Vietnam Veteran News

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B-52 delivering peace through strength

Episode 2572 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American use of cluster munitions in Laos. 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 2572 and discover more about the new look at the American use of cluster munitions in Laos.

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Marine Corps Cpl patrick Lacunato and 1st Lt. Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum Jr. pose for a photo while serving in Vietnam. (U.S. Navy)

Streamers are shot in the air as a future U.S. Navy destroyer bearing the name of Medal of Honor recipient Barney Barnum is christened at Bath Iron Works on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Bath, Maine, (AP Photo/David Sharp)

Episode 2571 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Harvey C. Barnum, the U.S. Marine who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for service in Vietnam and then subsequently had a Navy destroyed named in his honor. The featured story in the episode comes from the Military.com website and is titled: The Navy’s Newest Destroyer Is Named for a Marine Who Saved His Company from Annihilation

The story was submitted by Blake Stilwell. He is a former Air Force combat photographer with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations and Middle Eastern Affairs. Instead of using those, he (eventually) became a writer. His work has appeared on Business Insider, Military Times, We Are The Mighty, Fox News, and others. Blake is based in Los. [Email: Blake.Stilwell@Military.com]

In his story Stilwell describes the events that resulted in Barnum being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. It all started only days after the young artillery forward observed arrived in Vietnam on Dec. 18, 1965. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines on a search and destroy mission near the village of Ky Phu.

Barnum’s unit was attacked by entrenched NVA forces soon after its arrival on the battlefield. After the company commander, Capt. Paul Gormley, was killed, Barnum took command of the unit and after hours of hard fighting he was able to get his unit to safety. In 2016, he learned he would be the namesake of a guided missile destroyer in 2016.

Barnum said this about his award: “I’ve worn this Medal in Honor of those great Marines and corpsmen who fought with me on the battlefield that day who didn’t walk off, or walked off seriously wounded. There were no superstars, but I happened to be the quarterback calling the plays.”

Listen to episode 2571 and discover more about Harvey C. Barnum, the U.S. Marine who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for service in Vietnam and then subsequently had a Navy destroyed named in his honor

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Commemorating Aussie Vietnam Vets,

Episode 2570 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the Australians are honoring their fallen Vietnam Veterans at Lismore, NSW. The featured story appeared in the Lismore City News and was titled; Australian Veterans commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives on duty in the Vietnam War. It was submitted by Jon Fleetwood.

Fleetwood reported that: It has been 50 years since Australia ended its involvement in the Vietnam War and to commemorate the lives of veterans who died there while on duty, Australians around the country are asked to pause and remember them on Thursday, August 3.

A total of 523 soldiers lives were lost on duty in Vietnam and in the Richmond-Tweed there are seven graves: one in Tweed, Mullumbimby and Ballina respectively, and four in Lismore.

A service will be held at 10:30am at the Lismore Memorial Gardens, followed by a walk to the grave sites of the soldiers who are buried there.

Chaplin of the ex-service community Richmond-Tweed regional area, Graeme Davis, says, “It’s to show reverence, honor and appreciation for the lives that were lost in service of Australia. It’s an open invitation for the Lismore community to pay their respects.”

The Australians were a loyal and capable ally for the Americans in the Vietnam War. 60,000 Australians served in the War. 523 of those did not come home. They paid the ultimate price for standing up for what was right.

All Australians are encouraged to remember all their Vietnam Vets on August 18 , Vietnam Veterans Day which will be held to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

There will be a national service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra on August 18, from 10am.

Listen to episode 2570 and discover more about how the Australians are honoring their fallen Vietnam Veterans at Lismore, NSW.

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Episode 2569 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the upcoming appearance of The Wall that Heals at Caldwell, Ohio. The featured story appeared on The Daily Jeff of Cambridge, Ohio and was titled: ‘We were persistent’: Long effort brings The Wall That Heals to Caldwell for four days – Names of six service members from Noble County can be found on the wall with 3,000 listed from Ohio. It was submitted by Daily Jeff correspondent J.W. Dennison.

In his story, Dennison reported that The Wall That Heals is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has traveled across the country. This October, it will be found at 215 West St. in Caldwell.

The three-quarter scale replica will be open to the public 24 hours a day starting on Thursday, Oct. 19, until the following Sunday after the closing ceremony at 2 p.m. The names of six service members from Noble County can be found on the wall with 3,000 listed from the state of Ohio.

Village Administrator and site coordinator for the event Darrell Crum related this about the event: “Having served in the United States Air Force for 22 years, I am extremely proud and honored to give tribute to my mentors when I enlisted in the early 1980s. It will be a very emotional and moving event.”

Another one of the organizers, Noble County Veterans Services, Veteran Service Officer and Marine veteran Joe Williams said this about the town’s effort to make the appearance of the Wall a reality. “We applied in the previous consecutive years and were denied, but we were persistent that we wanted to host. We have worked towards this for three years,”

CLICK HERE for more information about The Wall that Heals.

Listen to episode 2569 and discover more about the upcoming appearance of The Wall that Heals at Caldwell, Ohio.

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Episode 2568 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the MPs of B Company 720th Military Police Battalion in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970 being honored in Washington, D.C. The featured story comes from Audacy and is titled: 55 years after service, Vietnam veterans receive Bronze Stars. It was submitted by Julia LeDoux.

The story discloses that the service of the soldiers who served with B Company, 720th Military Police Battalion(The Bushwhackers) in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970 was never acknowledged to their satisfaction by the U.S. Army.

Congressman Bob Latta of Ohio decided to change that lack of appreciation for these Vietnam Veterans. He said this: “The men of B Company were called upon by their nation to perform duties outside what they signed up for, and they rose to the occasion. Your sacrifices, and those of your families, will never be forgotten. While this nation continues to owe you and all our Vietnam veterans a larger debt of gratitude, I hope that receiving the Bronze Star will be a step in the right direction in acknowledging your brave actions.”

The Congressman’s effort to get the veterans recognized was boosted by a book titled up Close & Personal written by Robert Bogison in 2021. Latta received a free copy of the book that described the Bushwhackers’ service and history.

Latta had copies sent to every Member of the U.S. House of Representatives to appeal for assistance with their effort to obtain either the Army’s Combat Action Badge or Combat Infantry Badge to recognize their unique service during the Vietnam War.

According to Latta’s office, 56 Bronze Stars have been secured and four are pending review. The medals also honor the scout dog handlers of the 212th Military Police Company.

Listen to episode 2568 and discover more about the MPs of B Company 720th Military Police Battalion in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970 being honored in Washington, D.C.

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Herbicide storage

Episode 2567 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a wrap-up of the report on the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents during the American Vietnam War The featured report comes from a technical report distributed by the Defense Technical Information center – Defense Logistics Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia. Titled: Miscellaneous Publication 33 – Information Manual for Vegetation Control in Southeast Asia. It was compiled by Kent R. Irish, Robert A. Darrow and Charles E. Minarik in 1969.

The report was provided to this podcast by the Merry Band of Retires, led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson. The group is made up of retired academic professionals with a primary interest in soil science.

The purpose of the report is to outline the beginnings of the Defense Department program to study and use synthetic growth-regulating substances. Out of those studies came the realization that chemicals that could eliminate vegetation on the battlefield.

At the time the US was getting more and more involved in the political controversies erupting in Vietnam. Unfortunately due to the fact a communist element was being added to the mix, the US had to step into the conflict to stem the growth of that scourge in Southeast Asia.

One of the challenges of the ongoing conflict in Vietnam was that it was a guerilla war with an unseen adversary. The opposing forces were making good use of the abundant natural vegetation in Vietnam.

The military thinkers of the time figured it would be a good idea to get rid of the pesky vegetation that was providing cover for the opposition. The chemicals being developed at Fort Detrick, Maryland found great favor with the military higher ups as a perfect solution to the challenge of finding the elusive guerillas.

Listen to episode 2567 and discover more about the wrap-up of the report on the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents during the American Vietnam War.

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C-123s applying Agent Orange

Episode 2566 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a report about the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents and defoliation. The featured report comes from a technical report distributed by the Defense Technical Information center – Defense Logistics Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia. Titled: Miscellaneous Publication 33 – Information Manual for Vegetation Control in Southeast Asia. It was compiled by Kent R. Irish, Robert A. Darrow and Charles E. Minarik in 1969.

The report was provided to this podcast by the Merry Band of Retires, led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson. The group is made up of retired academic professionals with a primary interest in soil science.

The purpose of the report is to outline the beginnings of the Defense Department program to study and use synthetic growth-regulating substances. Out of those studies came the realization that chemicals that could eliminate vegetation on the battlefield.

At the time the US was getting more and more involved in the political controversies erupting in Vietnam. Unfortunately due to the fact a communist element was being added to the mix, the US had to step into the conflict to stem the growth of that scourge in Southeast Asia.

One of the challenges of the ongoing conflict in Vietnam was that it was a guerilla war with an unseen adversary. The opposing forces were making good use of the abundant natural vegetation in Vietnam.

The military thinkers of the time figured it would be a good idea to get rid of the pesky vegetation that was providing cover for the opposition. The chemicals being developed at Fort Detrick, Maryland found great favor with the military higher ups as a perfect solution to the challenge of finding the elusive guerillas.

Listen to episode 2566 and discover more about the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents and defoliation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

C-123 Spraying herbicides in Vietnam

Episode 2565 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a report about the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents. The featured report comes from a technical report distributed by the Defense Technical Information center – Defense Logistics Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia. Titled: Miscellaneous Publication 33 – Information Manual for Vegetation Control in Southeast Asia. It was compiled by Kent R. Irish, Robert A. Darrow and Charles E. Minarik in 1969.

The report was provided to this podcast by the Merry Band of Retires, led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson. The group is made up of retired academic professionals with a primary interest in soil science.

The purpose of the report is to outline the beginnings of the Defense Department program to study and use synthetic growth-regulating substances. Out of those studies came the realization that chemicals that could eliminate vegetation on the battlefield.

At the time the US was getting more and more involved in the political controversies erupting in Vietnam. Unfortunately due to the fact a communist element was being added to the mix, the US had to step into the conflict to stem the growth of that scourge in Southeast Asia.

One of the challenges of the ongoing conflict in Vietnam was that it was a guerilla war with an unseen adversary. The opposing forces were making good use of the abundant natural vegetation in Vietnam.

The military thinkers of the time figured it would be a good idea to get rid of the pesky vegetation that was providing cover for the opposition. The chemicals being developed at Fort Detrick, Maryland found great favor with the military higher ups as a perfect solution to the challenge of finding the elusive guerillas.

Listen to episode 2565 and discover more about the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Agent Orange barrels

Episode 2564 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a report about the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents. The featured report comes from a technical report distributed by the Defense Technical Information center – Defense Logistics Agency, Cameron Station, Alexandria, Virginia. Titled: Miscellaneous Publication 33 – Information Manual for Vegetation Control in Southeast Asia. It was compiled by Kent R. Irish, Robert A. Darrow and Charles E. Minarik in 1969.

The report was provided to this podcast by the Merry Band of Retires, led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson. The group is made up of retired academic professionals with a primary interest in soil science.

The purpose of the report is to outline the beginnings of the Defense Department program to study and use synthetic growth-regulating substances. Out of those studies came the realization that chemicals that could eliminate vegetation on the battlefield.

At the time the US was getting more and more involved in the political controversies erupting in Vietnam. Unfortunately due to the fact a communist element was being added to the mix, the US had to step into the conflict to stem the growth of that scourge in Southeast Asia.

One of the challenges of the ongoing conflict in Vietnam was that it was a guerilla war with an unseen adversary. The opposing forces were making good use of the abundant natural vegetation in Vietnam.

The military thinkers of the time figured it would be a good idea to get rid of the pesky vegetation that was providing cover for the opposition. The chemicals being developed at Fort Detrick, Maryland found great favor with the military higher ups as a perfect solution to the challenge of finding the elusive guerillas.

Listen to episode 2564 and discover more about the genesis of Agent Orange and the other Agents.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Eve Jeffery

Episode 2563 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Australian Vietnam Veterans are being honored and remembered in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, Australia. The featured story comes from the Echo of Mullumbimby and is titled: Vietnam Killed In Action soldiers remembered. The story was provided by Eve Jeffery. She is a  Journalist, photographer, filmmaker, artivist and vocal coach.

In the episode, Eve Jeffery will present the story she wrote about the Australian Vietnam Veterans Vigil organization and the ceremony it organized to be held on August 18 2023. It will recognize and remember the collective loss to the nation.

Many Vietnam Vets in Australia feel that the government has been extremely quiet on the whole matter – some suggesting that they don’t want people standing at gravesides, remembering the real cost of wars fought to keep in the good books of America – preferring a photo op for the politician and generals on Anzac Parade, where they control the narrative and mention, almost in passing, the ‘523 who did not return.

The VVV recognized that many Vietnam Veterans, and the next of kin of those killed in action, are either too frail, or do not have the financial resources to attend the ceremony in Canberra, but may be able to visit their local cemetery, and by doing so, play an active part in this significant year of remembrance.

The aim of the VVV is to provide surviving Vietnam Veterans, next of kin, the relatives of the fallen, and the Australian people an opportunity to participate in a meaningful way, across the nation and overseas. By recognizing individual losses, the vigil will pay respects to those who were killed in action, and show solidarity with their loved ones.

Listen to episode 2563 and discover more about how Australian Vietnam Veterans are being honored and remembered in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, Australia.