Bear Taylor 
RIPPLE SALVO… #757… THE SPEECH: LBJ SAYS: DE-ESCALATE, AND IT’S SOMEBODY ELSE’S TURN TO DEAL WITH THIS QUAGMIRE… “I SHALL NOT SEEK–AND WILL NOT ACCEPT–THE NOMINATION OF MY PARTY FOR ANOTHER TERM AS YOUR PRESIDENT.”… but first…
Good Morning: Day SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN (in a row) revisiting the air war over North Vietnam called Rolling Thunder and 1968– “THE YEAR THE DREAM DIED,” according to Jules Witcover, who wrote the book…
HEAD LINES from the OGDEN STANDARD-EXAMINER for Monday, 1 April 1968…
Page 1: “JOHNSON DELIVERS BOMBSHELL–QUITS DEM RACE–PRESIDENT ORDERS CUT IN NORTH VIETNAM RAIDS–Asks Hanoi Chief To Join In Peace Negotiations–Calls Surprise Decision Completely Irrevocable”… “President Johnson has ordered a halt in U.S. bombing of most of North Vietnam in a sudden new bid to de-escalate the war in Southeast Asia and get peace talks started in the immediate future. ‘I will call upon President Ho Chi Minh,’ Johnson said in announcing his action Sunday night, ‘to respond positively, and favorably, to this new step toward peace.’ He did not say how long the limited cessation of attacks would continue if Ho does not respond favorably. He did say the bomb halt, covering ‘almost 90 per cent’ of North Vietnam’s population, could be made complete if Ho would now demonstrate ‘restraint.’ “… Page 1: “LBJ Plans Meeting With Thieu”… “President Johnson said today he hopes to meet soon in the United States with Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam to ‘strengthen and improve plans’ for restoring peace stability in Southeast Asia.”… Page 1: “U.S. WILL CALL UP 60,000 TROOPS FROM RESERVES”… “Defense officials disclosed today the administration is planning a three-phase call-up of military reserve forces which would involve the mobilization of around 60,000 men in coming months.”… Page 1: “R.F. KENNEDY SEEKING LBJ CONFERENCE”… “Senator Robert F. Kennedy said today he wants to meet as soon as possible with President Johnson ‘to discuss how we might work together in the interest of national unity during the coming months.’… Page 1: “British Sound Out Soviets In Wake of LBJ Peace Call”… Page 3: “LBJ DECISION MAKES BOBBY TOP DEMOCRATIC CONTENDER”… Page 7: “Nixon Reaction Calm And Guarded”… Page 10 “Decision Draws Acclaim, Disbelief From Utahns”…
THE GROUND WAR: Page 1 (2 Apr reporting 1 Apr ops): “The U.S. Command announced the end of Operation Scotland, in which it said 1,561 North Vietnamese troops have been killed around Khe Sanh in five months. Winding-up the reinforced regiment size surveillance and spoiling action, a U.S. spokesman said the 6,000 Marines at Khe Sanh are continuing to defend the combat base in South Vietnam’s northwest corner, which American officers say is menaced by 16,000 to 20,000 troops.”
1 APRIL 1968… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… OGDEN S-E (2 Apr Reporting 1 Apr ops)… Page 1: “… bombings ranged 216 miles northwest of the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam but south of the Hanoi-Haiphong industrial heartland that Johnson placed off-limits. U.S. bombers flew more than 100 missions against the North… The number of air missions over the southern part of North Vietnam has averaged about 40 to 50 missions daily against targets around the Hanoi-Haiphong and north to the Chinese border. Hanoi radio said U.S. fighter bombers today repeatedly attached Thanh Hoa province. It said defense units shot down a F-4 fighter, but made no mention of the crew. This is the same area attacked Monday: a bombing raid on a supply base a mile south of the coastal city of Thanh Hoa about 216 miles northwest of the DMZ and about 80 miles south of Hanoi. A spokesman said this raid was in the area allowed under Johnson’s orders. (Humble Host notes: worldwide interest and complaint follows this interpretation of the President’s 90 per cent bomb-free area… many thought Rolling Thunder would be restricted to the equivalent of Route Package I, the area nearest the DMZ. The 200+ miles north will be a hot issue, to the consternation of the President.)…
“Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) there were three fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 1 April 1968…
(1) MAJOR GERALD T. DWYER and TSGT B.C. COX were flying an O-2A of the 23rd TASS and 504th TASG on a FAC mission in Southern Laos and hit by ground fire in the rear engine. MAJOR DWYER was able to keep the aircraft headed toward Nakhon Phanom on one engine was losing altitude and was forced to abandoned the aircraft 25 miles short of NKP. Both the Major and his observer were rescued to fly and FAC again… We will hear of MAJOR DWYER in the Hobson loss logs again for 21 May 1968 when he will be downed again and have to shoot his way out of trouble killing three enemy troops in the process. He will complete his bold and brave service with a pair of Silver Stars among his combat awards…. oohrah…
(2) CAPTAIN JAMES MARTIN BRINKMAN was flying an F-100D Super Sabre of the 510th TFS and 3rd TFW out of Bien Hoa on a close air support mission. On his second napalm run his aircraft was engulfed in the explosion of his own weapon and he perished in the crash of his aircraft about 40 miles northwest of Saigon. CAPTAIN BRINKMAN laid down his life for others in direct combat with the enemy 50 years ago this date. He came home a brave hero, on his shield, he rests in peace interred at the Air Force Academy cemetery in Colorado…
(3) A P-3B of the VP-26 Tridents operating from Sangley Point and deployed with a detachment at U-Tapao went down with a full crew of twelve airman after being fired on while patrolling near the island of Hon Doc 10 miles at sea near the Cambodian-South Vietnam border… The pilot attempted to return to U-Tapao but an engine fire persisted causing the aircraft to crash at sea. There were no survivors… Fifty years ago this day twelve young Americans perished in the service of our country: LTJG FRANK E. HAND; LTJG STUART M. McLELLAN; LTJG BRIAN J. MATHISON; LTJG MICHAEL J. PURCELL; AME DONALD W. BURNSIDE; AT1 WILLIAM S. CUTTING; AXC DONALD E. KULACZ; AX3 DELMAR L. LAWRENCE; AE1 DONALD F. WOOD; ADJ EDWARD O. WYNDER; and AX1 ALVIN G. YOXIMER…
AMONG THE LAST OF THE ROLLING THUNDER MISSIONS INTO THE HEARTLAND OF NORTH VIETNAM WERE THE NIGHT LOW-LEVEL MISSIONS OF THE NAVY’S A-6 INTRUDERS… AMONG THE BRAVE… LIEUTENANT COMMANDER GERALD W. ROGERS, USN, and LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ROBERT M. McEWEN, USN, of ATTACK SQUADRON ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (VA-165) embarked in USS RANGER (CVA-61) were each awarded the NAVY CROSS for a mission on 30 MARCH 1968… Their citations are similar, Lcdr McEwen’s is cited here:
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to ROBERT M. McEWEN, U.S. Navy, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM on 30 March 1968 as a Naval Flight Officer in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (VA-165), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61), Lieutenant Commander McEWEN was the Bombardier/Navigator on a daring, single aircraft, night attack against the heavily defended and vital Hanoi port facility in North Vietnam. Although his aircraft developed difficulty with the inertial navigation system, Lieutenant Commander McEWEN continued to navigate the aircraft to the target at an extremely low altitude and high-speed over rough terrain in instrument flight conditions. While the pilot successfully evaded four surface-to-air missiles, intense radar-directed 57 and 85 millimeter antiaircraft fire, and constant tracking and barrage automatic-weapons fire, Lieutenant Commander McEWEN calmly and professionally provided accurate navigation and attack parameters to the pilot, resulting in a devastating string of bombs dropped precisely on target. During retirement from the target area, he assisted his pilot in further evasive maneuvers to avoid heavy concentrations of automatic weapons fire. Due to a low fuel state, the pilot had to rendezvous and refuel prior to completing recovery. Lieutenant Commander McEWEN’s heroic actions, professionalism, and fearless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.”
RIPPLE SALVO… #757… OGDEN (UTAH) STANDARD-EXAMINER (in lieu of 1968 NYT which has become unavailable to me for the time being) Page 6A:
“LBJ DE-ESCALATES VIETNAM WAR, STEPS ASIDE”…..
“President Lyndon B. Johnson’s stunning announcement that he will leave the White House voluntarily almost seemed like an April’s Fool Day gag. But there it was, for the world to see and hear–the solemn President saying he’s going to de-escalate the war in Vietnam with the hope our unilateral action will bring peace. Then he went on to say ‘I shall not seek–and I will not accept–the nomination of my party for another term as your president.
“There was a half-smile in his eyes as he continued with his explanation, obviously thinking to himself about the consternation his words would bring to the public of America–and to the world. There can be no question about Mr. Johnson’s over-riding objective of both the de-escalation and his bombshell; announcement that he won’t enter the 1968 political campaign. He obviously wants peace and unity, particularly in our country, and will pay any price for them.
“However, there will be arguments for years as to President Johnson’s personal role in the many things that brought disunity to our country and inflamed Southeast Asia. The fighting in Vietnam has been called ‘Johnson’s War’ by his opponents, who neglect to mention that U.S. troops were also committed to Vietnam by Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.
“Most of the domestic uproar that has split our country is also blamed on Mr. Johnson, particularly by members of his own party who oppose his international policies. This puts the nation to a severe test with LBJ voluntarily heading for the political sidelines will unity be restored? And will peace come to Asia? It’s too early to tell.
“The reaction from Hanoi to Mr. Johnson’s peace adventures is yet to come, although U.S. planes are staying away from 90 per cent of North Vietnam–just as the monsoon weather clears and conditions become ideal for round-the-clock bombing. Political reaction varies from individual to individual, with emphasis on partisanship. Democratic Governor Calvin L. Rampton of Utah and Democratic Senator Frank E. Church of Idaho call the President’s Sunday night talk ‘the finest hour.’ Republican Wallace E. Bennett of Utah terms the action ‘a tragedy’ contending it will leave the country leaderless until a new President is nominated and inaugurated.
“There is one thing that is certain. The 1968 political campaign is, as many have termed it, ‘a whole new ball game.’ Richard M. Nixon probably will not have clear sailing for the GOP nomination he thought would until the President spoke. Governors Nelson E. Rockefeller and George Romney are being asked to reconsider their withdrawals. On the Democratic side, the stock of Senator Robert F. Kennedy has gone up and sop has that of Senator Eugene McCarthy. However, Vice President Hubert Humphrey is almost certain to seek his party’s nomination and will stand a good chance if should get LBJ’s individual blessing.
“Lyndon Johnson had many reasons for his action. He was trailing at the polls, politically, and the ’68 campaign threatened to become extremely personal. There are threats of renewed racial riots. The dollar is like a bottle of ketchup–artificially colored and preserved. Congress has balked at his requests for more taxes. Perhaps the most powerful single motive was that expressed by a young Ogden friend,’Maybe he just wants to go back to the ranch and enjoy being a grandfather.’ “…
RTR Quote for 1 April: HOMER, Illiad, 1000 B.C.: “To them that fleeth cometh neither power nor glory.”…
Lest we forget… Bear
