War is tragic as past incidents prove. The Vietnam War is one of the few ways that have left a bitter taste in Americans’ tongues due to the issues of the illegitimate murder of innocent civilians and the over 1,600 missing after capture and other factors that characterized the mayhem of the Vietnam War between 1955 and 1975 (Kurzynski, 2016). This article recounts the various heroic actions, successes, and challenges unknown to most of the river raiders in the bid to support the acceptance and encouraging the current 3rd battalion, 60th infantry to reconnect with the Vietnam veterans in similar units.
Brief Facts of the 3rd Battalion 60th Infantry
The over 3 million soldiers participating in the Vietnam War answered the call by JF Kennedy to serve their nation and stop the rise of communism in Vietnam. However, the political and inadequate experience or strategizing in a guerilla warfare resulted in approximately 58,000 dead U.S. soldiers, 1,600 missing and thousands injured (Kurzynski, 2016). According to Kurzynski (2016), the Vietnam War was a war requiring smaller units to enhance the element of surprise in a country where the enemies would hide in the dense woods and attack (Wiest, 2017). The large armies and the terrains affected the ability of the troops to coordinate and attack the prepared Vietcong. As earlier stated, many units engaged in the Vietnam War with the 3rd Battalion 60th and 47th infantries took to the rivers and seas to survey for enemy camps clearing the path for the foot soldiers. According to Sherwood (2015), the squadrons were under the Mobile River Force (MRF) that used boats to cover over 500 miles squared whereas the foot soldiers could only move 300 meters daily in the thick vegetation. Sherwood (2015) argues that the MRF risked their lives by exposing themselves to the enemies in the bid to engage the Vietcong. He states, “MRF engaged in River Rats daily.” (Sherwood, 2015). According to Vaughn (2016), Mayer, a Vietnam veteran, stated that the 3rd battalion 60th infantry among other Vietnam veterans deserve credit for the challenges they faced and their determination to ensure that they would suppress the Vietcong at all costs. Mayer is one of the soldiers who almost lost his life after an RPG from the Vietcong exploded in the boat during the daily routines (Vaughn, 2015). He would also become the lone survivor after the Vietcong bombed one of the planes.
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The significance of the Current Units Integrating with the River Raiders
Mayer, as quoted by Vaughn (2015), stated that even in their pain and knowledge that the Vietcong willingness to fight and kill every American soldier, they never feared death or refrained from fighting and attacking the enemy. The unity depicted by River Raiders to ensure that they stopped to retrieve the bodies of their comrades is a vital value that current river raiders can learn from the veterans. The strong bond and willingness to ensure that they were not willing to leave their dead comrades with all the gunfire and bombings is a valuable lesson the current unit can learn. The essence that the soldiers risked their lives to save others and fulfill the mission can enhance the bravery of the current units. According to Jones (2016), the over 20 Vietnam veterans meeting at Fort Riley on September 9, 2016, for their annual reunion was a way for the veterans and the current regiments of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry to explore their shared interests. The soldiers were able to learn from the veterans through their stories.
The meeting continued the annual reunion that the regiment introduced 26 years ago as a way to promote camaraderie and integration of current soldiers with the veterans (Jones, 2016). The activities such as lunch, viewing exhibits and reminisce on experiences with the veterans may seem small but the essence the regiment has invested to continuously enable the meetings to depict that the reunions are vital for both the soldiers and the veterans. The veterans have an opportunity to recall their years of service and train with the new blood thus maintaining the culture of the regiment introducing the new blood into the culture and expectations of serving in the unit.
Jones (2016) argues that the continued engagement of the 2 nd Battalion, 16 th Infantry regiment meeting at Fort Riley encourages camaraderie by encouraging simple tasks. The simple activities enabled the sense of belonging that enhances the bond and loyalty to one’s duty noting that they have people who can understand their problems and always there to risk their lives in the bid to enhance the safety. Jones (2016) quotes Meredith’s statement, “We are keepers of all the history (of the 1st Bn. 16th Inf. Regt.), and we take that very seriously…Our history makes us who we are, and I use that on them (his Soldiers).” (Jones, 2016). The statement means that the reunions provide the current soldiers with the history of the regiment and ensure they understand what it means to be a member of the unit’s badge. Lastly, reconnection would provide the veterans with the opportunity to share their grievances and enjoy the complement of their sacrifices (Army West Point, 2015). The opportunity would empower the veterans and ease their lives after suffering rebuke from civilians. It would also provide a strategic improvement to eliminate the future failures similar to the Vietnam War.
References
Army West Point. (2015, July 7). THE LONG GRAY LINE. Army West Point . Retrieved August 30, 2018, from https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/2015/7/14/gameday_0714154804.aspx
Jones, S. (2016, Sept 9). ‘Iron Rangers’ veterans reunite at Fort Riley. Dvidshub . Retrieved August 30, 2018, from https://www.dvidshub.net/news/212017/iron-rangers-veterans-reunite-fort-riley
Kurzynski, K. (2016). Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall of Faces. Journal Of Veterans Studies , 1 (1), 224.
Sherwood, J. (2015). War in the shallows . Washington D.C: Naval History and Heritage Command.
Vaughn, S. (2015, Dec 16). Infantry Soldier served as ‘river raider’ in Vietnam. Redstone Rocket . Retrieved from https://www.theredstonerocket.com/news/article_00423aa6-a3fc-11e5-bea6-17ed0f21846b.html
Wiest, A. (2017, May 16). Opinion | Charlie Company and the Small-Unit War. The New York Times . Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/opinion/vietnam-war-charlie-company.html
