Bear Taylor 
RIPPLE SALVO… #739… HUMBLE HOST CONCLUDES: THE UNITED STATES IS IN THE GRIP OF A 21st CENTURY “DREYFUS CASE.” We know it as “THE CHRISTOPHER STEELE DOSSIER,” or “DNC Dossier” or “Clinton Dossier” or “Russian Dossier,” if you will. During the years of ROLLING THUNDER the VIETNAM WAR was America’s Dreyfus Case as argued by William Shannon of The New York Times editorial staff in today’s Ripple Salvo… Dreyfus Case?…a historic event that takes hold of public opinion in a way that creates hate and discontent between countrymen and women to the extent the nation becomes divided against itself. Shannon writes: “As an objective event, the war in Southeast Asia obviously resembles in no way the case of the Jewish army captain (circa 1890s) who was mistakenly convicted of espionage and, after a long bitter struggle, exonerated. But these two historic events are alike in their obsessive hold over public opinion, in a way in which they torment contemporaries and divide a nation against itself.”…. but first…
GOOD MORNING: Day SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE of a return of fifty years to the days and nights of Operation Rolling Thunder and the Vietnam air war…
HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a sunny Thursday, 14 March 1968…
GROUND WAR and KHE SANH: Page 1: “LARGE NORTH VIETNAMESE UNIT SIGHTED IN DELTA”… “A force of 300 North Vietnamese has been identified by allied intelligence officers in the Mekong Delta about 60 miles west of Saigon. It was the first large North Vietnamese unit whose sighting in the area was confirmed. The presence of small groups of North Vietnamese infantrymen was reported by South Vietnamese rangers in Longan in the early days of the Tet Offensive….Further north in the Central Highlands 13 Americans were killed and eight wounded yesterday in an ambush nine miles north of Pleiku. Allied reinforcements rushed in and 48 enemy soldiers were reported killed…Enemy shelling of Khe Sanh came nearly to a halt Tuesday, with only 35 rounds fired. But yesterday on the 14th anniversary of the battle of Dienbienphu, the Marines mounted a 100-per cent alert. Five B-52 bomber missions were staged in support of the surrounded base, which is 14 miles south of the western end of the demilitarized zone on the border of North and South Vietnam…The bombers also struck at North Vietnamese supply routes and fortifications in the Ashau Valley southwest of Danang…. A total of 139 Vietcong soldiers have been reported killed in an operation centered near Mytho, about 45 miles southwest of Saigon in the Mekong Delta. The Ninth Division lost 18 killed and 107 wounded in the operation….Heavy fighting continued at the eastern end of the demilitarized zone. The Third Marine Division said that two of its companies had killed 30 North Vietnamese soldiers in the scrub and sand six miles north of Dongha, the division base, in a two and a half hour fight that began at dark yesterday. One Marine was killed and 33 wounded, 25 of whom were evacuated.”… North Vietnamese infiltration rate, which shot up near 20,000 men in January with the dispatch of heavy reinforcement to compete the siege of Khe Sanh returned last month to its normal level of about 6,000 men per month. About 40,000 enemy are believed to be maneuvering in Quangtri and Thuathien, the two northernmost provinces of South Vietnam.”... Page 1: “KHE SANH DISTURBS MANY IN MARINES–Some Voice Objections To A Static Defense But Doubt A Dienbienphu Parallel”... “The United States marines’ position at Khe Sanh passed a relatively quiet day yesterday… Many Marine officers in this country and in South Vietnam dislike the static defensive position in which some 6,000 of their comrades have been placed. Few of them believe that the Vietcong and North Vietnamese can overrun Khe Sanh. If they do and destroy the 6,000-man garrison, it is clear to these officers that we have lost the war.”….
Page 1: “JOHNSON SEEKING WAYS TO RECOVER INITIATIVE IN WAR–Any Retreat is Ruled Out as His Key Advisors Pursue Broad Policy Review”.… “The indications at the White House are that the Johnson Administration’s reappraisal of the Vietnam policy looks toward recapturing the initiative in the war, not retreating from objectives so as to end it… have begun an earnest review of strengths and weaknesses in the war effort and of the enemy’s change of tactics in recent weeks. But they do not evidence any desire to retire. Johnson: “If we take up arms, we take them up only to guard against those enemies. It is to help the nation-builders. It is to try to shield the weak so that time can make them strong. It is to bar aggression. It is to build the lasting peace that is our country’s single purpose today. We sent our young men abroad because peace is threatened–in other lands tonight, and ultimately in our own. We take our stand to give stability to a world where stability is desperately needed.”… He was speaking at a VFW Dinner and meeting in Washington….
Page 1: “KENNEDY IS READY TO RUN: Says Vote For McCarthy Discloses Split In Party–Sets a Deadline–To Decide By March 22–Finds U.S. Policies Trouble Democrats”… Page 1: “McCARTHY SAYS I THINK I CAN GET THE NOMINATION”… Page 30: “Nixon To Maintain Stand On Vietnam–Aides Expect No Shift Despite McCarthy Vote in New Hampshire”… Page 1: “Castro Pledges End of Private Business”… Page 1: “RUSH FOR GOLD IS INTENSIFIED IN EUROPE–ITALY DENIES ENDING HER ROLE WITH PACT–London Metal Sales Soar To More Than 100 Tons–U.S. Action Awaited–Senate Rejects Proposal To Retain 12.5% Cover–Margin of 4 Votes”…
13/14 MARCH 1968 …THE PRESIDENT’S DAILY BRIEF: VIETNAM: Military activity remains at a low-level in most of South Vietnam… Black Shield mission photography good coverage around Khe Sanh. The photography showed further development of the Laotian road network to Route 9, the Communists have built two spurs running east from Route 92. These roads appear to have advanced about two miles since January and are now well within South Vietnam territory….no vehicles were photographed but extensive tracking suggests that moderate to heavy traffic uses these roads… NORTH VIETNAMESE COMMENT ON AMERICAN ATTITUDES: Hanoi continues to publicize US editorial opinion critical of the American policy in Vietnam. Hanoi reported that the 10 March issue of Newsweek had commented editorially that after three years of gradual escalation, “President Johnson’s strategy for Vietnam has run into a dead-end.”… Newsweek was also quoted as saying that the President’s strategy was a failure and urged him to get the US out of its dismal situation by stopping the war in Vietnam. The New York Times on the same day was also reported to have called the US war in Vietnam “this vain and costly effort,” and to have pointed out that it was clear that American military might could not achieve a meaningful victory in Vietnam. The Times urged an eventual orderly withdrawal from Vietnam, according to the broadcast… THE GOLD RUSH: Yesterday was the worst yet with sales on the London gold market reaching $174 million. Sales for the first three days of this week are already as high as last week’s five-day total of $395-million. The British pound also took a beating yesterday after London published figures showing that February was a bad month for Britain’s trade balance.
STATE DEPARTMENT, Office of the Historian, Historical Documents, Foreign Relations, 1964-68, Vietnam: Six consecutive documents dated 14 March 1968 for the record and your consideration. Document 123 is a short editorial note that starts out: “The impact of the war in Vietnam in domestic politics became a significant factor during mid-March 1968.” A few samples of that impact follow. Document 124 is Ambassador Bunker’s weekly message to Secretary Rusk. Points of progress and points of difficulty from the State Department’s man in Saigon point of view. Document 125 is a short memo for the record by Walt Rostow advising the President what former Secretary of State Dean Acheson has on his mind–“President Johnson should appoint an outside commission to study and propose a new Vietnam policy.”… Included is this gem: “In response to Johnson’s comment that the military remained optimistic, Acheson replied, ‘Mr. President, you are being led down the garden path.’ “… Document 126 is a memorandum from the Under Secretary of the Air Force Townsend Hoopes that is NOT optimistic. Hoopes declares a military victory in Vietnam an impossibility and gives his reasons for the conclusion. All well said and very convincing (and in hind-sight on the money)… You might consider this a must read… Document 127 is of little interest– Paul Nitze, #2 in Defense, memo to CJCS Wheeler with a proposed breakdown of the 30,000 troops going to Vietnam. Document 128 also of little interest–a note from Rostow to the President preparing him for a meeting with Nitze concerning the increased readiness and call-up of the strategic reserve….read at:
123. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d123
124. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d124
125. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d125
126. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d126
127. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d127
128. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d128
14 MARCH 1968…OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… New York Times devoid of comment on air war over North Vietnam. “Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There was one fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 14 March 1968…
(1) MAJOR GARY I. TRESEMER and 1LT JAMES EDWARD HAMM were scrambled out of Danang in an F-4D of the 390th TFS and 366th TFW to provide air support for a troop of Marines engaged with a large enemy force 15 miles southwest of Hue. Chris Hobson tells the story this way: “A flight of two Phantoms from Danang were scrambled to fly a diversionary strike for a helicopter evacuation that was planned to take place about 15 miles southwest of Hue. Marine Corps troops in the area were heavily engaged by soldiers from the North Vietnamese 304th Division and were in need of assistance. MAJOR TRESEMER (and 1LT HAMM) made three runs over the target dropping napalm but on the fourth run the aircraft was hit by ground fire. Both aviators ejected but came down some distance from each other. MAJOR TRESEMER was injured on landing but he was able to contact 1LT HAMM using their survival radios and awaited their rescue. The first SAR helicopter sent to attempt the rescue was shot at and badly damaged. MAJOR TRESEMER was rescued on the next attempt.
“1LT JAMES HAMM directed air strikes on the approaching enemy forces as he was awaiting rescue. Unfortunately, the North Vietnamese must have reached JAMES HAMM first as he was never found. Investigations in 1992 indicate that 1LT HAMM was shot by a militia woman as he tried to defend himself with his pistol when he was discovered.”….
AMONG THE BRAVE…
FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION… FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES EDWARD HAMM… SILVER STAR… 14 MARCH 1968…
“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR to First Lieutenant JAMES HOWARD HAMM, United States Air Force, for GALLANTRY IN ACTION in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an F-4D Pilot of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 566th Tactical Fighter Wing, SEVENTH AIR FORCE, in action near Hue, Republic of Vietnam on 14 March 1968. On that date while providing close air support for a helicopter evacuation of friendly forces, Lieutenant HAMM repeatedly exposed himself to heavy ground fire by making low altitude bombing runs against the hostile positions. On the fourth pass his aircraft was hit forcing him to bail out near the hostile positions. In imminent danger of capture, Lieutenant HAMM took cover and calmly and deliberately called in air strikes directly on his position in a final attempt to secure the area for the rescue helicopter. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant HAMM has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”…
On this 50th anniversary of 1LT James Hamm’s last flight and heroic stand, he is remembered and his family is in our thoughts. 1LT Hamm’s body has yet to be found and he rests on foreign land…left behind… the search goes on…
HUMBLE HOST flew #121. Led a wingman to Hillsboro/Waterboy with hand off to Nails (?) FAC. Put our MK-83 (3 each) 2000-pounders on a truck park a few miles west of Khe Sanh along Route 9. VA-113 A-4Fs were configured “double bubble,” 300-gallon drop tanks on the wings with either a MER (6 weapon station) or TER (3 weapon station) on centerline. The F-model had additional wing stations outboard the tanks and a great load out for armed recce was small Bullpups on the outboard wing stations and 5 or 6 MK-82s or 3 MK-83s on the centerline.
RIPPLE SALVO… #739… New York Times, 11 March 1968, Page 40:
“VIETNAM: AMERICA’s DREYFUS CASE” by William V. Shannon… I quote…
“‘Everything converged upon a single question and in the most intimate feelings and personal relationships everything was interrupted, turned upside down, reclassified.’ So wrote the young Leon Blum about the Dreyfus case which convulsed France and caught the fascinated attention of the rest of the world in the late 1890’s Increasingly, the Vietnam war in its effects upon American society is taking on the character of another Dreyfus affair.
“As an objective event, the war in Southeast Asia obviously resembles in no way the case of the Jewish army captain who was mistakenly convicted of espionage and, after historic events are alike in their obsessive hold over public opinion, in the way in which they tormented contemporaries and divided a nation against itself.
AGONY OF DIVISIVENESS
“In the Paris of the late nineties, it was no longer possible for Dreyfusards and anti-Dreyfusards to meet socially at the same saloons. The President of the Republic was mobbed in his box at the races and struck in the head with a heavy cane.
The opening day of a play about the case turned into a riot. Emile Zola, having criticized the Army’s handling of the case, was sentenced to prison for a year and fled to exile in England. When the painter Claude Monet signed a pro-Dreyfus petition, his old friend Degas petition, his old friend Degas stopped speaking to him for several years. Normal political discourse was all but suspended as France plunged into an agony of accusations and counter-accusations of conspiracy, treason and fraud.
AMERICAN PARALLELS
“Over the past two years, the United Sates has progressively descended along the same slippery slope–though fortunately it has not gone so far. The President’s public appearances are now made mostly at military bases and his itinerary is kept secret to avoid embarrassment–and possibly dangerous–mob scenes. Antiwar demonstrators feel it necessary not only to disagree with what the Secretary of State says but to try to prevent him from saying it. It is no longer possible for an antiwar poet to accept a literary award without casually slandering the Vice President (“famous for his lies”) although the latter is a truthful, conscientious man.
“The Administration acts no better, it less coarsely, than its adversaries. It tries to put some of the critics of the war and the draft into prison for offenses that under other circumstances it would probably have ignored. In New Hampshire, the President’s political agents try to squash Senator McCarthy’s dignified dissent with a contemptible plea to the voters to think with their blood. ‘The Communists in Vietnam are watching the New Hampshire primary to see if we here at home have the same determination as our soldiers.’ The Secretary of State asks angrily about journalists who question the progress of the war in Vietnam: Whose side are they on?
TEMPTATION TO EXCESS
“From the tense mood at dinner parties in the nation’s capital to the pornographic anti-Johnson literature distributed on some college campuses, the tone of American life is ugly and disturbing. The fabric of civility which supports rational discourse on public issues is seriously torn. Each side is tempted to excess. One wants to say, ‘My country right or wrong’; and the other argues that America is always wrong and revolution is the only answer. The vehemence of these polarized expressions is likely to become even more extreme now that General Westmoreland has reportedly called for another 200,000 troops for duty in Vietnam.
MORAL NEUTRALITY
“At such times, it is worth recalling some hard-earned truths about human affairs. Experience suggests that the first rule of politics is never say never. The ingenious human capacity for maneuver and compromise may make acceptable tomorrow what seems outrageous or impossible today. Secondly, politics is not a sphere of activity where moral ends can be directly pursued.
“Politics whether in revolutionary societies or in rich, stable ones is conducted through a maze of personal ambitions, conflicting interests, and morally neutral forms of power. Finally, in politics as elsewhere, the means which are reached. Whether it is a village being bombed in Vietnam or an unpopular figure being mobbed on an American campus, violence may have untoward effects that those who employ it with the best of motives may not foresee.” End quote….
RTR Quote for 14 March: LONGFELLOW, Hiawatha: “All your danger is in discord.”
Les we forget…. Bear
