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Anthony J. Russo, who helped Daniel Ellsberg leak Vietnam-era Pentagon papers, dies
Anthony J. Russo, a shaggy-haired, countercultural, unemployed policy nerd when he teamed up with Daniel Ellsberg, a more button-downed antiwar figure, to leak the gigantic top-secret government history of the Vietnam War called the Pentagon Papers, died aged 71. Russo was called the "Xerox aide" because of his role in finding a copying machine and working long nights to copy the 7,000-page study. It was Russo's words, after weeks of conversations, that had initiated the enterprise: "Let's do it!" he said, according to Ellsberg's book "Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers."
by nytimes.com :: 2008-08-12 :: Files, Documents and archives
Koh Tang Island: The last battle of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War
As May 15, 1975, dawned, the last wave of American troops in the Vietnam War, 210 leathernecks, set foot on Koh Tang Island - 18 didn't survive. Their task was to rescue 39 sailors on board the merchant vessel SS Mayaguez, seized by the Khmer Rouge, a Cambodian political group responsible for 1.5 million deaths 1975-1979. President Ford's demand for safe release of the sailors and ship had fallen on deaf ears. The veterans of America's last battle in Vietnam haven't forgotten that day - and they haven't forgotten each other. The men meet as often as they can.
by washtimesherald.com :: 2008-08-01 :: Battles and Soldiers
Vietnam seizes almost 4 tons of Vietnam War-era bullets
Authorities in southern Vietnam have confiscated almost 4 tons of Vietnam War-era bullets from fishermen, when coast guards intercepted a fishing boat off the coast of Binh Thuan province. The six fishermen explained that they discovered the bullets off the coast and planned to sell them for scrap metal. Now the rusty bullets will be handed over to the military for disposal.
by ap :: 2008-07-23 :: Vietnam Today
Vietnam calls for its citizens to donate war memorabilia and militaria
Vietnam is calling for its citizens and foreigners to come forward and donate military memorabilia from the resistance era in a bid to preserve military history. A campaign calling for the collection of militaria will be launched on July 27 said members of the organising board, which hopes to collect 15,000-20,000 souvenirs and other paraphernalia from the two wars against the French and the American troops to put on display in 3 years, which gives people enough time to come out with their souvenirs. The board says memorabilia from the resistance are at risk of disappearing and need to be collected and maintained.
by vietnamnet.vn :: 2008-07-23 :: Memorabilia & Medals
Mai Van On, wartime rescuer of John McCain, dies a forgotten hero
Of all the stories of wartime courage peppering John McCain, there is one example of valour that stands out. Only in this story the hero is a Vietnamese peasant. On Oct. 26, 1967, Mai Van On ran from the safety of a bomb shelter in Hanoi during an air raid and swam out into the lake where McCain was drowning, tangled in his parachute cord after ejecting from his Skyhawk bomber. In an extraordinary act of compassion at a time when Vietnamese were being killed by US bombardments, he pulled McCain to the surface and dragged him towards the shore. And when a angry mob began to beat the captured pilot, On drove them back.
by earthtimes.org :: 2008-06-29 :: Secrets
600 Vietnam War pilots to march in Fourth of July Parade
600 helicopter pilots who each flew combat missions during the Vietnam War will participate in the New Braunfels Fourth of July Parade. The former U.S. Army aviators are all members of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, which is open to all helicopter pilots who flew in Asia during the Vietnam era (1961-1975). When several local members found out the 25th annual reunion would be in San Antonio, they banded together, and with the help of national and local officials, they have arranged for the Vietnam veterans to walk in the New Braunfels holiday parade.
by herald-zeitung.com :: 2008-06-29 :: Helicopters and military pilots
Vice Admiral Jerome H. King Jr., 88; Commander In Vietnam
Vice Admiral Jerome H. King Jr. the commander of U.S. naval forces in Vietnam, died aged 88. His most memorable task was succeeding Vice Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. as commander of naval forces in Vietnam. Reporting to Saigon in 1970, King continued managing the transfer of the Navy's small coastal and river combat boats to the South Vietnamese. This was part of the U.S. "Vietnamization" strategy (the South Vietnamese taking over many military operations). "Vietnamization became frustrating to King because it wasn't the same desire to victory that had existed before," said historian Paul Stillwell.
by washingtonpost.com :: 2008-06-21 :: Uncategorized
Australian Officer Dave Sabben's account of the Battle at Long Tan draws praise
Dave Sabben has created a 50-slide animated Powerpoint presentation on the Battle at Long Tan. It can be downloaded from www.dave-sabben.com and Dave - one of 3 platoon commanders in the battle - would like to see it sent to schools and military institutions. The presentation has attracted the attention of military historians, teachers and military leaders. Long Tan was the most strategically important battle for Australian troops during their 10-year Vietnam conflict. The presentation re-creates the battle in which 105 Australian infantrymen met a force of over 2000 enemy troops in a rubber plantation near Long Tan village on 18th August 1966.
by australia.to :: 2008-06-08 :: Battles and Soldiers