[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 106 (Thursday, July 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE 3RD 
BRIGADE (GOLDEN BRIGADE), OF THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION TO THE REPUBLIC 
                              OF VIETNAM.

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                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2003

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 35th 
Anniversary of the deployment of the 3rd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne 
Divisions to the Republic of Vietnam. In late January 1968, the United 
States had 500,000 soldiers deployed in the Republic of Vietnam. The 
Soviets had become increasing belligerent on the Inter-German boundary, 
and the North Koreans had fired on the USS Pueblo, seized the ship and 
held the crew hostage. The world situation was tense and the United 
States military was stretched thin in many locations. On January 31st, 
1968, the Vietnamese New Year, North Vietnamese forces initiated a 
coordinated attack throughout South Vietnam. The largest enemy 
offensive of the war was later named the Tet Offensive. General William 
C. Westmoreland, Commander of American Troops in Vietnam, was facing a 
direct attack on his headquarters in Saigon, the Marines were 
surrounded and in danger of being overrun at Khe Sanh and the 
communists had captured the Imperial City of Hue. In conversations with 
President Johnson, Westmoreland requested additional troops be sent 
from the States immediately. Westmoreland clearly stated his preference 
for ``airborne troopers''.
  During the Vietnam War, the 82nd Airborne Division was the nation's 
strategic reserve, though during the early winter of 1968 it was manned 
at only about 60% strength. Recognizing the criticality of the 
situation, President Lyndon Johnson approved orders committing a 
brigade of the 82nd. A decision was made to send the 3rd Brigade, 
though it took substantial numbers of soldiers from 1st and 2nd 
Brigades to bring the 3rd Brigade to full strength.
  The alert came at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12th, 1968 and the 
advanced party, led by Colonel Alexander R. Bolling, Jr., departed 24 
hours later with the main elements beginning their departure on the 
following day. The lead combat element, the 2nd Battalion, 505th 
Parachute Infantry Regiment, was engaged in hostile operations by that 
Sunday, the 18th of February--only six days after the initial alert. It 
took 155 C-141's and a number of C-130's to lift the 3,600 men and 
equipment of the Brigade 12,000 miles to Chu Lai, a trip that took 30 
hours.
  Over eighty percent of the soldiers in the Golden Brigade had already 
served at least one tour in Vietnam. Additionally, many had also served 
in WWII, the Korean War and in the Dominican Republic conflict.
  The Golden Brigade fought bravely and successfully to open Hai Van 
Pass, driving the communists from Hue, opening the roads to the A Shau 
Valley to control Nui Khe Mountain. Following the Brigade's 
redeployment to the southern part of the country in September of 1968, 
they took the war to the enemy in the Michelin Rubber Plantation, the 
Iron Triangle and along the Song Be River.
  In twenty-two months of combat, the Golden Brigade won eight campaign 
streamers for the battle flag. 228 men paid the ultimate price and gave 
their lives, and another 1,200 men were wounded in action. The youngest 
troopers are now in their mid fifties, and some of the officers and 
noncommissioned officers have departed this world. It is fitting and 
proper that during this 35th anniversary year, a grateful nation 
acknowledges their sacrifice, valor and selfless service. Airborne--All 
The Way!

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