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MICHAEL C. HALL:
For three years,
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peace talks between the United
States and North Vietnam
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have been going on in Paris
with little or no progress.
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In January of 1971, the
talks remain deadlocked,
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as do the private meetings
between national security
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advisor Henry Kissinger and
North Vietnamese negotiator Le
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Duc Tho.
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Nonetheless, President Nixon
is moving ahead with his policy
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of Vietnamization, the plan to
eventually turn over all combat
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responsibilities to the
South Vietnamese Army, known
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as the ARVN.
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[machine gun fire]
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Bravo!
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As a result of the
ongoing US withdrawals,
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pressure is increasing,
not only on the ARVN,
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but also on the
remaining Americans
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to carry the full load
of combat operations.
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[helicopter whirring]
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[MUSIC - DEEP PURPLE, "SMOKE ON
THE WATER"]
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[SINGING] We all came out
to Montreux on a Lake Geneva
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shoreline.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
Every one of these guys
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thinks he's a damn cowboy.
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I'm the lucky guy that gets
to lead 'em into battle.
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MICHAEL C. HALL:
Twenty-nine-year-old Major Bob
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Clewell was a military
advisor to the ARVN in 1964.
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He returns to Vietnam
as a company commander
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in the 101st Assault
Helicopter Battalion.
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[helicopter whirring]
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
My captains are experienced.
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Some of my PILOT 1s are all--
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--recently commissioned.
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With a few exceptions, they
were all on pretty much
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their first tours.
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[helicopter whirring]
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
Of course, when it comes down
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to it, every one of them knows
exactly what's expected of him.
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And they're more than
prepared to do what I ask,
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which is a hell of a comfort
because I've just gotten orders
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saying we're about to
get into a big operation.
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MICHAEL C. HALL: Since
the start of the war,
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the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the
enemy's main supply route
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into the south, has been a thorn
in the side of the Americans
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and the South Vietnamese.
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After years of heavy bombing
failed to sever the trail,
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a 1970 ground
incursion into Cambodia
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finally succeeded in destroying
a massive amount of enemy
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weapons and ammunition.
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Now US and ARVN commanders
hope that a similar assault
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against the northern end of
the trail, located in Laos,
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will result in the destruction
of an even greater amount
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of supplies and disrupt
enemy operations long enough
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for Vietnamization to take hold.
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Codenamed Operation
Lam Son 719, the plan
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is to send an armored South
Vietnamese force speeding down
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Highway 9 to the village of
Tchephone, which is believed
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to be a major
enemy supply depot.
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At the same time, US helicopter
units, including Major Bob
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Clewell and his men, will
insert ARVN ground troops
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north and south of the highway
to act as a blocking force
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and destroy any
additional supply
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caches in the immediate area.
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In total, 12,000
South Vietnamese
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are heading into Laos.
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And for the first time
since American forces
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took over primary
military leadership,
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they will do all of
the ground fighting.
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A congressional
amendment enacted a month
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earlier prohibits
US ground forces
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from setting foot
outside South Vietnam.
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Lam Son 719 will be the first
real test of whether or not
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the South Vietnamese
military is prepared to lead
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the war by themselves.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
Right as we're about to take
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off, a couple of my
pilots ask, who the hell
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are we supposed to talk
to on the ground in Laos,
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since none of the ARVN
we're dropping off there
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speak English?
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I tell them not to
worry, because we've
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got translators standing by.
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But in the back of my mind,
I have a terrible feeling
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that we're heading into trouble.
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REPORTER 1: Heavy fighting has
broken out in Laos again today
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after three days of--
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REPORTER 2: Four cameramen
are reported missing in Laos
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tonight, and it's believed
that they were killed
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in a helicopter crash.
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MICHAEL C. HALL: One of
the journalists killed
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covering Lam Son 719 is a
friend of UPI correspondent Joe
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Galloway.
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Galloway was last in Vietnam
during the IA Drang Valley
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battles, almost
six years earlier.
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His boss now requests
he return to take
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the place of his friend.
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JOE GALLOWAY: Although I
had fought to get there
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the first time, I left
there thinking I never
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wanted to come back again.
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I had seen the war, and I
thought, my part of it's over.
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I told my wife, and she
said, you can't do that.
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You're still grieving
for your friends,
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and you're going to go
there and put yourself
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in the same situation?
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And I said, well,
I have to do it.
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And she said, well,
if you go, I may not
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be here when you come back.
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And I said, I may not come back.
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I begin to think we're all
supposed to die in that place.
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[explosion]
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[artillery fire]
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MICHAEL C. HALL: Galloway
arrives during the second week
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of Lam Son 719 and finds
the military situation even
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grimmer than he expected.
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Nearly 60,000 NVA are massing
to launch vicious assaults
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against the 12,000
South Vietnamese.
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The armored column is stopped
only halfway to Tchephone.
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Finally, during the
third week of fighting,
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a quick decision is made
to break west and establish
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three landing zones known
as Lolo, Liz, and Sophia.
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With the armored columns still
bogged down on Highway 9,
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ARVN and US commanders plan to
helicopter approximately 1,600
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ARVN ground troops into
these LZs in the hopes
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that they can jumpstart
the advance to Tchephone.
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[radio chatter]
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PILOT 1 [ON RADIO]:
Rich Loyal 1-2,
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can you pick up [inaudible]
going into the LZ?
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OFFICER 1 [ON RADIO]:
Get that altitude.
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PILOT 1 [ON RADIO]: Yep.
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MICHAEL C. HALL: Major Bob
Clewell and his company
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are among the 30 choppers
selected for the missions at LZ
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Lolo.
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PILOT 2 [ON RADIO]: And
Chop 6 has taken fire.
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[rattling]
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OFFICER 2 [ON
RADIO]: Say it again.
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You cut out.
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PILOT 3 [ON RADIO]:
--is down just west of--
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[radio chatter]
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PILOT 4 [ON RADIO]: This is BO6.
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Say your location.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
Jesus, man, what the hell
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is going on out there?
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PILOT 3 [ON RADIO]:
Mayday, mayday, mayday.
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[inaudible] is down.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL
[VOICEOVER]: Over the radios,
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we can hear the
choppers ahead of us.
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They're taking heavy fire
from all over the LZ.
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PILOT 4 [ON RADIO]:
Sir, 2-9er is the lead.
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Our lead aircraft was hit.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL
[VOICEOVER]: I look down
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and it's like the terrain
is moving beneath us.
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There must be several hundred
enemy soldiers heavily
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camouflaged.
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--heavy camouflaged, all
moving together like a carpet,
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you know?
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And then as we got
close to Lam Son--
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[machine gun fire]
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BOB CLEWELL: --began as a mass
to shoot at the helicopter.
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[machine gun fire]
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MAN: Keep moving!
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Keep moving.
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[indistinct radio chatter]
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL
[VOICEOVER]: Within minutes,
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two of my choppers
are shot down.
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Over the radio, I can hear
our pilots calling for rescue,
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but nobody can get
down to get them.
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[machine gun fire]
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[indistinct radio chatter]
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MICHAEL C. HALL: Clewell
and the remaining choppers
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are determined to
rescue the eight downed
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Americans from their company.
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For over an hour,
they circle the LZ.
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[sustained rapid fire]
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But with their fuel and
ammunition nearly depleted,
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they are finally forced to head
back to the base at Khe Sanh.
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I have no contact with my
leadership at the present time.
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[helicopter whirring]
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
When we get to Khe Sanh,
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everyone's exhausted,
but there's
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no way I'm going to
leave our guys out there.
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So I gather everyone
together and I ask the guys,
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I say look--
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BOB CLEWELL: I said now, look,
I said, you know, guys are still
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alive out there.
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And I said, we're going to
go back out and get our guys,
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make an effort.
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You don't have to
come with us, but I'd
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like to see a show
of hands of those
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that do want to come with us.
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And sure enough, everybody
raised their hand.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
As we head back towards Lolo,
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I feel an incredible
sense of pride.
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This is what being part of
a chopper crew is all about.
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MICHAEL C. HALL:
In March of 1971,
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South Vietnamese ground troops
are in battle against the North
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Vietnamese.
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And for the first time, they're
without US advisors or ground
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support.
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Only US air crews,
including Major Bob Clewell
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and his choppers, are in
the thick of the fight.
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They are speeding towards
landing zone Lolo in Laos
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to rescue the eight men from
his company who were shot down
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00:10:43,595 --> 00:10:44,204
by the NVA.
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[machine gun fire]
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL
[VOICEOVER]: My mind's racing
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a mile a minute, running
through every possible scenario.
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Only one thing's for sure.
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We've got men down there and
we aren't leaving without them.
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00:11:04,137 --> 00:11:06,183
[helicopter whirring]
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These men are some of the most
courageous, most dedicated
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soldiers I have ever met.
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00:11:12,537 --> 00:11:16,019
Every one of them knew exactly
what kind of hell was out here.
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And yet, not a single
one even hesitated
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at the thought of coming
back for their friends.
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00:11:21,676 --> 00:11:22,547
[explosion]
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00:11:22,590 --> 00:11:23,852
[gunshots]
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00:11:23,896 --> 00:11:26,986
[helicopter whirring]
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MICHAEL C. HALL: In total,
seven choppers are shot down
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and two American
lives lost at LZ Lolo.
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But thanks to the
courage and determination
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00:11:36,517 --> 00:11:39,303
of Clewell and his fellow
pilots and crewmen,
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no American, dead or
alive, is left behind.
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YOUNG BOB CLEWELL
[VOICEOVER]: In all my years
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in the military, I've
never been more proud
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or more awed by
the bravery of men.
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MICHAEL C. HALL: Three
days later, the push
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continues as 120 American
choppers lift off
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to deliver 800
additional ARVN ground
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00:12:10,812 --> 00:12:14,251
troops within striking distance
of their ultimate target,
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Tchephone.
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00:12:17,254 --> 00:12:20,387
[helicopter whirring]
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They arrive to find the NVA have
stripped the village of almost
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everything of value.
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Tchephone is not even close to
being the massive enemy supply
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00:12:43,541 --> 00:12:45,847
depot military
commanders expected.
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00:12:45,891 --> 00:12:48,067
[vietnamese chatter]
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00:12:49,764 --> 00:12:51,331
[explosion]
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Over the next three weeks,
as the 17,000 ARVN troops,
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00:12:56,510 --> 00:12:59,165
now inside Laos,
begin to withdraw,
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00:12:59,209 --> 00:13:01,950
the North Vietnamese lay
siege to those furthest
239
00:13:01,994 --> 00:13:02,908
inside the country.
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00:13:02,951 --> 00:13:06,433
[machine gun fire]
241
00:13:08,392 --> 00:13:10,655
With their troops
surrounded and outnumbered,
242
00:13:10,698 --> 00:13:13,179
inexperienced South
Vietnamese commanders
243
00:13:13,223 --> 00:13:16,661
begin to lose control,
forcing US choppers to come
244
00:13:16,704 --> 00:13:19,838
to their rescue.
245
00:13:19,881 --> 00:13:22,101
[helicopter whirring]
246
00:13:36,115 --> 00:13:37,769
YOUNG JOE GALLOWAY
[VOICEOVER]: Our pilots
247
00:13:37,812 --> 00:13:42,687
risk their own lives to save
them, going in again and again.
248
00:13:42,730 --> 00:13:45,342
Some of them are being
shot down, two, three--
249
00:13:45,385 --> 00:13:48,345
JOE GALLOWAY: --two,
three times a day.
250
00:13:48,388 --> 00:13:53,393
They'd be shot down, rescued,
go back, get another helicopter,
251
00:13:53,437 --> 00:13:58,311
fly back out, get shot down
again, absolutely insane.
252
00:14:01,619 --> 00:14:07,973
You'd go in the club at
night, and all of their pilots
253
00:14:08,016 --> 00:14:13,500
and crew had their name
tags on cup hooks hanging
254
00:14:13,544 --> 00:14:15,459
behind the bar.
255
00:14:15,502 --> 00:14:17,504
And you could come
in and take a look.
256
00:14:17,548 --> 00:14:22,727
And those who got killed that
day, they turned upside down.
257
00:14:22,770 --> 00:14:27,340
So you could scan the roster, as
it were, and see who was alive
258
00:14:27,384 --> 00:14:28,036
still.
259
00:14:41,267 --> 00:14:43,965
MICHAEL C. HALL: By the
time Operation Lam Son 719
260
00:14:44,009 --> 00:14:49,536
concludes, nearly 3,800
ARVN have been killed.
261
00:14:49,580 --> 00:14:57,240
253 Americans are dead
and over 1,100 wounded.
262
00:14:57,283 --> 00:14:59,807
JOE GALLOWAY: It was a disaster.
263
00:14:59,851 --> 00:15:04,551
It was supposed to prove that
the South Vietnamese were
264
00:15:04,595 --> 00:15:09,339
competent and capable and could
take over the American role.
265
00:15:09,382 --> 00:15:10,514
That was the graduation--
266
00:15:10,557 --> 00:15:12,211
YOUNG JOE GALLOWAY
[VOICEOVER]: --that
267
00:15:12,255 --> 00:15:13,386
was the graduation exercise.
268
00:15:13,430 --> 00:15:15,780
But I'm afraid all
it's shown is even
269
00:15:15,823 --> 00:15:18,870
though the South Vietnamese
soldiers fought valiantly,
270
00:15:18,913 --> 00:15:22,308
their leadership is nowhere
near ready to take control
271
00:15:22,352 --> 00:15:24,963
of this war.
272
00:15:25,006 --> 00:15:27,095
MICHAEL C. HALL: But that is
not the message President Nixon
273
00:15:27,139 --> 00:15:29,663
delivers to the nation.
274
00:15:29,707 --> 00:15:31,752
PRESIDENT NIXON: Did the
Laotian operations contribute
275
00:15:31,796 --> 00:15:34,364
to the goals we sought?
276
00:15:34,407 --> 00:15:36,931
I just completed my
assessment of that operation,
277
00:15:36,975 --> 00:15:39,412
and here are my conclusions.
278
00:15:39,456 --> 00:15:41,893
The South Vietnamese
demonstrated
279
00:15:41,936 --> 00:15:46,463
that without American advisors,
they could fight effectively
280
00:15:46,506 --> 00:15:48,682
against the very best troops
North Vietnam could put
281
00:15:48,726 --> 00:15:49,509
in the field.
282
00:15:49,553 --> 00:15:50,902
The South Vietnamese--
283
00:15:50,945 --> 00:15:55,863
JOE GALLOWAY: They wanted
to spin it as a success,
284
00:15:55,907 --> 00:16:01,869
but that it should be amply
evident to anyone who looked
285
00:16:01,913 --> 00:16:08,267
at the situation and be able
to understand this war is lost.
286
00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:17,494
[MEN SINGING "BRING OUR SOLDIERS
HOME NOW"]
287
00:16:20,061 --> 00:16:22,368
MICHAEL C. HALL: Less than three
weeks after President Nixon
288
00:16:22,412 --> 00:16:25,893
delivers his assessment
of Lam Son 719,
289
00:16:25,937 --> 00:16:29,680
a five-day-long demonstration
in Washington DC,
290
00:16:29,723 --> 00:16:32,726
organized by Vietnam
veterans against the war,
291
00:16:32,770 --> 00:16:36,121
garners huge publicity
and controversy.
292
00:16:36,164 --> 00:16:37,905
[indistinct shouting]
293
00:16:37,949 --> 00:16:42,170
On the fourth day of the event,
VVAW spokesman, John Kerry,
294
00:16:42,214 --> 00:16:44,825
testifies before Congress.
295
00:16:44,869 --> 00:16:48,568
He is the first Vietnam
veteran to do so.
296
00:16:48,612 --> 00:16:50,962
JOHN KERRY: Each day, to
facilitate the process
297
00:16:51,005 --> 00:16:55,009
by which the United States
washes her hands of Vietnam,
298
00:16:55,053 --> 00:16:58,709
someone has to give up his
life so that the United States
299
00:16:58,752 --> 00:17:01,973
doesn't have to admit something
that the entire world already
300
00:17:02,016 --> 00:17:07,239
knows, so that we can't say
that we've made a mistake.
301
00:17:07,282 --> 00:17:11,417
And we are asking Americans to
think about that, because how
302
00:17:11,461 --> 00:17:15,813
do you ask a man to be the
last man to die in Vietnam?
303
00:17:15,856 --> 00:17:17,162
[cheers]
304
00:17:17,205 --> 00:17:19,643
MICHAEL C. HALL: The day
after Kerry's testimony,
305
00:17:19,686 --> 00:17:22,123
the veterans converge
in front of the Capitol
306
00:17:22,167 --> 00:17:24,778
for their final day
of demonstrations.
307
00:17:24,822 --> 00:17:27,346
Among them is former second
lieutenant Barry Romo.
308
00:17:30,741 --> 00:17:32,960
YOUNG BARRY ROMO [VOICEOVER]:
When we get to the Capital,
309
00:17:33,004 --> 00:17:35,006
everyone lines up.
310
00:17:35,049 --> 00:17:38,531
And every single
person, one at a time,
311
00:17:38,575 --> 00:17:44,189
takes the medals they had won
in Vietnam and throws them away.
312
00:17:44,232 --> 00:17:46,974
[cheers, applause]
313
00:17:48,802 --> 00:17:51,239
And when it's my turn to step
forward and throw it down--
314
00:17:51,283 --> 00:17:53,459
BARRY ROMO: --all I said
was these aren't worth shit.
315
00:17:53,503 --> 00:17:55,983
I couldn't say anything else.
316
00:17:56,027 --> 00:17:57,942
All I could think
about, my nephew,
317
00:17:57,985 --> 00:18:01,075
how he was awarded a bronze
star with a V. And of course,
318
00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:02,555
he died to get his.
319
00:18:05,645 --> 00:18:10,998
And so all I could think about
was the sacrifice that he had
320
00:18:11,042 --> 00:18:13,131
made for-- for the same
thing that I had done.
321
00:18:13,174 --> 00:18:14,611
[MUSIC - CREEDENCE
CLEARWATER REVIVAL,
322
00:18:14,654 --> 00:18:16,439
"HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN?"]
323
00:18:16,482 --> 00:18:20,355
[SINGING] Someone
told me long ago,
324
00:18:20,399 --> 00:18:23,663
there's a calm before the storm.
325
00:18:23,707 --> 00:18:31,671
I know, it's been
coming for some time.
326
00:18:31,715 --> 00:18:39,679
I want to know, have
you ever seen the rain?
327
00:18:39,723 --> 00:18:42,334
Coming down--
328
00:18:42,377 --> 00:18:44,945
[helicopter whirring]
329
00:18:50,706 --> 00:18:53,231
YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]: I
can't say I'll miss this place,
330
00:18:53,274 --> 00:18:56,277
but I sure as hell
will miss these guys.
331
00:18:58,449 --> 00:19:00,364
Although, from the
looks of things,
332
00:19:00,408 --> 00:19:04,107
they'll all be following
me home soon enough.
333
00:19:04,150 --> 00:19:06,109
MICHAEL C. HALL:
In July of 1971,
334
00:19:06,152 --> 00:19:09,286
Major Bob Clewell
completes his tour of duty,
335
00:19:09,329 --> 00:19:13,072
having flown over 600 combat
hours as company commander.
336
00:19:15,031 --> 00:19:16,815
YOUNG BOB CLEWELL
[VOICEOVER]: No matter
337
00:19:16,859 --> 00:19:21,037
what anyone says, we came
here to fight for democracy,
338
00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,257
just like our fathers
did in World War II.
339
00:19:24,301 --> 00:19:27,086
Just like them, we wanted
to spare our families
340
00:19:27,130 --> 00:19:30,220
from the horrors
of war, the things
341
00:19:30,263 --> 00:19:33,397
that they had seen that
they couldn't talk about.
342
00:19:33,441 --> 00:19:36,705
You know, as a consequence,
we felt that deep commitment
343
00:19:36,748 --> 00:19:39,708
to serve our country in Vietnam.
344
00:19:42,188 --> 00:19:44,669
YOUNG BOB CLEWELL [VOICEOVER]:
This war may not be the most
345
00:19:44,713 --> 00:19:47,280
popular anymore,
but we know that we
346
00:19:47,324 --> 00:19:50,501
did what we were asked to do
to the best of our abilities.
347
00:19:55,985 --> 00:19:59,249
MICHAEL C. HALL: Throughout
1971, US forces accelerate
348
00:19:59,292 --> 00:20:01,556
their withdrawal from Vietnam.
349
00:20:01,599 --> 00:20:03,862
The difficulties
demonstrated by the ARVN's
350
00:20:03,906 --> 00:20:06,952
first major operation
without US ground support
351
00:20:06,996 --> 00:20:10,303
hasn't lessened Nixon's
determination to turn the war
352
00:20:10,347 --> 00:20:11,609
over to the South Vietnamese.
353
00:20:22,925 --> 00:20:25,318
[sustained rapid fire]
354
00:20:27,016 --> 00:20:30,193
In March of 1972, with US
troop strength the lowest
355
00:20:30,236 --> 00:20:34,502
it has been in seven years, the
NVA suddenly stunned the world
356
00:20:34,545 --> 00:20:36,895
by launching a massive
three-pronged attack
357
00:20:36,939 --> 00:20:37,679
into the south.
358
00:20:37,722 --> 00:20:40,159
[sustained rapid fire]
359
00:20:40,203 --> 00:20:44,250
Nearly 150,000 enemy troops,
along with supporting armor
360
00:20:44,294 --> 00:20:48,254
and artillery units, launched
conventional frontal assaults
361
00:20:48,298 --> 00:20:50,692
against thinly-held
ARVN defensive lines.
362
00:20:50,735 --> 00:20:52,694
[artillery fire]
363
00:20:54,260 --> 00:20:56,959
As some South Vietnamese
units begin to crumble,
364
00:20:57,002 --> 00:21:00,876
President Nixon once again
goes on national television,
365
00:21:00,919 --> 00:21:04,227
this time, to try to help a
faltering ally by building
366
00:21:04,270 --> 00:21:06,185
a case for a new
phase of the war.
367
00:21:06,229 --> 00:21:09,101
[machine gun fire]
368
00:21:09,145 --> 00:21:11,234
Throughout the war in
Vietnam, the United States
369
00:21:11,277 --> 00:21:13,497
has exercised a
degree of restraint
370
00:21:13,541 --> 00:21:15,804
unprecedented in
the annals of war.
371
00:21:15,847 --> 00:21:18,458
[roaring engine]
372
00:21:18,502 --> 00:21:22,898
However, when the enemy
abandons all restraint, throws
373
00:21:22,941 --> 00:21:26,597
its whole army in the battle in
the territory of its neighbor,
374
00:21:26,641 --> 00:21:30,688
refuses to negotiate, we
simply face a new situation.
375
00:21:36,564 --> 00:21:39,262
In these circumstances,
any president
376
00:21:39,305 --> 00:21:42,352
who failed to act
decisively would
377
00:21:42,395 --> 00:21:45,007
have betrayed the
trust of his country
378
00:21:45,050 --> 00:21:48,010
and betrayed the
cause of world peace.
379
00:21:48,053 --> 00:21:50,708
[roaring engine]
380
00:21:53,363 --> 00:21:55,234
MICHAEL C. HALL: After
a three-year suspension,
381
00:21:55,278 --> 00:21:59,761
the US begins large-scale
bombings inside North Vietnam.
382
00:21:59,804 --> 00:22:03,242
For the first time, the North
Vietnamese capital of Hanoi
383
00:22:03,286 --> 00:22:03,634
is targeted.
384
00:22:10,249 --> 00:22:13,644
[explosions]
385
00:22:18,127 --> 00:22:22,958
Over the next five and a half
months, 200,000 tons of bombs
386
00:22:23,001 --> 00:22:27,397
rain down on the north,
while US forces complete
387
00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:29,181
their final withdrawal
from the south.
388
00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:36,406
President Nixon, who is
running for re-election,
389
00:22:36,449 --> 00:22:40,149
is under pressure to
bring the troops home.
390
00:22:40,192 --> 00:22:45,110
And so despite the ongoing
bombing, on August 11, 1972,
391
00:22:45,154 --> 00:22:49,811
the last US ground combat
unit departs South Vietnam.
392
00:22:49,854 --> 00:22:53,858
America's ground
operations officially end,
393
00:22:53,902 --> 00:22:57,557
but the war in Vietnam does not.
394
00:22:57,601 --> 00:23:01,431
Without a signed peace treaty,
the future of South Vietnam,
395
00:23:01,474 --> 00:23:04,695
as well as more than 500
American prisoners of war
396
00:23:04,739 --> 00:23:08,177
who are awaiting release in
the north remains uncertain.
397
00:23:12,747 --> 00:23:15,010
Finally, in October,
Henry Kissinger
398
00:23:15,053 --> 00:23:17,534
announces a breakthrough
in his negotiation
399
00:23:17,577 --> 00:23:21,799
with North Vietnam's Le Duc Tho.
400
00:23:21,843 --> 00:23:25,629
HENRY KISSINGER:
Peace is at hand.
401
00:23:25,673 --> 00:23:31,983
We believe that an
agreement is within sight.
402
00:23:32,027 --> 00:23:33,724
MICHAEL C. HALL: But
days after Kissinger's
403
00:23:33,768 --> 00:23:38,207
optimistic announcement, South
Vietnam's President Thieu
404
00:23:38,250 --> 00:23:40,339
rejects the treaty
when he learns
405
00:23:40,383 --> 00:23:45,344
it allows North Vietnamese
troops to remain in the south.
406
00:23:45,388 --> 00:23:47,869
Resolution of the POW
issue goes on hold.
407
00:23:51,699 --> 00:23:55,441
For Anne Purcell, whose husband
Ben was captured almost five
408
00:23:55,485 --> 00:23:58,531
years before, it is
almost unbearable.
409
00:24:01,534 --> 00:24:02,927
ANNE PURCELL: It was
a roller coaster.
410
00:24:02,971 --> 00:24:05,843
We felt hopeful,
and then we would--
411
00:24:05,887 --> 00:24:08,628
our hope would be dashed,
and then again a hope,
412
00:24:08,672 --> 00:24:09,847
and then dashed again.
413
00:24:09,891 --> 00:24:12,676
It was just a
roller coaster one--
414
00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:15,113
one week after the other.
415
00:24:15,157 --> 00:24:18,900
And I remember saying
to the Lord in prayer,
416
00:24:18,943 --> 00:24:20,945
I don't know how much
longer I can hold on.
417
00:24:28,344 --> 00:24:30,259
MICHAEL C. HALL: Negotiations
continue for the next three
418
00:24:30,302 --> 00:24:32,130
months.
419
00:24:32,174 --> 00:24:37,048
Until, on January 27, 1973,
after continued bombing
420
00:24:37,092 --> 00:24:40,095
of the north and much US
pressure on the south,
421
00:24:40,138 --> 00:24:42,401
all parties finally signed
the Paris Peace Accords.
422
00:24:47,102 --> 00:24:49,844
Hostilities are to
cease immediately,
423
00:24:49,887 --> 00:24:51,846
but North Vietnamese
troops are allowed
424
00:24:51,889 --> 00:24:55,023
to stay inside the
south on the condition
425
00:24:55,066 --> 00:24:57,460
that they do not continue
to build up their forces
426
00:24:57,503 --> 00:24:58,896
or resume aggressions.
427
00:25:05,250 --> 00:25:07,557
PRESIDENT NIXON: I have asked
for this radio and television
428
00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:12,954
time tonight for the purpose of
announcing that we, today, have
429
00:25:12,997 --> 00:25:16,131
concluded an agreement
to end the war
430
00:25:16,174 --> 00:25:19,656
and bring peace with honor in
Vietnam and in Southeast Asia.
431
00:25:24,052 --> 00:25:26,141
[cheers, applause]
432
00:25:26,184 --> 00:25:29,057
MICHAEL C. HALL: years earlier,
at the end of World War II,
433
00:25:29,100 --> 00:25:31,320
Times Square and New
York City erupted
434
00:25:31,363 --> 00:25:32,800
in spontaneous celebration.
435
00:25:32,843 --> 00:25:35,890
[cheers, applause]
436
00:25:39,154 --> 00:25:41,547
Not so in 1973.
437
00:25:41,591 --> 00:25:43,636
[thunder cracking]
438
00:25:45,290 --> 00:25:46,770
NEWSCASTER 2: This is
[inaudible] in Times Square
439
00:25:46,814 --> 00:25:49,381
in New York City, where the
major visible observance
440
00:25:49,425 --> 00:25:51,993
as the end of the war is
the great sign "Peace" down
441
00:25:52,036 --> 00:25:54,386
the side of the Allied
Chemical building.
442
00:25:54,430 --> 00:25:57,302
The sign flashed on, and
the moving newswire below it
443
00:25:57,346 --> 00:25:59,827
signaled the word over
and over for a minute.
444
00:25:59,870 --> 00:26:01,829
And on this rainy, cold
evening here, there
445
00:26:01,872 --> 00:26:03,482
were a few around to see it.
446
00:26:03,526 --> 00:26:06,050
Times Square, which had filled
again and again over the years
447
00:26:06,094 --> 00:26:08,748
with crowds demanding peace,
and a rather smaller crowd
448
00:26:08,792 --> 00:26:10,620
to celebrate its arrival.
449
00:26:10,663 --> 00:26:14,189
There were other observances
as the hour came--
450
00:26:14,232 --> 00:26:16,408
MICHAEL C. HALL: Eight years
after the Marines first
451
00:26:16,452 --> 00:26:20,282
landed in Vietnam, the war that
divided a nation is finally
452
00:26:20,325 --> 00:26:20,935
over.
453
00:26:24,982 --> 00:26:29,073
And the unwinding of America's
involvement can begin.
454
00:26:38,343 --> 00:26:41,781
[applause]
455
00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:46,047
[indistinct chatter]
456
00:26:48,049 --> 00:26:51,182
Three weeks after the Paris
Peace agreement is signed,
457
00:26:51,226 --> 00:26:56,231
the return of America's
prisoners of war begins.
458
00:26:56,274 --> 00:26:59,234
For hundreds of
families across America,
459
00:26:59,277 --> 00:27:01,627
it's the end of an
emotional journey.
460
00:27:01,671 --> 00:27:04,848
[cheers, applause]
461
00:27:18,557 --> 00:27:22,300
After five and a half years,
I know what makes America great.
462
00:27:22,344 --> 00:27:24,346
It's you, the people.
463
00:27:24,389 --> 00:27:27,218
Thank you so much
for your support.
464
00:27:27,262 --> 00:27:28,741
I love you this much.
465
00:27:28,785 --> 00:27:29,481
I love you this much.
466
00:27:44,366 --> 00:27:47,064
YOUNG ANNE PURCELL [VOICEOVER]:
My stomach is in knots.
467
00:27:47,108 --> 00:27:48,457
For five years,
I've done nothing
468
00:27:48,500 --> 00:27:49,501
but dream about this moment.
469
00:27:57,335 --> 00:28:00,599
"Dear Mrs. Benjamin
Purcell, on behalf of the--
470
00:28:00,643 --> 00:28:06,475
--Secretary of the Army,
I wish to inform you--"
471
00:28:06,518 --> 00:28:07,911
I can't do it.
472
00:28:07,955 --> 00:28:10,827
[sobbing softly]
473
00:28:13,525 --> 00:28:14,135
Give me a minute.
474
00:28:26,190 --> 00:28:31,804
Isn't that strange, that I'd cry
when I knew he was coming home?
475
00:28:31,848 --> 00:28:34,982
[sobbing softly]
476
00:28:36,374 --> 00:28:39,203
[indistinct chatter]
477
00:28:40,683 --> 00:28:42,511
[cheers, applause]
478
00:28:42,554 --> 00:28:46,428
We all were transported by
bus or sedan to the airport,
479
00:28:46,471 --> 00:28:52,477
and we were all waiting
in our little groups.
480
00:28:52,521 --> 00:28:54,697
And we were all waiting
and waiting and waiting
481
00:28:54,740 --> 00:28:56,003
till the plane came.
482
00:28:56,046 --> 00:28:58,266
And they had the red carpet.
483
00:28:58,309 --> 00:29:04,054
They had all these bank
of microphones for them
484
00:29:04,098 --> 00:29:06,839
to each one speak
as they got off.
485
00:29:06,883 --> 00:29:08,624
Ben was the highest ranking--
486
00:29:08,667 --> 00:29:10,887
YOUNG ANNE PURCELL [VOICEOVER]:
--the highest ranking
487
00:29:10,930 --> 00:29:12,758
on the plane and they
let him off first.
488
00:29:12,802 --> 00:29:16,675
Distinguished arrival,
Colonel Benjamin H. Purcell.
489
00:29:16,719 --> 00:29:18,634
[cheers, applause]
490
00:29:18,677 --> 00:29:20,375
YOUNG ANNE PURCELL
[VOICEOVER]: As soon
491
00:29:20,418 --> 00:29:23,291
as Ben steps out the door,
our children start screaming.
492
00:29:23,334 --> 00:29:26,772
They're so excited, they can
barely control themselves.
493
00:29:26,816 --> 00:29:30,428
Even I can hardly
keep myself together.
494
00:29:30,472 --> 00:29:35,912
Fellow Georgians, some
five and a half years ago--
495
00:29:35,955 --> 00:29:38,001
YOUNG ANNE PURCELL
[VOICEOVER]: I'm trying so hard
496
00:29:38,045 --> 00:29:41,222
to control myself and wait
for him to finish speaking.
497
00:29:41,265 --> 00:29:45,008
But all I want to
do is just touch him
498
00:29:45,052 --> 00:29:47,663
so that I can be sure
that this is for real,
499
00:29:47,706 --> 00:29:49,752
and that he's real.
500
00:29:49,795 --> 00:29:50,405
--the Gulf of Mexico.
501
00:29:53,147 --> 00:29:54,583
Instead, he found--
502
00:29:54,626 --> 00:29:56,541
YOUNG ANNE PURCELL [VOICEOVER]:
I can't take it anymore,
503
00:29:56,585 --> 00:29:58,587
so in the middle of his
speech, I run out of the crowd
504
00:29:58,630 --> 00:29:59,501
and straight up to him.
505
00:29:59,544 --> 00:30:02,504
[applause]
506
00:30:12,557 --> 00:30:18,128
At this moment, my years
of loneliness and my wife's
507
00:30:18,172 --> 00:30:21,566
long vigil comes to a happy end.
508
00:30:21,610 --> 00:30:24,830
[applause]
509
00:30:34,188 --> 00:30:37,626
ANNE PURCELL: When I can
run out there and hug you,
510
00:30:37,669 --> 00:30:39,758
I knew that you
were finally home.
511
00:30:39,802 --> 00:30:41,760
And then I think
that's the moment
512
00:30:41,804 --> 00:30:44,023
that it took for me to really
believe that you were going
513
00:30:44,067 --> 00:30:47,026
to come back.
514
00:30:47,070 --> 00:30:48,071
What a wonderful thing.
515
00:30:52,206 --> 00:30:52,858
You're my angel.
516
00:31:11,747 --> 00:31:15,272
[cheers, applause]
517
00:31:18,493 --> 00:31:20,103
MICHAEL C. HALL:
For many Americans,
518
00:31:20,147 --> 00:31:24,586
the return of the POWs marks the
final conclusion of the Vietnam
519
00:31:24,629 --> 00:31:25,804
War.
520
00:31:25,848 --> 00:31:28,024
The troubles of
Southeast Asia slipped
521
00:31:28,067 --> 00:31:30,505
from the daily
newscasts, giving way
522
00:31:30,548 --> 00:31:32,855
to reports of the
Watergate break-in
523
00:31:32,898 --> 00:31:34,813
and subsequent
political firestorm.
524
00:31:34,857 --> 00:31:37,207
NEWSCASTER 1: There was talk
this weekend that the President
525
00:31:37,251 --> 00:31:38,687
should resign.
526
00:31:38,730 --> 00:31:42,256
He's under siege because
of the Watergate scandal.
527
00:31:42,299 --> 00:31:48,000
As President, I must put the
interests of America first.
528
00:31:48,044 --> 00:31:52,179
Therefore, I shall resign the
presidency, effective at noon
529
00:31:52,222 --> 00:31:52,788
tomorrow.
530
00:31:58,141 --> 00:32:01,797
I, Gerald R. Ford, do solemnly
swear that I will faithfully
531
00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:03,146
execute--
532
00:32:03,190 --> 00:32:04,452
MICHAEL C. HALL: By
the time Gerald Ford
533
00:32:04,495 --> 00:32:07,933
assumes the presidency
in August of 1974,
534
00:32:07,977 --> 00:32:12,155
US aid to South Vietnam
has been cut by 75%
535
00:32:12,199 --> 00:32:13,809
since its height a year earlier.
536
00:32:13,852 --> 00:32:14,331
[applause]
537
00:32:16,768 --> 00:32:19,423
For the ARVN, who've
depended upon American money
538
00:32:19,467 --> 00:32:23,514
and military
supplies since 1954,
539
00:32:23,558 --> 00:32:27,475
the cutbacks have a
devastating effect.
540
00:32:27,518 --> 00:32:30,739
Planes sit idle on
runways, unable to take off
541
00:32:30,782 --> 00:32:34,482
because of lack of fuel.
542
00:32:34,525 --> 00:32:36,788
Artillery pieces that
had once been allocated
543
00:32:36,832 --> 00:32:42,229
100 rounds per day are
rationed to only 10.
544
00:32:42,272 --> 00:32:45,014
But while the ARVN
supplies are dwindling,
545
00:32:45,057 --> 00:32:46,711
the North Vietnamese
are rebuilding
546
00:32:46,755 --> 00:32:49,105
their military strength.
547
00:32:49,148 --> 00:32:51,673
[explosions, artillery fire]
548
00:32:53,501 --> 00:32:57,940
On March 10, 1975, just over
two years after the Paris Peace
549
00:32:57,983 --> 00:33:02,205
agreement was signed, hopes for
an independent South Vietnam
550
00:33:02,249 --> 00:33:03,728
come crumbling down.
551
00:33:03,772 --> 00:33:06,383
[sustained rapid fire]
552
00:33:07,819 --> 00:33:09,952
The North Vietnamese launch
their largest and most
553
00:33:09,995 --> 00:33:12,084
ambitious offensive
yet into the south.
554
00:33:17,786 --> 00:33:21,703
As ARVN units begin to
falter, hundreds of thousands
555
00:33:21,746 --> 00:33:24,401
of South Vietnamese civilians
run for their lives.
556
00:33:27,709 --> 00:33:32,366
On April 21st,
President Thieu resigns.
557
00:33:32,409 --> 00:33:37,153
Four days later, NVA forces
reach the outskirts of Saigon.
558
00:33:37,196 --> 00:33:40,374
[indistinct shouting]
559
00:33:40,417 --> 00:33:43,812
On April 29th, as
Saigon crumbles,
560
00:33:43,855 --> 00:33:47,206
a small contingent of US
State Department, CIA workers,
561
00:33:47,250 --> 00:33:49,861
and Marines who
remained in Vietnam
562
00:33:49,905 --> 00:33:52,211
begin a hasty and
desperate evacuation
563
00:33:52,255 --> 00:33:55,432
of South Vietnamese civilians
and government employees
564
00:33:55,476 --> 00:33:56,955
who had worked with
the United States.
565
00:33:56,999 --> 00:34:00,263
[helicopter whirring]
566
00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:14,146
Tens of thousands
of people scramble
567
00:34:14,190 --> 00:34:15,409
onto US ships waiting offshore.
568
00:34:23,068 --> 00:34:25,332
As they run out of
space for people,
569
00:34:25,375 --> 00:34:27,899
millions of dollars
of military equipment
570
00:34:27,943 --> 00:34:30,859
is dumped into the ocean.
571
00:34:30,902 --> 00:34:32,121
[splash]
572
00:34:32,164 --> 00:34:35,342
[indistinct shouting]
573
00:34:56,537 --> 00:34:59,801
On April 30th, just
before 8:00 AM,
574
00:34:59,844 --> 00:35:03,282
the last American chopper
to leave Saigon lifts off
575
00:35:03,326 --> 00:35:04,458
from the roof of the embassy.
576
00:35:04,501 --> 00:35:07,678
[helicopter whirring]
577
00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:12,814
Less than four hours later,
North Vietnamese tanks
578
00:35:12,857 --> 00:35:15,512
crash through the gates of
the presidential palace.
579
00:35:19,298 --> 00:35:21,910
At 4 o'clock, a
live radio broadcast
580
00:35:21,953 --> 00:35:26,567
announces Saigon is officially
renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
581
00:35:29,570 --> 00:35:31,223
YOUNG JOE GALLOWAY
[VOICEOVER]: We're all
582
00:35:31,267 --> 00:35:34,792
gathered in the Bureau,
standing over the teletype, when
583
00:35:34,836 --> 00:35:37,142
it starts ringing flashes.
584
00:35:37,186 --> 00:35:39,797
Saigon has fallen.
585
00:35:39,841 --> 00:35:42,278
JOE GALLOWAY: Saigon has fallen.
586
00:35:42,321 --> 00:35:45,586
The presidential
palace is taken.
587
00:35:45,629 --> 00:35:47,065
It was over.
588
00:35:47,109 --> 00:35:47,457
It was over.
589
00:36:03,342 --> 00:36:08,347
KEITH CONNOLLY: When I hear
people talk about Vietnam,
590
00:36:08,391 --> 00:36:13,614
and they say we lost, or it
wasn't a war we should have
591
00:36:13,657 --> 00:36:21,186
been involved in, I can't
necessarily argue with that.
592
00:36:21,230 --> 00:36:24,276
But it immediately brings
to mind the people that
593
00:36:24,320 --> 00:36:28,498
made the ultimate sacrifices
over there, the people
594
00:36:28,542 --> 00:36:31,806
that nobody asked them,
did you want to go?
595
00:36:31,849 --> 00:36:34,243
The military people
didn't have a vote.
596
00:36:34,286 --> 00:36:37,551
We didn't get a chance to say,
yeah, I'd like to go to war.
597
00:36:37,594 --> 00:36:39,683
We were directed to do it
and, by God, we did it.
598
00:36:55,786 --> 00:36:57,440
DON DEVORE: I had taken
my military experience
599
00:36:57,484 --> 00:37:00,661
and I had really buried it.
600
00:37:00,704 --> 00:37:02,532
And I didn't want
to bother with it,
601
00:37:02,576 --> 00:37:06,884
and I didn't want anybody
else to bother me with it.
602
00:37:06,928 --> 00:37:10,497
But in my kids' eyes,
it was a thing of value,
603
00:37:10,540 --> 00:37:14,239
and they're very proud of me.
604
00:37:14,283 --> 00:37:16,024
That changed my life.
605
00:37:16,067 --> 00:37:19,114
That changed my life in a
lot of ways to that point.
606
00:37:19,157 --> 00:37:20,507
[helicopter whirring]
607
00:37:20,550 --> 00:37:24,075
They were very proud of me.
608
00:37:24,119 --> 00:37:26,338
They're very proud
of their old man.
609
00:37:37,219 --> 00:37:39,613
ARTHUR WIKNIK: When people ask
me about my Vietnam service,
610
00:37:39,656 --> 00:37:41,876
I always tell them I'm
very proud that I served.
611
00:37:41,919 --> 00:37:44,487
At the time I went in, I
hated the idea of going.
612
00:37:44,531 --> 00:37:46,097
I hated the idea
of being drafted.
613
00:37:46,141 --> 00:37:48,143
But I went because that's--
that's the way it was back
614
00:37:48,186 --> 00:37:49,884
then.
615
00:37:49,927 --> 00:37:51,973
The country wasn't on the best
of terms with the Vietnam vets
616
00:37:52,016 --> 00:37:54,584
for a long time,
but that's changed.
617
00:37:54,628 --> 00:37:57,544
And I'm very proud of that fact.
618
00:37:57,587 --> 00:38:00,895
The veterans who serve
today get a great sendoff.
619
00:38:00,938 --> 00:38:02,549
They get a great welcome home.
620
00:38:02,592 --> 00:38:05,595
Now I never got that, but I
don't care because today they
621
00:38:05,639 --> 00:38:06,727
are getting that.
622
00:38:06,770 --> 00:38:09,381
And in my mind, that's
my welcome home.
623
00:38:09,425 --> 00:38:12,210
Because of what I
suffered through,
624
00:38:12,254 --> 00:38:13,951
these people today are
reaping the benefit.
625
00:38:13,995 --> 00:38:17,476
And I'm just so glad that
the country has realized
626
00:38:17,520 --> 00:38:20,958
that our men and women who
serve this great country
627
00:38:21,002 --> 00:38:21,916
are appreciated.
628
00:38:26,094 --> 00:38:29,184
JAMES ANDERSON: I don't think
that anybody should ever
629
00:38:29,227 --> 00:38:34,015
apologize or feel the need
to apologize for the effort
630
00:38:34,058 --> 00:38:38,367
that our soldiers
in Vietnam put in.
631
00:38:38,410 --> 00:38:41,631
The American soldier
did everything
632
00:38:41,675 --> 00:38:44,155
and were successful
at everything
633
00:38:44,199 --> 00:38:45,374
that they were asked to do.
634
00:39:10,181 --> 00:39:13,315
MAN: We had, again, people that
felt that they were not going
635
00:39:13,358 --> 00:39:16,666
to come back, but
they went over there
636
00:39:16,710 --> 00:39:19,190
and they served their country.
637
00:39:19,234 --> 00:39:25,719
So I remember the brave people
that went over there and did
638
00:39:25,762 --> 00:39:26,633
what we asked them.
639
00:39:33,378 --> 00:39:35,685
JOE GALLOWAY: You know,
they say the World War II
640
00:39:35,729 --> 00:39:38,079
guys were the best generation.
641
00:39:42,387 --> 00:39:46,478
Well, those who fought
every war since then
642
00:39:46,522 --> 00:39:48,742
were the best of
their generation.
643
00:39:51,962 --> 00:39:58,577
They went, they served,
they sacrificed,
644
00:39:58,621 --> 00:40:01,798
and they fought like tigers.
645
00:40:01,842 --> 00:40:02,625
They were noble.
646
00:40:08,631 --> 00:40:10,285
[helicopter whirring]
647
00:40:10,328 --> 00:40:10,807
[explosion]
648
00:40:11,939 --> 00:40:14,768
[music playing]
51764
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