Veterans, community come together for Vietnam War 50th anniversary commemoration

By Ms. Joan B Vasey (Huachuca)October 9, 2015

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Vietnam veterans in the audience stand to be recognized by the audience during the 50th Commemorative Anniversary of the Vietnam War Oct. 2 in Cochise Theater. The ceremony is one of many similar events which have taken place on military installation... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Fort Huachuca, Arizona -- Local veterans and members of the Fort Huachuca and area communities came together for a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration at Cochise Theater Oct. 2, to honor and remember those who served, including prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Garrison Commander Thomas A. Boone, opened the event and welcomed attendees with a quote from Donald M. Goldstein's introduction to the book, The Vietnam War.

"The Vietnam War was arguably the most traumatic experience for the United States in the 20th Century. Now that is indeed a grim distinction in the span that included two world wars, the assassinations of two presidents and the resignation of another, the Great Depression, the Cold War, racial unrest, and the drug and crime waves," Boone said.

"I really wanted to be here today as this was quite frankly the first war to directly touch my life," Boone said, explaining how both his father and an uncle served during the conflict.

Master Sgt. Sharon Bower, Military Equal Opportunity Office, read the Presidential Proclamation on the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War which stated the commemoration would be a 13-year program from May 28, 2012, through Nov. 11, 2025, "to honor and give thanks to a generation of proud Americans who saw our country through one of the most challenging missions we have ever faced."

Next, a Pentagon Channel special feature presentation of "Recon: Reflections of Vietnam," showcased a look-back at the nation and its military leading up to and through the Vietnam War. Following the video, three featured guest speakers representing different services shared personal experiences.

Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Leo Pimple arrived in-country at Bien Hoa Airport Jan. 4, 1967 assigned as the supply sergeant at the 3rd Ordnance Battalion at Long Bihn Ammunition Supply Depot.

Pimple almost immediately learned the importance of securing the supply depot after the Viet Cong planted an explosive device that blew up almost all of the ammo stored in the depot.

Soldiers then installed a double fence with 15 meters between the two. Pimple explained how they'd spray the fence both inside and out to control vegetation. At that time, no one knew of its carcinogenetic nature or later effects from exposure.

One of the worst things that happened to Pimple while in Vietnam was "a thing called 'friendly fire.'

"After we put the fence up around the depot, we had erected 11 guard towers and they were manned by our ammunition handlers. I just happened to be the sergeant of the guard [one] night [when] we had a friendly fire accident."

Pimple described how tower search lights once blinded two guards, scaring them. One fired his weapon, killing his buddy.

"It was the longest -- and the shortest -- year of my life."

The narrator then introduced Air Force Retired Col. Gene Fenstermacher.

As a major, Fenstermacher served as the communications and electronics advisor to the Royal Thai Air Force. Fenstermacher said not all efforts to support the Vietnam War came from within country but many took place outside Vietnam.

During the conflict he supported air operations from Thailand from where fighter and bomber flights launched. Fenstermacher also described how the Air Force provided men to operate a radar site in Laos which was eventually overrun by Communists. There, most of the Americans were killed or became missing in action.

Former Marine Captain James Coan arrived at 3rd Tank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, in August 1967. One week later, his commander sent him to Con Thien to replace another officer.

'"Lieutenant Bailey has to come out,' the colonel said, saying the officer had already gotten two purple hearts due to the heavy fire. I said, 'Really? He's just gone up a week ago.' He said 'Well somebody has to go and you are next in line.'

"So I reported to my platoon on September 10 while the siege of Con Thien was going on in full [swing]. It was incoming rockets, mortars, artillery. … One of the first things I had to do was to learn how to stay alive. Then, after I did that for a few days, I found out who the rest of the crewmembers were in my platoon.

Following the panel, the MI Corps Band played their rendition of "Not Forgotten," with permission by songwriter and singer, Chris Van Cleave. After Boone gave closing remarks, the panel members received a copper 50th anniversary commemorative plaque as a conclusion to the ceremony.