Comments on: Other Vietnam Veterans’ Viewpoints – Terry Garlock

By: Logan Metcalf

Logan Metcalf — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:33:05 +0000

I honor Terry’s VN service. But his allegations of His allegations are patently false. As a fellow combat veteran, we owe our comrades, especially those who didn’t return to get it right.
First, in 1973, Garlock, without substantiation writes, in 1973 “we basically had the war won.” That would be news to Sec. Def. Robert McNamara’s architect, who in May, 1967 told Pres. Johnson, he saw no way to win: late in 1967, Gen. W.C. Westmoreland, admitting the war stalemated, requested 200,000 more troops in addition to existing 525,000. Does that sound like victory?

s impossible. On 27 Jan 1973, the Paris “Peace Accords,” stipulated all Americans woudl be out essentially leaving both North in place in S. Vietnam. When Westmoreland visited in April, 1967, he privately told the President large tracts of terrain were controlled by VC. Events spiraled down from there. Because civilian and US military commanders experienced the war as a stalemate as soon as April, 1967. consider the war “won.”
Garlock mentions TET, speicially Hue, the longest, bloodiest battle of the war. The camera doesn’t lie, and TV and still photos of dead, badly wouneded Marines. After three years, the war was worse off. After three years, WW II was well on the way to being won. . He ignores that the 23 day battle Nixon wanted “peace with honor,” not victory.

By: R Lawson

R Lawson — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 22:55:33 +0000

In reply to Richard Legault. Richard -I will forward your comment to Terry Garlock. I reproduced his blog with permission. You will probably hear back from him. He's a good man and will appreciate hearing from a Canadian Vietnam vet. You are the first to communicate with me from Canada. We appreciated your help over there.

By: Richard Legault

Richard Legault — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 14:40:46 +0000

Hi Terry, I’m a French Canadian born in Montreal Quebec. In 1968 I crossed the border to join the US Army and served in Vietnam from mid 1970 to 1971. I am part of over 35000 Canadians who served under the US flag during the V-N era. It is unknown how many were deployed in Nam but what is sure is at least 147 died in Vietnam.
I was 18 when I joined and my main reason was solidarity with US draftees…I wanted to do the right thing. I felt it unjust that young Americans had to serve their country while Canadian youth were exempt of duty…Canada was not involved in that crazy war.
Rather than at least support the US effort, my country preferred to welcome with “open arms” tens of thousands of fleeing draft dodgers. People forget that our Prime minister Pierre Trudeau (the father of our current PM) was publically welcoming future Canadian citizens from South of the border and he was flirting with communist leaders, mostly with F.Castro. It profoundly disgusted me. Your excellent letter definetly says it all.

By: R Lawson

R Lawson — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:05:32 +0000

In reply to John Moran. John- I let Terry know your sentiments. Thank you.

By: R Lawson

R Lawson — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:05:01 +0000

In reply to Richard Herring, 3rd. Bn., 5th Marines. Richard- Thank you for your comments. I forwarded them to Terry. You were in the very thick of the combat. I salute you. I hope you take time to read my historical novel RECALL about VN & the aftermath in the States. I lived that and share your reaction. I also have posted over 40 blogs on Vietnam that would interest you.

By: R Lawson

R Lawson — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:04:39 +0000

In reply to Ernest Funk. Ernest- You understand the price they paid. We air evac'ed burn wounded to Brooks from Vietnam.

By: Richard Herring, 3rd. Bn., 5th Marines

Richard Herring, 3rd. Bn., 5th Marines — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 01:55:34 +0000

You don’t know how much I appreciate your story. We had more then the Cong and NVA to fight. People who should have been supporting us were often our enemy. The Media, Politicians, ARVN, so called Peace Lovers…….
When TET ’68 broke out we turned our camp over to the 27 Marines and went mobile until November when we settled in An Hoa. We participated in over 15 major operations in I-Corp during that time.
When I came home in Feb. of 70 I was hoping someone would spit on me in the Airports. I’d have beat them within an inch of their life. Nobody bothered me.
Thank you again for your story.

By: Ernest Funk

Ernest Funk — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 18:24:40 +0000

I’m a proud veteran of the Vietnam Era. I worked in an Army Hospital in Texas dealing with are great soldiers from the war. Now they aren’t being taken care because over 20 million free loaders from other country’s need all are free stuff.

By: John Moran

John Moran — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 18:30:24 +0000

Thank you, Terry, well said.
A cannoncocker from the First Cav.