COMMAND GUIDANCE

Newsweek described them as “a youthful, long-haired army, almost as large as the U.S. force in Vietnam.” One of the promoters saw what happened near Bethel (nearly 40 miles from Woodstock), N.Y., as an opportunity to “showcase” the drug culture as a “beautiful phenomenon.” The newsmagazine wrote of “wounded hippies” sent to impromptu hospital tents. Some 400,000 of the “nation’s affluent white young” attended the “electric pot dream.” One sympathetic chronicler recently described them as “a veritable army of hippies and freaks.”

Time gushed with admiration for the tribal gathering, declaring: “It may well rank as one of the significant political and sociological events of the age.” It deplored the three deaths there—“one from an overdose of drugs [heroin], and hundreds of youths freaked out on bad trips caused by low-grade LSD.” Yet attendees exhibited a “mystical feeling for themselves as a special group,” according to the magazine’s glowing essay.

That same tribute mentioned the “meaningless war in the jungles of Southeast Asia” and quoted a commentator who said the young need “more opportunities for authentic service.” Meanwhile, 8,429 miles around the other side of the world, 514,000 mostly young Americans were authentically serving the country that had raised them to place society over self. The casualties they sustained over those four days were genuine, yet none of the elite media outlets were praising their selflessness. So 40 years later, let’s finally look at those 109 Americans who sacrificed their lives in Vietnam on Aug. 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1969.

An American Profile

They mirrored the population of the time. A full 92% were white (seven of whom had Spanish surnames) and 8% black. Some 67% were Protestants; 28% Catholic. A disproportionate number—more than one-third—hailed from the South. More than two-thirds were single; nearly one-third married. Not surprisingly, the vast majority (91%) were under the age of 30, with 78% between the ages of 18 and 22.

Overwhelmingly (87%), they were in the Army. Marines and airmen accounted for 8% and 4% of the deaths respectively, with sailors sustaining 1%. Again, not unexpectedly, two-thirds were infantrymen. That same proportion was lower-ranking enlisted men. Enemy action claimed 84% of their lives; non-hostile causes, 16%. The preponderance (56%) had volunteered while 43% had been drafted. One was in the National Guard.

Of the four days, Aug. 18—the last day of “peace and love” in the Catskills when the 50,000 diehards departed after the final act—was the worst for the men in Vietnam. Thirty-five of them died on that one miserable day. Many perished in the Battle of Hiep Duc (see VFW Au gust 2008) fighting with the hard-luck Americal Division in the Que Son Mountains. In fact, 37% of all the GIs lost in this period came from this one unit.

So when you hear talk of the glories of Woodstock—the so-called “defining event of a generation”—keep in mind those 109 GIs who served nobly yet are never lauded by the illustrious spokesmen for the “Sixties Generation.”

Reprinted with permission from the August 2009 issue of the Veterans of Foreign Wars magazine.

BULLETIN BOARD

FINALLY!!! HERO PROPERLY HONORED

SOF Senior Contributing Editor James Gebhardt took this photo of American hero Woodrow Wilson Keeble's headstone in Sisseton, S.D. Keeble was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in combat during the Korean War by President George W. Bush in March, 2008.

Keeble was previously awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars (one with "V" device), and two Purple Hearts. SOF published articles chronicling this Sioux Native American's exploits in previous issues.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION CODDLES SHOE BOMBER

Remember Richard Reid, the terrorist who tried to take down an airliner with a bomb hidden in his shoe? You haven’t heard much from him since he was convicted and given three life sentences. That is because the Bush administration imposed special administrative measures, which kept him on ice and unable to communicate with fellow jihadists. Common sense, given that at his trial he declared himself to be in league with Osama bin Laden.

Well, with Barack Hussein Obama in office, things have changed. These measures have been lifted by Attorney General Eric Holder, who apparently has caved due to a lawsuit filed by the convicted terrorist. It’s not much of a surprise. According to Andrew McCarthy in National Review Online, some of the top Justice Department officials in the Obama Administration are either affiliated with groups like Human Rights Watch or they have represented detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

STATUE OF YARBOROUGH AT SPECIAL FORCES MUSEUM

Don Bendell informs us that permission has been granted to construct a statue commemorating LTG William Yarborough at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville, NC. H. Ross Perot is commissioning and funding the statue honoring the “Father of the modern-day Green Berets.” For more information on the Museum, go to http://www.asomf.org/index.php.

HONORING HMONG VETERANS

KFSN-TV in Fresno, CA, reports that an effort is underway to grant Hmong veterans of the conflict in Southeast Asia the right to be buried with military honors, similar to honors to be provided to Filipino veterans who fought alongside the United States in World War II. As we go to press, the legislation is reportedly being drafted by Congressman Joe Costa (D-CA). We will keep you appraised on this situation.

RHODE ISLAND RESCUE

An Ohio-class submarine generally carries out patrols, either as a ballistic-missile submarine carrying Trident missiles or a guided-missile submarine carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles and special operators. However, USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) recently carried out a mission one might expect from the Coast Guard.

While on patrol, the submarine noticed a capsized boat. The submarine surfaced, and rescued five people who had been adrift for four days, provided them medical treatment, and eventually transferred them to another vessel. WELL DONE, SAILORS!!

FLAK

DON’T FORGET CRONKITE STABBED THE TROOPS IN THE BACK

The following is a copy of an email letter to Fox News Watch

I am a fan of Fox News and in fact have been on it before, having been interviewed by Martha McCallum. I was sickened listening to your panel just now fawning over Walter Cronkite. Walter Cronkite should be labeled, “one of the least trustworthy men in America.” He singularly turned the tide in the war in Vietnam in favor of our enemy, which caused untold pain in the lives of millions of Vietnam veterans and their families for decades. I earned and wore a Green Beret there and have two sons who also earned and wear Green Berets now in the GWOT. Walter Cronkite proclaimed the 1968 Tet Offensive a resounding military victory for the communists, when in fact it was, by far, their largest defeat by US and South Vietnamese in the war. We decimated the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong, and at that point they were ready to surrender.

Because “Uncle Walter” was so trusted, his misleading statement bolstered the ranks of the anti-war movement, so the leaders in Hanoi decided to hang on and see if they could outlast us. American forces NEVER lost one single battle in the Vietnam War. We won every major battle, but you would never know that thanks to the left-leaning CBS News spearheaded by Walter Cronkite, as well as the very liberal Hollywood motion picture machinery and other media outlets following like sheep.

With your precious freedom to report the news comes a responsibility to get it right, even sitting around a table in the newsroom. People listen to you and believe. Cronkite proved that, to the detriment of my fellow Vietnam veterans, heroes one and all, but labeled as baby-killers and miscreants by those misled by so-called “impartial reporters of the news.”

Blessings,

Don Bendell

We could not have said it any better. We won on the battlefields of Vietnam. The responsibility for losing lies with people like Cronkite and the anti-war movement. – Ed.

USS VICKSBURG MEMORIES

I am a Navy Captain currently locked in the Pentagon paying my post-major-command dues. When I had the cruiser USS Vicksburg, Gary Paul Johnston rode my ship and wrote an article that appeared in theJanuary 2008 issue of SOF...which absolutely made the day for all my Sailors!

CAPT Chip Swicker

Chief, Special Actions Division

Thank you, CAPT Swicker, for your service. We hope that your Pentagon tour is successful and no longer than it absolutely has to be. – Ed.

THANKS

The following was sent to Brian Sain of AmericanSnipers.org.

I just got the box today. That stuff is great, thanks so very much for the support. You guys do such an awesome job supporting the military. My guys can’t believe all the stuff we have been receiving to help them out. My guys are very grateful for everything you do.

Thanks Again:

SSG XXXXXXXX

For those who wish to assist American snipers, go to www.americansnipers.org . – Ed.

SMALL WORLD

I was catching up on my back issues of SOF and saw the Bulletin Board article on the C-130, tail no. 62-1817. This caused me to pause and go to the closet and rummage up my cousin’s log book from 16 Sept., ‘67 to 14 Sept., ‘68. Sure enough, there was good old tail no. 62-1817. No tail numbers were listed until the 17th of March, ‘68. Then on

the 20th of March, 62-1817 was flown from THY to DUC PHONG, DPG to BNH, BNH to LOC NINH, LOC NINH to BNH, BNH to LOC NINH (FLAT TIRE ON LANDING).

Roland Haskins

VA INFO

A recent SOF magazine had a blurb on veterans qualifying for home healthcare, giving the requirements to qualify, etc. Which month’s issue was this and what section? I had it set aside and it got buried in my past issues!

R. Bell

The item you are referring to ran in Bulletin Board in the July 2009 issue of SOF, on page 40. For more information, go to www.va.gov or contact your local Veteran’s Affairs office. – Ed.

TERRORISM SITREP

UNITED STATES CIA OPERATIVES’ COVER BLOWN! Defense attorneys for terrorists held at Gitmo showed photos taken by ACLU to their clients. POWER DRILLS AND GUNS brandished to get high-value al-Qaeda detainees to talk. Details of CIA program being released after ACLU fight. WITCH-HUNT ON? Attorney General launches investigation into CIA interrogations.

BURMA AMERICAN FREED from captivity. His crime? Visiting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, imprisoned opposition leader. NO NUKES FOR US, junta claims.

SRI LANKA LTTE IN THE FOLD? Government offers finances and releases from the refugee camp in exchange for info on weapon arsenals, minefields after chiefs are captured.

INDIA FRAGMENTATION OR FEDERATION? Chinese strategist calls for dividing the federation into 20-30 independent states with the help of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. (Zopag.com) HOTBED FOR MILITANCY as dozens of insurgencies and separatist movements rage. Only force is keeping them together. Asian Tribune

NORTH KOREA HEROES OR FOOLS? ANGER FLARES AT U.S. JOURNALISTS FREED after former Pres. Bill Clinton’s visit. Self serving reporters jeopardized public for a scoop, hot story. Confiscated footage they had of sensitive information about refugees jeopardized refugees, BBC World reports.

CUBA COMMUNISM LIVES ON AS LONG AS THE CASTRO BOYS LIVE, Raul tells world.

BOLIVIA MORALES POSITIONED FOR REELECTION in initial polling. TYRANNY BROTHERHOOD—Chavez is thrilled.

BRAZIL PSYCHO TV SHOW HOST CREATES A CRIME SCENE for his crime show, and gets rid of rivals at same time. Not so clever maniac TV host ordered nine executions. His mistake—his camera crew were always first on the scene. BBC OFFSHORE DRILLING FUNDED by U.S. Export–Import Bank. Obama nixes such drilling in the U.S. WE GOTTA TALK about U.S. bases in Colombia, Brazilian President says.

CONGO RWANDAN GENOCIDE THUG Ndahimana, hiding out with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, arrested by military. IRAQ MASSIVE CAR BOMBS kill over 95.

PAKISTAN GOT HIM! Baitullah Mehsud dead after a CIA Predator strike as Pakistani Taliban appoint a replacement. PAKISTAN NUKE SITES ATTACKED three times, Times of India reports.

AUSTRALIA TERROR ATTACKS PLOTTED by four Lebanese Somalis attached to Somali-based terror group Al Shebab. Suicide attack using semi-automatic weapons planned in Sidney by the same group that is trying to overthrow government in Mogadishu.

MEXICO DRUG LORDS INDICTED by United States. PRISON RIOT leaves 19 dead. “THE TRUCK,” leader of the La Familia gang, who moves ½ ton of meth into the U.S. monthly arrested. ANTI-DRUG FUNDS from U.S. to continue. DRUG GANG WHACKS politician in Guerrero state.

CANADA DON’T MESS WITH ARCTIC TERRITORIES. 700 naval and air troops training in Nanuvet flex their muscles.

LIBYA LOCKERBIE BOMBER gets hero’s welcome. The hysterical media didn’t help much by turning him into an international phenomenon. I attended the trial in which he was convicted in Camp Zeist, where no death sentence was allowed. Perhaps his current cancer death sentence is more brutal.

VENEZUELA ARMS, OIL DEALS DISCUSSED in Russia. CHAVEZ PULLS AMBASSADOR to Colombia when Colombia accused Chavez of equipping the FARC with weapons.

COLOMBIA DEFENSE COOPERATION would give U.S. bases for counter-narcotics missions. DRUG LORD MONTOYA pleads guilty in U.S. court.

ZIMBABWE MAJOR MUGABE OPPONENT assassinated in his own home.

MADAGASCAR RULING COUP CHIEF reaches deal for transitional government.

ERITREA COUGH UP $13 MILLION for 2000 border war, international commission tells Eritrea. ERITREA SUPPORTS AL-SHABAB, Ethiopia claims.

SUDAN UN PULLS RELIEF WORKERS after rebel attacks in the south. AGREEMENT TO BOLSTER PEACE had been signed two days prior to the UN’s decision to evacuate.

NIGERIA SENIOR MILITANT TAKES DEAL, turns over stockpile of weapons. ISLAMIC ACTIVIST DIES IN CUSTODY after capture in family’s goat pen. Public invited to see body. 600 killed in clashes between military and militant Islamic Boko Haram group. Hundreds of bodies dumped at police station. POLICE TORTURE hundreds.

AFGHANISTAN KILLER SUMMER Deaths total over 1000 by August for Coalition troops, 775 Americans. 1,013 civilians were killed in the first half of 2009. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HELD amidst Taliban brutality. VOTERS’ FINGERS AMPUTATED by Taliban fanatics.

IRAN DEFENSE MINISTER WANTED BY INTERPOL for involvement in 1994 Hezbollah attack on a Jewish center in Buenos Aries. DETAIN OPPOSITION LEADERS, influential hard-line cleric says.

TURKEY TALKS WITH KURDISH leader held to end 25-year conflict. PALESTINE SITUATION MIRRORED—doubtful resolution without promise of statehood to KURDS.

RUSSIA AUGUST 1939 DEAL WITH HITLER JUSTIFIED, claims Russian intelligence service as they declassify files. POLICE CONVOY ATTACKED, five officers killed in Chechnya.

MOLDOVA COMMIES OVERTHROWN in parliamentary elections after four months’ rule stolen in elections. Democracy may bring EU membership for the impoverished country.

SOMALIA TRUCE FOR RAMADAN proposed. REBEL FIGHTING KILLS 20 in Mogadishu. TOWNS RECAPTURED from al-Shabab militants.

ETHIOPIA SOMALI INSURGENTS TARGETED.

HONDURAS ZELAYA FACES TRIAL for treason and abuse of power if he returns, Supreme Court says, citing attempt to hold illegal referendum to change constitution. CURFEW IMPOSED after clashes between students and cops. THIRD JOURNALIST SLAIN this year.

INDONESIA TWO SUSPECTS APPREHENDED for bombing two Jakarta hotels.

RWANDA REBEL SPOKESMAN RESIGNS, seeking presidency after blasting the president and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army for egging war on.

ISRAEL YEAR OF THE CROOKS—Unlucky seven accused of big time tax scam on IRS. Perps stole prisoners’ IDs to receive refunds. 11 arrested for allegedly cheating aged Americans of 25 MIL in a telemarketing sting. OTHODOX LEADERS NABBED—44 suspects, including five Rabbis, three New Jersey mayors and two state legislators, were arrested in an FBI sting for extortion and political bribes. ORGAN SELLING, SCAM-kidneys for profit of up to $150,000.

FRANCE NO BURKINIS Muslim woman not allowed to swim in full body suit.

MAURITANIA MILITARY LEADER inaugurated after winning a disputed presidential election.

ANGOLA HOLD ELECTIONS, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tells country as she signs agreement to increase funds for anti-AIDS efforts.

ADVENTURE QUARTERMASTER

T.H.E (“Tactical Holds Everything”) PACK FROM SPEC.-OPS® BRAND

Made from super durable 1000 Denier Cordura® Nylon fabric. Huge YKK #10 zippers on main compartment and large outer pockets. Double-layer pack top eliminates stress failure associated with excessive use of carry/drag handle. Dual compression straps with integrated load loops on pocket faces. Comes in black, coyote brown, foliage green, ACU, and multi-cam.

Contact: Best Made Designs, LLC,

PO Box 475

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866-SPEC-OPS

www.specopsbrand.com

OPSGEAR “MAKE AN IMPACT” SHIRT

With “Make an Impact on the World” printed on the front and a dropping bomb with “Kill a Terrorist” marked on the back, this shirt makes a bold statement. The bomb, stamped with the words “Air Strike” and the United States, British and Canadian flags, signifies our united stand against world terrorism and our support for those at home and abroad fighting to keep us safe from harm. Printed black on tan, this high quality OPSGEAR® T-shirt is silk-screened and made from 6.1 ounce, 100 percent pre-shrunk Ultra Cotton for ultimate comfort and durability.

Contact: OPSGEAR,

890 W. Center Street, Unit 4

North Salt Lake City, UT 84054

866-608-1543

www.opsgear.com

A SPECIAL WATCH FOR SPECIAL FORCES

Commander Richard Marcinko (aka the Rogue Warrior) insisted on three things in his watch: stop condensation from forming; protect the movement; dial must be readable at all times. The Red Cell watch meets those requirements: Krypton gas now fills the entire watch case, which removes all moisture present in the watch. d3o, initially developed for the British Army as a shock-resistant material, can lock and unlock in one thousandth of a second upon impact, thus protecting the movement. A Kryptolite™ dial, being a combination of Krypton gas and Super Luminoval, remains readable all night.

Contact: Rogue Warrior Watches,

1114 12th Street #308

Santa Monica, CA 90403

877-80 ROGUE (6483)

www.roguewarriorwatches.com

PIPE HITTER’S UNION “Molon Labe!”

That was the phrase carved in history by King Leonidas at Thermopylae. His 300 Spartans stood against thousands of invaders, fighting to a certain death. When Xerxes ordered the Spartans to lay down their arms, Leonidas defied him by responding “Molon Labe” or “Come and take them!” Our “Local 300” shirt pays homage to King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans, who stood up, when others would not. For our world is always in need of men who will pick up arms and possess the will to fight against all odds.

Contact: Pipe Hitters Union, Join Our Union,

2973 Shore Drive Unit 104,

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

877.862.0364

www.pipehittersunion.com

KREBS CUSTOM MK V UNDERFOLDER SAFETY

Developed to give underfolding-stock AK owners the same advantage as their fixed and side-folding stock brethren, this safety is designed to allow manipulation of the safety while maintaining the shooting hand on the pistol grip with the stock open OR closed, as well as providing a notch for locking the bolt carrier in the “open” position.

Contact: Krebs Custom,

1000 Rand Road,

Wauconda, IL 60084

847-487-7776

www.krebscustom.com

COMMON SENSE

Racing through the Phoenix airport, a Wall Street Journal headline immediately captured my eye: "Taliban Now Winning." I grabbed the newspaper and headed for my flight. By the time I arrived in Washington, I had a half-dozen e-mails from my Fox News colleagues asking for my assessment of the situation. There was also a "be prepared" message from my boss alerting me to pack my kit for another trip to the Hindu Kush. Seeing as I haven't been there for a year, it seemed like a good time to get smart about what's happening behind the headlines.

Here is some of what I learned from those now on the ground – including our Fox News correspondent Greg Palkot and cameraman Mal James -- some of the troops who have returned recently, and others getting ready to go: First, there is no doubt that allied casualties in Afghanistan have spiked from a year ago. Last month, 76 coalition troops were killed in action, including 45 Americans. The toll for August is likely to be even higher.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the senior U.S. and NATO commander in Kabul, predicted higher casualty rates as the

number of U.S. and allied troops "in-country" climbed and "optempo" increased. There are 30,000 more American soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen and Marines on the ground today than there were when I was there last year. For the first time since Operation Enduring Freedom began, in 2001, the International Security Assistance Force numbers more than 100,000 troops, and that includes 62,000 Americans.

Second, U.S. and coalition forces are pushing into Taliban strongholds, particularly in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, where there has been little or no Afghan government or ISAF presence for years. On July 2, U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers launched Operation Khanjar (Sword Thrust) into southern Helmand, while a parallel column spearheaded into neighboring Kandahar province. Faced with the prospect of losing control over heroin production areas that finance their insurgency, the Taliban decided to stand and fight instead of melting away.

Third, next week's presidential and provincial council elections have precipitated a last-ditch attempt by the Taliban to disrupt the balloting. Seventeen million of Afghanistan's 33 million people have registered to vote on August 20. Countrywide, there are more than 3,000 candidates vying for 420 seats in the provincial legislatures. Among the contenders are 300 women, a fact that has driven the misogynist Taliban leadership over the brink.

Efforts to secure polling places have met with fierce resistance in the southern―largely Pashtun―part of the country. When the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade launched Operation Eastern Resolve II in the Helmand River Valley this week, they were confronted by well-armed, dug-in Taliban fighters, who employed improvised explosive devices, mortars, rockets, shoulder-fired

anti-tank weapons, automatic weapons and snipers to prevent Afghan authorities from setting up election sites.

Unfortunately, things are unlikely to calm down much after next week's balloting. The Afghan Constitution requires the leading vote-getter to receive more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff against the second-place challenger. Though incumbent President Hamid Karzai leads the field of 38 presidential candidates, his Pashtun–Tajik coalition may not garner enough votes to avoid another contest in October.

A drawn-out election process isn't the only thing that will keep "optempo" high. "Our strategy for the remainder of 'the fighting season' is based on the need to wrest the opium production region from Taliban control and do so with a minimum of 'friendly' casualties," a U.S. officer told me this week.

It's a mission that makes sense. The Taliban insurgency depends on financing provided by opium, Afghanistan's No. 1 export commodity. Most of the "ratlines" for precursor chemicals and delivery of processed heroin and morphine flow across the porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Because Islamabad finally has decided to crack down on the Taliban in Pakistan's federally administered tribal areas and its northwestern provinces, there is a greater chance for success now than at any time since 2001.

That doesn't mean accomplishing this mission is going to be easy. One U.S. commander told me, "Our greatest operational challenge is logistics" to support the offensives. That's something that hasn't changed in the 11 months since I was there. As I reported then, "Afghanistan, with only one paved highway, too few airbases and insufficient air assets, is the most difficult country in which to move men and materiel that I have ever seen." Apparently, it still is.

Finally, there is the difficult task of winning the "hearts and minds" of the tribal people who live in the shadow of the Hindu Kush. Achieving that goal requires more than allied courage, tenacity and perseverance; it necessitates recruiting, training and equipping another 100,000 Afghan police and soldiers, who will become responsible for the fate of their own country.

When that happens, we will know we have won. If it doesn't, the headline will read, "Taliban Win."

Oliver North is the host of "War Stories" on Fox News Channel, the founder and honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance, and the author of American Heroes. To find out more about Oliver North and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.