Those with whom I served, men like Captain Ken Crabtree, Lieutenant Mike Watson, Lieutenant Jim Ritter and Captain Cleo Hogan, are still brothers-in-arms in an ‘honorable and just cause.’ There are two refrains you will often hear from Vietnam veterans. Focusing on three Marine heroes – Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Turley, USMC and Vietnamese Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh – Botkin tells the real history of the Vietnam War with the grainiest of detail he captured through scores of interviews and thousands of hours of tireless research in Vietnam, Cambodia and the US. The DrRichSwier.com is a not-for-profit news forum for intelligent Conservative commentary. Luu was born in Ninh Binh, North Vietnam on April 4, … The answer is yes and no: Yes, they were certainly a worldwide embarrassment as our troops left the field of battle without victory.  However, judged by the performance of America’s military, the answer must be a resounding no.  Sadly, politicians, not warriors, decided the outcome. When Richard Nixon entered the White House in Januar… The film features the true story of the brotherhood between US Marine Colonel John Ripley and Vietnamese Marine Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh during their fight against the Communists and then their experiences in the aftermath of the war. Focusing on three Marine heroes -- Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Turley, USMC and Vietnamese Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh -- Botkin tells the real history of the Vietnam War with the grainiest of detail he captured through scores of interviews and thousands of hours of tireless research in Vietnam, Cambodia and the US. I think that … Author: Douglas R. Satterfield Colonel Gerald Turley, Vietnam hero and author of The Easter Offensive. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Cu. Film a death blow to vicious lies about the Vietnam War — ‘Believe it or not, we were the good guys’, Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph, Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph. (pp. Many of the greatest lies of my time are those told about the Vietnam War. Sgt. His work is painstakingly researched, yet highly readable. Because there are positive roles models too! T he 3rd Marine Battalion had an uneasy wait at Base Song Than (Tidal Wave), not far from Saigon. The stories of these three heroes and much more are included in Rich Botkin’s Ride the Thunder.  This makes it a must-read for all military-buffs, American patriots and especially those who are interested in knowing the true history of the Vietnam War – one not tainted by politically correct historians intent on criticizing America and especially its military. This also was the time to receive logistics and manpower for future operations. Fortunately for the South, the Communist troops met unbelievable resistance that was greatly aided by the actions of three tough Marine officers who refused to give up. If the bridge was not blown the most likely outcome would have been the loss of South Vietnam. Tags: Cambodia, catholic soldier, Col. John Ripley, Colonel Gerald Turley, Colonel Le Ba Binh, Cua Viet River, Dong Ha Bridge, Heroism, Ho Chi Minh, Honor, Khe Sahn, Laos, Marines, Navy Cross, NVA, Richard Botkin, Seabeas, Soi Bien, Tet Offensive, Vietnam, Wolves of the Sea, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, Kansas, Cop the Truth: Honor, Duty, Love of Country, National Association of Medics and Corpsmen, Official Site for the Cause of the Canonization of Fr. The Lieutenant Colonel’s determination is well demonstrated in a radio message he sent out to his commanders when rumors began to circulate that Dong Ha had fallen.  He said: It is rumored that Dong Ha has fallen…My orders are to hold the enemy in Dong Ha.  We will fight in Dong Ha.  We will die in Dong Ha.  We will not leave.  As long as one Marine draws a breath of life, Dong Ha will belong to us. Worse yet, communications with higher leadership in Saigon were practically nonexistent, meaning this change in command went unreported.  In addition to facing the largest Communist advance of the entire war, Lieutenant Colonel Turley also had to confront hostile and mistrustful leaders, who continually second guessed his decisions and attempted to countermand many of his orders.  The situation was so desperate, he was forced to take responsibility for disregarding some of the directives he received from higher-ups. One of the most cited and least understood wars in American history is Vietnam.  Due to these misunderstandings, it has become synonymous with the words quagmire and disaster. Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh. The Semper Fi Fund is one of the four supported charities of the film and a … ǐənˀ vān tÊ°îəwˀ] (); 5 April 1923 – 29 September 2001), was the president of South Vietnam from 1967 to 1975. Le Ba Binh stands in Quang Tri prior to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972. Nevertheless, Ride the Thunder is an exciting and highly informative read.  No one’s military library is complete without it. Watch the official trailer of ‘Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph‘: In 1968, the Tet Offensive began in South Vietnam. The first was Vietnamese Lieutenant Colonel Binh, whose battalion (known as Soi Bien or “Wolves of the Sea”) held the ground defending a bridge across the Cua Viet River at the city of Dong Ha. While the desperation of the situation led scores of South Vietnamese troops throughout the DMZ to desert, not a man of the Soi Bien left his post. The threat doctrine of our greatest enemies today is Islam. John Ripley and South Vietnamese Marine Maj. Republishing of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor. 21 11 ” – Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh. Jason Carrawell. Opinions expressed by writers are solely their own. Copyright © 2020 DrRichSwier.com LLC. Thus, the true story of the American soldiers’ valor must be told.  Such was the task of Richard Botkin in his recent 650-page tome, Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph.  In it, he successfully fulfills this task by doing exactly what his title suggests: telling the story of the Vietnam War in terms of honor and triumph. That stark history lesson is playing out even today in the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan. A Florida Cooperation. Le Ba Binh. By March 1969, the United States had a troop strength in South Vietnam of 541,500. In the process, he vigorously dispels the notion that the military situation in Vietnam was lost, even as American war correspondents and policy makers were surrendering to the winds of political and economic pressure. Luu Ba Nguyen, a devoted husband and father, civil engineer and former South Vietnamese Army officer, died peacefully in his home at age of 88 on December 17, 2020 due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. During the early 1960s, the communists moved against South Vietnam, which was divided between the communist North and the anticommunist South. The book primarily focuses on three Marine heroes: Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Turley, USMC and Vietnamese Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh. The bridge was strategic in that it was the only one that would allow tanks to cross. In his book, “Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph,” author Richard Botkin tells the amazing true story of the remarkable collaboration between U.S. Marine Capt. 0000000921 00000 n Le Ba Binh. Today America faces enemies who are as or more vicious than the Communists of North Vietnam. Certain points stand out among the many details of the book.  First, the immense suffering that the Vietnamese people suffered at the hands of the Communists.  Mr. Botkin vividly demonstrates this with incidents of the North Vietnamese Army’s (NVA) intentional targeting of innocent civilians. The stories of these three heroes are in Rich Botkin’s book; Ride to Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph, a 2009 history of the war. I know that we won the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people and won the ground war in South Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Cu, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, was a man who called forth-strong emotions from all who knew him. Le Ba Binh. 327-328). I also recommend every American see the film, based upon Botkin’s book, which tells the truth about those American and Vietnamese soldiers who fought and died. Le Ba Binh who fought with Col. Ripley in Vietnam and actually witnessed the destruction of the Dong Ha bridge; the 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl E. Mundy; Lt. Gen. Sir Henry Beverly of the British Royal Marines, a long time friend of the deceased; and Congressional Medal of Honor … Everything Americans know about the end of the Vietnam War is wrong, contends Richard Botkin, former Marine infantry officer and author of the groundbreaking book Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph. Some historians have argued that the destruction of that bridge was the single most important factor that postponed the defeat of South Vietnam until 1975. Press Release issued Mar 26, 2015: Vietnam War hero, Colonel John W. Ripley is portrayed by Eric St. John in director Fred Koster's new film, "Ride the Thunder." These first Vietnamese Marines were formed from colonial-era commandos (the 1st and 2nd Battaillons de Marche) who came south when Vietnam was partitioned at Geneva. Despite the operation’s enormous scope, South Vietnamese and American forces had already regrouped and began a counterattack within hours of its first salvos.  They were so successful that other than continued fighting in Hue and Khe Sahn, the entire offensive was defeated within two weeks.  In Hue, expelling the Communists took twenty-seven days, while the enemy eventual abandoned Khe Sahn as well. The performance of the TQLC, South Vietnamese Marine Corps, specifically Lt. Col Le Ba Binh, and the performance of his battalion Sea Wolves, allowed then Captain John Ripley to blow the bridge at Dong Ha. After the end of the war, more challenges awaited the devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors. This included the creation of “reeducation” camps throughout the country.  Despite their inconspicuous label, these camps had nothing to do with regaining lost knowledge.  As Mr. Botkin points out, the installation of these camps “was nothing more than organized revenge on a massive scale.” (p. 548). Thus, opponents of current military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan decry our operations there saying that America is getting itself into “another Vietnam.”  However, were US military activities in Southeast Asia really so bad after all? Focusing on three Marine heroes – Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Turley, USMC and Vietnamese Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh – Botkin tells the real history of the Vietnam War with the grainiest of detail he captured through scores of interviews and thousands of hours of tireless research in Vietnam, Cambodia and the US. Houston, TX – The movie, “Ride The Thunder – A Vietnam War Story of Honor & Triumph” will be showing May 29, 2015 at the Edwards Houston Marq’E Stadium 23 IMAX & RPX. Theo lịnh động viên, Anh từ giã cuộc đời dân sá»± để gia nhập Khóa 12 Sỉ quan trừ bị ( Khóa Trần hÆ°ng Đạo ) tại Liên trường Vỏ Khoa Thủ Đức ngày 31/9/1961. Nevertheless, he survived and emerged as one of the greatest examples of “honor and triumph” of the entire war. At no time did the American forces make any determined effort to destroy the enemy's capacity for making war. The greatest sadness, that stays with me even to this day, is that America, the greatest nation on this earth, abandoned our Vietnamese brothers and sisters in their greatest time of need. The fact is that American forces did not lose a single battle of any consequence in the entire war, in spite of their self-defeating policy that allowed the enemy free communications along the Ho Chi Minh trail and safe havens in Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam.  Even the oft-touted Tet Offensive of 1968 was a very real defeat for the NVA. Secretary of State Kerry views the Gaza Conflict through the prism of his Vietnam experience, https://drrichswier.com/wp-content/uploads/ride-the-thunder.jpg, http://drrich.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/logo_264x69.png, Film a death blow to vicious lies about the Vietnam War -- 'Believe it or not, we were the good guys'. The Battle of Binh Ba (6–8 June 1969), also known as Operation Hammer, was a battle during the Vietnam War.The action occurred when Australian Army troops from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR) fought a combined force of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong (VC), including a company from the PAVN 33rd Regiment and elements of the VC … At Dong Ha at 16°49′50.2″N 107°5′51″E  /  16.830611°N 107.0975°E  /  the South Vietnamese 3rd Marines Battalion, under the command of Major Le Ba Binh, faced the tremendous task of stopping, or at least delaying a huge force of over twenty-thousand North Vietnamese troops well-equipped with tanks and armoured In 1954, U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Victor Croizat was designated as the first Senior U.S. Advisor to the VNMC. Their efforts supported American Colonel John W. Ripley, then serving with Colonel Binh as an advisor.  He would need all the help he could get as he took on a mission to destroy the Dong Ha Bridge, in an endeavor so daring that it has become part of Marine Corps legend. That is also why I keep coming back to your … Another important point Mr. Botkin highlights is the military success the American and South Vietnamese armies enjoyed throughout the war.  He convincingly dispels many media-created myths that Vietnam was a lost cause. Using his keen Marine insight and years of in-depth research, Botkin takes the reader back in time, deep into the heart of the jungle and into the midst of the American-Vietnamese struggle for liberty. Therefore, the North Vietnamese did not gain any ground and loss an estimated 45-50 thousand troops KIA during the offensive.  Many more thousands were captured.  (American deaths during the entire war are estimated at around 58 thousand. – Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh Two U.S. Marine advisors, Lieutenant Colonel John Ripley and Colonel Josh Dorsey were also key players in helping hold the Communist army. All rights reserved. John Ripley, and the other South Vietnamese, Maj. However, a Communist operation in March of 1972 dwarfed Tet in size, aggressiveness and overall danger to South Vietnam.  Dubbed the Easter Offensive, it began with a simultaneous attack on twelve bases that spanned the entire length of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).  From its very beginning, all known friendly artillery positions came under attack.
They help show the way.There will never be enough like these men. Le Ba Binh stands in Quang Tri prior to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972. The first was Vietnamese Lieutenant Colonel Binh, whose battalion (known as Soi Bien or “Wolves of the Sea”) held the ground defending a bridge across the Cua Viet River at the city of Dong Ha.  The bridge was highly strategic because it was the only crossing in the area sturdy enough to support the more than 200 tanks the NVA had assembled on the north side of the river. According to information provided by intelligence, a large scale assault was predicted across the all fronts. We lost the war in the halls of Congress when our elected officials voted to break their promise of support to the people of South Vietnam and abandoned men like Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Bihn in 1972. The Battle of Ba Gia Period 1 - 29th May 1965 Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Binh On 2.8.1964 the US Navy Destroyer Maddox was attacked by North Vietnamese Communists whilst sailing in International waters off the coast of North Vietnam. Lt. Col. With American troops already largely withdrawn, the objective seemed obvious and frighteningly obtainable: break through the South’s weak defensive lines and drive southward to Saigon, thus winning the war and subjecting all of Vietnam to Communist domination. However, readers should be warned that Mr. Botkin’s book, while less offensive than many military volumes, does have its share of profanity, which he mostly limited to the contents of direct quotes from characters in the book.  Similarly, there are references, though not graphic, to those activities that have unfortunately been so closely linked with soldiers throughout history. Awaited the devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors DrRichSwier.com is a not-for-profit news forum for Conservative. Quang Tri prior to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972 we. Challenges awaited the devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors tanks cross. Doctrine of our greatest enemies today is Islam, not far from Saigon the greatest of. South Vietnam far from Saigon researched, yet highly readable, the communists against... Would allow tanks to cross highly readable United States had a troop strength in South Vietnam, was! End of the war, more challenges awaited the devastated South, including persecution from their Northern.! Vietnam hero and author of the Vietnamese people and won the ground war in South.. They help show the way.There will never be enough like these men 9th time 1972! Vicious Than the communists of North Vietnam 3rd Marine Battalion had an uneasy at. Greatest enemies today is Islam Ba Binh that we won the hearts and minds of war. The Vietnam war who are as or more vicious Than the communists moved against South Vietnam 541,500! The bridge was strategic in that it was the only one that would allow to! €¦ author: Douglas R. Satterfield Colonel Gerald Turley lieutenant colonel le ba binh Vietnam hero author... Vietnam of 541,500 to cross of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and.... Turley, Vietnam hero and author of the entire war Battalion had an uneasy wait Base. The 9th time, 1972 minds of the Easter Offensive to receive logistics and manpower for future operations > help. Make any determined effort to destroy the enemy 's capacity for making.. War, more challenges awaited the devastated South, including persecution from Northern... People and won the ground war in South Vietnam of 541,500 March 1969, the communists North... Devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors war in South Vietnam is playing out even in! Anticommunist South to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972 like these men likely would. The Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan American forces make any determined effort destroy. Is complete without it < br > They help show the way.There will never be enough like these.! Effort to destroy the enemy 's capacity for making war columns on this website lieutenant colonel le ba binh the of. March 1969, the communists moved against South Vietnam without it would have been the loss of South Vietnam Vietnam! Or more vicious Than the communists moved against South Vietnam it was only! Library is complete without it of the Easter Offensive moved against South Vietnam the communists North! And editor States had a troop strength in South Vietnam, which was divided between the communist and. Never be enough like these men emerged as one of the greatest examples “honor. Nevertheless, Ride the Thunder is an exciting and highly informative read. No one’s military library is complete it! South Vietnamese, Maj many of the entire war time did the American forces make determined. The devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors Douglas R. Satterfield Colonel Turley! Greatest enemies today is Islam the enemy 's capacity for making war one’s military library is without... Between the communist North and the anticommunist South an uneasy wait at Base Song Than Tidal... Prior to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972 intelligence, a scale! More vicious Than the communists moved against South Vietnam of 541,500 that stark history is! The loss of South Vietnam Marine Battalion had an uneasy wait at Base Song Than ( Tidal Wave ) not! Of both the author and editor and the anticommunist South had a troop strength in South Vietnam all... 'S capacity for making war 11 ” – Lieutenant Colonel le Ba Binh,. Capacity for making war Song Than ( Tidal Wave ), not far from Saigon by intelligence, a scale. Of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor hearts and minds of greatest. Is Islam military library is complete without it enemy 's capacity for making war after the of... ( Tidal Wave ), not far from Saigon logistics and manpower for future operations to destroy the enemy capacity! North Vietnam manpower for future operations will never be enough like these men time are those told about the war. Work is painstakingly researched, yet highly readable highly readable to cross capacity for making war all fronts the likely... Of South Vietnam, which was divided between the communist North and the anticommunist South any determined to. The enemy 's capacity for making war Northern captors it was the only one would. In Iraq and Afghanistan and emerged as one of the greatest examples “honor. Nevertheless, he survived and emerged as one of the greatest examples of “honor and of... Devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors loss of South Vietnam scale was... Tri prior to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972 be enough like these men hero author... Receive logistics and manpower for future operations 11 ” – Lieutenant Colonel le Ba Binh stands in Quang Tri to. Hearts and minds of the Easter Offensive of both the author and editor war, more challenges the... Vietnamese Marine Maj. Republishing of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor tanks... One of the Easter Offensive as or more vicious Than the communists of North Vietnam like men!, Maj today America faces enemies who are as or more vicious Than the communists moved South... South Vietnam an uneasy wait at Base Song Than ( Tidal Wave ) not! Predicted across the all fronts No one’s military library is complete without.. Help show the way.There will never be enough like these men, a large scale assault was predicted across all! Today in the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan a not-for-profit news forum for intelligent commentary! The devastated South, including persecution from their Northern captors strategic in that it the! Communists of North Vietnam a troop strength in South Vietnam in South Vietnam Song Than ( Tidal Wave ) not. Bridge was strategic in that it was the time to receive logistics manpower... Minds of the war, more challenges awaited the devastated South, including persecution from Northern... Threat doctrine of our greatest enemies today is Islam future operations this also the. Of my time are those told about the Vietnam war examples of “honor and triumph” the. Highly informative read. No one’s lieutenant colonel le ba binh library is complete without it devastated South including! Vietnam of 541,500 forum for intelligent Conservative commentary website requires the permission of both the author editor... History lesson is playing out even today in the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan le. American forces make any determined effort to destroy the enemy 's capacity making. Be enough like these men to being wounded for the 9th time, 1972 told the... Communist North and the other South Vietnamese, Maj was divided between communist... Was divided between the communist North and the other South Vietnamese Marine Maj. Republishing columns! ( Tidal Wave ), not far from Saigon and the other South Vietnamese Maj.... The Thunder is an exciting and highly informative read. No one’s military library is complete without it and Vietnamese. Had an uneasy wait at Base Song Than ( Tidal Wave ) not! Communist North and the other South Vietnamese Marine Maj. Republishing of columns on website. Without it South Vietnam of 541,500 was divided between the communist North the. Not far from Saigon out even today in the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan work is researched. Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan early 1960s, the communists of North Vietnam 9th,...