Bear Taylor 
RIPPLE SALVO… #779… NATIONAL COLUMNIST AND HISTORIAN HOLMES ALEXANDER MAKES THE CASE: “A real state of war existed in the United States in April, 1968” … “What we had earlier this month, sad to say, was not just a civil disorder. Two nations, black and white, were in ‘imperfect’ but ‘public’ conflict. There was no need for Congress to make such a finding–the fact was manifest. Thousands of Negroes went into action against the government and forces of the U.S.A. Nearly 65,000 federal troops and National Guardsmen were mobilized to resist and terminate the attack which took American lives and destroyed private property.”…. but first…
GOOD MORNING…Day SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE of a 1,000 day visit in the pages of American history that included an air war called Rolling Thunder…
HEAD LINES from the OGDEN STANDARD-EXAMINER on Tuesday, 23 April 1968…
THE WAR: Page 1: “NO MAJOR BATTLE IN SIGHT”… “…On the ground in South Vietnam there was heavy fighting south of Saigon, but no sign of the major enemy attack on the capital feared by the South Vietnamese. Troops of the U.S. 9th Infantry Division and the 199th Light Infantry Brigade fought an all-infantry battle 17 miles southwest of Saigon with an estimated battalion of Viet Cong holed up in bunkers. The Viet Cong opened up on the infantrymen when helicopters landed them in a nearby clearing. More troops were rushed in by helicopter, and artillery, helicopter gunships and fighter-bombers were called into the fight that raged through the night. The Viet Cong retreated just before dawn. Eight U.S. soldiers were reported killed and six were wounded. …The U.S. troops said they found 35 Viet Cong bodies in the bunker complex.”… South Vietnamese infantry reported 115 Viet Cong killed in a battle 30 miles south of Saigon. South Vietnamese troops reported seven of their own killed and 47 were wounded… Government forces in the capital and in neighboring provinces were put on full alert Monday…Key U.S. officials said the alert was a case of war jitters…’No alert or any warning has been issued to American personnel.’ “… ELSEWHERE IN THE WAR… “Enemy mortar and rocket fire hit a military airfield at Vung Tau, the resort-port 50 miles southeast of Saigon; an oil tank at Kien Hoa, 435 miles south of Saigon and a militia post 49 miles southeast of Saigon. One American soldier was killed and two South Vietnamese were killed. Three American paratroopers were killed and 22 were wounded Monday night when four 105-mm rounds fired by a U.S. artillery unit fell short. The artillery fire was in support of a paratrooper unit deployed near Phuc Binh about 29 miles northeast of Saigon.”…U.S. B-52 bombers continued their relentless pounding of North Vietnamese propositions in the A Shau Valley west of Hue. The giant bombers made five more raids there Monday and a sixth this morning.”…Page 1: “PROTECTIVE SHELTERS NEEDED–GROUND AIRCRAFT LOSSES JAR GENERAL”… “General Earle G. Wheeler says the enemy has destroyed or damaged $132.5 million in U.S. aircraft on the ground in Vietnam–a toll he contends could have been drastically reduced cut by the use of shelters
Page 1: “THIRD F-111 CRASHES”… “The U.S. Command announced today the third crash of a U.S. Air Force F-111 fighter-bomber on its way to or from a bombing mission against North Vietnam. The command said the plane was believed down somewhere in Thailand Monday night. There was no sign or other information on the plane or its two crewmen. Six of the $6-million swing-wing aircraft arrived at an airbase in Thailand March 17 and went into combat March 25…Two F-111A crashes followed..”… Page 1: “SOVIET JOURNAL RIPS MAO–SAYS CHINA MAY OVERTHROW MAO”… “The Soviet Communist Part said today there is a clear possibility communism might be overthrown in China.”… Page 1: “REDS GATHER IN PRELUDE TO CONGRESS–MOSCOW WILL PUSH ANTI-IMPERIALIST THEME AT MEETINGS”… “Communist delegates gathered in Budapest today to set the stage for a world congress in Moscow later this year aimed at promoting ‘anti-imperialist action unity.’ ‘… Page 1: “SENATOR JAVITS DOUBTS NIXON OUT FRONT”… “Republican Senator Jacob Javits challenges the results of a nation wide opinion poll indicating Richard Nixon could defeat any of the three leading potential Democratic presidential candidates.”… Page 2: “COLLEGIANS SIT-IN FOR CIVIL RIGHTS”… “More than 200 Trinity College students were camped in the college administration building today and said they would stay until a student-proposed Negro scholarship program is approved.”… Page 2: “HELP PUT THE NATION BACK ON TRACK KENNEDY URGES IN INDIANA”… “…toured southwestern Indiana Monday, seeking support in the state’s May 7 Presidential primary.”
STATE DEPARTMENT. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. Historical Documents. Foreign Relations. 1964-68. Vietnam: Document 205 . Notes of a meeting of President with Foreign Affairs advisors held on Tuesday 23 April that includes consideration of restoring some of the bombing as a consequence of perceived foot-dragging by North Vietnam on agreement for site of initial peace conference….Read at….
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v06/d205
23 APRIL 1968… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… OGDEN STANDARD EXAMINER (24 Apr reporting 23 Apr ops) Page 1: “Six F-111s arrive at Takhli air base in Thailand March 17 an went into combat March 25. They were grounded for 11 days after the crash March 30 and have flown combat missions on about 17 days in all. Two additional F-111s were brought in to replace the first two losses. Other Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps planes were out in force Tuesday to continue bombing highways, barges, gun positions and other targets in the section of North Vietnam open to air raids by President Johnson’s curtailment orders. U.S. pilots flew 111 missions south of the 19th parallel–44 less than the day before–with the deepest penetration a strike against a railroad spur 168 miles north from Saigon…the panhandle area was covered by clouds which prevented damage assessment and led to diversion of some missions to South Vietnam.”… “Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There were three fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 23 April 1968…
(1) A C-7A Caribou transport plane of the 483rd TAW at Vung Tau was destroyed by a Viet Cong mortar attack…
(2) An O-1G Bird Dog of the 20th TSS and 504th TASG crashed after a mid-air with a VNAF O-1G. The pilot and observer survived the crash to fly and FAC again… No info on the VNAF Bird Dog plane…
(3) An F-100D of the 615th TFS and 35th TFW out of Phang Rang crashed while executing a missed approach after a close air support mission. The aircraft hit a mountain ridgeline killing the pilot MAJOR AMOS OLIVER FOX…
Humble Host flew #150. Led a section to Waterboy and a Milky radar drop of 6 MK-82s x2 on “troops” in or near the DMZ when weather in Route Pack II forced the diversion… Final flight of the 59-day Line Period. Off-Yankee on 24 April for Subic Bay and Hong Kong. Flew 44 combat missions. Enterprise will return to Yankee Station on 4 May after 10 day break.
SUMMARY OF ROLLING THUNDER LOSSES (KIA/MIA/POW) ON 23 APRIL in the four years the aviators of ROLLING THUNDER carried the Vietnam war to the heartland of North Vietnam…
1965… None
1966… CAPTAIN ROBERT RAYMOND DYCZKOWSKI was flying an F-105D of the 421 TFS and 388th TFW on a strike on the road bridge at Phu Lang Thuong, 30 miles northeast of Hanoi and failed to rejoin his flight leader after the successful attack through intense opposition. He had acknowledged join-up instructions. There were no emergency or radio transmissions. SAR efforts in the extremely hostile area were unsuccessful… CAPTAIN DYCZKOWSKI was on his 99th mission when he perished. His remains were recovered and returned to the United States in November 1999 and positively identified for burial on 20 September 2000…
AMONG THE BRAVE… FOR GALLANTRY… CAPTAIN ROBERT DYCZKOWSKI…THE SILVER STAR… NORTH VIETNAM… 23 APRIL 1966…
“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR (Posthumously) to Captain ROBERT RAYMOND DYCZKOWSKI, United States Air force (Reserve), for GALLANTRY in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, and the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, PACIFIC AIR FORCES, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 23 April 1966. On that date Captain DYCZKOWSKI volunteered to participate in a flight of four F-105D Thunderchiefs tasked to attack and destroy a key railroad bridge vital to the North Vietnamese war effort. Flying in the number two position as the flight made its high speed, low level dash to the target, Captain DYCZKOWSKI witnessed the flight leader go down from a hail of antiaircraft fire. Pressing on in spite of the great danger to his personal safety, Captain DYCZKOWSKI doggedly persevered though the numerous flak and delivered his bombs on target. By his gallantry and devotion of duty, Captain DYCZKOWSKI has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.” …
1966… MAJOR BERNARD JOSEPH GOSS was also flying an F-105D fo the 421st TFS on a strike on the same target, about fifteen minutes after the DYCZKOWSKI flight. In the target area MAJOR GOSS was seen by his wingman to drop his ordnance and to start a turn to exit the target when he was hit by antiaircraft fire. He asked if anyone was with him, making no mention of being hurt. While in a slight climb he was observed to eject and a good parachute was seen. A beeper signal was heard and his parachute was seen to land on the north side of a steep, heavily wooded hill. The area was circled once, but he was not seen on the ground, or ever again. No SAR effort was attempted due to the location in an extremely hostile area and the approaching darkness… MAJOR GOSS’ remains were recovered and returned to the United States in August 1978 and positively identified for burial in November 1978…
AMONG THE BRAVE… FOR GALLANTRY… MAJOR BERNARD JOSEPH GOSS… THE SILVER STAR…NORTH VIETNAM… 23 APRIL 1966…
“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR (Posthumously) to Major BERNARD JOSEPH GOSS, United States Air Force, for GALLANTRY in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot with the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 23 April 1966. On that date, Major GOSS led a flight of four F-105D Thunderchiefs tasked to attack and destroy a key railroad bridge vital to the North Vietnamese war effort. As Major GOSS began his high speed low level dash to the target he encountered a virtual curtain of antiaircraft fire which severely damaged his aircraft. Realizing the importance of the mission, Major GOSS ordered his flight to continue to the target as he turned toward mountainous terrain with smoke and fuel streaming from his aircraft. The outstanding courage of Major GOSS was exemplified when he elected to eject over hostile territory rather than secure assistance from his flight by diverting it from the target. By his GALLANTRY and devotion to duty, Major GOSS has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”…
RIPPLE SALVO… #779… On 4 April 1968 the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and the fuze of an American time bomb was ignited. In a column published in scores of American newspapers on 23 April 1968 historian Holmes Alexander reasoned that a “REAL STATE OF WAR EXISTED IN AMERICA THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL 1968” … This is a history lesson from 50 years ago that continues–the same time bomb remains a threat to American peace and prosperity… I quote Holmes Alexander…
“WASHINGTON– If you want to be liberal about it, a state of war existed in the United States during the first week of April.
“The Constitutional Convention of 1787, as well as numerous court decisions, recognized that war can occur in only two ways. Congress can declare it, which did not happen in April. An enemy can make war, and cause it to exist, which is what did take place in the assault on the nation’s capital and 150 other cities. The point is clearly stated in Alexander Hamilton’s explanation of the war-making powers of Congress. Hamilton was writing about a ‘foreign’ opponent of the American system, but the color of flag or skin does not change the sense of the argument. He said: ‘…it is the peculiar and exclusive duty of Congress, when the nation is at peace, to change that state into a state of war…But when a foreign nation declares, or openly and avowedly makes war upon the United States, they (the states) are then by the very fact already at war, and any declaration on the part of Congress is nugatory; it is at least unnecessary.’
DEFINED DIFFERENCES
“In a case arising out of the limited Franco-American War (1798-1801), Supreme Court Associate Justice Bushrod Washington had occasion to define the difference between a ‘solemn’ (all-out) war and an ‘imperfect’ (de facto) war. He found the differences to be interesting but unimportant. Justice Washington wrote: ‘But hostilities may subsist…being limited as to places, persons and things; and this is more properly termed imperfect war… Still, however, it is an external contention by force between some members of two nations…though all members are not authorized to commit hostilities…’
“What we had earlier this month, sad to say, was not just a civil disorder. Two nations, black and white, were in ‘imperfect’ but ‘public’ conflict. There as no need for Congress to make such a finding–the fact was manifest. Thousands of Negroes went into action against the government and forces of the U.S.A. Nearly 65,000 federal troops and National Guardsmen were mobilized to resist and terminate the attack which took American lives and destroyed private property.
“As Hamilton wrote, no formal recognition of hostilities was necessary. The facts were self-evident. As the Supreme Court ruled, in the majority opinion by Justice Washington, this may have been an ‘imperfect’ (or undeclared) war, but it was a ‘public’ war between two recognizable sets of contestants, although only ‘some members’ were engaged.
SIGHS OF REGRETS
“In the time that has passed since April 4, when Martin Luther King was murdered and the Negro raids began, many pious signs of regret and relief have risen from the public altars. At least three Presidential candidates (Humphrey, Kennedy, Nixon) mourned at Dr. King’s funeral. Attorney General Ramsey Clark rejoiced that ‘very few deaths’ in Washington were inflicted on the destroyers of at least $13 million worth of property.
“Congress completed passage of a Civil Rights bill for Open Housing as a memorial to Dr. King and as a response to nationwide assault upon the cities. The President conducted a ceremonial signing of the bill into law, and passed out souvenir pens. The new law effectuated while the smoke was still rising from the ruins, amounted to a surrender of private property rights far greater than that which had been condone while the troops stood by with unexpended ammunition and often with unloaded weapons.
“There is a determination in the nation’s leadership to avoid declaring this nation at war. But in fact, it took no declaration on our part–the assailants had already made war. There is an official disposition to be thankful that America is not a garrison-state. But, in truth, that’s what has been forced upon us.”… End quote…
RTR Quote for 23 April: GENERAL CURTIS LeMAY, Mission With LeMay: “Apply whatever force it is necessary to employ to stop things quickly. The main thing is to stop it. The quicker you stop it the more lives you save.”…
Lest we forget… Bear
