Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia has scheduled its next seminar, “A Combat Engineer’s Experiences During World War II.” The free 90-minute seminar will be at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 30 in the Lecture Hall of the Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa, VA 23410.
Drawing from letters to home and official histories, Tripp Ransone will describe his father’s experiences as a Platoon Leader in the 998th Treadway Bridge Company; Lieutenant Dupuy Ransone fought from Normandy into the heartland of Germany.
Tripp Ransone is retired from NASA Wallops.
Kenneth Leland says
If you would ever like to hear what it was like to fight in vietnam. I have been a speaker for Vietnam Veterans of America for the past twenty years speaking in High schools, universities and civic organizations about my tour of duty before,during and after the Vietnam war.
Paul Plante says
Welcome home and thanks for your service.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
Mr. Leland,
First and foremost, thank you for your service to our Country.
So that I may never forget; and so that I may educate the younger generation on what men like you put on the line, and the nefarious actions of the Democrat House, I keep on my desk at work a copy of the NY Daily news dated April 30, 1975.
I explain to them the ignominy of the photo on that page, Americans being forced to leave via rooftop and having to abandon the locals who fought for freedom alongside them and how the vile leftists voted down the funding promised to the South Vietnamese government allowing communism to flourish, with all the death and misery that accompanies that foul ideology.
Sadly, few can connect that with the sedition that thrives in that party today.
But I will never forget what you put on the line.
Pindar tells us that “deeds of no risk are honorless”. You sir, and all your fellow servicemen past and present, are the embodiment of Honor.
Note: Agreed.
Paul Plante says
LBJ wanted more prominence given to the role of South Vietnamese forces and substitution of those forces for American troops wherever possible.
“Any measures that could reduce American casualties and muffle domestic criticism of the war effort were critical in a presidential election year,” wrote Army Chief Historian Jeffrey Clarke.
– pp.38,39, A BETTER WAR, The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam by Lewis Sorley
Paul Plante says
In 1974 (Vietnamese) President Thieu sent General Cao Van Vien to Washington to make the case for continued U.S. aid to South Vietnam.
At the Pentagon, where Vien briefed on the current military situation, complete with photographic evidence of mounting enemy violations and massive movement into South Vietnam, he was assured of full support.
On 6 May 1974 a legislative amendment proposed by Sentaor Edward Kennedy – one of those members of Congress most determied to pull the plug on South Vietnam – was accepted.
It cut $266 million for South Vietnam from a supplementary military aid bill and signified, suggested (Sir Robert) Thompson, “that perhaps the major lesson of the Vietnam war is: do not rely on the United States as an ally.”
Fiscal year 1975 also brought bad news for South Vietnam.
While $1 billion had been authorized (instead of the $1.47 billion requested), that was reduced to $700 million in the appropriation process.
After costs of supporting the Defense Attache Office in Saigon and shipping charges were deducted, the residual amounted in real terms to only about $654 million before adjusting for inflation – then skyrocketing due to a global energy crisis.
In a nakedly mean-spirited act, provisions were inserted prohibiting even the purchase of fertilizer for South Vietnam in FY 1975.
“The final appropriation,” observed General Vien, “came as a shock to the army and people of South Vietnam.”
“It was certain that the huge gap between requirements and resources that had just been created could never be closed no matter how much self-restraint was imposed and how well the budget was managed.”
General Harold K. Johnson, when he was Army Chief of Staff, had spoken in New York shortly after returning from an April 1966 trip to Vietnam.
“We could withdraw from Southeast Asia,” he admitted.
“To do so would be to abandon everything we have been fighting and dying for in Vietnam.”
“To do so would be to close for all time the book of our American heritage.”
That point had now been reached.
– pp.366,367, A BETTER WAR, The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam by Lewis Sorley