RIPPLE SALVO…#125… “The Red and White and Starry Blue”… but first…
3 JULY 1966…ON THE HOME FRONT…NYT… A sunny, and very hot (100-degrees), Sunday in New York City and most of the east coast…
Page 1: “President Orders A Sweeping Study Of Draft Reform”… President Johnson paved the way today for potentially far reaching changes in the Selective Service System. Mr. Johnson named a 20-member National Advisory Commission on Selective Service to study the system and make recommendations by January 1 for reform. The draft has come under mounting criticism as the manpower requirements for the war in Vietnam have increased. Mr. Johnson’s actions indicated he shared the general view that the draft was inequitable and needed reform. However, the White House, which does not want to put the President in the position of anticipating the outcome of the study, would not go into Mr. Johnson’s views on what may be wrong with the system. One criticism is that it discriminates against the sons of poor families, who may be less likely to go to college and obtain an educational deferment. Another is that there are widespread inconsistencies in the administration by the nation’s 4,061 local draft boards. The Commission will be headed by Burke Marshall, Vice President and General Counsel of IBM President Johnson asked the Commission to study the Selective Service System in the light of these factors: (1) fairness to all citizens, (2) the nation’s military manpower requirements, (3) the reduction of interference and uncertainty with individual careers and education, (4) social, economic and employment conditions, and (5) budgetary and administrative considerations… Page 1:”Tactical French A-Bomb Exploded At Pacific Atoll”…”The French detonated an atomic device this morning. The first in their Pacific series of test explosions. France, like Communist China, has conducted explosions in the air since the 1963 treaty prohibiting nuclear tests in the air, under water and in space. Neither country is a signatory of the treaty. The test was conducted in a small uninhabited atoll 750-miles east of Tahiti… Page 1: “Tito Vows Purge of His Opponents From Leadership”… ‘The confidence of our people in our Central Committee has been considerably shaken,” he told the committee in a speech last night…the session was marked by the resignation of Vice President Aleksandar Rankovic from all of his posts. He tried to shrug off political responsibility for any of the country’s difficulties. Tito, the 74-year old President, who is also General Secretary of the ruling party, indicated that the purge reflected a struggle against Serbian communists who had used their power in the security organization and other institutions for Serbian aggrandizement…
Page 1: “3 North Vietnamese Divisions Are In South Vietnam”…”At least three and possibly five North Vietnam regular divisions, organized conventional lines, have been infiltrated into South Vietnam. The commitment of entire divisions, with complete staffs, represents a major escalation in Hanoi’s involvement in the war. According to allied intelligence estimates the North Vietnamese sent perhaps 10,000 men south in April–by far the largest number yet despite an intensified bombing program by the United States. Infiltration is believed to be proceeding at an annual rate of about 55,000 men. “… Page 1: “100 Degree Heat Bakes A Drowsing City” and the heat wave will extend through the 4th of July…(no mention of “global warming”)…Page 2: “Governors Face Vietnam Debate”…The nation’s governors gathered today for their annual conference, dedicated to spiritual themes but likely be dominated by Vietnam and other political questions. The 58th annual National Governor’s Conference formally opens Tuesday but throughout the day limousines deposited state executives at the newly opened Century Plaza Hotel where the conference will be held.”…Page 2: “Asians Call Raids Damaging To U.S.”… “President Johnson’s decision to bomb oil depots on the outskirts of Hanoi and Haiphong has caused shock waves in Asia that appear to be inflicting serious damage on American prestige. Comment of public figures, diplomats and newspapers suggest that the American image in Asia–and support for a united policy and objectives–has suffered a blow that some compared to that inflicted by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Only a swift and successful move to bring Vietnam to the conference table was regarded as holding any potential for a partial restoration of the United States position. Meanwhile, the question that troubled ordinary Asians was whether this would bring on World War III.”…. Page 2: “Ky Expects North Vietnam To Fall” within three months because the United States raids against the POL sites near Hanoi and Haiphong will lead North Vietnam to seek a “peace cease fire very soon.”…
NYT (3 July) Section 4: “Pressures on Johnson”…”It has been some time since professional President watchers have seen President Johnson more confident in his attitude toward the war in Vietnam than he was at the weekend. This does not mean that he is any happier about the war itself; but he is comfortable with his new basic position on how it ought to be handled. Reaction to the strikes at Hanoi and Haiphong was mixed reflecting the conflicting points of view. Senator Richard Russell, Democrat of Georgia: ‘I approve of it. It seems to me we have exhausted every effort to arrive at negotiations.’ Gerald Ford of Michigan, House Republican Leader said, ‘ the administration should have decided to bomb the oil depots months ago.’ George Aiken of Vermont: ‘The President has made a mistake. Instead of lessoning the war, it will expand it.’…”
3 July 1966…No President’s Daily Briefing available…
3 JULY 1966… ROLLING THUNDER OPERATIONS… NYT (4 July reporting 3 July ops) Page 1: “Us Bombs Again In Haiphong Area”… “American war planes raided a petroleum storage site in the Haiphong area yesterday (3 July)…the planes struck at the Doson oil storage facility about 12 miles southeast of Haiphong. The raid on the industrial facilities came as United States fighter-bombers and B-52s pounded Vietcong strongholds. One fighter was shot down by enemy ground fire.”….”Vietnam: Aircraft Losses” (Chris Hobson)…One aircraft lost;
(1) CAPTAIN DAVID JOSEPH PHILLIPS was flying an F-5C of the 23rd TASS and 505th TACG at Bien Hoa on a close air support mission and downed by small arms fire as he was delivering napalm on a Vietcong position 20 miles north of Saigon. CAPATIN PHILLIPS was Killed in Action 50 years ago this day and is remembered as a courageous warrior who died with the enemy in his sights… a brave heart to the end of his life…
RIPPLE SALVO… #125… John Phillips Sousa, Lyrist…. It was my good fortune to command two great ships: USS Kalamazoo (AOR-6) in 1979-80 and USS Coral Sea (CV-43) 1983-1984… When I relieved Dean “Dynamite” Cramer as CO of Kalamazoo one of the “oh-by-the-ways” he left me was the suggestion that I choose a new “breakaway” song to broadcast on the ships internal communication system. The “breakaway” song hits the air just as the last line between underway replenishing ships is clear and the replenished ship adds power and sprints away to her station. “Dynamite” also suggested that it might be a good idea to let the crew choose the song. I didn’t give it a second thought and asked my Executive Officer Jerry Murphy to solicit ideas from the crew. Their choice was unanimous: Jonny Paycheck’s wildly popular “Take This Job and Shove It.” Ouch. Thanks, Dynamite. The crew loved it, as did crews on visiting ships. The Captain of Kazoo did not. But I stuck it out for more than 200 alongside evolutions and heard it for the last time after my change of command in Haifa in the fall of 1980 as I departed the ship. Ouch. Thanks XO. Lesson learned. A little over two years later when I assumed command of the Coral Sea from Jerry Johnson I didn’t even ask about a “breakaway” tune. I just told XO Larry “Birdlegs” Price to get wired up for “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” as the new Coral Sea “breakaway” anthem. Great choice… everybody steps lively with a happy heart at the pace and brassy melody. And the Captain would sing along with the lyrics penned by Sousa for his masterpiece march. Well, at least the first eight lines (of 82 lines)…Happy ship, happy Captain… Thanks J.P.
On this weekend of our nation’s birthday you will hear J.P. Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Memorize these eight short lines and you’ll triple your pleasure as the band plays on….
“LET MARTIAL NOTE IN TRIUMPH FLOAT
AND LIBERTY EXTEND ITS MIGHTY HAND
A FLAG APPEARS ‘MID THUNDEROUS CHEERS,
THE BANNER OF THE WESTERN LAND.
THE EMBLEM OF THE BRAVE AND TRUE
ITS FOLDS PROTECT NO TYRANT CREW; (we hope)
THE RED AND WHITE AND STARRY BLUE
IS FREEDOM’S SHIELD AND HOPE.”
Enjoy the long weekend and, if you can, check in on Mighty Thunder’s on line celebration of our nation’s birthday, “Independence Day” on this website….
Lest we forget…. Bear ………. –30– ……….