AFVN Signs Off Forty-three Years Ago Today!

Which somehow evolved into a discussion of the final evacuation of Saigon some two years later.

March 31, 2016

   From:   Terry Oliver

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

Damn, I'm old!  How did that happen?


 ​   From:   Tim Bodle

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

Bob - the primary character narrating was a CIA person.  I don't remember his name but I do remember his face from somewhere.  Anyway, he stated that Bing Crosby sang the "White Christmas" time to assemble and leave the country song.  I believe the Bing Crosby version couldn't be found and Tennessee E. Ford was the chosen one for song.  I'll bet someone knows the exact link for you to read.


   From:   Bob Casey

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

Hey Guys, Last night I watched the PBS presentation "Last Days of Vietnam". Though I have seen other programs like this, this one seemed to go into greater depth with lots of film and video of downtown Saigon. I was transported back in time. The feelings are with me still. 
Traveling back in time, I remember volunteering for Vietnam and extending as well. (March 1968 - July 1969). My entire time in country was spent at AFVN Saigon. I took a few 'day trips' with the USO to visit some front line troops. I clearly remember the cry "Incoming" and scrambling for a bunker. Downtown, I remember the traffic, the pollution, the shuttle bus assigned to us with chicken wire over the windows to prevent anyone from chucking in a grenade. I remember the flares over Cholon. And I remembered the smells. 
Oh how lucky I was - how lucky we were. We made it out. We made it home. And it is because of these memories, I feel closer to you all and wish you and yours the best of life and love.

Sincerely,

Bob Casey


   From:   Tom Rein

  Dated:  March 23, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

They did a great job!


    From:   Dick Ellis

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

Several of our guys have been back and it is my understanding that they are still running the station as we did!!!!  Maybe we could get summer jobs!!!

Dickie

 


    From:   Ken Kalish

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

Bob, I second Dickie's suggestion.  We would be delighted to see you again.  

Ken


 ​   From:   Jim White

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

Tim and Bob, 
Go to AFVNVets.net / AFVN History / 15-2 "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" by Chuck Neil. (or directly to
this link). 
I remember from personal email with Rory Kennedy, the producer, that she been told by Thomas Polgar, the last Saigon CIA Station Chief, that it was Bing Crosby's version and she had no reason to not believe him.  Later, I was able to convince her that it was Tennessee Ernie Ford's version but it was too late to make any changes to the documentary.  This is not on the AFVN website because Rory asked that I not publish our conversation. 
See more on Polgar
here.  This page also says it was Crosby's version. 
Jim W


   From:   Bob Morecook

  Dated:  March 31, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

AFVN SIGNS OFF 43 YEARS AGO TODAY 


AFVN radio and TV signed off permanently on March 23, 1973 after serving the American fighting man and woman for many years in Vietnam.  During that time over a thousand military personnel served at one of the many in-country sites.


    From:   Dick Ellis

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

[In response to Bob Casey's message.]  I hope you are planning to attend the reunion in Sept and first couple of days in Oct.... I look forward to seeing you and we have a pretty good program in the works....

Dickie

 ​   From:   Ann Kelsey

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

I think it was Frank Snepp.  He said it was the Bing Crosby version in his book Decent Interval.  It was really the Tennessee Ernie Ford version as Jim White and I and maybe some others relayed to Rory Kennedy.  It is an excellent film, maybe the best chronicling the final days of the war. 
Ann


 ​   From:   Mike McNally

  Dated:  March 24, 2016

Subject:  AFVN Signs Off 43 Years Ago Today

As most of you already know, I was an EARwitness to the "White Christmas" message on 29 April 1975 in Saigon. I clearly recall thinking at the time that it was not the Bing Crosby version. But I trusted the accounts of Frank Snepp and others who wrote that it was Bing Crosby. Then I read Chuck Neil's account of how he could not find a Bing Crosby version, so he used the Tennessee Ernie Ford version. I believe his account. 
Most of the people who wrote about the last days in Saigon did not need to hear any recorded message to know the final evacuation had arrived. I suspect that some of them did not even listen to the American Radio Service on the 29th and 30th. For current news, individuals were usually listening to the BBC on Zenith TransOceanics. I think the BBC may have reported that Bing Crosby's White Christmas was playing. Some people may have heard that report rather than the actual message. Reports and films about the Fall of Saigon usually play the Bing Crosby version. They are not playing a recording of what aired in Saigon. They are just playing Bing's version. 
Anyone who actually heard the White Christmas message had bigger things to worry about than whether it was Bing Crosby or someone else.. ...

Mike McNally


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