Military/Digital Historian and Vietnam War specialist, soccer player, EDM fan, avid gamer, lives with my wonderful wife and a posse of Shih-Tzu's and cats.
Dr. Erik Villard
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One of the topics in my upcoming book is Opn Speedy Express, the controversial 9th Inf Div mission in the NE Delta Nov 68-May 69. One of the central accusations made by some was that armed U.S. helicopters treated the AO as a free fire zone. I offer this recent find for consideration- read on.
The preceding map shows the IV Dry Season campaign. The 1st and 2d Bde, 9th ID, operated in Dinh Tuong and Kien Hoa Provinces. In the MACV Adv Team reports, I found only three reports of helo strikes on civilians. That does not mean only three happened- but, the U.S. did take them seriously.
Dr. Erik Villard
Dr. Erik Villard
In the Mekong Delta, Communist units relied heavily upon civilian labor to transport supplies. These laborers would move material at night via sampan or foot. U.S. night ops certainly killed many of those laborers during Speedy Express. They would be unarmed, yes, but not exactly non-combatants.
Rare photo of an M56 Scorpion 90-mm. SP gun passing by members of Co A, 2d Bn, 503d Inf, 173d Abn Bde, near Vo Dat, 26 Nov 65. The 173d soon traded in their M56's for M113's.
Photo by Sp4 Vincent J. Calarco, Jr., via NARA
Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)
Experimental three-shot 40mm. grenade launcher, 1965.
Via NARA
Digital Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)
Interestingly, of the three reports, two of them took place AFTER Speedy Express ended and the 9th Inf Div departed the Delta. Once again, I'm not trying to dismiss all the charges surrounding Speedy Express- there is some truth there- but it's important to see what the documents say.
It's important to remember that there were various chains of command. The MACV Adv Teams worked with the province and district chiefs, and were highly engaged with pacification. They fielded most reports of civilian casualties, and MACV seemed to have taken those reports seriously.
Details from a isometric view map of Saigon, 1881, via LOC.
Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)
-- Note that the Vauban style Saigon Citadel is still standing as late as 1881!
Dr. Erik Villard
So, I am NOT saying the charges leveled at Speedy Express are without merit. It's just important to look at each charge and use what information we have to assess what likely happened. I simply offer these documents as food for thought.
Dr. Erik Villard
Dr. Erik Villard
Dr. Erik Villard
Dr. Erik Villard
Army CofS General Harold K. Johnson speaks to a group of soldiers taking an orientation course for duty in Vietnam, 2 Dec 1965. Photo via NARA.
Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)
-- I have a nephew going through Ft. Jackson basic right now. This picture says so much to me on many levels.
