10 Interesting or Trivial Facts about Vietnam you Probably Didn’t Know

#1: Various Names

• Vietnam is the variation of Nam Viet, which means Southern Viet. Viet Nam was used commonly long ago and is still referred the same way by the United Nations and the Vietnamese Government.

#2: Literacy

• Vietnam has attained 94% literacy though it is classified as a developing country.
• Children do not go to schools hearing bells. Schools let them know when it is time by using traditional gongs.
• Even, the unemployment rates are very low for a developing country. Continue reading →

What did US soldiers in Vietnam do in their spare time during the Vietnam War?

Civilians and peace time military personnel can set up a daily routine. In the “traditional wars” from Vietnam back; in which there were NO cell phones, computers, GPS systems, mini-TV’s, equal opportunity employment, environmental bullets, advanced safety military protection gear (face shields, knee pads, night vision goggles attached to the protective headgear), etc. etc. GI’s in the Vietnam War, had to do pretty much what his forefathers did in the Korean War, WWII, WWI, Spanish-American War of 1898, the US Frontier Wars, the US Civil War, etc.

And that was (for the men in the field): Sleep when ever possible, because there was NO daily routine. Shooting or explosions could come at any time, from any direction. Or “movement”.  If anyone saw or heard any “movement”, action could commence at any split second.  Sleep (or rest) was always wanted. Food and drink, was a constant, especially food.  The army only supplied “C” rations in the field (canned food) could be heated (we found other sources to cook our food), army issued “heat tablets” took too long, wouldn’t light using a cigarette, and put out eye burning fumes when used in a bunker or inside an armored vehicle.  “C” rations had to be eaten COLD at night-time because of “night discipline”…lights get shot at during the night, and worse they could draw mortar fire.  Then your buddies will be very upset with the GI who showed the light.

Other than sleeping, eating, a cold beer (or soda) was excellent entertainment.  Cigarettes were part of life. Inside of each “C” ration meal was factory Marlboro, Salem, Pall Malls, Camel cigarettes. SP (Sundries Paks) came Viceroy, Pall Malls, Marlboro, Salem, by the carton! Reading paperback books, and playing cards was common (Gambling). Fishing in rivers was popular, some GI’s hunted deer and other small game (no fishing/hunting license REQUIRED!).

SOURCE: wikianswers.com

I was in Las Vegas Monday November 11, 2013 (Veterans Day) and attended the Jabbawockeez show at the Luxor.  Sitting directly accross from me were about 8 Army Soldiers in uniform.  I noticed a 4th Infantry Division patch on the soldier nearest to me.  I got up and went over to them and told them I was also in the 4th Infantry Division.  We chatted for awhile and then did the “Thank you for your service” bit before I returned to my seat.

Just prior to the show an announcement was made that two of the soldiers were reenlisting and the ceremony would be on stage.  Their Captain (who I previously spoke to) performed the ceremony.  They were stationed at Ft. Carson and are to deploy to Afghanistan.  Here are some of the pictures.

Click on a picture for a slideshow

Untouched for almost seven decades, the tunnel used in the Great Escape has finally been unearthed.

The 111-yard passage nicknamed ‘Harry’ by allied prisoners was sealed by the Germans after the audacious break-out from the POW camp Stalag Luft III in western Poland.

Despite huge interest in the subject, encouraged by the film starring Steve McQueen, the tunnel remained undisturbed over the decades because it was behind the Iron Curtain and the Soviet authorities had no interest in its significance.

But at last British archaeologists have excavated it, and discovered its remarkable secrets.

Many of the bed boards which had been joined together to stop it collapsing were still in position.

And the ventilation shaft, ingeniously crafted from used powdered milk containers known as Klim Tins, remained in working order.

Scattered throughout the tunnel, which is 30ft below ground, were bits of old metal buckets, hammers and crowbars which were used to hollow out the route.

A total of 600 prisoners worked on three tunnels at the same time. They were nicknamed Tom, Dick and Harry and were just 2 ft. square for most of their length.

It was on the night of March 24 and 25, 1944, that 76 Allied airmen escaped through Harry.

Barely a third of the 200 prisoners – many in fake German uniforms and civilian outfits and carrying false identity papers – who were meant to slip away managed to leave before the alarm was raised when escapee number 77 was spotted.

Only three made it back to Britain. Another 50 were executed by firing squad on the orders of Adolf Hitler, who was furious after learning of the breach of security.

In all, 90 boards from bunk beds, 62 tables, 34 chairs and 76 benches, as well as thousands of items including knives, spoons, forks, towels and blankets, were squirrelled away by the Allied prisoners to aid the escape plan under the noses of their captors.

Although the Hollywood movie suggested otherwise, NO Americans were involved in the operation. Most were British, and the others were from Canada, (all the tunnellers were Canadian personnel with backgrounds in mining) Poland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

The latest dig, over three weeks in August, located the entrance to Harry, which was originally concealed under a stove in Hut 104.

The team also found another tunnel, called George, whose exact position had not been charted. It was never used as the 2,000 prisoners were forced to march to other camps as the Red Army approached in January 1945.

Watching the excavation was Gordie King, 91, and RAF radio operator, who was 140th in line to use Harry and therefore missed out.

‘This brings back such bitter-sweet memories,’ he said as he wiped away tears. ‘I’m amazed by what they’ve found.’

Thanks to Ron Draper for sending us the information.  Hoo-Rah