RIPPLE SALVO… #333… Lieutenant Robert L. Cooper: 26 rescue missions and EIGHT AVIATORS rescued in two months of SAR duty…
Good Morning: Day THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE of a three year history lesson called Rolling Thunder…
1 FEBRUARY 1967… HEAD LINES from The New York Times, “the Gray Lady,” on a great Wednesday in NYC…
Page 1: “President Seeks $250 Million Rise in G.I. Benefits”... “President Johnson sent to Congress today proposals to give servicemen, veterans and civilians in war zones a total of $250-million per year in added benefit…’It is necessary to fulfill our obligations to those who have borne the cost of conflict in the cause of liberty.’ He made the following proposals: higher monthly allowances for those attending college under the G.I. Bill; additional allowances for veterans who must complete high school; increases of 5.4% for pensions of the disabled veterans and their dependents; the sale of larger amounts of life insurance to men on active duty; adjustments in disability benefits to provide Vietnam veterans the same benefits of World War II veterans; and more liberal benefits for civilians exposed to hazardous conditions in government service.”... Page 1: “Grissom and Chaffee Are Buried in Arlington; White at West Point”…”The man who was the second American in space and the eager beginner who would have been the 20th were buried side by side on the crown of a high hill in Arlington National Cemetery. LCOL Virgil Grissom…and LCDR Roger Chaffee…were given full military honors in ceremonies four hours apart…President Johnson attended both… LCOL Edward White was buried today at the United States Military Academy…Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Mrs. Humphrey attended.”… Page 1: “U.S. Issues Rules for Auto Safety: Some are Eased”… “First National Standards Go Into Effect Next Jan. 1…Buses Are Also Covered”...The standards mean most cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles manufactured in the United States after next January 1 will have such standard safety devices and features as these: seat belts for all occupants, including chest strap; impact absorbing steering systems; fuel tanks that are rupture resistant; windshields that are shatter resistant; door latches that will not spring open in a crash; and windshield defrosters, washers and two speed wipers, and many more…..”…
Page 1: “Reischauer Calls Red China Weak”…”Challenging administration views, former ambassador Edwin O. Reischauer told the senate foreign relations Committee today that the United States had overestimated the political and military menace posed by China. Mr. Reischauer, a scholarly expert on Asian affairs, returned last summer from five years as United States Ambassador to Japan, also urged ‘prudent de-escalation of American bombing in North Vietnam as a step toward negotiations–however gloomy the prospect for peace talks may be at the moment.’…He asserted that it was a psychology–a misunderstanding of the Asian mentality–for Washington to believe that the pressure and pain inflicted by the bombing would push Hanoi toward peace negotiations…The major thrust of his four and one half hours of testimony, however, was that the American people should worry less about Communism danger in Asia and develop more confidence in Asian nationalism over the long run as a check on Communism and Chinese expansion.”… Page 1: “Fifth Chinese City Claimed by Maoists”… Page 2: “Soviet-China Ties Face New Strain“…”Hong Kong analysts assay likelihood of a break…”… Page 4: “Captured Documents Indicate Loss of Support For Foe”…”A million people have slipped from Vietcong control since 1965.”…
1 February 1967…The President’s Daily Brief…CIA (TS Sanitized) NORTH VIETNAM: Hanoi is making a concerted effort to underscore the importance of its recent statement on how it might react to an unconditional end to the bombing. all chiefs of mission in Hanoi were called in, for instance, to hear a reading of the full texts of these statements. These latest statements contain no firm promises. In tone, however, they suggest that Hanoi would react positively to a cessation of bombing…. SOVIET UNION: The only matter of substance raised between Russian President Podgorny and Pope Paul on Monday concerned religious liberty in the Soviet bloc. Pogorny brushed aside discussion of Vietnam, and the Pope was unresponsive to Podgorny’s efforts to the conversation to dangers of German revanchism. The Russian’s talk with President Saragat was just about as bland… COMMUNIST CHINA: The status of the political struggle in the provinces remains confused. In a broadcast yesterday, Peking claimed that pro-Mao revolutionaries had taken over another province, but this could be merely talk. Today a broadcast from Shanghai–supposed to be firmly controlled by pro-Mao forces–admitted that the “enemy” is fighting in a “well planned organized manner,” and “persecuting” pro-Mao revolutionaries…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… MAJOR WAYNE N. WHATLEY, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE…AIR FORCE CROSS…
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to WAYNE N. WHATLEY, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft, in action in Southeast Asia on 30 June 1966. On that date, MAJOR WHATLEY led a flight of four F-105 aircraft against an extremely heavily defended petroleum, oil, and lubricant storage complex in North Vietnam. By exhibiting extraordinary flying ability, leadership qualities, and personal bravery in the face of intense hostile fire, MAJOR WHATLEY successfully struck the assigned target, thus contributing greatly to the objectives of his country. Although sustaining hits on his aircraft, MAJOR WHATLEY, disregarding his personal safety, stayed with his downed wingman and directed a successful rescue operation. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, MAJOR WHATLEY reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
Among MAJOR WHATLEY’s combat awards: The Air Force Cross; Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross (2); Air Medal (8); and the Purple Heart… ooohrah…
1 FEBRUARY 1967… Operation Rolling Thunder…New York Times (2 Feb reporting 1 Feb ops) Page 3: “In the Air War”…”The United States offensive against North Vietnam, hampered by fog, heavy clouds and generally poor weather, continued at a slow pace yesterday (1st) with Air Force and Navy pilots flying a combined total of 50 missions. Pilots from the nuclear powered carrier Enterprise attack five cargo barges 45 miles east-northeast of Haiphong and reported damage to three of them. Air Force pilots attacked highways, storage areas, and truck parks in the southern part of North Vietnam.”… “Vietnam: Air Losses” (Hobson) there were no fixed wing aircraft lost on 1 February 1967 in Southeast Asia… (Bear: #22 100% on a truck park)…
RIPPLE SALVO… #333… (Nice number: marks the 1/3rd point in my 1000-blog project to remember the events and warriors who fought the fight in the air over North Vietnam 50 years ago…) Tonight a salute to the fantastic Northern SAR helicopter pilots and crews who fetched many an aviator from the seas and beaches (and occasionally from deep in Indian Country). I have selected LIEUTENANT ROBERT LEE COOPER from among the hundreds of gutsy, great rotor-wing aviators who stood the watches and made the rescues from the North SAR destroyers. LT. COOPER was awarded the SILVER STAR, among his many combat awards, but I have selected his NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL with COMBAT “V” for this “Salute of ADMIRATION, RESPECT and APPRECIATION”…
“The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Commendation Medal to LIEUTENANT ROBERT LEE COOPER, United States Navy for heroic achievement in aerial flight as Officer-in-Charge, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ONE, Detachment NINE, embarked in USS HALSEY (DLG-23) during the periods 6 August 1966 through 6 September 1966 and 6 October 1966 through 6 November 1966. Lieutenant COOPER courageously and brilliantly flew 26 helicopter rescue missions, in the coastal waters of North Vietnam and over the enemy territory of North Vietnam. On four occasions he conducted rescue operations in the face of accurate fire of automatic weapons, anti-aircraft artillery and/or small arms. Additionally, some of the rescue missions were flown in marginal weather and visibility conditions. Lieutenant COOPER’S efforts resulted in the safe rescue of eight downed airman, most of whom had sustained injuries incident to ejection from their aircraft. He consistently demonstrated extraordinary ability to react instantaneously to changing tactical situations occasioned by weather, friendly force movement, and enemy action. His outstanding performance and coolness under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Lieutenant COOPER is authorized to wear the Combat “V”. For the Secretary of the Navy, /s/Admiral John J. Hyland, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet… oohrah…
CAG’s QUOTES for February: NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI: “The foundation of states is a good military organization.”… PATTON: “The important thing in any organization is the creation of a soul which is based on pride.”
Lest we forget… Bear