RIPPLE SALVO… #526… and an OPEN LETTER TO MR. GREG HERRICK on behalf of all OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER participants…but first…
Good Morning: Day FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX of remembering the days of “going feet dry” and “rolling in hot” from the skies of North Vietnam to perform bridge removal services on behalf of the South Vietnamese…
14 AUGUST 1967… HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a Monday full of rain and low clouds on the Avenue of the Americas…
FRONT PAGE: “House G.O.P. Bids White House Fight NATO Decay–15 Member Panel Charges ‘Paucity’ of U.S. Thought About Threat of Discord–Asks Reveal of Policy–Suggests A Stronger Voice for the European Allies On Nuclear Deterrent”... “Fifteen House members called on the Administration for a basic reappraisal of its policy toward the NATO organization. Without a thorough reworking of the Atlantic Alliances responsibilities and relationships, the NATO crisis will accelerate, with the 15 member governments ‘all but blind to the alarming evidence of decay that no amount of official posturing can hide.’ ‘… Page 1: “Radicals and Liberals Split at Maryland Student Talks”... “A split between radical and liberal student activists developed here today as the National Student Association opened its annual congress at the University of Maryland. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a militant political organization, with about 30,000 members, set up a counter-convention on campus in rooms provided by the University. SDS’s purpose is to set up speakers with left-wing criticism of association policies and of the controversial issues among politically minded students.”… Page 1: “U.S. Survey Finds Bias Against Latins In Industries Here”… Page 1: “Chinese Release Soviet Freighter And Her Skipper–Vessel Sails From Darien After Threat by Kosygin To Sever Ties”…
VIETNAM: Page 3: “Saigon’s Glum Campaign Candidates, Proud and Suspicious, Making Fairness The Biggest Issue”… “Th first 10 days of the South Vietnamese Presidential campaign on which many people have placed such high hopes, have cast an extraordinary shadow of gloom over this capital. ‘We are getting killed, ‘said an American diplomat. ‘All week long I’ve felt as if the blood I’ve poured into this country was being spilled out onto the sidewalk. For the first time, I am really depressed.’…The disenchantment in the elections has been reflected in Congress, where not only antiwar legislators, but also those who have supported the Administration are angrily calling the election a ‘fraud’ and ‘fiasco.’… What has really happened? The Vietnamese are acting like Vietnamese. The politicians and the generals are showing the world, at ;a moment of crisis, just how sentimental, prideful, suspicious, conspiratorial, and stiff-necked they can be.”… Page 3: “PRAVDA CALLS STRIKE AGAINST BRIDGE RECKLESS”... “…The Communist party newspaper said today American air strikes against the Paul Doumer Bridge at Hanoi on Friday were a ‘reckless’ escalation of the war. The new dangerous steps of the United States on stepping up the air war against the Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam are another confirmation of the hopelessness of Washington’s entire policy and strategy in Vietnam,’ said PRAVDA…. TASS, the Soviet News Agency said that statements by Admiral Sharp about additional targets and continuing ‘war fever’ and escalation by Pentagon Hawks indicate American policy. ‘All these facts show that reckless widening of the aggression in Vietnam as before remains Washington’s official policy.’ “...”In Budapest, the Hungarian Sunday paper Nepsabadsag said bombing the bridge will choke Hanoi. Vietnam has already lived under Chinese occupation, has suffered cruelty by French colonialists and has felt on its neck the yoke of Japanese conquerors who stoked their engines with living humans. But never has anyone tried to touch the bridge over the Red River.”… “The paper continued: ‘Since it was built, foreign conquerors have never bombed, never attempted to destroy it, because the bridge is the life thread for Hanoi and the greater part of North Vietnam. Blow it up and you will have choked the whole metropol”… “Another Budapest newspaper–Magyar Nemzet–called the strike a grave escalation of the war and said Admiral Sharp and the generals in the Pentagon” were demanding all restrictions be lifted for an all-out-war.”…
SPORTS: “Arnold Palmer, 37, Wins American at Firestone in Akron--50th Tour Victory–Pushes Lifetime Earnings Over $1-Million.”... “Baltimore Colts Trounce Patriots as Johnny Unitas Stars in Inter-conference exhibition.”
14 August 1967… The President’s TS Daily CIA Brief: SOUTH VIETNAM: The civilian presidential candidates decided to resume the campaign only after receiving a letter from the special commissioner for administration which met most of their demands. the government agreed to order local police chiefs to provide security for the candidates and preserve order at meetings…COMMUNIST CHINA: Violence continues to increase throughout the country while Maoist leaders are showing more concern over the loyalty of military men. Maoists are trying to shift to milder tactics…
AMONG THE BRAVE… FOUR OF THE BRAVEST…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… COMMANDER JAMES B. BUSEY, IV, UNITED STATES NAVY… the NAVY CROSS… HANOI THERMAL POWER PLANT… 21 AUGUST 1967…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to JAMES BUCHANAN BUSEY, IV, Commander, United States Navy, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM on 21 August 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE, embarked in U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34). During a combat mission over North Vietnam, Commander BUSEY was the leader of a section in a six-aircraft bombing element which attacked the Hanoi thermal power plant i the face of the enemy’s most sophisticated and complex arsenal of air defense weapons. As he commenced his attack, Commander BUSEY sustained anti-aircraft hits to his aircraft. He skillfully regained control of the aircraft and, although his plane was severely damaged, renewed his attack, placing his weapon precisely on target. Subsequent bomb damage assessment confirmed that he inflicted heavy damage to his assigned portion of the thermal power plant. Although still severely handicapped by his damaged aircraft, Commander BUSEY evaded four surface-to-air missiles during his egress from the target area. Then, through skillful airmanship, he returned his crippled aircraft to the aircraft carrier. By his tenacious aggressiveness, professionalism, and heroic actions in the face of the enemy’s massed and determined defenses, Commander BUSEY upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” (Humble Host notes: Commander Busey’s A-4 recovered aboard Oriskany and an inspection of battle damage counted more than 200 flak holes in the trusty Skyhawk… He would go on to several commands and four stars, and be around to bail the Bear out of hot water on a number of occasions.) Loveyouman…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… CAPTAIN FRED SHANNON, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE… the AIR FORCE CROSS… PAUL DOUMER BRIDGE, HANOI… 11 AUGUST 1967…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to FRED SHANNON, CAPTAIN, United States Air Force, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical fighter Wing., Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, SEVENTH Air Force, in action in the lead aircraft of a flak suppression flight near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Captain SHANNON suppressed six active surface-to-air missile sites defending a strategic highway and railway bridge. Despite concentrated barrages of antiaircraft fire and three missiles directed against his flight, Captain SHANNON displayed the highest degree of courageous leadership in destroying two missile sites in forcing the other four into sporadic operation. As a direct result of his actions, the strike force suffered no losses and imposed extensive damage on this vital target. Through his EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain SHANNON reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”… …..
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… WILLIAM C. NORRIS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE… the AIR FORCE CROSS… “key installation”…HANOI, 12 AUGUST 1967…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to WILLIAM C. NORRIS, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai air Base, SEVENTH Air Force, in action over North Vietnam on 12 August 1967. On that date, Colonel NORRIS led a strike force of twenty F-105 aircraft against a key installation in the North Vietnamese supply line. Skillfully evading surface-to-air missile launches, he positioned his force for the bomb run. Four MIG-17’s engaged his flight from the rear, eluded them, and returned to successfully attack the target. Through his EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel NORRIS reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… COLONEL ROBIN OLDS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE… the AIR FORCE CROSS… PAUL DOUMER BRIDGE, HANOI… 11 AUGUST 1967…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to ROBIN OLDS, Colonel, United States Air Force, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Strike Mission Commander in the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, SEVENTH Air Force, against the Paul Doumer Bridge, a major north-south transportation link on Hanoi’s Red River in North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Colonel OLDS led his strike force of eight F-4C aircaft against a key railroad and highway bridge in North Vietnam. Despite intense, accurately directed fire, miultiple surface-to-air missile attacks on his force, and continuous harassment by MIG fighters defending the target, Colonel OLDS, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, led his force through to help destroy this significant bridge. as a result the flow of war materials into the area was appreciably reduced. Through his EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Colonel OLDS reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”….
14 AUGUST 1967…OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…New York Times (15 Aug reporting 14 Aug ops) Page 1:”U.S. Again Pounds Hanoi Rail Links Near China Line–Bombers Strike For 2ns Day Within Ten Miles Of Border–Heavy Damage Claimed–Record Toll of Locomotives And Freight Cars Reported On Raid On Key Routes”… “American pilots struck yesterday (14th) for the second day in a row within 10 miles of the North Vietnamese border with China…In the raids in the same area Sunday (13th) the attackers destroyed or damaged 151 locomotives and freight cars, the largest such toll claimed for a single day’s raids on the North. Although they were less than a minutes flying time from the border, the pilots reported the Chinese planes were in the air,. North Vietnamese MIGs were sighted but they did not attempt to engage the American attackers. anti-aircraft fire was described as light and no American planes were reported lost.
“The record toll of rolling stock was taken by the United States planes striking in waves at an 18-mile stretch of the northeastern railroad from Langdang to Langson, to 10 miles from the border. The single track line, Hanoi’s most important overland link with China, crosses the border about 90 miles northeast of Hanoi. It runs from there to Nanking, an important center in the Kwangi Chuang Autonomous region of Southeastern China.
“In the raids yesterday Navy pilots, who were reported the day before to have knocked out the center span of the300-foot Langson rail and road bridge over the Kikong River, returned today to knock out one span of what was described as a bypass bridge a mile to the east. This morning the Navy returned to strike at a second bypass bridge over the river. No damage assessment is available. The two bypass spans had apparently been built in anticipation of the raids. Many such techniques have been developed by the North Vietnamese to reduce the effectiveness of the bombing. Pilots have reported on occasion that destroyed bridges have been replaced by pontoon spans almost overnight.
“Many cuts in the rail line that links Haiphong and Hanoi also resulted from the raids...a missile launching site six miles west of the port was said to have been heavily damaged. The latest raids, following the cutting of a span was said to have been heavily damaged. The latest raids, following the cutting of a span on the Paul Doumer or Longbein Bridge over the Red River at Hanoi Friday appeared to have left two major obstructions to traffic over the vital line and rail artery to China. In all 162 missions were flown against North Vietnam despite thunderstorms. In the railway siding at Langdang 64 miles northeast of Hanoi, two trains, one with 35 cars were said to be completely destroyed.”
“Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There was one fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 14 August 1967…
(1) CAPTAIN C.H. WOOD, USMC, was flying an A-4E of the VMA-223 Bulldogs and MAG-12 on a close air control mission and on pass on the target was hit by ground fire requiring an ejection. CAPTAIN WOOD ejected successfully and was rescued…
RIPPLE SALVO… #526… AN OPEN LETTER to Mr. Greg Herrick, MILITARY ISSUE, 640 Taft Street, Northeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55413-2815… www.MilitaryIssue.com:
Subject: The ROLLING THUNDER OPPORTUNITY for YOU…
Dear Mr. Herrick…I am in receipt of your two catalogs offering military memorabilia for sale. Neither catalog offers more than a token selection of items from the Vietnam War and specifically from the air war that our nation waged for more than three years against North Vietnam that was fought over North Vietnam. It was called OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER. I realize this was before your time, but so was World War II and you offer about twenty pages of items in both your catalogs for the WWII collector and participant. The best you offer the survivors and participants of OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER page of ground war items. In fact, neither of your catalogs even mentions OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER and that is too bad. 21017 and 2018 are 50th anniversary years for that fierce air war fought from February 1965 to 1November 1968, that cost our nation 1000 aircraft and about that many pilots and aircrew.
Your early-Autumn 2017 “Historic Aviation” catalog offers three pages and less than 30 items for the Vietnam war collector and makes no mention of Rolling Thunder. You do offer a Stan Stokes print of an F-105 coming off a bomb run on the Ham Rong Bridge, but indicative of your companies lack of historical knowledge, you advise the buyer the Thud is providing ground support. The scene you are marketing is a ROLLING THUNDER MISSION. A strike on a JCS target that was in NORTH VIETNAM at Thanh Hoa…
Your Late-Summer 2017 “Military Issue,” offering 350+ new products, also offers zilch for the ROLLING THUNDER era warriors… Fortunately, for you, nobody in your memorabilia business has anything on the market for ROLLING THUNDER. The field is yours, if you care to adventure forth.
Sir, for your consideration: have one of your “history buffs” research OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…Not Rolling Thunder, that is the motorcycle club guys. You can start with my web site…
www.rollingthunderremembered.com
Greg, the guys who dropped more bombs on North Vietnam than all the bombs that were dropped on Europe in World War II await recognition. We are still the baby killers of Vietnam in the view of many. Yet for the duration of RT we were the pawn of the LBJ and McNamara administration in carrying the war to the enemy’s heavily defended heartland–a gauntlet of MIGS, missiles and antiaircraft artillery awaited our every flight. This went on for years.
Our cadre of warriors is currently marking the 50th anniversary of our war, our silent war. Time is running out for the generation of military aviators who were our nation’s OFFENSE in the Vietnam war. We are in our 70s and 80s…
A final note for your consideration. The market for ROLLING THUNDER items should prove lucrative among the motorcycle guys, too. Their hat is hung on supporting POWs and MIAs– several hundred of those POWs were Air Force and Navy aviators who got shot down over North Vietnam executing ROLLING THUNDER missions in North Vietnam…
The field is yours… sincerely, Bear Taylor
RTR QUOTE for 14 August: DEMOSTHENES: “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”…
Lest we forget…. Bear