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Episode 2582 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature about a conversation with Stephen Young and what he has to say about Henry Kissinger in his new book titled Kissinger’s Betrayal.

The shocking new book about an American icon will jar many who always held Kissinger in high regard for his role in ending the American Vietnam War. The book Kissinger’s Betrayal is based on a treasure trove of formerly secret documents discovered my Mr. Young.

Young is eminently qualified to write on Kissinger’s role in Southeast Asia during the turbulent times of the War. He is the global executive director of the Caux Round Table for Moral Capitalism and the author of Moral Capitalism: Reconciling Private Interest with the Public Good, The Tradition of Human Rights in China and Vietnam, and The Theory and Practice of Associative Power: CORDS in the Villages of Vietnam 1967–1972.

He and his wife, Pham Thi Hoa, translated from Vietnamese the novel about Ho Chi Minh published as The Zenith. His 1968–1971 service in Vietnam for the US Agency for International Development in village development and counterinsurgency was highly praised by President Richard Nixon, Central Intelligence Agency Director William Colby, and ambassador to Saigon Ellsworth Bunker.

In 1975 and again in 1978, Young took a lead in successful efforts to resettle refugees from South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the United States.

Young also served as an assistant dean at the Harvard Law School and dean and professor of law at the Hamline University School of Law. He graduated from the International School in Bangkok, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School.

His book points out that for five decades, conventional wisdom about the Vietnam War has been that it was lost because it never could have been won. South Vietnam was doomed to defeat. The American effort was a foreign intrusion forever incapable of winning the “hearts and minds” of the South Vietnamese people.

In an unprecedented account, Stephen B. Young provides new insight into both genuine Vietnamese Nationalism and the French colonialism that marginalized and destroyed the right of the Vietnamese people to live freely in an independent country of their own choosing.

Listen to episode 2582 and discover more about what Stephen Young has to say about Henry Kissinger in his new book titled Kissinger’s Betrayal.

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Episode 2581 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the brave Marines who served at Con Thien, South Vietnam. The featured story comes from The American Forces Online and is titled: Endured Arduous Fighting At Con Thien During the Vietnam War. The story was submitted by Rosemary Giles, Guest Author.

She is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War.

Con Thien (meaning the “Hill of Angels”) was a military base that started out as a U.S. Army Special Forces camp before transitioning to a United States Marine Corps combat base. It was located near the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) about 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) from North Vietnam in Gio Linh District, Quảng Trị Province. It was the site of fierce fighting from February 1967 through February 1968.

For two years during the Vietnam War, the camp witnessed several intense battles. The NVA, intimately familiar with the terrain, launched assaults on the American and South Vietnamese troops stationed there. These were often sudden and fierce, leading to a high number of casualties on both sides.

Listen to episode 2581 and discover more about the brave Marines who served at Con Thien, South Vietnam.

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Episode 2580 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the first resignation of a sitting president in history. The featured story comes from the History Channel is titled: Nixon Resigns. It was provided by the History Channel writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.

On August 9, 1874, the nation went through a traumatic event. For the first time in the nation’s history, a sitting president, Richard M. Nixon, resigned from office. The end began in an evening televised address on August 8, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House.

He stated in a solemn address to the nation from the Oval Office, “By taking this action. I hope that I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America.”

Just before noon the next day, Nixon officially ended his term as the 37th president of the United States. Before departing with his family in a helicopter from the White House lawn, he smiled farewell and enigmatically raised his arms in a victory or peace salute. The helicopter door was then closed, and the Nixon family began their journey home to San Clemente, California. Minutes later, Vice President Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th president of the United States in the East Room of the White House.

Listen to episode 2580 and discover more about the first resignation of a sitting president in history.

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Episode 2579 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the State of Michigan is honoring its Vietnam Veterans. The featured story appeared on WKAR and was titled Vietnam veterans eligible for state certificate honoring service. It was submitted by Scott Pohl. He is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

WKAR (870 kHz) is an educational AM radio station, licensed to the trustees of Michigan State University (MSU) at East Lansing, Michigan, United States. The station is part of MSU’s Broadcasting Services Division, along with WKAR-FM and WKAR-TV. Studios and offices are located in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building, at the southeast corner of Wilson and Red Cedar Roads on the MSU campus. [Wikipedia]

The director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Adam Hollier announced the creation of the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate. He said many Vietnam vets were mistreated when they came back to the U.S. Often; they’ve never talked about their experiences.

He continued with this, “We think it’s going to be an incredible opportunity for our state to say thank you, but most importantly, to allow people to tell their story and engage with their family.”

“This is something that you could put up on the wall, that you can display on your mantelpiece or that you can have as a conversation piece to show and value the service of people who really gave everything.”

All Michigan Vietnam Veterans are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to receive recognition for their service in Vietnam.

All Vietnam Veterans appreciate greatly what the State of Michigan is doing to honor its Vietnam Veterans.

CLICK HERE

to apply for a Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate

Listen to episode 2579 and discover more about how the State of Michigan is honoring its Vietnam Veterans.

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Episode 2578 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the first Mig-17 kill of the American Vietnam War. The featured story comes from the Aviation Geek Club and is titled: A US Navy F-4 scored the first Official US Aerial Victory of the Vietnam War against a Chinese MiG-17. But it remained unconfirmed for many years. Here’s why. Years after, in piecing together the events of the air battle, the destruction of the Chinese MiG-17 was given to US Navy F-4 crew members Lt. (j.g.) Terrence M. Murphy and RIO Ens. Ronald J. Fegan.

The story was provided by Dario Leone. He is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

In response to Navy requirements for a high-altitude interceptor to defend carriers with long-range air-to-air missiles against attacking aircraft, McDonnell Aircraft Company delivered the F4H (later redesignated F-4) Phantom II.

The first official American aerial victory of the Vietnam War was scored on Apr. 9, 1965 by Lt. (j.g.) Terrence M. Murphy and his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Ens. Ronald J. Fegan from Fighter Squadron 96 (VF-96), who downed a Chinese MiG-17 while flying from the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in F-4B Phantom II BuNo 151403, callsign “Showtime 602.” Unfortunately Murphy and Fegan were lost in the engagement with Migs.

The engagement highlighted problems which were to persist throughout the Vietnam War. These issues were:

• A poor missile reliability. Of the four missile fired in fact, none found its target.
• Murphy and Fegan attempted to turn with the MiGs at fairly low speed. They were perhaps the first of many to realize that this maneuver was potentially fatal in an F-4: in fact they lost when their Phantom ran out of energy in the turn.
• Communication problems. The two elements involved in the air battle, Frazer’s and Murphy’s, were operating on different frequencies and under different radar controllers. Frazer’s section was authorized to engage the MiGs only after they had shown hostile intent and dropped their wing-tanks. With only one main radio per F-4 the mutual effectiveness of the two sections may well have been compromised.

Listen to episode 2578 and discover more about the first Mig-17 kill of the American Vietnam War.

 

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Episode 2577 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the upcoming appearance of the Wall that Heals at Hilo, Hawaii. The featured story appeared on the Big Island Now website and was titled: Wall That Heals, a Vietnam veteran memorial, to arrive on Big Island.

It was reported in the story that The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the revered Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will make its way to Hilo in early 2024.

The mayor of Hilo, Mitch Roth said this about the event: “The Wall That Heals continues to serve as a powerful symbol of remembrance and respect. By bringing it to Hilo, we hope to offer our community the opportunity to honor the sacrifices of our service members and gain deeper insights into this pivotal period in our history.”

The arrival of The Wall That Heals in Hilo highlights its mission to bring the Memorial’s poignant experience to communities that may not have the chance to visit Washington D.C. The exhibition aims to educate the public about the Vietnam War and its profound impact on American history while providing a platform for veterans and their families to find closure.

Bringing The Wall home to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.

All citizens of Hawaii are encouraged to visit the Wall that Heals when it comes to Hilo in early 2024.

Listen to episode 2577 and discover more about the upcoming appearance of the Wall that Heals at Hilo, Hawaii.

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Episode 2576 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature an interview with Vietnam Veteran Jack Billups two new books. This episode is a follow-up to Episode 2517 of this podcast where two new books by Jack Billups were spotlighted.

One of the books was about his experiences with 1^st of the 12 Cav in the 1^st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. It was titled, My Vietnam – A Gift to My Daughter. The other title was Christian’s Walk – The Journey.

Both this books are remarkable. The first is a Vietnam War memoir written by a veteran whose daughter wanted to know about his experiences during that crazy Asian war. Naomi started it all when she said “Hey, Dad, instead of a gift, would you share your Vietnam experiences with me?” It took four months for Jack to write his memories for his daughter. He sent them to her and two weeks later she gushed, “Dad, this is the best gift you’ve ever given me, I liked it so much I read it twice!” That was the genesis of the book.

Jack’s second book Christian’s Walk blends the remarkable insights of John Bunyan’s immortal classic, Pilgrims Progress with illustrated storybook imagery. Christian’s Journey is your journey; hosting danger, excitement, fears, doubts, tragedy, victories, and blessings. Biblical truths are presented in such a way that anyone can relate to and understand. Insightful, Chris’s story penetrates the heart with reflection, conviction, guidance, comfort, and purpose.

Christian’s Walk is a Best Selling Christian fiction novel for women, men, and teens. Christian’s Walk brings pertinent scriptures to life as the King’s children travel through a confusing and turbulent world. The characters of Christian Walk become our mirrored images revealing the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Listen to episode 2576 and discover more about Vietnam Veteran Jack Billups two new books.

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Episode 2575 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vietnam Veteran Rocky Bleier leads the way in service to his country. The featured story appeared in The Niagara Gazette and was titled: 4-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier to visit with Niagara County veterans. The story was submitted by Joe Kraus. [ joseph.kraus@niagara-gazette.com]

Rocky Bleier is another outstanding representative of the great Vietnam Veteran Generation, one as great as any that every heeded the call from its country. His most well known achievements was his performance on the football field with the Pittsburg Steelers.

His football exploits include a national championship trophy from his days with Notre Dame football. Later he was a member of the Pittsburg Steelers when they won four Super Bowl trophies.

This is even more noteworthy considering he served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and on August 20, 1969 he was severely injured in his legs and feet. He overcame those injuries and made the starting lineup with the Steelers in 1974.

After retirement from the Steelers, he continued serving his country. He travels the country speaking on behalf of his of his fellow Vietnam Veterans. He performs his one-man play “The Play with Rocky Bleier” and he has written a book titled: “Fighting Back,” which has been made into a movie.

Speaking about an event he is attending in Western New York Bleier said: “To just be able to create an awareness and be part of a program that can create awareness for veterans now after all these years is great. And how important they are to our society, sacrifices that the Vietnam veteran has gone through that some people have a tendency now to forget… That recognition, I think, (became) very important for a lot of veterans that they had served their country and paid the price, and so doing, should be much appreciated.”

Listen to episode 2575 and discover more about how Vietnam Veteran Rocky Bleier leads the way in service to his country.

 

Episode 2574 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American use of cluster munitions in Laos and the results. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, Review and Analysis: United States Cluster Munitions and Unexploded Ordnance Left in Laos after the Second Indochina

They describe what happened in Laos during and after our war in Southeast Asia. The primary objectives of this study are to document: (1) the long-term consequences and impacts of the US Air Force bombing of Laos during the Second Indochina War (1959 to 1973), (2) the United States removal of unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions, and (3) worldwide relief efforts to help the Laotians maimed by unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Listen to episode 2574 and discover more about the new look at the American use of cluster munitions in Laos and the results.

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Episode 2573 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American use of cluster munitions in Laos and the results. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, Review and Analysis: United States Cluster Munitions and Unexploded Ordnance Left in Laos after the Second Indochina

They describe what happened in Laos during and after our war in Southeast Asia. The primary objectives of this study are to document: (1) the long-term consequences and impacts of the US Air Force bombing of Laos during the Second Indochina War (1959 to 1973), (2) the United States removal of unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions, and (3) worldwide relief efforts to help the Laotians maimed by unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Listen to episode 2573 and discover more about the new look at the American use of cluster munitions in Laos and the results.