last days of the Vietnam war

Bilge_Rat · 04-30-15, 11:25 AM

Hard to believe it has been 40 years, I am old enough to remember when it happened.

Politico has an excellent series of photos from inside the Ford administration, none of which I had ever seen, definitely worth checking out:

http://www.politico.com/magazine/gal...7.html?hp=t4_r

some samples:

1. receiving bad news:

2. briefing by the CIA:

3. after making the decision to evacuate:

. 4 Kissinger announces the evacuation is done ( notice Cheney and Greenspan in the back, Rumsfeld in the foreground )

4. turns out 11 marines had been left behind. Ford gets an update:

5. celebrating after the evacuation is complete:

Sailor Steve · 04-30-15, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

I am old enough to remember when it happened.

Sobering thoughts. Not only was I there, but by the time those pictures were taken I had been out for five years.

Buddahaid · 04-30-15, 01:48 PM

These look like stills from a movie now. I was still in high school then.

Wolferz · 04-30-15, 02:58 PM

I don't recall there ever being a formal declaration of war on North Viet Nam.

I spent my entire cognitive youth hearing the news reports from the police action that was Viet Nam. I turned eighteen and signed up for the draft right at the very end of it.

All those pictures of those murderers row bastards up there that I'd just as soon forget about.

Betonov · 04-30-15, 06:04 PM

This is the first time I've seen president Ford.
This thread I mean.

Torplexed · 04-30-15, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

This is the first time I've seen president Ford.
This thread I mean.

Most people don't remember the rather colorless Ford without the obligatory bandage.

Oberon · 04-30-15, 08:06 PM

I don't think any thread would be complete without that iconic image:

Poor sods, imagine being at the end of that queue and not making it, knowing what was coming.

Then, of course, that moment when you have more helicopters than you can fit on your flat-top:

Wonder how many choppers are sitting on the bottom there.

Onkel Neal · 04-30-15, 10:36 PM

So sad. What a waste for everyone.

em2nought · 04-30-15, 11:11 PM

Well, at least we found out what a fun place Thailand can be.

Jimbuna · 05-01-15, 05:02 AM

I remember watching the news reports/updates every night on tv, even used the Vietnam War as the theme for my O-level history subject.

Torplexed · 05-01-15, 08:13 PM

In the decades since, the Hanoi Hilton has been supplemented by the Hanoi KFC.

Maybe the ghosts of Ho Chi Minh and LBJ are sitting in a booth in back eating wings, comparing notes and wondering how that massive, internecine conflict eventually paved the way for a mere Colonel to cash in.

And a suthern' Colonel at that.

Oberon · 05-01-15, 08:47 PM

Hey Hey LBJ, How many hot wings you eaten today?

Torplexed · 05-01-15, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Hey Hey LBJ, How many hot wings you eaten today?

Hey, Hubert don't bogart that drumstick.

Aktungbby · 05-01-15, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Hey Hey LBJ, How many hot wings you eaten today?

Way too many! one 'uv em' 'winged' me back!

Stealhead · 05-02-15, 08:27 PM

Why dose LBJ get so much blame? It was part of the game plan long before he was in the hot seat.

04-30-15, 11:25 AM	#1
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,856 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	last days of the Vietnam war Hard to believe it has been 40 years, I am old enough to remember when it happened. Politico has an excellent series of photos from inside the Ford administration, none of which I had ever seen, definitely worth checking out: http://www.politico.com/magazine/gal...7.html?hp=t4_r some samples: 1. receiving bad news: 2. briefing by the CIA: 3. after making the decision to evacuate: . 4 Kissinger announces the evacuation is done ( notice Cheney and Greenspan in the back, Rumsfeld in the foreground ) 4. turns out 11 marines had been left behind. Ford gets an update: 5. celebrating after the evacuation is complete: __________________ Last edited by Bilge_Rat; 04-30-15 at 11:31 AM.

04-30-15, 01:48 PM	#3
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,327 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	These look like stills from a movie now. I was still in high school then. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

04-30-15, 02:58 PM	#4
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Just like Korea... I don't recall there ever being a formal declaration of war on North Viet Nam. I spent my entire cognitive youth hearing the news reports from the police action that was Viet Nam. I turned eighteen and signed up for the draft right at the very end of it. All those pictures of those murderers row bastards up there that I'd just as soon forget about. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

04-30-15, 10:36 PM	#8
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	So sad. What a waste for everyone. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

04-30-15, 11:11 PM	#9
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,485 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well, at least we found out what a fun place Thailand can be. __________________ em2nought is ecstatic garbage!

04-30-15, 06:04 PM	#5
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	This is the first time I've seen president Ford. This thread I mean.

04-30-15, 08:06 PM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	I don't think any thread would be complete without that iconic image: Poor sods, imagine being at the end of that queue and not making it, knowing what was coming. Then, of course, that moment when you have more helicopters than you can fit on your flat-top: Wonder how many choppers are sitting on the bottom there.

05-01-15, 05:02 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,661 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I remember watching the news reports/updates every night on tv, even used the Vietnam War as the theme for my O-level history subject. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-01-15, 08:13 PM	#11
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	In the decades since, the Hanoi Hilton has been supplemented by the Hanoi KFC. Maybe the ghosts of Ho Chi Minh and LBJ are sitting in a booth in back eating wings, comparing notes and wondering how that massive, internecine conflict eventually paved the way for a mere Colonel to cash in. And a suthern' Colonel at that. __________________ --Mobilis in Mobili--

05-01-15, 08:47 PM	#12
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Hey Hey LBJ, How many hot wings you eaten today?

05-02-15, 08:27 PM	#15
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Why dose LBJ get so much blame? It was part of the game plan long before he was in the hot seat.