50 years ago today, August 03, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

2015-08-03T08:48:42-04:00

CBS-TV news shows pictures of men from the First Battalion, Ninth Marines setting fire to huts in the village of Cam Na, six miles west of Da Nang, despite reports that the Viet Cong had already fled the area.
A Marine was shown on television lighting an old woman's house while she pleaded for him to stop.
The film report sparked indignation and condemnation of the U.S. policy in Vietnam both at home and overseas.
Earlier, seven Marines had been killed nearby while searching for Viet Cong following a mortar attack against the air base at Da Nang.

At the same time, the Department of Defense announced that it was increasing the monthly draft call from 17,000 in August to 27,400 in September and 36,000 in October.
It also announced that the Navy would require 4,600 draftees, the first such action since 1956.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 3 at 2015 8:55 AM

2015-08-03T08:55:32-04:00

Love these history tidbits!

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Aug 3 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-08-03T16:12:03-04:00

I wasn't born yet.

Response by 1LT Harvey Hutchinson made Aug 3 at 2015 9:05 PM

2015-08-03T21:05:41-04:00

I was still at UVA in Charlottesville; hadn't joined yet. Didn't join until Feb 1966. I was 4S and no one was hiring due to my draft status! Served with the 199th LIB as a platoon leader and later as a Mobile Advisory Team Leader. MAT 100 and MAT 44. I remember torching a hootch in Go Vap & causing quite a commotion! i.e. "denying the enemy comfort and concealment"