COMMANDO HUNT 14-20 JULY 1969

COMMEMORATING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR (1961-1973)…

LEST WE FORGET… The New York Times, 18 July 1969, page 4: “The United States command in Saigon announced today that 148 Americans were killed-in-action on the battlefields of South Vietnam during the week ending last Saturday (12 July). This was five fewer than the week earlier and the lowest for any week since the beginning of the year.”… Thucydides: “The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.”…

GOOD MORNING. Humble Host looks back fifty years to a week of our war in a quagmire called Vietnam. It was the THIRTY-SIXTH week of a truck hunting operation in the jungles of Laos called COMMANDO HUNT.

I.  HEAD LINES from THE NEW YORK TIMES for 14 through 20 July 1969…

A.  THE WAR… (14 July) FIGHTING IN VIETNAM STAYS AT LOW LEVEL… “Ground fighting in South Vietnam appeared to be continuing at a low level today, with little pattern in the shellings and light skirmishes reported mainly in the north and in  the area of Saigon. Despite the lull, some clashes caused significant casualties. One in Tayninh Province early yesterday led to seven Americans dead and 18 wounded. Four were wounded when enemy guns brought down a helicopter 42 miles northeast of Saigon.”… (15 July) HANOI’s AMBIGUITY PROBLEM FOR U.S.–Nixon Aides Find It Difficult To Settle On Course When Foe Remains Vague… “Neither the lull on the battlefield or the impasses at the conference table is being taken at face value by the men guiding Vietnam policy for the Nixon Administration. They expect new moves by the enemy in both places that will accelerate both the fighting and the bargaining.”… (16 July) G.I.’s ON PEAK FIND NO ENEMY SOLDIERS… “United States troops made reconnaissance patrols on the bombed northern slopes of the so-called Black Virgin mountain near Tayninh today but met no enemy opposition… The mountain’s northern slopes, where most of the enemy forces are, have been pounded by fighter-bombers, artillery and more than 500 tons of bombs dropped by B-52s.”… (17 July) U.S. IS STRESSING CUT IN CASUALTIES… “In planning for a further withdrawal of troops from Vietnam the Nixon Administration is urging field commanders to redouble efforts to hold down battle casualties.”… 750 ADDITIONAL SOLDIERS TO LEAVE TOMORROW…”The United States command announced today that 750 men of the Ninth Division would be withdrawn from Vietnam tomorrow… The departure will bring to 6,050 the number of United States servicemen pulled out of Vietnam under President Nixon’s plan to withdraw 25,000 men in September.”… (18 July) GUERRILLAS IN LAOS STRENGTHEN GAINS… “Guerrilla forces in northern Laos have consolidated their position after a two week battle in which diplomatic sources said four American aircraft were shot down. Up to 9,000 guerrillas and more than 60 tanks took up positions around Muang Soui 100-miles north of Vientiane to thwart government attempts to retake it…most of the reinforcements are said to be Meo tribesmen recruited by Hanoi. Government T-28 bombers daily swoop low over the mountains to strike at the North Vietnamese and pro-Communist Pathet Lao force now totaling 12,000 men… 67 Soviet-made PT-76 tanks were seen rumbling along muddy passes to Muong Soui, which neutralist troops are trying to recapture. It fell after heavy fighting two weeks ago.”... (19 July) THIEU SEES A NEED FOR G.I.’s TILL 1971–He Says That Saigon Can Replace Many But Not All… “…the replacement rate depends on whether the United States Government helps us with enough funds and enough equipment,” said Thieu… (20 July) ENEMY ROCKETS STRIKE U.S. BASE–33 Allied Positions Shelled In Vietnam in 24 hours… “About 20 enemy rockets and mortar rounds struck the Ninth Infantry Division base at Dongtam, about 40 miles south of Saigon, in two daylight attacks today. The rockets wounded six American soldiers.”… “War action in other parts of the country remained light today… “…

B.  THE PARIS PEACE TALKS… (14 July) THIEU’S PROPOSAL TO FOE: OFFER IS FIRST STEP TO SEEK ACCORD IN PARIS ON ELECTION FORMULA… “The Vietcong’s prompt and categorical rejection over the weekend of President Nguyen Van Thieu’s offer of supervised and guaranteed elections evoked neither surprise nor dismay here.”… HANOI ASSAILS THIEU OFFER… “North Vietnamese said today that President Thieu’s proposal for elections in South Vietnam with Vietcong participation was a ‘stupid’ idea.”… (16 July) LAIRD SUGGESTS U.S. HAS TURNED THE CORNER TO PEACE–Battle Orders Stand But Under Review–Wheeler On Way to Vietnam… “Secretary of Defense Melvin R. laird said today that ‘I think we’ve certainly turned the corner’ toward peace in Vietnam. His guardedly optimistic statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee included a reminder that there had been no change in the battle orders to United States commanders to maintain ‘maximum pressure on the enemy.'”… KY URGES WALKOUT IN PARIS IF FOE KEEPS BARRING VOTE–He Calls Thieu Election Proposal ‘Grave Step Backward’–Talk Marks His First Public Appearance in Five Months… (17 July) OPED…VIETNAM REASSESSMENT… “…Two routes to a Vietnam settlement…now are open. An overall political arrangement and mutual withdrawal of external forces could be negotiated in Paris, now that the Vietcong’s ten points have elicited forward-looking counter-proposals from Washington and Saigon. But the Communists would have to open private talks and stop insisting on such preconditions as changes in the Saigon Government–with which they agreed to negotiate last fall in return for a halt in American bombing of North Vietnam. The other route is a de facto settlement based on the military status quo and local arrangements. The war might just peter out. It would not be tidy and, even with tacit withdrawal would be difficult without some agreements and some of international supervision. But that could come at a later stage. Meanwhile, an undeclared war of the past decade continues.”… (18 July) U.S. CALLS HANOI INHUMANE FOR REFUSING P.O.W. DATA… “Secretary of State William P. Rogers said today that he was at a loss to understand how North Vietnam could take a position ‘so lacking in humanity’ as to refuse the names of American prisoners of war and to deny permission for international teams to inspect their camps. In an appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Secretary also said that in response to American and South Vietnamese peace initiatives, ‘the only reaction we get from the other side is totally negative.’…’They call us names,’ he said, ‘and use phrases like swindle and fraud, which doesn’t help the situation.'”... HANOI REITERATES STAND… “…the Vietcong’s 10-point program remains the ‘correct’ means to settlement… In the communists’ negotiating terminology this has meant that the Vietcong’s plan is the only program admissible as a basis for ending the war. The statement, made by Nguyen Thanh Le, was made at a news conference following the 26th plenary session of the Vietnam peace conference. At it the delegations of North Vietnam and the provincial revolutionary government established by the Vietcong ‘rejected, denounced and condemned’ the election proposals put forward on July 11 by President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam. The 10-point program was put forward on May 8 (1969) by the National Liberation Front or Vietcong. On June 10 the N.L.F. was superseded by the provisional revolutionary government as the authority dealing with foreign and internal affairs in the areas of South Vietnam held by the Vietcong. President Nixon, Mr. Le said, is following President Johnson’s ‘foolish’ policy. Asked if the mixed electoral commission proposed by Mr. Thieu might be a substitute for the coalition government demanded in the 10-point program, Mr. Le replied that his side had ‘unmasked the perfidy’ of the Saigon proposals.”… THIEU DEFENDS OFFER… “President Thhieu defended his election offer today and denied that South Vietnam would walk out of the Paris peace talks if it was not accepted.”…

C.  THE REST OF THE WEEK’S NYT HEADLINES… (14 July) SOVIET LAUNCHES UNMANNED CRAFT TOWARD THE MOON–Observers Believe Attempt May Be Made To Land On Moon and Return To Earth–15th in Luna Program–Western Services Doubt That Russia Has Capability To Achieve Such a Feat… APOLLO 11 CREW TAKES A BREAK AND COUNTDOWN RESUMES… “For both the astronauts and engineers of Apollo 11, today was the lull before the launching, a quiet break in the long countdown preparations and a time of rest after the months of rigorous training before the flight. The countdown for the Wednesday launching was resumed tonight after a 16-hour break to give launching crews a break.”… NASA OFFICIALS FEAR RUSSIANS ARE TRYING TO UPSTAGE APOLLO… BUSTLE AT CAPE BYPASSES THE HUNGRY…”Within the shadow of the John F. Kennedy Center, the hungry people sit and watch. They sit on wooden porches near Highway 520 and watch the out-of-state cars crammed with tourists stream into Cocoa Beach and surrounding towns of Brevard Country.”… CHINA AND SOVIET TO RESUME TALKS–TASS Reports A Reversal By Peking On Border Panel… VIOLENCE CONTINUING IN ULSTER–Prime Minister Returns Home… WALLACE UNHAPPY OVER NIXON RECORD–Considers Running In 1972... (15 July) APOLLO ASTRONAUTS ARE ‘WILLING AND READY’… “The three astronauts who will fly on man’s first moon-landing attempt said tonight they were able and ready to fly, had no fear of the mission and felt confident of its success.”…PRESIDENT URGES A NATIONAL DRIVE ON NARCOTICS USE–Wants Attorney General Bell to Permit Agents With Warrants To Enter House Without Warning–More Research Sought–Congress Asked To Provide Tougher Penalties And Increase In Funds”… HONDURAS REPORTS INVASION AND AIR RAIDS BY EL SALVADOR… JUDGE DENIES JIMMY HOFFA A NEW TRIAL… (16 July) THREE APOLLO ASTRONAUTS POISED TO SET OUT TODAY ON MOON LANDING MISSION–Million At Cape–Countdown Goes Well For Launching Of The Eight Day Voyage… OAS PEACE MOVE IS BACKED BY U.S.–Independent Effort to Settle Salvador-Honduras War Barred By Washington… (17 July) ASTRONAUTS SPEEDING TOWARD MOON–First Day Of Apollo Flight Is Flawless–Nixon Asks For National Holiday Monday–Craft On Target–World Watches Start Of Man’s Attempt To Achieve Landing–Across The Nation Launching Brings Mood of Reflection… ABM CALLED DEFENSE FOR OBSOLETE MISSILE FORCE–Two Former Pentagon Scientists Back Fulbright Argument–New Issue Is Raised… FIGHTING ABATING IN LATIN CONFLICT— Honduras And Salvador Seem To Lack Equipment… FRANCO EXPECTS TO DESIGNATE JUAN CARLOS AS HIS SUCCESSOR IN SPAIN… (18 July) APOLLO 11 COASTS ON TOWARD MOON–Rocket Fired To Refine Course–Astronauts Show Capsule On TV–Midpoint Passed–Main Engine Operates Well In Brief Test–Crew Relaxed… MANY BUSINESSES WILL BE CLOSED FOR DAY OF LANDING–Nixon May Speak To Men On Moon–Television Hook-Up Early Monday Is Under Study..Soviet Craft Orbits Moon–Mission Remains a Secret… (19 July) MOSCOW SAYS LUNA 165 WON’T BE IN APOLLO 11’s WAY–Americans Check Landing Module… SALVADOR AGREES TO PEACE FORMULA–Honduras Also Reported To Accept 4-Point Proposal of O.A.S. To End War... U.S. SAID TO KEEP NERVE GAS ABROAD AT MAJOR BASES–Report Of Okinawa Accident Sets Off  Furor In Japan–Tokyo Asks Explanation… HEYERDAHL QUITS RAFT IN ATLANTIC–Unable To Make Repairs–He And Crew Board Escort… (20 July) ASTRONAUTS SWING INTO MOON ORBIT IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S LANDING–Crewmen Eager–NASA Aides See No Obstacles In The Way of Touchdown on Moon…LUNA 15 SHIFTED TO HIGHER ORBIT–Soviet Says Correction Put Craft 59 Miles Above Moon Instead of 34.5 Miles… WOMAN PASSENGER KILLED–EDWARD “Ted” KENNEDY ESCAPES IN CRASH–Senator Tells The Police He Wandered About In Shock After Car Ran Off Bridge Near Martha’s Vineyard… NIXON PLANS TALK ON DOMESTIC GOALS–To Address Nation On Television August 8 Outlining Programs… SIGN OF TIMES–Coast Statue Sheds Fig Leaf… RED LETTER DAY FOR DAILY WORLD–Communist Paper In New York City Marking 1st Anniversary…

II.  COMMANDO HUNT II (April-October 1969) The following is snipped from the PACAF SOUTHEAST ASIA AIR OPERATIONS Summary of ops for July 1969, available at the Texas Tech Vietnam Archives… Concurrent with strike operations PACAF ran an aggressive reconnaissance schedule over North Vietnam. These ops continued to be referred to as ROLLING THUNDER OPERATIONS… The Summary for July 1969…I quote…

“Scheduling of Tactical Reconnaissance over North Vietnam in July was maintained at the June level. Of the 273 scheduled missions, however, only 174 were flown in July as opposed to 205 flown in June. Weather was the primary factor in the reduction of the number flown. Typhoons Tess and Viola passed over NVN on 10-13 and 25-28 July respectively. Of 125 USAF missions scheduled, 18 were canceled for weather and 21 of those flown were unsuccessful for the same reason. This factor, combined with others, reduced successful USAF reconnaissance sorties to 73. With respect to other services, the USN scheduled 112 and flew 53 and the USMC scheduled 36 and flew 26. Success rates are not available for those missions.

“Despite the low number of missions, coverage was adequate. Analysis of results reveals that the North Vietnamese continue to move supplies south toward the Republic of Vietnam. Traffic on Routes 15 and 137 (leading to Mu Gia and Ban Karai Passes) has declined steadily, but traffic on Route 1036 (around the west end of the DMZ) has increased. Quang Khe (the small port north of Dong Hoi in Route Pack I) maintains its status as a major transhipment point, receiving both land traffic and supplies moved by coastal shipping. From there the supplies are moved to the Mi Le complex and then down toward Route 1036 around the DMZ. Truck traffic carries cargo down this route to the Laotian border. West of the border all roads are impassable to trucks, but the supplies are moved into Laos by porters and by bicycle transport.

“Virtually no cross border truck traffic was observed in the area of Mu Gia and Ban Karai passes. This is principally due to the extremely poor condition of the roads in Laos south of these areas. The combination of heavy interdiction and unusually heavy rains has reduced the roads to a state of almost complete impassibility. As a result the traffic flow of supplies has shifted to the southernmost cross-border and cross-DMZ infiltration routes, as outlined above.

“Pipes and pipeline supplies were observed along Route 1036 near Bat Lake, as previously reported. There is a strong possibility that a pipeline system similar to the one paralleling Route 15 (and through Mu Gia Pass) will soon be in existence along Route 1036 and in the Bat Lake area (west of the DMZ).

“There was no AAA/SAM reaction to USAF aircraft in July. On two occasions USN Iron Hand aircraft fired AGM-45 Shrikes at strong Fan Song emissions. No results were reported.

“In summary, the impassibility of the road system in Laos has slowed the trans-border movement of supplies. The North Vietnamese continue to move supplies southward in the DRV toward the RVN, however. A portion of these supplies are then transported into Laos utilizing boats, floating plastic bags, porters and bicycles in an effort to sustain the war.”…. End quote…

III.  AIRCRAFT LOSSES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: 14-20 JULY 1969… References include Chris Hobson’s updated VIETNAM AIR LOSSES, that is now available on-line at   https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com  Other references include POWNETWORK, VVMF: Wall of Faces, and the PACAF Southeast Asia Air Operations Summary for July 1969… During the week 14-20 July the United States lost ten fixed wing aircraft. Seven aviators perished in the losses…

(1) On 14 July an O-1E Bird Dog of the 19th TASS and 504th TASG out of Bien Hoa, call sign Rod 06, piloted by FAC Major F.J. FLOYD was hit by automatic weapons fire (7.62mm) as it was taking off from a forward air base on a visual reconnaissance mission. MAJOR FLOYD lost engine power immediately. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The aircraft struck the tops of 40-50 foot rubber trees in a landing attitude and came to rest in an upright position. MAJOR FLOYD sustained minor lacerations, was rescued by friendly Army troops, and returned to the base… What a guy…

(2) On 15 July an F-105D of the 44th TFS and 388th TFW out of Korat, call sign Hatchet 2, piloted by MAJOR R.E. KENNEDY was hit by ground fire on a COMMANDO MISSION just west of the Ban Karai pass. His Thunderchief operated normally through post-strike refueling, then erupted into fire. MAJOR KENNEDY was forced to eject over Thailand enroute to Korat and was rescued by an Air Force helicopter to fly and fight again…

(3) On the night of 15 July an F-4D of the 389th TFS and 37th TFW out of Phu Cat, call sign Cobra 61, piloted by 1LT HARMON POLSTER and BN/NAV CAPTAIN MICHAEL STEPHEN WALKER were downed while working with a Covey FAC attacking an enemy 37mm antiaircraft site in Southern Laos near Ban Dakvo. The Phantom was seen to be hit as it was recovering from its first diving attack and go down in the jungle. Four 23mm airbursts were observed in the target area. No ejection or parachute was observed, or emergency beeper or voice communication heard. A full SAR effort failed to locate either aviator or the wreckage. Both were listed as MIA. The remains of MAJOR POLSTER were recovered in 2007, identified in 2009 and he is interred among the heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. LCOL WALKER remains where he fell on the battlefield fifty years ago and is memorialized at Columbia Hill Cemetery in Columbia, LA, and at the Memorial Cemetery in Hawaii. Left behind, but not forgotten…

(4) On 16 July an F-100D Super Sabre of the 416th TFS and 31st TFW out of Tuy Hoa piloted by CAPTAIN JAMES VERNON DAWSON went down on final approach returning to Tuy Hoa from a mission. The aircraft was observed to make a steep turn, stall and crash into the sea. CAPTAIN DAWSON attempted to eject as the canopy came off the aircraft, but a helicopter over the scene almost immediately was only able to recover minor cockpit debris. An unsuccessful effort was make by divers to recover the body of CAPTAIN DAWSON and he remains lost at sea. He is memorialized at the USMA Cemetery on the Hudson and is one of only ten USMA warriors who remain missing in action and unaccounted for…

(5) On 17 July an F-105D of the 333rd TFS and 355th TFW out of Takhli piloted by MAJOR FRED W. SHATTUCK, JR,  blew a tire on takeoff with subsequent failure of the main gear. The undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft exploded in flames. A heroic firefighter and medic arrived on the scene and recovered MAJOR SHATTUCK. He subsequently died in a hospital in Okinawa. He rests in peace at Oakland Cemetery in Warren, Pennsylvania.

(6) On 19 July OV-10A of the VAL-4 Black Ponies based at Binh Thuy piloted by LT AUBREY GRADY MARTIN and LTJG ROY DEAN SIKKINK was shot down by automatic weapons fire enroute to a station and Game Warden mission 45 miles west of Saigon. After the Bronco was hit it went into a shallow dive and impacted the summit of a hill. Neither of the pilots was able to survive the crash and were killed in action. LT MARTIN is interred at the Beeville (Texas) Memorial Park and memorialized at the Texas A&M Corps Plaza Memorial. In addition, the BOQ at Beeville NAS is named Martin Hall. LTJG SIKKINK is buried at Floral Haven Gardens Cemetery at Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is also memorialized in the state Memorial Park Cemetery at Tulsa, Oklahoma…

(7) On 19 July an A-7B of the VA-87 Warhawks embarked in USS Ticonderoga went down due to engine problems–compressor stalls. The pilot ejected over the Gulf of Tonkin and was recovered by Navy helo…

(8) On 19 July an A-1H Skyraider of the 6th SOS and 633rd out of Pleiku was lost on a  SAR mission when the engine failed over South Vietnam. The pilot survived and was rescued to fly and fight again.

(9) On 19 July a B-52D of the 70th BW attached to the 4133 BW at Anderson AFB went down on takeoff in heavy rain from U-Tapao on an Arc Light mission. Airspeed instrumentation problems led the pilots to abort the takeoff. The nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft began to burn after coming to a halt on the runway. The crew abandoned the aircraft safely, but it was thought the tail gunner was still onboard—he wasn’t. An HH-43B Huskie, call sign Pedro 70, of the 38th ARRS arrived on scene with a fire suppressant kit and hovered over the burning Stratofortress in an attempt to locate and rescue the tail gunner who wasn’t there. As the HH-43B hovered over the aircraft the fuel and bombs began to explode and the helo was blown away and crashed near the scene. Casualties on the helo: MAJOR WARREN K. DAVIS, CO of Det. 12 at U-Tapao, and Pararescueman TSGT HARRY COHEN perished in the conflagration. Pararescueman SGT THOMAS MILLER survived with major injuries. What a tragedy. On that helicopter were the bravest of the brave executing their mission…

Hear now the oath of a Pararescueman… “It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comfort. These things I do so that others may live.”…

MAJOR DAVIS rests in peace at Mountain View Cemetery in Tacoma, Washington. Technical Sergeant HARRY COHEN is interred at Mount Pleasant Church Cemetery in Vass, North Carolina… Glory gained, duty done…

(10) On 20 July an A-4F of the VA-23 Black Knights embarked in USS Oriskany flown by LT STANLEY KUTZ SMILEY was lost in southern Laos 45 miles west of A Shau. He was leading a section of A-4F Skyhawks and had completed their mission. On the exit from the target area LT SMILEY spotted a truck and told his wingman he was going to see if it was a hulk or an operating vehicle. As the wingman turned to follow his lead, the lead aircraft continued a shallow dive into the ground. While it was a heavily defended area, no active antiaircraft fire had been observed. No ejection or parachute was seen, nor beeper or voice transmission heard. An electronic and visual SAR search was conducted without results. LT SMILEY was declared killed in action, body not recovered. However, in 1988 a former officer in the Royal Lao Army stated on television that he was held captive along with two Americans at a prison camp in northern Laos. He identified one of those prisoners as Stanley Smiley and said that the North Vietnamese took Smiley way from that prison location. The Royal Laotian officer has been unshaken in his story, which includes cooperation with Senator Bob Smith in his 1992 inquiries into POWs left behind in Laos. He is presumed killed in action, body not recovered and his remains have not been found… LT SMILEY is memorialized at Arlington National Cemetery and at the U.S. Naval Academy Virtual Memorial Hall. He is one of 29 members of the Class of 1963 so remembered…   Left behind, but not forgotten, with deepest sympathy for his family, now marking fifty years of uncertainty…

IV.  HUMBLE HOST END NOTE… “ONE LAST ROLL” by CAPTAIN GERALD (JERRY) COFFEE…

“We toast our faithful comrades

Now fallen from the sky,

And gently caught by God’s own hand

To be with Him on High.

     “To dwell among the soaring clouds

     They knew so well before,

      From dawn patrol and victory roll

      At heaven’s very door.

“And, as we fly among them there,

We’re sure to hear their plea,

‘Take care my friend: Watch your six,

And do one more roll–just for me.’ “…

Lest we forget…  Bear