Photo description: Best buds: The author and Lonny Livingston Two Marines became fast friends on the first day in the military and did everything together. When in Vietnam, they did everything together. At the battle of Con Thien, an injury thought to be fatal separated them for good. Guilt ate at them for the next thirty-five years. Here’s their story: By Perry Walker I met Lonny Livingston…

A firebase in Vietnam, wherever in Vietnam, would be well-known to whoever habituated one anywhere.  There were several thousand firebases during the conflict, manned by many units and many men, but they were all the same. Con Thien was special to those that were there. Keith Nightingale offers an overview of what it was like for the Marines during the siege. By Keith Nightingale A firebase in…

Life Magazine October 27, 1967 – Marine at Con Thien

Life Magazine Cover : Marine inside the cone of fire at Con Thien.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1967

In the Central Highlands of Vietnam, North Vietnamese mortars and rockets shelled an American artillery base defended by paratroopers. Action also flared briefly in two other areas: along the demilitarized zone near Conthien and near the Cambodian border north of Saigon. 

Government sources in Saigon said that the South Vietnamese police had arrested a Vietcong official who was reported to have been trying to make contact with the United States Embassy. Dozens of rumors circulated about the incident, including one that said the police sabotaged a meeting that the Central Intelligence Agency had arranged between the enemy emissary and American Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker. 

In an effort to thwart what is considered to be a growing Communist terrorist movement, the Government of Thailand imposed martial law on five southern and central provinces, including one close to Bangkok. The move showed concern about infiltrators in the region of the capital, which was previously considered relatively free of terrorists. Seven other provinces were already under martial law.

The United States Steel Corporation announced an increase in the price of steel used in a wide range of products, including automobiles and household appliances. The announcement said the company was adding $5 a ton to the price of some of its light flat-rolled products, beginning Dec, 15. Other companies said they were studying the move. There was no immediate comment from the White House. 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1967

The Senate approved a resolution yesterday calling upon President Johnson to seek United Nations help in ending the war in Vietnam. By an 82-to-0 vote, the Senate urged the President to “consider taking the appropriate initiative” in bringing the Vietnam issue before the Security Council. The resolution, sponsored by the Senate majority leader, Mike Mansfield of Montana, had the public endorsement of the Administration. But privately, Administration officials have indicated that they see little hope of United Nations action.

In Saigon it was reported that United States marines had been attacked by an enemy force in the vicinity of Conthien near the demilitarized zone. After four hours of fierce fighting, United States casualties were listed as 15 killed and 53 wounded. The clash was one of the heaviest in weeks in the area.

After more than seven months of Communist agitation, terrorism and sporadic border incidents, Hong Kong’s immediate future was reported to be looking brighter. A senior British official in Hong Kong said that Communist China appeared to be "attempting to take some of the heat out of existing problems.” 

In Washington, Senator Eugene J. McCarthy announced that he would challenge President Johnson’s right to renomination in five or six Democratic primaries in 1968. But during a bantering, low-key news conference, the Minnesota Senator never actually declared himself a candidate for President or contended that he could deprive the President of the nomination. 

Never Forget Fallen Heroes – Portrait Artist Michael Reagan

Michael Reagan is a Vietnam Veteran…a Marine who found his purpose in life drawing portraits. He founded the Fallen Heroes Project, which earned him “The Civilian Service Before Self Honors (2015) Medal from the Medal of Honor Foundation. But it’s his calling to draw the faces of the fallen that propels him, bringing healing to the families, and ultimately, healing to himself. Vietnam Michael…