1958 – 1975
American involvement in Vietnam began as an advisory role began in the late-1950's and continued into the early 1960's. US Special Forces "Green Berets" were sent in to train the indigenous population to defend themselves. Much of the time, these troops would find themselves on the front line, fighting for their lives.
In 1964, US presence in Vietnam would number approximately 20,000. Using as a provocation alleged North Vietnamese attacks on US Navy vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964, President Johnson authorized limited bombing raids on North Vietnam and secured a resolution from Congress allowing him to use military forces in Vietnam. With the "Gulf of Tonkin" Resolution, on August 7, 1964, Congress authorized the President "to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression." The stated goal by the government, was to preserve a separate, independent, noncommunist government in South Vietnam.
The first American combat troops were landed in March 1965. Originally to protect and secure American installation. Within months this mission expanded. This war would not be like any other we had fought. There were no "front lines", no "rear areas". This was a guerilla war, and small unit tactics would play a pivotal role. Special units were formed and used with great precision during the war. The most notable examples for the US Army, were the Special Forces, LLRP and Ranger units. For the US Navy and Marines, there would be the SEAL and Force Recon units. US Air Force SAR and Para Rescue units would bring back many downed aviators. Helicopters, artillery and Close Air Support would be vital to the men on the ground, as tremendous air bombardment of North Vietnam would surpass the total tonnage dropped on Germany, Italy, and Japan in World War II.
During the war, American service men and women fought with heroism and determination under some of the most difficult circumstances ever encountered by American military personnel. Vicious battles would be fought in the air and on the ground during Operations Starlite, Junction City, Ranchhand, and Rolling Thunder. Names such as "Hamburger Hill", Hue City, Plei Mei, and Khe Sanh would tell the tale of heroic actions against the emery. The US, however, would receive a black eye at the massacre of My Lai. We defeated the Vietcong during Tet 1968, eventually repulsing the offensive and inflicted heavy losses on the Vietcong.
During the war, many of our troops were taken prisoner by the enemy. They endured unspeakable acts, poor rations, little medical attention and extreme torture during captivity, with a majority being held in "Hanoi Hilton". From their experiences a new school would be created, the Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) school, to prepare future warriors in techniques in dealing with the stress and horror of being held prisoner.
The Vietnam era saw many changes in the world. Some directly influenced the United States only, while others, mankind as a whole. It would be an injustice to not mention some of the events that shaped our world and nation during the Vietnam era.
The nation would watch as the youngest, and first Roman-Catholic, President give an impassioned speech upon his inauguration asking this generation to do its duty to the country. The nation would also mourn as a whole when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas just a few years later. The Presidency would change four times during this war: one was killed, one would not seek a second term, one would resign the office and the last would pardon Nixon and see the embassy fall.
The world would watch, with great interest, as the "Space Race" began between the two super-powers when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is the first man to travel in space. The US would soon follow, through the NASA space program, by sending up the first American, Alan Shepard. Marine Corps pilot John Glenn, and many others soon followed. The US would have set backs for many years, and the most tragic comes when we lost the three Apollo 1 astronauts on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. In the end, the US would complete President Kennedy's dream when Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon when he exited the lunar capsule Apollo 11, with the famous words ``One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.''
Politically the world seemed to be in upheaval during this time as the Berlin Wall, the Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, the Six-Day Arab-Israeli War, the downing of the U-2 Spy plane, the OPEC crisis, Watergate, Warren Commission, and the "Miranda" rights are introduced.
On the home front, the nation would see promising leaders gunned down before our very eyes. President Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy would all be taken by assassins. Many young Civil Rights leaders would also be assassinated during this time. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed and signed into law. Abortion would also become legal throughout the US.
In May 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen killed four Kent State University students during a protest over U.S. troops invading Cambodia. Many Americans were outraged while others defended the Ohio authorities.
Tragically, upon their return home our warriors received virtually no recognition for their service and sacrifice because of the raging domestic controversy over U.S. policy in conducting the war. Perhaps it is the most damaging event to the nation. Unlike other wars, most returning warriors were not greeted by parades and speeches. Some were even subjected to insults such as "baby-killer" and spat upon. These warriors would be shunned by the mainstream, and would withdraw from society to deal with the horrors of war, many having Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The ravages of "Agent Orange" on our troops would be denied for many years following the war.
In 1982 the Vietnam Memorial, "The Wall", was constructed. Finally our warriors had a place to grieve and remember. At the Tomb, the Sentinels would see many Vietnam Veteran shed tears while remembering their buddies. The memorial is a simple, but moving symbol of a time when many young Americans were asked to give there best, and in some cases there lives, for their nation........and they responded!
Transport - Finally going Home
It would take 7 days to cross the Pacific Ocean and arrive at the Alameda Naval Air Station in California, on 24 May 1984.
During the journey across the Pacific, the casket of the Unknown Soldier was positioned in the helicopter hangar, under a constant deathwatch by the crew and Marines of the USS BREWTON. This warrior would never be alone again.
Francisco A. Nieto, HT-2 on board the USS BREWTON, remembers the following:
"The helo deck was off limits, however we did pay our respects to the individual. I recall the chaplain holding mass and I was in attendance. I did not have the opportunity to introduce myself to any of the honor guards, they simply seemed too intense. Looking back, they where just disciplined."
Mark C. Danziger, of the USS BREWTON, also remembered the Marines on duty:
"We had Marine Guards on board the ship during the trip. They were extremely formal while on guard duty. Strict parade rest, rifle, no talking, like a statue…even though we were way out at sea. I was very impressed by that. Most people loosen up a little at sea, but not these guards. Off duty, the Marines were just normal guys."
The USS BREWTON arrived in California under the escort of the USCG Cutter MIDGET. While a military band played a hymn and a 21-gun salute was fired, a Joint Armed Forces Casket team of pallbearers, proceeded by the American flag, carried the casket to a waiting hearse for the trip to Travis Air Force Base.
At Travis AFB, the pallbearers transferred the remains in solemn procession to the base chapel where a Guard of Honor then took up position around the casket, which remained on public view until the next morning.
On 25 May 1984, after a simple ceremony, the Unknown Soldier was transferred to a US Air Force C-141B Starlifter, for the trip to Washington D.C. The Unknown Soldier arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, where he was greeted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the presidents of various veterans organizations and the former US Commander in Vietnam, General William C. Westmoreland.
The pallbearers then carried the casket to a hearse for the trip into Washington. The procession arrived at the Capitol Plaza at 3 p.m., with the party moving solemnly up the East Capitol steps into the Rotunda, where President Reagan waited along with members of his cabinet, Congress and other dignitaries.
A brief wreath-laying ceremony followed, during which the President delivered a eulogy. Observing that the Unknown Solider symbolized "the heart, soul and spirit of America," he said that:
"We may not know of this man's life, but we know of his character. We may not know his name, but we know his courage. He accepted his mission and did his duty. And his honest patriotism overwhelms us."
The body of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier would lay is state for the next three days, to be viewed by tens of thousands of visitors.
Interment - May 28, 1984
The vigil at the Rotunda lasted until noon on Memorial Day. Pallbearers, consisting of Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients and former prisoners of war, carried the casket down the Capitol steps to a caisson drawn by six matched white horses. Across Washington at Fort McNair, the Old Guard Gun Platoon began firing a 21-gun salute at one-minute intervals.
Following the caisson, the procession consisted of Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard and service academies units. A cordon of honor, composed of 1,750 men and women, representing all of the military services lined both sides of the route to Arlington National Cemetery.
When the cortege reached the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Bacon Drive, it stopped for an instant to receive the homage of fifty-six veterans of the war bearing flags of all the states and territories of the United States.
Rounding the Lincoln Memorial and crossing the Memorial Bridge, the procession then entered Arlington National Cemetery, where President Reagan and other dignitaries waited at the Memorial Amphitheater.
The pallbearers to carried the casket into the Apse, and placed it upon the catafalque. After the National Anthem and an invocation by the US Army Chief of Chaplains of the US Army, President Reagan was introduced.
Observing that the Unknown Soldier was symbol of all the American serviceman still missing in Vietnam, President Reagan reminded his listeners in the Amphitheater, across the United States, and around the world that:
"We close no books. We put away no final memories. An end to America's involvement in Vietnam cannot come before we've achieved the fullest possible accounting of those missing in action."
Turing to the Unknown Soldier, the President continued that the man (All of the women who served in Vietnam were accounted for.) had died fighting for human dignity and for free men everywhere and that:
"Today we embrace him and all who served us so well in a war whose end offered no parades, no flags, and so little thanks."
President Reagan then placed the Medal of Honor upon a simple black stand in front of the Unknown Soldier "for service above and beyond the call of duty - in action with the enemy during the Vietnam era."
The Pallbearers them carried the Unknown Soldier to his final resting place. Following a wreath laying ceremony, the Joint Armed Forces Casket Team folded the American flag and presented it to President Reagan, who stood in as the next of kin.
This is to certify that
The President of the United States of America
Has awarded the
Purple Heart
Established by General George Washington
at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782
To
The Unknown American
of the Vietnam Era
for wounds received
in action
Disinterment
During the night of May 13, 1998, the Vietnam Unknown Soldier crypt was removed and the casket inside was placed upon the ceremonial bier for the official ceremonies taking place the next day. Immediately upon removal from the crypt, SPC John Fader (3rd Relief) began the death watch.
After the casket was removed, the plaza had to be prepared for the ceremonies. In this photo you can still see some of the dust from the crypt cover removal process.