberstam of influencing (losing) the hearts and minds of those back in America which eventually led to the abandonment of our South Vietnamese allies by congress.
John Paul Vann: American Hero
Jacksonville, Illinois USA - Wednesday, January 04, 2017 at 23:08:08 (EST)