50 years ago today, May 30, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:02:53 -0400

Viet Cong offensive began against US base at Da Nang.

and

28 May-1 June
The Battle of Ba Gia or Bãi Xoan in Quảng Ngãi Province began when the Viet Cong ambushed an ARVN battalion. Several hundred soldiers on both sides were killed. The battle highlighted the vulnerability of the ARVN as a military force against the flexible VC

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 30 at 2015 9:05 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:05:22 -0400

I was a thought in the back of my Dad's mind while he was on long-range recon patrols around Chu Lai with the 23rd Americal Division

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 30 at 2015 12:48 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 30 May 2015 12:48:18 -0400

I was the duty officer at the 9th Infantry Division HQ at Camp Bearcat. I had been at My Tho the day before and arrived back just in time to report. Division armor was parked all around our base camp perimeter in observance of the cease fire, but vehicles were fueled and armed, and crews were standing by awaiting the expected outbreak of the Tet Offensive.

I almost didn't make it back. I had missed my scheduled ride and was invited to spend the night there. My Tho was a hot spot of the Tet Offensive.

Later that morning the ammo dump at Long Binh was hit by a sapper and blew up. Although I was more than 12 miles away I felt the shock wave. My memory of this event on my blog is accompanied by comments from others who were near Long Binh when it went up. Their stories make me glad I was so far away.

Inasmuch as Bearcat was relatively safe during the Tet Offensive helicopters from many units used our airfield to refuel and rearm. The chatter of their rotors was constant day and night.

It was a day to remember...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 30 at 2015 8:33 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 30 May 2015 20:33:31 -0400

Attending College Hill Elementary School in Cincinnati, OH. Now I am the Grandpa of 5. Someone stop this circus ride, I want off.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Aug 18 at 2018 2:38 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 14:38:41 -0400

The picture You show here is exactly where I was in 1968-69 at Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam with the USAF, 366th Security Police Squadron. The six structures with rounded tops housed F102 from an activated Air Guard unit, the long rows beyond that F4D Phantoms of the three Fighter Squadrons assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. The road leading from the bottom left of the screen led from a munitions storage area of the 366th Munitions Maintenance Squadron for uploads on the fighters Just outside the perimeter fence to the right was rice paddies. This was just one section of the base which was massive and housed US Air Force, 366th TFW, 9 and 12ts Special Operations Squadrons, 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron (FACs) 37th ARRS, (Air Rescue with Jolly Greens) US Marines, 1st Marine Air Wing and also the 41st Wing of the Vietnamese Air Force primarily with A1E Sky Raiders of the VNAF . Also both Air America, (the official CIA airline) and Air Vietnam were there. Although not a flying unit at all the Army 41st Signal BN was also there.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Aug 18 at 2018 2:43 PM

SGT Jim Arnold — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 14:43:20 -0400

I was 4 years old with my parents in Bree Belgium. my father was assigned to a NATO communications unit

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 19 at 2018 6:49 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 06:49:27 -0400

I was in the 5th grade.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Aug 19 at 2018 7:05 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 07:05:27 -0400

In 9th or 10th grade.

Response by SSgt Gerald Davis Jr made Sep 6 at 2018 8:26 PM

SSgt Gerald Davis Jr — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:26:13 -0400

30May68 I was in the Radio Technicians Course at MCRD San Diego,CA. I was a SGT with 3 years active duty including a tour as a Field Radio Operator.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 8:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:30:47 -0400

I was at Camp Pendleton for ITR. I would arrive at Cau Ha Combat base, Quang Nam, in May of the next year.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Oct 5 at 2018 8:49 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 08:49:25 -0400

About to be born (in about a month).

Response by A1C Riley Sanders made Dec 15 at 2019 9:10 AM

A1C Riley Sanders — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 09:10:17 -0500

1966-67
Bien-Hoa Vietnam
We took two strong attacks on the Base, several were dead hits of what they aimed to hit, several planes inside open concrete barriers were dead on hit / our armament building,dead on hit, / flight line scattered hits/ bivouac area close to where I was were hit, fortunately loss of life was minimal /.Fuel truck close to where I worked blown apart,/ missed fuel depot by about 50 yards / The strongest attack was about 1 AM , I was sound asleep on bottom bunk, I came up so fast I hit my head on Rail of top bunk knocking me out for a few seconds, I was last out headed for a bunker / was told this one was full , I said move over I coming in. left my pants and boots behind.
I noted the night sky were lit up with flares , A short segment of this is on the net, not much can be seen other than flash's .

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jun 21 at 2020 12:01 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 00:01:15 -0400

I was 13 and trying to make sense of the Vietnam War. I had friends who were drafted and my brother-in-law managed to avoid the draft due to braces on his teeth. The news was conflicting and confusing Protests were beginning and I was definitely aware of the changes in society and the attitudes towards this war. It was definitely a turbulent time in America and a devastating time in Vietnam...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 21 at 2020 5:09 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 05:09:56 -0400

Fifty years ago I was 13 years old getting ready to enter 9th grade in Drexel Hill Junior High School in Upper Darby, PA. I had already decided that I planned on becoming a soldier by that point SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Jun 21 at 2020 6:45 AM

1SG John Highfill — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 06:45:49 -0400

A senior in high school I enlisted after graduation entered the army in aug was in Viet Nam in Jan

Response by SPC Allen Jimenez made Jun 21 at 2020 9:24 AM

SPC Allen Jimenez — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 09:24:17 -0400

Davis Station, 509 RRGp, Tan Son Nhut AB, Saigon, Vietnam. White Burch.

Response by SPC Allen Jimenez made Jun 21 at 2020 9:25 AM

SPC Allen Jimenez — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 09:25:29 -0400

Davis Station, 509 RRGp, Tan Son Nhut AB, Saigon. White Burch.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Jun 21 at 2020 9:59 AM

LTC John Griscom — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 09:59:22 -0400

May 1970. In Okinawa, sending medical supplies to Vietnam.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 21 at 2020 10:31 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 10:31:10 -0400

I was sitting on the third bar stool from the door at my local gin mill having left sunny Vietnam back in 1967,and believe it or not some of my fellow drunks didn’t even know I had left!

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Jun 21 at 2020 4:12 PM

SSG Dennis R. — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 16:12:21 -0400

21 June 1970 - B Co 4th AVN BN, 4th Inf Div. Ahn Khe

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 20 at 2020 5:25 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:25:24 -0400

In 1965 which was 50 years from Your 2015 posting I was still in High School. Fifty years ago from the current year 2020 in 1970 I had already returned from Vietnam, which I left on 02 April 1969 after being there most of 1968 into 1969. The largest part of that was at Da Nang with the 366th Security Police Squadron. The area of Da Nang Air Base You show was sure familiar with two long rows of F4 Phantom Revetments and the six separate shelters for the F102's the road which belonged to an activated Air Guard unit. the road from hte F102 shelter leads to thee munitions storage area for 366th MMS which bombs were transported to be loaded onto the F4s. I certainly remember that area well. Before I left in 1969, TET that year We were attacked quite a few times the usual mortars, rockets plus ground attacks and even air strikes off the area of our own perimeter from our F4s, VNA A1E Sky Raiders, AC47 Gunships, choppers. A number of the attacks were in broad daylight instead of hours of darkness as was the usual before that. I had turned 21 in October of 1968 while I was stationed at Da Nang.

I had started responding before I noticed Your post was made in 2020 so I corrected it a bit as I was reading it for the first time in 2020 and what You spoke of was before I got there.

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Sep 20 at 2020 5:33 PM

Sgt Jim Belanus — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:33:53 -0400

just grad. high school and preparing for boot camp

Response by A1C Riley Sanders made Mar 6 at 2021 11:18 AM

A1C Riley Sanders — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 11:18:52 -0500

I was at Bien Hoa a few clicks north of Siagon, I experienced just enough to determine we weren't liked.
Thanks for your service !

Response by SPC Richard Rauenhorst made Sep 19 at 2021 8:15 PM

SPC Richard Rauenhorst — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 20:15:23 -0400

On May 30th I was home on extended leave after Leaving Vietnam on March 30th 1971.
I had been stationed at Camp Horn and was with the 204th MID.

Response by SGT James Bradley made Jan 5 at 2022 9:26 PM

SGT James Bradley — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:26:37 -0500

I missed TET 68. I did not arrive in country until 4/21/68 and I thank God for it but I solemnly salute the troops who had to endure it.