Letters

HARD & USEFUL INTEL

Thank you VVA and Holly Shanks for “Four Decades Later, A Son Brings his Father’s Remains Home.” Most people do not know that to fly in the military is strictly voluntary. I flew the same type of mission in the Army, with the 509th Radio Research Group (ASA), 138th Avn. Co. (RR). I flew out of Pleiku but mostly TTI/1st Corp. We were part of the “first in, last out” group.

Paul Clever’s determination to find his father’s flight should be a model for finding the 138’s lost airmen from March 1971 near the DMZ.

Many a field commander’s hard intel came from units such as the 6994th SS and associated field stations (mostly Army), and it was better than the majority of HUMINT found in country. So, Paul Clever, you can be proud of your dad for the mission he volunteered for. You have no idea how much value your dad and others like him were to the war effort, and the lives we saved.

Glen Eckland told me that when he met Gen. Westmoreland, the general said that 90 percent of the hard and useful intel that he received came from ASA—not CIA or State. He said our unit briefed him three times a week. He talked about the 8th in Phu Bai and Udorn and a lot of other sites. He said we saved many lives with the COMINT we provided.

Paul Engle
By Email

HISTORY OF AN ERA

“Serving Stateside” in the September/October issue struck a chord with me. I wasn’t stateside, but for one year of my Army enlistment I was in a small detachment, the 515th Ordnance Company, on Guam. Mr. Dawdy’s comments expressed my sentiments, especially his last paragraph.

 In 1966 we could set our watches by the returning B-52s on final approach to Anderson AFB after their missions to Vietnam. We also saw the numerous semi-trucks loaded with 500-pound bombs headed to Anderson. My son-in-law’s father, a Marine, was held in the highest esteem, as he was at Khe Sanh during that extended battle. Likewise to all who served in that conflict. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, I hope this history is not lost.

 Again, thanks to Mr. Dawdy for his comments as an Era vet.

 Richard H. Clark
By Email

LEERIER

Dear Manuel G. Trevino of San Antonio: I just happen to be a voluntary in-country Vietnam veteran who has no particularly glorious achievement to my name, civilian or military. So, I best not wear my American flag lapel pin around you, is that right? After all, I certainly wouldn’t want you getting all leery and dubious on me.

Jefrey Mason
Pittsford, New York

A STAB IN THE BACK

I read the piece on Tim Weiner (“Books in Review”). Okay, it has been forty-five years, but I remember things differently. 

I flew recon missions into Cambodia during the Parrot’s Beak and Fishhook Invasions. I was doing ARDF (aerial direction finding) locating enemy positions. My buddies were copying most of what the enemy said and translated/decoded much of it. Together we figured out a lot.

It was my job to go in before others to sort things out. We would find units and keep track of them. There were plenty of targets sending lots of traffic. The enemy was everywhere and active before the invasions.

We knew the stinking press would stab our backs when they found out we had gone in. We had to make each day count. We figured it would be three days before the press found out. Each and every one of us was happy to attack their safe haven. We were tired of them hitting us and crossing the border into safety.

Our missions, as all ARDF missions, were top secret crypto. I knew things never published.

There is no doubt that some enemies knew we were coming. Overall, we caught a lot of them by surprise. Don’t remember finding COSVN headquarters. We simply ran out of time destroying enemy weapons and supplies. We had to leave a job half done because college punks wanted to have fun protesting our efforts. Yep, I am still bitter.

As our grunts had to cease destroying weapons and leave them there, one said it best, “I wish I knew who to kill.” I still feel that way in regards to Cambodia. I blame the press and college brats for the Khmer Rouge, 100 percent. 

I have a much better opinion of Nixon than Mr. Weiner, but then, I am not trying to sell a damned book. I certainly don’t trust anything LBJ said. Nixon did his best to get us out honorably without turning and running like scared little girls. 

Thomas Shirley
By Email 

NO RELIEF

I’m a 63-year-old Vietnam-era veteran incarcerated in a state facility, convicted of forgery/grand theft of a $300 check. That’s right: $300, with a prison sentence of 24 months.

I read your article on Veterans Courts in the March/April issue, but I was told by an advisory committee, “You do not qualify for the Veterans Treatment Court Program.”

The article sounds good and I’m a true believer that it does work—given the opportunity. But for me, no chance. I lost everything I had. Upon release in March 2016, I’ll be homeless and starting all over.

I feel the system here in Florida let me down. I even had VA reps in court on my behalf, but to no effect. How many other veterans will suffer through the bureaucracy?

David Kubit
Bushnell, Florida

ELVES IN NEED OF TOOLS

We read with great interest the article about the Angola Elves in your July/August issue. Incarcerated Chapter 1065 in Soledad is constantly looking for ideas to help the local community. We have spoken with the warden in the past about a similar program and would like to know more information about Angola’s program to use in support of our request.

Unfortunately, we do not have their address and would appreciate it if you could please forward our request to Tom Joyner, Incarcerated Chapter 689, with our best wishes for further communication.

M. “Doc” Piper
Veterans Service Representative
Soledad, California