Vietnam Veteran News with Mack Payne

Episode 1180 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story from the Vietnamese official news outlet. It is about something a Norwegian organization is doing to help the Vietnamese province Quang Tri rid its landscapes of the scourge caused by unexploded bombs dropped by the invading French and Americans from 1945 to 1975.

The featured story comes from The VN Express and is titled: War-ravaged Vietnamese province receives $10 mil from Norway for mine clearance. It was submitted by Vu Minh. Minh's story tells about the agreement with Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) signed on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The NPA will underwrite an unexploded ordnance cleanup project that is expected to run through 2022.

Educated guessers claim more than 15 million tons of explosives were dropped on Vietnam in a thirty year period ending in 1975. This astounding amount is estimated to be four times higher than the total amount of bombs dropped in World War II.

The Vietnamese governments states that 1500 of its people are killed by UXOs each year and that millions of acres of its countryside are still contaminated with the lethal garbage.

Each year 100,000 to 125,000 acres in Vietnam are cleared of UXOs which works out of a complete cleanup taking 100 years. That is assuming during that century the NPA and others will continue its support at the current rate.

It is one of the burdens that come from communist thinking that "the ends justify the means." During the American Vietnam War it was amply demonstrated the communist North Vietnamese had no regard for the lives of its people.

Today they are living with that legacy that resulted in the bombs being dropped in the first place.

Listen to episode 1180 of the podcast and discover more about the cleanup of unexploded ordnance in Quang Tri Provence of Vietnam and editorial comments about the scourge hanging over the heads of the Vietnamese people.

Episode 1179 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will highlight the remarks of a Vietnam Veteran who made a return visit to the country he served in while it was at war. Rick Williamson of Abilene, Kansas served in the US Air Force and spent a year in 1970 and 1071 assigned to the Phu Cat Air Base. While there he had no inclination to consider a return to that country on his own accord. 46 years later he changed his mind and decided to go back along with his wife Marcia to the county that left an imprint on his youth.

On April 14, 2108 he spoke about his return trip and observations at the Remembering Vietnam program at the Visitor’s Center of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. There was a story about his presentation in The Abilene-RC titled: Vietnam paradox that was submitted by Tim Horan of the Reflector-Chronicle.

The retired bank president related that the country is now called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He insisted he was not being political when he pointed out that "the motto of the country is ‘independence, freedom and happiness.’ This is the first paradox. There is definitely no independence, few freedoms, but maybe some happiness since they are not at war.” A person can still be thrown into jail for criticizing the government.

He also noted the ambiguity widely evident throughout the country. On the one hand there are many tall sky scraper buildings in the cities while at the same time in the countryside they still have the same rice-planting machine, the same outboard motorless boat and the same farm tractors as before.

Listen to episode 1179 of the podcast and discover more about Vietnam Vet Rick Williamson's return trip to Vietnam and his enlightenment gained from the trip.

Episode 1178 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature the life and passing of the notable Vietnam Vet R. Lee Ermey. There was a story about his death on KMOV, Channel 4 in St. Louis titled: R. Lee Ermey, ‘Full Metal Jacket’ actor, dies at 74 that was submitted by Spencer Ernst, Digital Producer, Meredith, AP with comments from Ermey’s longtime manager Bill Rogin.

Rogan said in the story: " The real R. Lee Ermey was a family man, and a kind and gentle soul. He was generous to everyone around him. And, he especially cared deeply for others in need."

Ermey served in the Marines for eleven years in which included fourteen months in Vietnam. He had 60 credits in film and television but he was the real deal. Most of the time he was on screen he was not acting. He was just being himself.

Most first knew of this Vietnam Vet when they saw him as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.” It is interesting to note he was not chosen by Kubrick to be an actor in the movie. He was first brought in to be a technical consultant for the film but Ermey wanted more. He knew he would be perfect for the role of the brutal gunnery sergeant so he made up his own video audition tape of him in as a tough drill sergeant yelling insults. After Kubrick saw the video he knew he had the right man for the job right on the set.

R. Lee Ermey was a good man who devoted his life to support for the military and all those who served as wells as entertaining us with realistic acting.

Listen to episode 1178 and discover more about the life and times of Vietnam Vet R. Lee Ermey.

RIP R. Lee Ermey.

Episode 1177 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about a  big event going on in Cookeville, Tennessee. It comes from The Times Free Press of Chattanooga, Tennessee and is titled: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica makes stop in Cookeville. It was submitted by Lisa Denton.

In her story Denton  tells about the soon to arrive newest version of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica. It is a three quarter scale model of the Wall in Washington as compared to the original Wall replica that was one half scale. The new replica of the Wall will be open for visitors April 19 through 22. It will be open round-the-clock, starting with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. that Thursday.

The location will be the Putnam County Sports Complex at 497 Whiteaker Springs Road. Contact information about the event is available at the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau, 931-526-2211, https://visitcookevilletn.com/thewallthatheals.

In conjunction with the visit of the Wall replica, appeals are being made to help find missing photos of all the fallen heroes whose names are on the Wall. The Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund which led the way in the creation of the Vietnam Memorial initiated a drive to obtain a photograph of each named person the Wall for an education it plans to build near the Wall in DC.

An active volunteers with the organization and Hawaii resident, Janna Hoehn, is leading the way in finding missing photos. She is now helping find the remaining pictures for Tennessee fallen heroes. It requested you examine the list below of names with missing pictures and help find them for the project.

CLICK HERE to hear an interview with Jana Hoehn where she tells about her quest to help find all the picture for every name on the Memorial Wall.

Listen to episode 1177 and discover more about the big event in Cookeville, TN when the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica comes for a visit.

Janna Hoehn is asking for help from anyone who can help her track down family members or acquaintances of the following service members:

TENNESSEE

Name / DOB-DOD / Home of Record

James T. Gray 1940-1965 Chattanooga

Robert E. Hamilton 1943-1968 Chattanooga

Manuel A. Hicks, Jr. 1947-1967 Chattanooga

Emanuel Jones, Jr. 1947-1969 Chattanooga

Glenn H. Kelley 1942-1965 Chattanooga

Rayfon Lofton 1944-1966 Chattanooga

John R. Prince 1925-1967 Chattanooga

Franklin D. Ratliff 1948-1968 Chattanooga

Carlton Ross 1947-1968 Chattanooga

Clifton Tanksley 1931-1967 Chattanooga

Tommy L. Taylor 1947-1968 Chattanooga

Haywood W. Tipsy, Jr. 1947-1967 Chattanooga

Tomas C. Tucker 1943-1969 Chattanooga

Johnnie L. Vaught, Jr. 1949-1968 Chattanooga

James F. Watson 1932-1968 Chattanooga

Marion County

Paul P. Cabe 1952-1971 Guild

Billy Dodson 1933-1966 Jasper

Gary B. Kilgore 1946-1968 Whitwell

GEORGIA

Walker County

William L. Byrd 1944-1970 Rossville

Billy R. Head 1939-1969 Chickamauga

John E. Norton 1951-1970 Fort Oglethorpe

Billie H. Smith 1943-1966 Rossville

Chattooga County

Benny R. Dupree 1950-1969 Summerville

Nathaniel Knowles 1942-1967 Menlo

Floyd County

Thomas S. Jones 1947-1967 Rome

Eddie L. Spivey 1937-1970 Rome

ALABAMA

DeKalb County

Louis L. Clanton 1944-1968 Collinsville

Cherokee County

Lewis E. Cantrell 1944-1967 Centre

Jimmie L. Chamblee 1945-1970 Centre

Episode 1176 of the Podcast Vietnam Veteran News will feature the story of a Vietnamese immigrant and the lessons it has for us all. The story in question comes from The Capital Gazette of Annapolis, Maryland titled: Vietnam-era immigrant continues to serve and protect past age 65, It was submitted by Phil Burgess, a correspondent and is president of the Annapolis Institute and author of “Reboot! What To Do When Your Career Is Over But Your Life Isn’t.” He can be reached at [email protected].

Phil's story is about Vietnamese refugee, Dung Dinh Do, who came to this country after the fall of South Vietnam to the communists. The story is a good illustration of why America is a great country and still a beacon to the world for those who are looking for freedom, liberty and opportunity.

Listening to the experiences of Do and in getting to America and what he has done since he followed the legal pathway to becoming an America is a testament to why immigration is such a positive.

Immigration today in this country is a hot issue. It has become politicized but when ones gets down to the basics, immigration is very important for the country. A steady stream of new citizens coming to our shores in search of our most valuable assets of freedom, liberty and opportunity benefit not only the new residents but also the country and the world.

Dung Dinh Do is an excellent example of the benefits of immigration to both the immigrant and the country. That is evident as Burgess describes what a former Vietnamese refugee has done with his freedom: "Even though Do, age 68, is now in his bonus years, he continues to work in public safety after educating his children; sometimes working two jobs; paying income taxes, property taxes and Social Security taxes; and contributing to his church and community through volunteer work.

Do's story helps Vietnam Veterans appreciate more what they were fighting for in that War.

Listen to episode 1176 of the podcast and discover more about the many lessons to be learned from a Vietnamese immigrant.

RECOMMENDED READING:

BUY NOW!!

Episode 1175 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a book review by Mark Atwood Lawrence, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin and Director of Graduate Studies at the Clements Center for National Security. He is author or editor of several books about the Vietnam War, including The Vietnam War: A Concise International History. He is now working on a book about U.S. policymaking toward the developing world in the Vietnam era.

Lawrence's book review was found in The War On The Rocks website titled: Revisiting Revisionism: Vietnam, Counterinsurgency, and the Lessons of Edward Lansdale. He reviews Max Boot's The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam and uses it as a vehicle for taking a look at author's viewpoints today that are making revisionist statements about the Vietnam.

This is an exciting review because it covers two interesting subjects. First Edward Landsdale and his contributions is covered. Landsdale was mentioned in episodes 1101 and 1125 of this podcast. Lawrence described him as "one of the most fascinating and complex figures in the pantheon of American Cold Warriors."

Max Boot does not hide his admiration for Landsdale in his book. He describes the master spook Landsdale as the "Air-Force-officer-turned-CIA-operative who possessed a unique blend of creativity, cultural sensitivity, charisma, and doggedness that made him an exceptionally effective practitioner — indeed, a “maestro” — of counter-insurgency warfare and nation-building in far-off lands."

Lawrence presents his view point of Boot's book and he also includes three more reviews by his fellow contemporary Vietnam revisionists. They are Gregory A. Daddis of Chapman University, Walter C. Ladwig III of the Department of War Studies at King’s College London and Heather M. Stur of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Listen to episode 1175 of the podcast and discover more about Edward Landsdale and revisionist theories about the American Vietnam War.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam

America in Vietnam

On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War

A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam

Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War

Withdrawal: Reassessing America’s Final Years in Vietnam

The Forgotten Front: Patron-Client Relations in Counterinsurgency

Beyond Combat: Women and Gender in the Vietnam War Era

Episode 1174 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature an interview with Janna Hoehn, one of the premier producers of pictures for the Wall of Faces project. This is the eleventh appearance of Janna on this podcast. She has been working on the photograph location process since 2008 after she visited the Memorial Wall.

The Wall of Faces program was started by the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund organization. That is the group that accomplished the noble feat of creating the Vietnam Memorial Wall. After the Wall was a reality they decided they could not stop there. In the words of the VVMF here is the next step they are taking to honor our Vietnam Veterans: "In an effort to further preserve the legacy of those who sacrificed all in Vietnam, VVMF is committed to finding a photo to go with each of the more than 58,000 names on The Wall. The Wall of Faces allows family and friends to share memories, post pictures and connect with each other."

Finding all those photos is proving to be a herculean task. Finding pictures of fallen veterans some who died more than 50 years ago call for much dedication on the part of many concerned citizens.

As of today there are 3027 pictures remaining to be found. Those pictures are being searched for by a group of hard working volunteers. One of the most productive is Janna Hoehn of Hawaii. She has located several thousand missing photos herself and helped and encouraged other searchers across the nation.

She is seeking help in finding the remaining photos. If you would like to help contact her at [email protected]

CLICK HERE  to search for a photo of someone you may know who died in Vietnam. If it is missing, join in the search and help find a picture of the person for the Wall of Faces.

Listen to episode 1174 of the podcast and discover more about Janna Hoehn and what she is doing to find all the pictures for the Wall of Faces.

Episode 1173 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about a Vietnam Veteran who has different feelings about Jane Fonda than most harbor. Bruce Hoem served in Vietnam and had several run ins with the notorious film actress and fitness entrepreneur. He talked about those connections and how they affected his thinking toward her today in a letter to the editor found on The Rapid City Journal website. It is titled: Knowing Jane Fonda Like I Do…

Jane Fonda is a personage known to most all Vietnam Veterans. She was not only a strong advocate for the US getting out of the Vietnam quagmire but she went further than just talking about the War. In 1972 she traveled to North Vietnam and buddied up with the North Vietnamese claiming she was trying to help bring peace to the region. That is when she mistakenly allowed herself to be photographed while sitting on an anti-aircraft gun wearing stylish North Vietnamese Army head gear. Later she said she regretted allowing that picture to be taken.

Miss Fonda was mentioned in six previous episodes of the podcast and with each appearance much reaction was garnered. Most of the reaction to those episodes was negative. After forty five years since her trip to the belly of the beast in Hanoi the vast majority of Vietnam Veteran's opinions of what she did back then hasn't changed much.

That doesn't seem to apply to Vietnam Veteran Bruce Hoem. He as more than one connection with Fonda starting back in 1957. It was on a movie set in Jackson, Wyoming. She was there with her father, Henry while he was making a movie.

Listen to episode 1173 of the podcast and discover more about how Vietnam Vet Bruce Hoem really feels about Jane Fonda and why.

Episode 1172 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the new soon to be adopted US Marine Corps sniper rifle. It will be the first replacement of the standard Marine Corps sniper rifle since the Vietnam War. The new special weapon and the reasons for its adoption was covered in a story appearing on the This Is Insider website titled: The US Marine Corps is getting a new sniper rifle for the first time since the Vietnam War and was submitted by Jared Keller of Task & Purpose.

The inspiration for sharing this story on the podcast about the new weapon came not only from a basic curiosity about new military armament but also out of respect for Steve Suttles. He is a record setting Marine sniper in the Vietnam War. He served with the 5th Marines in the 1st Marine Division on the DMZ in 1968. A very informative and interesting interview with Steve can be found in chapter four of the book Conversations with Vietnam Heroes, written by the podcaster.

It is interesting to note the primary motivation given in Keller's story for replacing the Marines' Vietnam Era sniper rifle was that they needed more range in the modern era of fighting wars in such places as Afghanistan and Iraq. The specified range of the existing Marine sniper rifles is 1,000 yards and they need a weapon with a range of at least 1,300 yards. It makes you wonder about that specified range when Steve Suttles maintains his record making kill was at 1,250 yards.

The decision of whether or not to replace the Vietnam Era Marine sniper rifle is now going through the budgetary gauntlet. Keller stated in his story: "no matter when it reaches Marine scout snipers, the new rifle represents a major, long-awaited breakthrough for the Corps — and certain doom for their adversaries downrange."

Listen to episode 1172 of the podcast and discover more about the new Marine Corps sniper rifle.

Episode 1171 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature part five of the article titled: The Vietnam War: A Lesson in the Geopolitics of Southeast Asia by Professor Jeremy Black that appeared on the Foreign Policy Research Institute website. Jeremy Black is a professor of history at Exeter University of Devon shire, England and has written more than 100 books, many about the geopolitics of Southeast Asia.

This episode will be looking at the final part of his article that is titled: The End of the War Was Not the End of the Fighting. Professor began this part by comparing the Easter Offensive in 1972 with the invasion in 1975 where North Vietnam finally united the country under the darkness of communism. He noted that the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 did not end the fighting in Southeast Asia. Notably the two Vietnams continued sparring for control of the soon to be united country. In reference to the 1975 invasion, his primary conclusion was that the lack of American military support was not the predominate factor in the fall of Saigon.

Other topics covered in this part of Professor Black's Article include:

• The communist takeover of Cambodia and Laos in 1975.

• Vietnam invasion of Cambodia in 1979.

• The Chinese attack on Vietnam with 500,000 troops in 1979.

• Chinese interventions in India in 1962 and Korea in 1950-53.

• The Chinese and Vietnamese border conflict lasting until 1991.

• The dramatic increase in tensions in Southeast Asia in the 2010's.

• How best to define a major war.

• How to place the American War in Vietnam in its historical and geopolitical contexts.

Listen to episode 1171 of the podcast and discover more about Professor Jeremy Black's academic description of the Vietnam War and its aftermath.