Vietnam Archives - Common Sense Evaluation

In 1969, a shocking scandal rocked the US military and the public. A group of elite soldiers, known as the Green Berets, were accused of murdering a Vietnamese double agent and covering up the crime. The case exposed a secret war within the war, involving the CIA, the Army, and the Special Forces. It also raised questions about the morality and legality of covert operations in a foreign country. This is the story of the Green Beret affair, and how it revealed the dark side of the Vietnam War.

The Green Berets and the CIA

The Green Berets, officially called the US Army Special Forces, were created in the 1950s to conduct unconventional warfare, such as guerrilla warfare, counterinsurgency, and psychological operations. They were trained to work with local allies, speak foreign languages, and operate behind enemy lines. They were also known for their distinctive headgear, a green beret that symbolized their elite status.

The CIA, or Central Intelligence Agency, was the main US intelligence agency, responsible for gathering and analyzing information, conducting espionage, and carrying out covert actions. The CIA had a long history of involvement in Vietnam, dating back to the 1950s, when it supported the anti-communist regime of South Vietnam and its leader, Ngo Dinh Diem. The CIA also recruited and trained agents, informers, and spies among the Vietnamese population, especially among the ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards, who lived in the mountainous regions near the border with Laos and Cambodia.

The Green Berets and the CIA had a close and complicated relationship in Vietnam. On one hand, they shared a common goal of fighting communism and supporting the South Vietnamese government. On the other hand, they often had different agendas, methods, and interests. The Green Berets focused on building rapport and trust with the local people, while the CIA relied on bribes, threats, and deception. The Green Berets operated under the military chain of command, while the CIA answered to a civilian authority. The Green Berets valued loyalty and honor, while the CIA valued secrecy and results.

The Green Berets and the CIA also competed for resources, influence, and control over the covert operations in Vietnam. The CIA had more money, power, and access to the highest levels of the US government. The Green Berets had more experience, expertise, and respect among the Vietnamese allies. The CIA typically interfered with the Green Berets’ missions, and the Green Berets often resented the CIA’s meddling. The CIA also used the Green Berets as its own private army, hiring them to carry out its dirty work, such as assassinations, sabotage, and kidnappings.

The Double Agent and the Murder

One of the CIA’s most valuable assets in Vietnam was a man named Thai Khac Chuyen, a Vietnamese national who worked as an interpreter and a liaison officer for the Green Berets. Chuyen was also a double agent, who secretly reported to the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong, the communist guerrillas who fought against the US and the South Vietnamese. Chuyen provided the communists with vital information about the Green Berets’ activities, locations, and plans. He also sabotaged some Green Berets’ operations, such as blowing up a radio station and a bridge.

The CIA was unaware of Chuyen’s betrayal, until one of its own agents, a Montagnard named Y Bham Enuol, defected to the North Vietnamese and revealed Chuyen’s identity. The CIA then informed the Green Berets of Chuyen’s treachery, and ordered them to capture and interrogate him. The Green Berets, led by their commander, Colonel Robert Rheault, devised a plan to lure Chuyen into a trap. They invited him to join them on a trip to Nha Trang, a coastal city in South Vietnam, where they planned to kidnap him and take him to a secret location for questioning.

The plan went smoothly, until the Green Berets realized that they had a problem. They had no legal authority to detain Chuyen, who was a civilian employee of the US government. They also had no way to transport him to a secure facility, without arousing suspicion or attracting attention. They decided to improvise, and took Chuyen to a nearby island, where they tied him to a tree and interrogated him for several hours. Chuyen confessed to being a double agent, and gave the names of his contacts and handlers. He also begged for mercy, and offered to cooperate with the Green Berets.

The Green Berets faced a dilemma. They had obtained valuable information from Chuyen, but they also had a dangerous enemy in their hands. They could not release him, because he would expose their operation and endanger their lives. They could not turn him over to the South Vietnamese authorities, because they would torture him and execute him. They could not bring him back to the US, because they would face legal charges and public scrutiny. They could not keep him on the island, because they would risk being discovered and attacked. They decided to take matters into their own hands, and eliminate Chuyen.

The Green Berets, with the approval of Colonel Rheault, injected Chuyen with a lethal dose of morphine, and threw his body into the sea. They then fabricated a cover story, claiming that Chuyen had escaped from their custody, and that they had lost track of him. They reported their version of the events to the CIA, and hoped that the matter would be closed. They were wrong.

The Arrest and the Trial

The CIA was not satisfied with the Green Berets’ explanation, and launched an investigation into Chuyen’s disappearance. The CIA suspected that the Green Berets had killed Chuyen, and wanted to find out the truth. The CIA also wanted to protect its own reputation, and avoid any scandal or controversy. The CIA pressured the Army to cooperate with its inquiry, and threatened to expose the Green Berets’ involvement in its covert operations.

The Army, under the command of General Creighton Abrams, the top US military officer in Vietnam, agreed to assist the CIA, and ordered the arrest of the Green Berets. On July 6, 1969, seven Green Berets, including Colonel Rheault, were taken into custody and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. They were flown to a military prison in Long Binh, where they were held in isolation and interrogated. They were also denied access to their lawyers, their families, and the media.

The arrest of the Green Berets caused a sensation in the US and around the world. The Green Berets were seen as heroes, who had risked their lives to fight communism and defend freedom. The public was outraged by the treatment of the Green Berets, and demanded their release and exoneration. The media was fascinated by the story, and speculated about the motives and the evidence behind the charges. The politicians were divided, and debated about the implications and the consequences of the case. The Green Berets became the center of a national controversy, and a symbol of the moral and legal dilemmas of the Vietnam War.

The Green Berets, meanwhile, prepared to defend themselves in a court-martial, a military trial. They hired lawyers, who challenged the validity and the legality of the charges. They claimed that they had acted in self-defense, and that they had followed the orders and the rules of the CIA. They also argued that they had done their duty, and that they had served their country. They also revealed some secrets and the details of their covert operations, and exposed the role and the responsibility of the CIA.

The CIA, however, denied any involvement or knowledge of the murder of Chuyen. The CIA claimed that it had only asked the Green Berets to interrogate Chuyen, and that it had not authorized or condoned his killing. The CIA also refused to cooperate with the defense, and withheld any evidence or witnesses that could support the Green Berets’ claims. The CIA also tried to distance itself from the Green Berets, and portrayed them as rogue agents, who had acted on their own and violated the law.

The trial of the Green Berets was set to begin on September 29, 1969, in Fort McPherson, Georgia. It was expected to be a long and complex trial, involving hundreds of witnesses, thousands of documents, and countless issues and arguments. It was also expected to be a historic and controversial trial, that would reveal the truth and the consequences of the Green Beret affair, and the CIA’s role in the Vietnam War.

The Dismissal and the Aftermath

The trial of the Green Berets, however, never took place. On September 28, 1969, the day before the trial was scheduled to start, the Army announced that it had dropped all the charges against the Green Berets, and that it had released them from custody. The Army stated that it had dismissed the case, because it had found insufficient evidence to prove the guilt of the Green Berets, and because it had encountered difficulties in obtaining the cooperation of the CIA. The Army also stated that it had decided to end the case, in order to preserve the national security and the public interest.

The dismissal of the case was a surprise and a relief for the Green Berets, who had faced the possibility of life imprisonment or death penalty. They were greeted by their families, friends, and supporters, who celebrated their freedom and their vindication. They were also praised by their fellow soldiers, who admired their courage and their loyalty. They were also honored by their commander-in-chief, President Richard Nixon, who invited them to the White House, and thanked them for their service and their sacrifice.

The dismissal of the case was also a disappointment and a frustration for the CIA, who had hoped to convict and punish the Green Berets, and to clear its own name. The CIA felt that the Army had caved in to the public pressure and the political interference, and had sacrificed the justice and the truth. The CIA also feared that the case would damage its credibility and its authority, and would expose its secrets and its operations.

The dismissal of the case was also a controversy and a mystery for the public, who had followed the case with interest and curiosity. The public wondered why the charges had been dropped, and what had really happened to Chuyen. The public also questioned the role and the responsibility of the CIA, and the legality and the morality of its actions. The public also debated the ethics and the consequences of the war, and the rights and the duties of the soldiers.

The Green Beret affair was one of the most sensational and scandalous episodes of the Vietnam War, and one of the most revealing and disturbing examples of the CIA’s involvement and influence in the war. The case showed the complexity and the conflict of the covert operations, and the difficulty and the danger of the special forces. The case also reflected the confusion and the controversy of the war, and the division and the disillusionment of the nation. The case was a turning point and a tragedy for the Green Berets, the CIA, and the US.

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The Phoenix Program: Unveiling the Shadows of the Vietnam War

June 27, 2023September 18, 2023 gags

In the annals of military history, certain operations remain shrouded in mystery and controversy. One such operation is the Phoenix Program, a covert counterinsurgency effort conducted by the United States during the Vietnam War. Named after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes, the Phoenix Program was intended to dismantle the Viet Cong infrastructure and neutralize its operatives. However, its methods and impact have sparked debates and raised profound questions about the ethics of warfare and the limits of state power. In this article, we delve into the Phoenix Program, examining its origins, operations, and enduring legacy.

Origins and Objectives

The Phoenix Program emerged from the necessity to combat the elusive and decentralized Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. It was established in 1967 under the guidance of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in collaboration with the U.S. military and the South Vietnamese government. The primary objective of the Phoenix Program was to gather intelligence, infiltrate the Viet Cong, and eliminate its leadership and infrastructure.

Operational Strategies

The Phoenix Program employed a multifaceted approach that combined intelligence gathering, interrogation, assassination, and strategic pacification efforts. Its strategy focused on capturing or eliminating key Viet Cong figures, disrupting their supply lines, and winning the hearts and minds of the rural population by providing aid and development projects.

Controversial Tactics and Alleged Abuses

While the Phoenix Program aimed to dismantle the Viet Cong, its implementation raised serious concerns and led to allegations of human rights abuses. Critics argue that the program’s emphasis on “neutralizing” the enemy blurred the line between combatants and civilians, leading to the extrajudicial killing of innocent people. Interrogation methods, including torture and coercion, were reportedly used to extract information from suspected Viet Cong sympathizers, further tarnishing the program’s reputation.

Assessing the Impact

Estimating the overall effectiveness of the Phoenix Program is a complex task. Proponents argue that it played a crucial role in weakening the Viet Cong, disrupting their operations, and paving the way for American forces to withdraw. They contend that the program succeeded in gathering intelligence and providing a more secure environment for the South Vietnamese population. However, critics maintain that the human cost and ethical implications outweigh any tactical gains, and that the program alienated the local population, ultimately undermining the U.S. cause.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The Phoenix Program remains a subject of intense scrutiny and debate, exemplifying the ethical and strategic dilemmas inherent in counterinsurgency operations. Its controversial tactics and alleged abuses have left a lasting impact on both military doctrine and public perception of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The lessons drawn from the Phoenix Program continue to influence military planning and underscore the importance of accountability, adherence to international law, and respect for human rights in future conflicts.

Final Thoughts

The Phoenix Program stands as a haunting testament to the depths to which governments are willing to plunge in the pursuit of victory, regardless of the moral and ethical consequences. It serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for abuses of power and the erosion of human rights during times of conflict. The program’s shadow looms large, casting doubt on the very principles of justice and accountability that form the foundation of a civilized society.

While some argue that the Phoenix Program achieved its objectives in disrupting the Viet Cong and gaining valuable intelligence, the cost in terms of human lives and the erosion of trust cannot be ignored. The alleged atrocities committed in the name of counterinsurgency sow seeds of doubt and mistrust that continue to haunt the collective consciousness.

The legacy of the Phoenix Program extends far beyond the Vietnam War, resonating in subsequent military interventions and challenging our perception of the morality of warfare. It serves as a stark reminder that the ends should never justify the means, and that unchecked power in the hands of those who believe themselves above the law can lead to unfathomable darkness.

As we reflect upon the Phoenix Program, we must confront the uncomfortable truth that even in the pursuit of noble goals, the potential for corruption and abuse of authority exists. It compels us to question the motives and actions of those who wield power in the name of national security, urging us to remain vigilant guardians of justice and the sanctity of human life.

In the end, the Phoenix Program serves as a haunting reminder that the battle for the preservation of humanity should never be waged at the expense of our own humanity. It is a chilling tale of the consequences of unchecked power, leaving us to ponder whether true victory can ever be achieved when it comes at such a high moral cost.

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Operation Popeye: The Secret Weather Warfare Program

June 20, 2023September 18, 2023 gags

During the Vietnam War, the United States employed a variety of unconventional tactics to gain an advantage over their adversaries. One of the most controversial and secretive operations was known as “Operation Popeye.” This clandestine weather modification program aimed to extend the monsoon season in Southeast Asia, specifically over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, in an attempt to hinder the movement of North Vietnamese troops and supplies. In this article, we will delve into the history, implementation, and consequences of Operation Popeye.

The Genesis of Operation Popeye

In the mid-1960s, the Ho Chi Minh Trail served as a crucial supply route for the North Vietnamese Army, enabling them to transport troops, weapons, and equipment through the mountainous regions of Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam. Recognizing the strategic importance of disrupting this logistical lifeline, the U.S. military sought innovative methods to impede the enemy’s progress.

The Birth of Weather Warfare

Drawing inspiration from cloud-seeding experiments conducted during the Korean War, Operation Popeye was initiated in 1966 as a joint effort between the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Its primary objective was to modify the weather patterns over the trail and adjacent areas in order to saturate the region with rainfall, turning roads into muddy quagmires and rivers into impassable torrents.

Implementation and Techniques

To achieve their goals, military aircraft were outfitted with cloud-seeding equipment capable of dispersing silver iodide, a compound believed to enhance precipitation. These modified planes flew over targeted areas, releasing the silver iodide into clouds, encouraging the formation of rain. The operation’s activities were mainly conducted in the regions of Laos and Cambodia, although the impacts were felt in parts of Vietnam as well.

Secrecy and Denial

Despite its controversial nature, Operation Popeye remained highly classified throughout its duration. The U.S. government denied the existence of the program when questioned by the international community, including during a Senate hearing in 1971. The covert nature of the operation led to limited public awareness and subsequent skepticism.

Consequences and Ethical Questions

The consequences of Operation Popeye were far-reaching and raised numerous ethical questions. By manipulating weather patterns, the U.S. military directly targeted the civilian population of Southeast Asia, affecting their livelihoods and well-being. The increased rainfall resulted in extensive flooding, landslides, and agricultural damage, leading to food shortages and the displacement of local communities. Moreover, the operation violated the international agreements on weather warfare, such as the 1977 Environmental Modification Convention.

The End of Operation Popeye

In 1971, investigative journalist Jack Anderson exposed the existence of Operation Popeye in an article published in The Washington Post. Anderson obtained classified documents and interviews with insiders, shedding light on the covert program. Following this revelation and growing public scrutiny, the U.S. government officially announced the termination of Operation Popeye later that year.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

Operation Popeye stands as a stark reminder of the lengths to which nations may go in their pursuit of military advantage, often at the expense of humanitarian and environmental concerns. The operation led to increased international scrutiny and helped spur the development of legal frameworks to regulate weather modification activities. It serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of transparency and ethical considerations in any form of scientific and military experimentation.

Final Thoughts

Operation Popeye stands as a chilling testament to the depths of human ingenuity when it comes to warfare and the disregard for the consequences inflicted upon innocent lives and the environment. This covert operation, shrouded in secrecy and denial, unleashed a storm of devastation upon Southeast Asia, deliberately targeting civilians and their livelihoods. The legacy of Operation Popeye serves as a haunting reminder of the moral compromises made in the pursuit of military advantage, and the lasting scars it left behind on the landscape and collective memory. It stands as a bleak reminder of the potential for humanity to descend into darkness when the boundaries of ethics are disregarded in the name of power. May Operation Popeye forever serve as a grim lesson in the perils of unrestrained technological manipulation and the imperative of preserving the sanctity of life and our planet.

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