RIPPLE SALVO… #924…NYT, 15-SEPT-68, Page 1: “AMERICAN LEGION HAWKISH ON WAR–URGES ‘MAXIMUM’ MILITARY EFFORT IF PARIS TALKS FAIL”… The American Legion held their 50th National Convention in New Orleans 6-12 September 1968. It presented that great association of American veterans the opportunity to reinforce the principles upon which they stand. The American Legion (Circa 1968): “For God and Country. We associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism. preserve the memories and incidents of our Associations in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and masses; to make the right the matter of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion of mutual helpfulness.”… The New York Times wrap-up story on the Legion’s convention below… but first…
GOOD MORNING… Day NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR of a remembrance of an air war and the warriors of Operation Rolling Thunder…
HEAD LINES from The New York Times on Sunday, 15 September 1968…
THE WAR: “Page 1: “ALLIES KILL 400 IN BATTLES IN DMZ AND OTHER AREAS”…”Allied troops have reported killing more than 400 enemy soldiers in a series of battles along the borders of South Vietnam in the last 24 hours. According to allied military spokesmen, 8 Americans were killed and 93 wounded in the actions. South Vietnamese losses were described as light. The heaviest enemy losses were inflicted by a combined force of American soldiers and marines and South Vietnamese infantrymen who charged two miles into the southern half of the demilitarized zone yesterday In a day of fighting the allies, heavily supported by fighter-bombers, artillery crews and warships in the South China Sea, killed 158 North Vietnamese regulars. Twenty-two United State soldiers were wounded; there were no deaths reported among the allies…. In the outskirts of Tayninh, 55 miles northwest of Saigon, where allied troops have been skirmishing for four days, Government troops reported having killed 90 enemy soldiers. The deaths brought to nearly 500 the number of enemy soldiers killed in the Tayninh fighting…. 14 KILLED NEAR DUCLAP… At the foot of the Central Highlands, 125 miles north of Saigon, American infantrymen maneuvering around the Unite States Army special Force border outpost at Duclap killed 14 of the enemy. Three Americans were killed and nine wounded… On the coast allied troops killed 45 enemy in the vicinity of Hue and 61 near the city of Quangngai, the capital of Quangngai Province. Two Americans were killed and 22 wounded… there were three ambushes south of Danang. South Korean troops killed 18 enemy troops yesterday and this morning. There were no Korean casualties… Air Force B-52’s flew 11 strikes in South Vietnam, concentrating their force in Tahninh Province.”… Page 18: “VIETCONG ASSERT THEIR GUNFIRE DOWNED U.S. GENERAL’S (WARE) HELICOPTER”… Page 20: “U.S. CAMPS BEING TURNED OVER TO VIETNAMESE–Saigon Troops Now Control 4 Special Forces Posts In Year Old Experiment”…
Page 1: “STUDY FINDS NIXON LEADS IN 30 STATES–WALLACE IN 8–6 LEAN TO HUMPHREY WITH 6 INDEFINITE–REPUBLICAN RUNS AHEAD IN GALLUP POLL, 43-31, A SLIGHT DECLINE”… Page 1: “HUMPHREY STUMPS IN FIGHT OF HIS LIFE–Seeks Support Of Unions To attack Nixon And G.O.P. In Inciting to Division”… Page 74: “ROMNEY SUGGESTS A BID FOR SENATE–He Might Take Nixon Post or A Foundation Role”… Page 75: “ROCKEFELLER FINDS NIXON AHEAD NOW–Says Large Crowds Indicate People Want Change”…
15 SEPTEMBER 1968…OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…New York Times (16 Sept reporting 15 Sept ops) Page 17: “In North Vietnam, American pilots flew 114 multiple plane raids south of the 19th Parallel. No planes were reported shot down.”… VIETNAM: AIR LOSSES (Chris Hobson) There were no fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 15 September 1968…
SUMMARY OF ROLLING THUNDER LOSSES (KIA/MIA/POW) FOR THE FOUR 15 SEPTEMBER DATES FOR THE FOUR YEARS OF THE OPERATION OVER NORTH VIETNAM…
1965, 1966, 1967, 1968… NONE… oohrah…
RIPPLE SALVO… #924… NYT, 15-SEPT-68, Page 1:
“AMERICAN LEGION HAWKISH ON WAR… Urges ‘Maximum’ Military Effort If Paris Peace Talks Fail”…
New Orleans, Sept 14–“The American Legion took a hawkish stand at the 50th annual convention that ended Thursday. The Legion adopted a resolution calling for an intensification of the war by the United States unless there were positive results soon from the Paris talks. If a lasting and honorable peace does not come shortly, the Legion recommended that the United States and its allies make a maximum effort’ in manpower and resources to secure ‘a total and lasting victory’ in Vietnam. This effort would include intensified bombing and shelling operations, the removal of all sanctuaries, the closing of all enemy ports and the widening in scope of military targets.
LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKED
“The Legion also approved a resolution asking that law enforcement agencies within each state be authorized to use whatever means necessary to combat ‘disobedience, insurrection and wholesale destruction of property and life do that the permanent removal of these practices from our society shall be accomplished. The Legion called on the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence to investigate ‘The shocking views expressed by our leaders notably in the religious and educational fields, and also by persons in government telling the lawless element that they have a moral right to disobey laws that they do not like.’
“The resolution asks the commission to urge all citizens to declare their support for law and order and renounce views tht ‘tend to set a bad example or furnish an excuse to potential arsonists, rioters, revolutionists, murderers and assassins.’
“The firearms resolution favored a prohibition on the sale of mail-order firearms to unlicensed individuals but opposed any Federal registration of firearms.
SYMPATHY FOR CZECHS
“Foreign relations resolutions included a resolution expressing sympathy for the Czechoslovakian people because of the recent Soviet invasion of that country. Other actions called for the elimination of the Communist regime in Cuba by whatever force necessary, the lifting of the arms embargo against the sale of weapons to Israel, an end to the United Sttes participation in the economic boycott of Rhodesia and the maintenance of United States jurisdiction over the Panama Canal.
“The Legion said that all diplomatic means available should be used to get bck the intelligence ship Pueblo and her crew of 82 from North Korea. However, the resolution said that if diplomatic means failed, the United States should use whatever military force required.
“A resolution called for a feasibility study on a constitutional amendment that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court n ceratin areas including law enforcement procedure and security laws. The resolution states that the Court has usurped the role of Congress, the executive branch and the sovereignty of several states in some of its decisions.
STUDENT GROUP SCORED
“Other resolutions condemned the Students for a Democratic Society, urged Congress to investigate the American Civil Liberties Union, recommended that congress pass legislation preventing the employment of Communists in defense positions and called for the institution of a loyalty oath for educators in high schools.
“Also urged were a change in the Sedition Act of 1917 to allow the Federal authorities to prosecute persons who impeded the operation of the Selective Service Act or engaged in anti-Vietnam activities, and a ban on scholarships for those who refused to serve in the armed forces and who were not legitimate conscientious objectives.”… End quote…
THE 50th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM is on line at…
https://archive.legion.org/node/8099
RTR quote for 15 September: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, August 2017: “The American Legion embodies the spirit of patriotism that is the true source of our strength and the best hope for our future. You love our country, you cherish our values, and you definitely defend our great American flag. No doubt about that. Above all else, you believe in America, just like America believes in you.”…
Lest we forget… Bear