Not just another article or story in tribute to our Vietnam Veterans. And not just 1 month to recognize this generation of Americans that were drafted (in most cases), trained and then sent an enormous distance from home to Fr East Asia and the Republic Of Vietnam. Referred to as the Vietnam War or the 10,000 Day War, American men and women serving as US Army soldiers, US Marines, US Air Force airmen, Navy sailors and Coast Guardsman travelled to Vietam and fought and in many cases died in places unfamiliar to Americans up to that point. Places like Da Nang, Phu Bia, Quang Tri, Hue City, the Ashau Valley, Ap Bac, Ia Drang Valley, Khe Sanh during battle named like the
Tet Offensive. The battles raged over water, in the air from North Vietnam like Hanoi, Haiphong Harbor, Plieku then up and down the Ho Chi Minh trail and throughout the Mekong Delta and its waterways and tributaries. B29 bombers raged over the skies on arclight missions reigning bombs that cut a swath through the dense Vietnamese jungle that turned its surface into the face of hell. Then there were the firebases that were located throughout the jungles of Vietnam from locations so distant they could only be reached by helicopters like the UH-1H Iriquois. Fire bases that were shelled, mortared and frequently had Vietcong or North Vietnamese Army soldiers cutting the concertina wire in attempt to infiltrate the firebase and map its locations of dispensery, barracks, and headquarters to allow its artillery and mortars to more precisely hit these targets.
The Riverine Squadrons of the US Navy rallied up and down the Mekong fighting and disrupting enemy movement and resupply by investigating any movement of water traffic on the Mekong. The precursor to the modern day SWCC teams, the fast boat guys, the crews of the PBRs, monitors, squadrons and flotillas that fought Charlie on both sides of the river. Made famous in the movie Apocalypse Now, the River Patrol Boats moved men and supplied to much needed inner coastal areas in need of relief.
They were called River Rats and boththe United States Navy and the US Army both had them in their keeping. The River Rats, sailors of the brown water Navy and often referred to as Riverine.
In country were also the infantry. Humping rucks, walking patrol and setting up ambushes for Charlie were often the mission of the 11 Bravos. The Infantrymen that fought in the dense jungles of Vietnam with elephant grass, vines, trees, foliage so thick you couldn;t see the enemy five feet away. They discovered jungle rot, malaria, mosquitos, ants and a vareity of other nasty bugs and diseases that could make you sicker than a do. They were kicked, bit, run down but they never failed. They got up and got back inthe fight. They were the grunts.
So while the long haired hippes, war protesters, draft dodgers and anti-war personalities like Jane Fonda were at home these men and women did our country proud by going when asked, fought when called upon and did their jobs to the maximum amount of their ability like the generations of American soldiers that preceeded them. Political mouth pieces ensured that the enemy would have an advantage created Rules Of Engagement that prevented our troops from engaging the enemy when they crossed into Cambodia which offered a safe haven for America’s enemies courtesy of the United States Government and its senators and representatives.
All this disadvantage poured on the troops never halted their fighting ability or desire to win.
The United States National Guard also served in Vietnam. This article from the Hartford Courant desicribes and lists a number of the National Guard that saw action in the Vietnam War.
Boasting a service record predating the Revolutionary War and extending through every American military conflict, the National Guard served with distinction and honor in Vietnam. Although the majority of troops in Vietnam were “regulars,” the National Guard played an important role, particularly from 1968-1969.
“Army National Guard units mobilized to Vietnam included Kentucky’s 2nd Battalion, 138th Artillery; Indiana’s Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, which brought home 510 medals for valor and service; Hawaii’s 29th Infantry Brigade; Kansas’ 69th Infantry Brigade, with one infantry battalion from the Iowa Guard; California’s 1st Squadron, 18th Armored Cavalry; New Hampshire’s 3rd Battalion, 197th Artillery; and numerous engineer, postal, medical and support units.
The Air National Guard, flying F-100C Super Sabre fighter-bombers, dispatched four squadrons to Vietnam, with the first F-100s roaring into Phan Rang Air Base in late April 1968. Air Guard units included the 120th Colorado, 174th Iowa, 136th New York and the 188th New Mexico. These outstanding Air Guard units flew 24,124 combat sorties and accumulated 38,614 combat flying hours.
According to Gen. George S. Brown, testifying before Congress in 1973, prior to his confirmation as Air Force chief of staff, these four units were the best F-100 units in the Vietnam theater. Gen. Brown commanded the 7th Air Force in Vietnam and observed the Air National Guard in combat.
Also activated were the Air Guard F-101 Voodoo units that performed reconnaissance missions in temporary tours of duty around the world in 1968-1969. Air Guard airlift units also regularly flew supplies to Vietnam in support of the war effort.
By the time all was said and done, 101 National Guard soldiers, army and air, would never again see the United States.” (Reference Hartford Courant)
What about the Coast Guard In Vietnam? You had better beleive it they were there. They served and had a pivotal role while deployed there and fought hand in hand withthe US Navy and other military branches while in Vietnam. Operation Market Time is only one example whereby the US Coast Guard saw combat in the Vietnam War.
Early in 1967, the Navy forces assigned to MARKET TIME and other operations were being stretched thin. As a result, the Navy requested that the Coast Guard provide five high endurance cutters (WHEC) for duty with the Coastal Surveillance Forces. On April 24, 1967, Coast Guard Squadron Three was formed at Pearl Harbor.
Two days later the squadron sailed from Pearl Harbor and arrived at Subic Bay on May 10. [Eugene Tulich, The United States Coast Guard in South East Asia During the Vietnam Conflict.]
Ultimately 30 high endurance cutters served in Squadron Three during its existence from April, 1967 through January, 1972. The Navy assigned the cutters to the Gulf of Thailand for 5″/38 gunfire support of Ong Doc as well as logistic support to patrol boats. Squadron Three operated from bases in Da Nang, Cat Lo and An Thoi. [A. Lainge Bailey, Silent Partners in Vietnam.]
So with the dominos falling in Far East Asia to the influence of Communism and its march fostered from both China and Russia during this hot war in Vietnam it wasn’t for decades before the recognition so justly deserved of our Vietnam Veterans became part of the American mainstream. A monument was constructed 
naming the 58,195 fallen men and women who served in the Vietnam War. But for those that served and came home to hatred, defiance of our military, its lack of popularity, a government of unpopularity that turned its back on its heroes and for the first time ever a nation that blamed its warriors that proudly served and placed its blame on these men and women, a generation of serving Americans would never forget and would quietly return to their lives and responsbilities, was forever encassed. As the son and nephew of Vietnam Veterans it has for me been nothing but love and respect I have ever had for these men and women that called my father and uncle brother. I am proud of them and I will forever hold in my heart the love and respect for this generation of Americans that did what their country called upon them to do even in the midst of a lack of popularity from those that would send them into harm’s way. Freedom Is Not Free!