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 Dear ARVN Veterans,

I am a 46 year old American man who served in the US Navy from 1974 to 1980. Although I never saw combat or Vietnam during my term of duty, I did meet many fresh veterans who had. One highly decorated Marine Corps veteran in particular was an instructor in my aviation mechanics school. I do not remember his name but I will never forget his words. He had not only seen Vietnam...he had fought for it twice. Sometime during a combat tour he had fought a battle near Saigon with an ARVN unit. After nearly twenty five years the details of his account mostly escape me. What doesn't escape me was his fully asserted admiration for the South Vietnamese soldier in combat. He had surprised us all with it as we sat there in class one day. The Vietnam war was as fresh a subject at the time (1974)- as yesterday's weather. It was brought up often in class. One quiet afternoon, a new sailor remarked contemptuously that we (the USA) won the war but it was the "f_ _ _ing" ARVN who couldn't handle it alone. This marine instructor came up out of his chair. He looked at every man in the room one by one. Then he fixed the hapless sailor who had given his free opinion about the ARVN soldier. His eyes were a mixture of fierce anger and sadness. These were his words, which I will hear clearly till the end of my life.

"You fellows weren't there...and it's lucky for you. I was there and I did fight and see good men killed. Make no mistake, besides the Marine Corps, semper fi,....the hardest fighting sunzabitches was the ARVN soldiers with good officers. So shut your fuckin mouths. 'Next man that says the ARVN sold out or can't fight.... deals with me. The ARVN did their job... they're fighting motherf_ _ _ _ers and I'll kick any bastard's ignorant ass whoever says otherwise."

We never said otherwise again.

Most respectfully,

Eric Mowrey USN, USNR, RVAW 110, NAS Miramar 1974-1980

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I have greatly enjoyed your quiet page. If I was drawn to it in the first place, it was because of that Marine. I have heard (and read) so many derogatory comments about the ARVN's fighting qualities over the years. It makes me sad to know that whatever part of it is true, was greatly a result of the "realpolitik" encouragement of South Vietnamese government corruption served down by Washington DC and not any want of guts on the part of your gritty soldiers. At any rate, the disease of poor morale and its consequences in combat came home to roost with American troops after 1970.

If I may make one criticism about your page, Mr. Van Bang, it would be that it is too modest. You have unsung heroes and famous fighting units that should be honored in writing. You have numerous battles where the ARVN kicked ass against the NVA and Cong, alone! Many of your heroes are alive, but only they know what they did and their worth was. No, I don't suggest you write blood and guts articles glorifying war, but rather articles honoring all these forgotten and distained men - and women; who fought bravely against their own brothers. Are they to be ridiculed as cowards and even traitors in the United States forever, because nobody will tell otherwise?

I truly believe that by virtue of your website, you could set at least some of the record straight with the truth and your stories. The ARVN fought with dedication and courage against Ho Chi Minh's cruel army for 20 years or more, with little pay and nearly the whole sick world waving your enemy's flag on the street. Time has come sir. Give your men's account. Tell it. Construct South Vietnam's War Memorial, even if it can't be in granite...for now.

Again, most respectfully,

Eric Mowrey.