50 years ago today, May 18, in sunny Vietnam-land - Were you there?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:21:03 -0400

Following a 5 day suspension of aerial bombing by the US, North Vietnam charges that the halt was only ‘an effort to camouflage American intensification of the war and deceive world opinion.’

President Johnson releases a memo from Secretary of Defense McNamara showing how the recently appropriated $700 million will be spent on the military. He promises US servicemen a ‘blank check’ for their needs.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 12:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:29:49 -0400

Everything they needed except for the political will to play to win.
Interesting that $700 million could fund so much back then. A motivated task force could burn through that in a day now.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made May 18 at 2015 8:16 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Mon, 18 May 2015 20:16:35 -0400

I was there about 47-48 years ago.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 21 at 2018 11:57 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 11:57:27 -0400

Sixty years ago in May 1968 I was in Vietnam where I had just arrived on 01 Apr 68.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 21 at 2018 1:49 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 13:49:54 -0400

50 yrs ago I was going on 11.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Nov 3 at 2018 9:08 AM

LTC John Griscom — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 09:08:28 -0400

Had just arrived in Okinawa, my second Far East tour.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Nov 3 at 2018 10:21 PM

LTC Stephan Porter — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 22:21:35 -0400

In my moma’s tummy (for a few more days)!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2019 12:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 May 2019 00:54:14 -0400

No, I was watching the Rat Patrol on reruns. I even had the lunch pail.
I was 6 years old. I remember watching the news with Walter Cronkite but I did not understand.
I was more excited to watch the RAT Patrol and the Thunderbirds. Thank you for your service. My Uncle was a Hollywood Marine who went in 1966. 1LT Signal Officer. He got out as a CPT. I have been to Afghanistan and Iraq. 3 overseas stripes. I lost my 1SG in Afghanistan. I went to ramp ceremonies in Iraq so please don't think I am mocking you. I was just a kid! I will never forget the 58,220 who lost their lives and the millions of you who still are affected by that war.

http://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/blue-c-rowe/

Blue C. Rowe

The Times collects the stories of California servicemembers who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 18 at 2019 1:50 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sat, 18 May 2019 01:50:35 -0400

In south Korea. Or fort bliss on my way to south Korea.

Response by PO1 John Johnson made May 18 at 2019 6:27 AM

PO1 John Johnson — Sat, 18 May 2019 06:27:11 -0400

I was in 2nd grade; if I was lucky we may have been playing Dodge Ball in Gym!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2019 8:14 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 20:14:05 -0500

I wasn't even a itch on my dad's pant hahaha

Response by LTC John Griscom made Jan 12 at 2020 9:54 AM

LTC John Griscom — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 09:54:39 -0500

Was at the 70th Medical Depot in Okinawa shipping medical supplies to Vietnam.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Feb 25 at 2020 9:10 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 09:10:02 -0500

According to my log book, I flew night medevac for 2 hours, dropped one on the ship (Repose), and one at a land based med facility. Copilot was Silva!

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 5 at 2020 8:26 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 20:26:56 -0400

South Korea

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 5 at 2020 8:27 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 20:27:37 -0400

McNamara was a idiot.

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made May 24 at 2020 5:32 AM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Sun, 24 May 2020 05:32:18 -0400

DaNang

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Apr 7 at 2021 6:09 PM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:09:32 -0400

Watching to see if dad would be on the news. He was in Vietnam for his third tour.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Apr 7 at 2021 6:45 PM

LTC John Griscom — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:45:20 -0400

May 18, 1971. I was close to completing the Army Medical Department Officers Advanced Course at Fort Sam Houston. My orders sending me to Vietnam were in my hands and I headed for my third Asian tour in five years (13 months in Korea, 1966-1967 and 30 months in Okinawa, 1968-1970.).

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made Apr 8 at 2021 12:01 PM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 12:01:46 -0400

Was on my way to Navy Boot Camp, but was there and in Thailand in 1972 building a base for the Marines in Nam Phong, Thailand with MCB 5 Seabee Battalion

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 6 at 2021 6:24 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 18:24:55 -0400

Long gone, 63,66,67