WWII Research and the Missing Air Crew Reports Collection, 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway: June 4-7, 1942, Memorial Day Tips for Documenting Veterans Graves from Find a Grave. Also said, whoever controls the Central Highlands will control South Vietnam. First by supporting the French colonial government after WWII, denying self-determination to the Vietnamese people, and thrusting them into the Communist camp. Also have served as a civil service employee (retiring after 35 years) in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the Navy and Marines. But in 1972, the North Vietnamese signaled they would be willing to drop their demand for a coalition government, and the U.S agreed that the north could keep their troops in the south. I know many veterans have worked hard on healing themselves, and the world, knowing the suffering first hand. WE DONT DISCUSS POLITICS. Ill keep both of you in my prayers! I wasnt going to be a ground pounder subject to friendly fire from above. My dad served in the Navy in WW1 on the minesweeper Blackhawk ,he enlisted in So. While soldiers must be well trained and have a chain of command, they also have a soul and are human, and like in this blog should discuss and debate. Ironically southeast Asia and the middle East are the two region that can out reproduce any casualties of any conflict due to centuries of warfare. It still amazes me that WWII vets gladly served. Have a great New Year. Having served in the Central Highlands for two years, one with the 4th ID and the other year with the 2nd Vietnamese Ranger Group in Plieku, I saw the war from both sides. I would not change the years of service. I am a 20 year air force retiree.

Hmmm. Hhhmmmm.

Sheer math. The answer is simply the North Vietnamese were not ever going to give up never. As horrific as that war was, the North Vietnamese did not hate us half as much as they did the French. They fended it. Truth be told For many years, I have always believed that reason. Truths are beginning to filter out to us, after long passage of time. LBJs micro-management was the biggest mistake. I still have my food and gasoline rationing stamps with my name on them. Then the United States refused to accept nationwide elections for Vietnam, knowing that US puppet leaders in the South had no possibility of winning the election. South Vietnamese troops were given control of their own fate. Not to mention the re-education camps. The Night They Burned the Mountain especially expressed the need for intervention. They refused to fund our agreement to help S Vietnam defend itself . Hell, even Reagan had enough sense to not get involved when barracks bombing happened in 83. She goes to the family room and watches MSNBC with door closed. Were doing the same thing in Afghanistanthe Soviets with all their barbarity and atrocities couldnt defeat the Afghanis, what makes anyone think we can win by not playing as cruelty? We were told the reason for the war was to stop Communist aggression. I feel we need to wage a war against auto-correct, or spell-check. Of course he is referring to Afghanistan. You hit the nail on the head. When there is nothing left to bomb? As long as the politicians design the rules of engagement, the young of this country are at a higher risk of death than necessary. Navigation Tip: My father was drafted, after 2 exemptions. The Vietnamese, even in the North, had a better opinion of us, but all the same, they wanted us out and wanted their country back, unified. It wasnt a pretty sight watching all those people fleeing their country over to our base. Also, we should ask: Who is our ally, when? Brutality should never be tolerated, but personal gain as reason to send any people to war should not be tolerated either. Nixon and Kissingerror ended the war and it was not pretty. I am a proud totally disabled vet. Introducing the New Fold3 Gallery and Tags! Those volunteering felt US was attacked. LBJ even went further by have models built of the encampments and was acting like the field commander. The final deal, which was not much different than the one agreed to in October, was secured on January 23, 1973. For all that served, thank you, for those who support us that served, a bigger thank you. That was kind of a low shot to the gut, if you will, in seeing those things.". We were not a party to the Vietnam War; we were interlopers! Just as politicians design policy they have no business with (combat and strategy), the military likewise carries out bad orders from generals who inevitably are connected to politics. I spent 15 years on the Air Force active duty after two years in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Following the U.S.s 11-day Christmas bombing campaign at the end of 1972, the North Vietnamese agreed to resume negotiations in January. It may have been old fashioned, but I am still proud of this country and my service, Thanks for your service. It was a bad agreement. On January 28, 1973 withdrawal of U.S. combat troops began and by March all but advisors and Marine guards returned to America. Yes, you hit the nail on the head ! PPS Well written. I only left because Reagan was downsizing our military and closing bases, so I was forced out, along with many others, into an economy that was not able to absorb us. Nixon was clear, as he noted, both President Johnson and i have ability to bring the North to the table. Dont disappoint them by what you choose. We married late in life without thought of politics, on my part anyway, We are now solidly on our own sides of the fence. When he came up for re-election, I expressed my gratitude by voting for him. US Soldiers today are wearing the uniform by their choosing because they think we are worth it. The book NO PEACE, NO HONOR gets into the mind of Kissinger and Nixon; and it is not pretty. The biggest mistakes made in the Middle East that brought about the rise of Daesh was a CIC that announced the date we were leaving on. But to the Vietnamese, we were the aggressors and they used Communism as a tool to get the invaders out of their country. Yes, I did live through it all and even survived a year in Vietnam. Uncle To was in Paris trying to negotiate for an independent Viet Nan after WW1 ended. I learned a great deal in those two years, and Im glad I got back alive! And subsequent wars have just re-inforced that opinion. What is your Iowa pathway? Your comment is insightful. I agree that LBJs micromanagement wasnt helpful, but he is not the first President that abused his C.I.C.

We have people who dont follow this advice. Washing Machine Assembly Line in Maytag Plant, 1949. LTC Ray Schuetze. As far as or generals being able to win they didnt have a clue from what Ive seen. I served 13 1/2 years in the USAF, enjoying it for the most part. Yeah we got out but we caused millions of deaths by not fulfilling our promises. I finished my obilgation just prior to the war and I was not satisfied by the way the generals fought this war one bit. Before digging in, check out how the page is organized. With luck, the next conflict we enter into, we take a look outside the box first before jumping into the box. There was a draft for WW2. This business of christmas bombing campaigns though is sickening. He enlisted July ,1917.

They thing nothing of castrating without anesthetic to get info they want out of people. Then the formal peace agreementofficially named the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring the Peace in Vietnam, but informally called the Paris Peace Accordswas signed in Paris on January 27, 1973. 20072022 Fold3 by Ancestry • Questions or comments, Contact us. If the generals had been allowed to do the job they were trained for, I believe, there wouldve been different results. Very good advice. That meant if your were an adult US male, you went to the Federal Building closest to your residence and got a draft card marked A1 ,A2 etc, Depending on their criteria including not fit for duty. If you were summoned, it was not by your choice but a duty to gear up and be ready to kill or be killed.

Although my baby son and significant other most likely died when the NVA and Viet Cong attacked Edith Cholon or Can Tho, they could have been in either location. Permalink. Hes farm in Texas wasnt doing so well, he married Lady Bird Johnson she was heavly invested there in Vietnam. I missed the draft and war by a matter of months. The next few readers state the new informed reason, that is, we could never have won that war even with different generals, different presidents and even if you throw in an additional hundred billion dollars and another million men. Up until that point, North Vietnam had insisted on an agreement that would ensure a new coalition government, and the U.S. had demanded the withdrawal of North Vietnamese troops from the southboth non-starters for the other side. makes for an interesting home life. When will be stop trying to annihilate each other? The United States betrayed all its principles. I have since spoken with Vietnamese civilians who were in the North during the final bombing and lost many relatives to bombs.

What are the main navigation buttons? Life Member VFW Post 3203. my wife is an old flower child. 1966 Vietnam Veteran.

Can you tell me where he might have gone to boot camp. Jump forward 6 more years and Im getting commissioned at Lackland AFB.

I mean that sincerely as I am a social worker who worked at the VA in my area. Draft number 16, class of 71, enlisted in the Air Force and proudly spent 4 years serving. The agreement stated that armies from both North and South Vietnam would hold their positions, the United States military would withdraw from combat and leave the country, and both sides of the conflict would work together to find a peaceful path to reunification. One point that was not brought up was MONEY. What is the link to Vietnam? Excerpt from "Iowans Remember Vietnam," Iowa PBS, 2015. role. Books by Dr. Tom Dulley about the work and conditions in that region played a big part in JFK sending peace troops to build hospitals. Late in 1972, the North Vietnamese government officially agreed to the terms of the Paris Peace Accords. First, let me say that we never learn: we got into Vietnam after the French showed it was undeniable. Look up Firestorm in 1969. I did not know when Kissinger started his interference, but thanks for the info. The first few readers state the traditional reasons for our loss in Vietnam, that is, it was due to poor leadership of the Generals and presidential interference. Bad WAR BAD OUTCOME FOR THE 58,000 THAT NEED NOT PERISH. Categories: History, Story, US, Vietnam, Vietnam War | As soon as the war was over, he (or his successors) kicked the Soviets and the Chinese out of Vietnam. In January of 1973 the Paris Peace Accords were signed after four years of negotiations, with the intent to establish peace in Vietnam and end the war. What stays the same on every page? Start your investigation by selecting a topic from the list above. Pay attention and do your DC homework. The Commander in Chief is your responsibility to choose every 4 years. In October 1972, American diplomats led by Henry Kissinger and a North Vietnamese delegation led by Le Duc Tho created a near-final agreement that led Kissinger to announce that peace is at hand. However, the South Vietnamese government, under President Nguyen Van Thieu, found the agreement unacceptable, feeling that the deal did not look after South Vietnamese interests, and the peace talks fell apart in December. That is what happens when the US opposes democracy. Thank you to all who have served. He always expressed a deep respect for the montenard people.

Learn more about events in the Vietnam War on Fold3. Too bad we have to wait so long to understand what was really going on and who were the people behind the curtain running the show. Estimated 250,000 drownings at sea. p.s. US arrogance thinking we know how to do itjust need to waste more money and young lives. Still, they ended it, even though no one was happy. The Accords were signed by the United States, and North and South Vietnam. When all else fells in lifes journey for understanding ? Anything left on the battlefield could and would be used against us from ammunition to empty ration cans. In December 1974, the North Vietnamese broke the cease-fire and attacked the south at Phuoc Long. Many did not survive ! I was younger at the time & didnt understand the

Texas. We did some great things and won some battles where we were far outnumbered, but there was no way that we were ever going to win back the South for democracy and free elections! At the bombing of the US Marine Barracks at the Beirut Airport, Lebanon, in October, 1983, that killed 241 Marines, the Marines suffered their worst causalities since Iwo Jima in WWII. Despite a promise to the south that the U.S. would take retaliatory action if the north violated the peace agreement, the U.S. did not provide the south with military aid. Every war and every conflict has someone capitalizing in the end. Shortly afterwards, President Reagan announced new American foreign policy. Each and every American who served in Vietnam was betrayed by their leaders. Excellent summary. I find it very interesting how the fake news media and holly wood are trying to educate our young people about the Nixon watergate stuff and trying to twist it to fit President Trumps situation. McNamara came to the same conclusion unfortunately he did not share it with the media and withheld his opinion to Johnson until McNamara was leaving office to accept his job with the world bank. Should say either rather than Edith, Damn spell correction. I will have to look into LBJ-Kissinger-Nixon more closely. So much for peace. Apparently those who fail to read History are doom to repeat it. With all due respect, if we keep talking about Americans who perished and not mention (or have consciousness of) the Vietnamese who did as well (millions) then we will continue to do this. I have always thought that Kissinger was a poor negotiator. N. Andover, Dracut or Lowell Mass. He stated that the American military would not ever be involved in a middle eastern war and promptly pulled all of the remaining marines out of Lebanon. I got my lottery number in 1972, the year I and my friends all turned 18. Many were killed or put into Prison camps . Uncle Ho said in so many wordsRegardless of how many of us you kill, we will have more to replace them. Today he is a wealthy businessman in what was Saigon. I was pregnant living well and securely in my brand new home in 1973 being born during WWII. Most of these wars are completely unacceptable, and often illogical from the p.o.v. And believe me, it is not those who served on the frontline. Having been to Vietnam I have nothing but admiration for the population who show no signs of bitterness & have picked themselves up so well. I am not sure as I have heard different accounts, but didnt President Kennedy make a similar pronouncement regarding Vietnam just months before his assassination? I agree with Robert Martinez &d recommend a book titled Bare foot, Iron Will. Zumwalt. I had nothing against the military and if I would have been called up to serve, I would have. I was at 8th Air Force for Linebacker II, the final major bombing campaign against North Vietnam.

It should be called spell-wrong. What Al G was referring to above leads us to wonder if we have learned anything from our experience in Vietnam. She streams fonda stuff with door closed. The differe6 was that while all their numbers were in the 300s, mine was 041. Though both secret and official peace talks, predominately between the United States and North Vietnam, had been taking place on and off since at least 1968, the breakthrough finally came in 1972. Well, Ron and others.

We made many mistakes and for some dumb reason, dont learn well from them. And the Communist bloodbath that followed in Indochina from 1975-78 surpassed all the combined deaths on both sides in the previous 15 years. In late April 1975, Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell to the north, and the entire country was reunited under a northern, communist government. Second, I salute all our Vietnam Veterans who served in the jungles, and not running away to Canada, waiting for Fords pardon. There was still a draft for the Vietnam War. Third, the North came to the final table due to one thing: Nixon approved Rolling Thunder I and II.

If your service was in a combat area, I hope you are a member of your local VFW Post, if not then the American Legion. of the citizens of the u.s. and other countries. However, other Generals managed to be successful in their execution of battle. I know this is off topic but still tangentially related. They were as much Communists as they were Nationalists. McHales are you? A better understanding of History would have kept us out of Vietnam and now Afghanistan. Having been to Hanoi, and spoken to the people they will confirm this to you, on the street or in their museums. I was unemployed, and under employed for 10 months before securing steady employment. (Yes, LBJ would actually quier pilots about to roll in on a targetstunning!! ) But LBJ held his dog up by it ears so Dessert Storm troops went far better prepared and were in and out in quick time. I worked the Central Highlands 69 -703/506th Currahee Infantry Battalion, 101st Airborne Division.

Kissinger started his political career as am adviser to Eisenhower and every president through Clinton. His sole purpose was to have power. The French were invaders or occupiers of Vietnam who for decades abused and tortured the Vietnamese. Introducing Our Collection of Morning Reports. Have you noticed the the rules of engagement have changed since we now have CIC who understands how to delegate authority to get things accomplished . Key points of the agreement included a cease-fire, the U.S. withdrawal, and the return of American prisoners of war. God Bless You Dave! Incredible, somebody other than me, has remembered what President Reagan said in 1983. After out fly boy Hollywood war image disillusioned young soldiers. After nearly eight years of fighting and more than four years of negotiations, much of them in secret, talks in Paris finally yielded results. He came home but his sanity would never return. Fortunately, Nixon ended the draft before Uncle Sam could contact me, saving my keister. The resolve of their people had not and would not ever have faded. Rich, agree. Gib IV is absolutely correct. I was a senior in high school, so I still had a little time to graduate before deciding on the USN or USAF. In the case of the Chinese, the Vietnamese had to use military force to kick the Chinese out. Second, the subject here is the end of the conflict, not why we got in nor how the generals conducted the operations GIVEN THE POLITICAL restrictions. Vietnam war or the people involved.

However to anyone to region where cruelty was the norm and not taught the language or culture was not fair to our troops. Short of genocide I cant see how you win against an enemy like that. By the son of the American who was in charge of distibuting the terrible Agent Orange. I volunteered for all of it. After reading many of the above comments, have to agree with a lot of the conclusions. And the US news makers were just as cruel. I spoke with a former highly placed Vietnamese civilian employee of the U.S. Government, who in actuality was a Northern spy. Uncle Ho used the Communists for their armaments and munitions. The differene is, I have the will.. Who knew how hed turn out?

Thank you for the insight. And that was very disheartening. "And I saw on the news territory that I've seen people die to obtain for the United States so the VC don't get it now being turned over to the VC by our government. You guys are not related to any of the Lawrence. There would be an immediate cease-fire, armies from both countries would hold their positions, U.S. troops would withdraw in 60 days and the South Vietnamese government would start negotiations with the Viet Cong for free and democratic elections with the eventual goal of reunifying Vietnam. I believe Robert is right! Although from the U.S. perspective the agreement was meant to end the war, it only really ended the U.S.s active military involvement. It meant that he could not see that he was handling in the same ignorant way that LBJ did by using micromanagement. The problem was that there was a huge backlash to watergate giving the Dems control! Did a tour in SEA (U-Tapao Thailand) in 74-75 and was there for the fall of Vietnam. Once you understand the concept of Nationalism, only then will you understand why we could not win that war. My father left medical school and volunteered and ended up serving as a medic and served three years. All of us should work harder to make a good world. Johnson escalated the war. On January 27, 1973, representatives of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam (which included the Viet Cong), and the United States signed the Paris Peace Accords, leading to the end of the United States active military engagement in the Vietnam War. Follow the money, First, Ray thanks for your time in country. If I had it to do over again, there would be very few things I would change. He did not share his opinion with the American public until many decades later shortly before his death in the two books he wrote about the Vietnamese experience or should I say the Vietnamese Nightmare. Choose wisely. Hey Joseph and Vera McHale. Denying the Vietnamese people the right to self-government led to 60,000 American deaths and millions of Vietnamese deaths.

and I go to my computer room for FNC.