Vietnam Veteran News with Mack Payne

It is the conclusion of this writer Melvin R. Laird was the ultimate Vietnam Veteran. On November 16, 2016 he passed away at the age of 94. His life and accomplishments were chronicled in a story from The Department of Defense, defense.gov titled: Laird Crafted ‘Vietnamization,’ Oversaw End of Military Draft that was submitted by Terri Moon Cronk of the DoD News, Defense Media Activity.

Laird served as Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973 under President Richard Nixon. His contributions to the Defense Department were vast and varied during a time of social and political turmoil in the country. Laird was responsible for managing Nixon's policy of withdrawing U.S. soldiers from the Vietnam War. He is the one who came up with the term "Vietnamization" that refers to the process of turning over the execution of military operations for the war to the South Vietnamese forces.

During his term as Secretary of Defense he carefully guided the gradual reduction of U.S. troops in Vietnam. Troop strength went from 549,500 in 1969 to 69,000 on 1972. U.S. combat deaths decreased by 95 percent between January 1969 and May 1972 in comparison to the fatalities during the war’s pinnacle in 1968.

Another major accomplishment of Secretary Laird was the elimination of the U.S. draft in Jan. 27, 1973 and the establishment of the all-volunteer military force that has worked in succeeding years and remains national policy today.

Laird's other major accomplishments include reaching strategic sufficiency, effective burden-sharing between the United States and its allies, security assistance, maintenance of U.S. technological superiority through development of weapons systems, a better procurement process, better National Guard and reserve forces, up-to-date operational readiness and his “participatory management” style. Another of his large-scale initiatives was the release of American captives in Vietnam.

Melvin R. Laird was a great American and we all owe him a great deal of gratitude for his outstanding service to his country.

The insidious effects of Agent Orange continue to this day to be a serious nemesis for Vietnam Veterans. In this episode a report about a possible change in the VA's Agent Orange treatment policy will be presented. The report comes from a story in Pro Publica and Virginian-Pilot titled: New Study Could Pressure VA to Expand Agent Orange Benefits that was submitted by Charles Ornstein.

The long lasting perils of exposure to Agent Orange continue to be a vexing challenge to many Vietnam Veterans. The indiscriminate and "go like hell" use of the herbicide has wreaked havoc on millions people since it was used in the Vietnam War. The VA had to be coerced into provided assistance to Vietnam Veterans with Agent Orange related diseases by an act of Congress. In 1999 the Agent Orange Act was passed and finally veterans began to receive benefits but the VA continued its reluctance to provide full benefits.

One of the illnesses the VA has steadfastly refused to accept as being caused by exposure is hypertension or as it is better known, high blood pressure, despite recommendations from its own internal working group of scientific experts to do so. Now the VA says it cannot make a decision about coverage for hypertension until the new presidential administration is installed.

The VA's initial position on the issue is that it would cost millions of dollars to offer veterans treatment for the condition. Dr. Victoria Cassano, a member of the VA internal working group of scientific experts on the hypertension study said: " while hypertension affects many veterans, it is not as debilitating as other conditions and generally can be treated inexpensively with medications. Therefore, she said, the costs may not be as high as some have predicted. Waiting for vets to develop ischemic heart disease or suffer a stroke is “a pennywise pound foolish decision.”

Makes you wonder what the management of the VA is thinking.

As stated many times in the past, one of the primary missions of this podcast is to extol the virtues and achievements of the representatives of the great Vietnam Veteran Generation. In this episode Vietnam Veteran Wayne R. Mundt of Spearfish, North Dakota will be featured. He was a medic with both the Fourth Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. He was described in a story found in The Black Hills Pioneer titled: Spearfish Vietnam War medic recalls lives he saved and lost that was submitted by Jaci Conrad Pearson.

The writer of this piece, yours truly, selected Wayne R. Mundt to highlight in this episode for three reasons.

He served as a medic. I have the highest regard for all medical personnel who served in Vietnam - especially those brave medics who were deployed on the ground with the maneuver troops and the stalwart aviators and aerial medics who flew in the medevac helicopters.

2. His units and time in country. He was in Vietnam about the same time I was there on my second tour with the 101st Airborne Division. Also during Mundt's tour in Vietnam he was at one time or another assigned to both the 4th Infantry Division (my unit on my first tour in 1967) and the 101st. What a coincidence, he served with the same divisions that I did in Vietnam.

His reverence for the veterans. Because of his service in the Vietnam War, Veterans Day and Memorial Day are highly important to him. Because he’s been on the frontlines, Mundt knows how the effects of war can ravage the lives of some who have served and he urges understanding on the part of those not so in-the-know.

In this episode you are going to hear about how he was drafted and how he went on to serve bravely as a medic In Vietnam who was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device and an Army Commendation Medal for his brave actions under fire by the enemy.

The Vietnam Veteran News podcast continues its look at the US Marines in Vietnam in this episode where the US Marine Operation Hastings will be featured. First we will take a look at the events that led up to the operation and how it got started and ended and then listen to the poignant comments by a young (at the time) Marine Second Lieutenant who took part in the battle at Hill 362 portion of Operation Hastings. Another inspiration to look at this particular action was the fact that one of the heroes highlighted in my book "Conversations with Vietnam Heroes"  Wilbur Little who served with A Company, 2/3rd Marines also participated in the battle. In addition to the official description of Operation Hastings the personal comments and observations of Edward P. Conti a former Lima Company, 3/5 Marines XO in Vietnam during 1966 help complete the picture of this hard fought battle. Conti's story came from the website http://lima35.tripod.com.

Operation Hastings took place from 15 July to 3 August 1966. During late June and early July 1966, Marine reconnaissance units operating south of the DMZ between North and South Vietnam observed and engaged increased numbers of uniformed regular NVA troops. Overall commander in Vietnam, General Westmoreland approved a Marine effort to run the NVA intruders back across the DMZ. Immediately Task Force Delta was set up and On the morning of 15 July the battle began with aerial bombardment of LZ Crow and Dove.

Nineteen days later Operation Hastings officially ended on 3 August 1966. During the operation the Marines suffered 126 killed, 448 wounded. It is reported the NVA lost over 700 personnel but no one really knows the true number.

Conti said this about the operation: "No single event in my life has had as much of an effect on me as Operation Hastings and Hill 362" and "We, as survivors, must do everything in our power to keep the memory of their courage and supreme sacrifice in the forefront."

On Veteran's Day the host of this podcast, Mack Payne, was the guest on Ralph DeMarco's Laurel Highlands Live show on WNTJ and WLLI 1490 and 990 respectively in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. All veterans were honored on the show but special recognition was paid to Vietnam Veterans as Payne talked about his recent book Conversations with Vietnam Heroes.

Payne explained that his book contained conversations with nine Vietnam Veterans he had interviewed on his podcast Vietnam Veteran News. The nine represented all branches of service who served in the war including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. He said his primary purpose in writing the book was to show the world the true greatness of Vietnam Veterans. Payne maintains that the Vietnam Veteran Generation is as great as any that ever heeded the call of duty from its country.

DeMarco introduced each of the nine veterans in the book and Payne added first hand comments about them.

Chapter one was about Dave Roever who served on river patrol boats with the US Navy's Special Warfare Command. He was severely injured in the war but he overcame his injuries to become an internationally known inspirational speaker.

Chapter two was about Melvin Page who served with the Army's 25th Infantry Division. He had the frightening experience of calling in a napalm strike on his own position.

Chapter three featured John Hosier, an infantryman turned combat photographer with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. His story will amaze any reader.

Chapter four was a conversation with Steve Suttles who was a record setting US Marine sniper in Vietnam. He revealed the inside story of the life of a sniper in combat.

Chapter five highlighted John Bullock who story will inspire anyone old or young. He was an Army medical specialist.

Chapter six told about Mike Mullins and his experiences as an infantryman with the 199th Infantry Brigade and about his writing career.

Chapter seven is where Jessie Lee shed light on life on a firebase in Vietnam where he served as a cannoneer with 101st Airborne Division.

Chapter eight with Mel Jackson. Mel served in the US Air Force where one of his jobs was loading B-52 bomber.

Chapter nine puts Wilbur Little in the forefront. He was an infantryman with the US Marines who saw some of the heaviest combat of the war near the DMZ.

All are recommended to read Conversations with Vietnam Heroes to get a true understanding of the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran Generation. See the ad in the side bar of this podcast to make a purchase.

This podcast episode is being published on Veterans Day of 2016. All veterans are saluted for their service to their country. One particular Vietnam Veteran, John P. Edwards, will be featured to show homage to all those veterans. His life was chronicled in a story from The Signal of Santa Clarita Valley, California titled John P. Edwards – Vietnam Combat Veteran – Newhall Resident by Bill Reynolds who is one of the “Boys of ’67,” Charlie Company, 4th/47th, 9th Infantry Division and is the director of Veterans Affairs for The Signal.

Edwards is another tremendous representative of the great Vietnam Veteran Generation. He truly did serve his country heroically both in Vietnam and later as a member of the LAPD. Today he lives in Newhall, California with his wife Debra in the same house they bought as newlyweds in 1971.

Edwards was born at Lawton, Oklahoma as an "Army brat" in 1948. When he graduated from high school in 1967 he followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Army. Shortly afterward he was sent to Vietnam as a Huey door gunner. He arrived at Qui Nhon where he was assigned to the 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance). Despite flying on many dangerous rescue missions he managed to survive the year unscathed.

He came home in December of 1968 but could not resist the temptation to return the field of battle in Vietnam. Edwards volunteered for a 2nd Tour of Duty, as crew chief on a dust-off Huey helicopter and was assigned to the 283rd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) at Pleiku. In November of 1969 near Ban Me Thuot  he earned a Silver Star for his actions in battle where he helped save 65 ARVN soldiers.

He came home and became a member of the LAPD and faced about as much danger in the streets of Los Angeles as in Vietnam. Edwards was instrumental in the fight against the Weather Underground, SLA (Symbionese Liberation Army), the Asian Boys gang, and the Black Panther Party. He was the first officer responding to a domestic violence call on New Year’s Eve, 1989, to OJ and Nicole Simpson’s home.

The featured Vietnam Veteran in this episode is former F-4 pilot Brian Settles. He was the subject of an article in The Henry Herald titled: A Veteran’s Story: Smoke for breakfast in a Phantom that was submitted by Pete Mecca also a Vietnam Veteran. Settles was interviewed during The annual Atlanta War birds Weekend backed by the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing at the KPDK (DeKalb-Peachtree Airport). He was at the visitors center during event signing copies of his book “Smoke for Breakfast, a Vietnam Combat Pilot’s Story.”

Mecca chronicled Settles' story by beginning with his birth as a mixed race child who was given away by his parents when he was seven days old to the Lincoln Nebraska State Orphanage. He moved to Muncie, Indiana at the age of three when he was adopted by a loving couple. He grew up in Muncie and always felt he had to prove himself because of his abandonment then the adoption. That feeling eventually led to him becoming an F-4 Phantom jet fighter pilot.

In August of 1968 he joined the 366th Tac Fighter Wing at Da Nang in I Corps where he flew 199 combat missions. One of his most meaningful experiences while in Vietnam was when some Marines came in his squadron and wanted to meet some F-4 pilots like the ones who supported them recently in the field. The young Marines said: "they wouldn’t be alive today had it not been for the F-4s that made a particular strike." Just knowing that what we did as Phantom pilots helped those boys come back home made our day for a long time after that.

After his time as an Air Force pilot Settles became a commercial airline pilot and retired at the age of 60. Mecca states: "Among several accomplishments, including earning a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Southern California, Settles served as the chair and assistant professor of airway science at Delaware State, is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi and the Airline Pilots Association, Retired Airline Pilots Association and Organization of Black Airline Pilots. He enjoys writing, fishing, his church affiliation and seeking God’s purpose in his life, and teasing his grandchildren."

Brian Settles truly is an outstanding representative of the great Vietnam Veteran Generation. It is highly recommended you get a copy and read his book “Smoke for Breakfast, a Vietnam Combat Pilot’s Story.”

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The US Marines in Vietnam utilized their Stingray assets to acquire enemy intelligence and they were featured in the previous episode. In this episode the US Army's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols which are similar in mission to Stingrays will be highlighted. The Stingrays and LRRP's came about when the military commanders arrived in Vietnam and realized their forces were not suited for the guerrilla warfare they encountered. They found that large scale search and destroy missions did not produce the desired enemy intelligence they needed.

The Marines came up with Stingray and the Army developed the LRRP's for intelligence acquisition. A book by Gary O'Neal with David Fisher titled: American Warrior: The True Story of a Legendary Ranger provides an accurate description of the LRRP's origin and mission. It also provides an inside look into one LRRP member's experience of procuring intelligence about the NVA and VC forces.

The concept for LRRPs began in 1965 as the 173d Airborne Brigade Commanding General Ellis W. Williamson realized “small units could get out and get information much better than large search-and-destroy type operations.” Initially he called them Delta Teams. Later in 1966 General William Westmoreland (overall commander in Vietnam) made them official when he ordered “that a comprehensive Long Range Patrol program” be developed in South Vietnam, which he defined as “a specially trained unit organized and equipped for the special purpose of functioning as an information gathering agency responsive to the intelligence requirements of the tactical commander. These patrols consist of specially trained personnel capable of performing reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition within the dispatching unit’s area of interest.” The author Gary O’Neal describes the LRRP's mission as: "track ’em, find ’em, and kill ’em."

The author, Gary O’Neal, is an Oglala Sioux who was brought up in the the warrior traditions of the and utilized those traditions in nearly forty years with the U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces.

His book, American Warrior: The True Story of a Legendary Ranger, is highly recommended to anyone who would like an insider's viewpoint of life as a LRRP in Vietnam.

RECOMMENDED READING:

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In the previous episode, Operation Allen Brook carried out by the Marines in Vietnam was featured. That operation was conducted by the 1st Marine Division to clear suspected and as it turned out real NVA and VC forces out of Go Noi Island. The island is a chunk of land about five miles inland from Hoi An and the fact that two rivers come together in two places earn the right to call the land in between the rivers an island. The operation ran for two and a half months in the spring of 1968. The primary mission of operation was to foil a planned attack on the city of Da Nang.

The historical recap of the operation made mention several time of "Stingray" reports. Those Stingray reports of increased enemy activity on "Go Noi Island" provided the reason for the campaign. Being a member of the US Army in Vietnam, I was not familiar with some Marine terms so I decided to find out more about Stingray in Vietnam.

Turns out they were the Marine version of the Army's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols on steroids. They were described in the book titled: Stingray: Force Recon Marines Behind the Line… by Bruce H. Norton.  Norton offers this description: "Operating within range of friendly artillery fire were the heavily armed "Stingray" patrols, whose mission was to find, and destroy the enemy with all available supporting arms, and rapid reinforcement, if necessary."

Stingray operations were employed by III MAF during the majority of the time it was deployed during the Vietnam War. Stingray patrols played an integral role Marine offensive operations.

Marines who served in Stingray operations were some of the bravest of the brave and deserve much appreciation for the job they did in insuring Marine commander had the intelligence needed to conduct combat operations.

Recommended Reading:

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In the previous episode of this podcast, Doug Chamberlain of La Grange, Wyoming was featured to recognize his service in the USMC during the Vietnam War. He served for ten months as the commander of Echo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division. During his command tenure in that position he saw lots of combat. One of his most memorable actions was Operation Allen Brook.

The operation ran from 4 May 68 to 24 August 68 and took place on Go Noi Island sector. It resulted in 917 enemy killed. An additional 11 were captured. The III MAF units which sought to bring Go Noi Island under government control lost 170 Marines and 2 sailors killed in action and a further 1,124 wounded. Even more fell to heat, disease, snake bite, accidents, and a host of other hazards.

Operation Allen Brook was fully described on The StephenAustin.org website in a story titled: Operation Allen Brook. The operation was carried out on Go Noi Island which sits about 15 miles south of the city of Da Nang. The name island is a little bit of a misnomer because it is actually a chuck of inland real estate about five miles west of Hoi An that has two rivers running around it that just happens to touch on the west and east side of the "island."

The operation was inspired by reports of an enemy buildup on the island that was in preparation for an attack on the city of Da Nang.  The III MAF was given the mission to go in and clean out the island. It turned out to be a difficult mission because not only were main line NVA units pouring in but the Communists had controlled the area with the continued existence of both a Communist political and military command infrastructure being in place there. The local populace maintained a strong Viet Cong orientation, thus making the island a relatively "safe haven" for both NVA and VC military units.

This situation was a challenge for the Marines to handle but they succeeded with the usual Marine toughness. Of course when they moved on to another battle area the Commies came back and it was business as usual.