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Tom Briggs | all galleries >> Galleries >> 1966 Vietnam > A Story Here ...
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1966 tom briggs

A Story Here ...

Vietnam

This was a swimming pool for military personnel; however, on occasion the rules were bent to allow somebody like this blonde to join in. The girl in the photo is June Collins, a former exotic dancer who,in 1969,made international news headlines when she became a whistle-blower and testified before a US Senate Committee. She pointed the finger at a group of corrupt American Army sergeants who had made millions in Vietnam by demanding kickbacks from all booking agents and sales people. June had provided entertainment groups to the US military camps during the war. The Khaki Mafia, a slightly fictionalized account of the events, was co-authored with Robin Moore (The French Connection).

During her many years living in Asia, June had become appalled by the plight of the abandoned street children. In her home country, Australia, adoption was near impossible. Therefore, she chose to remain in the USA. Over the next few years she married an Alaskan King Crab fisherman and together, they adopted six children from India, Korea, Columbia and the USA. The children ranged in age from three to thirteen.

After a turbulent life, she now resides in relative tranquility on a mountain top overlooking the ocean in Queensland Australia.



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Paul Davies07-Jan-2017 01:26
This is quite a story and thanks for sharing this Tom!
clickA SF28-Oct-2015 22:52
Love the story, nice shot! Vote
Ted
Guest 23-Apr-2014 23:50
I enjoyed 'our pool' at Pho Loi 1967 - Tomahawk 23
russell kersey 11-Sep-2013 15:36
I met her in Saigon in 1967 , I had come down from I Corps,my father was at MACV .
Graeme Owen 27-Feb-2012 04:20
Hi Mike,
I'm an Australian ex 'Vietnam Digger' and have just found your site (while looking for something else on the web!). I thought I'd follow-up the query from Mike Wyen looking for pics of Vietnamese Bands. I have some of a band playing at the Peter Badcoe Club in Vung Tau in 1968 (or 1969 - can't remember exactly when). I'd be happy to send him copies of them if this message ever finds it's way to him! The band had two lovely ladies who were their 'go-go' dancers (and I think they sang a bit too - can't really remember). I know it's a long time since he posted his message but hope you're able to this to him somehow!
Thanks - Cheers
Graeme Owen
clark Hunt 28-Feb-2011 20:52
I believe that the lady's name is June Collins
John Cooper10-Dec-2010 23:45
Fascinating, how a small amount of information totally transforms the photo into an interesting story.
XiaoBernard9924-May-2009 16:36
Terrible TOM ,you add the text with the picture and all is changed.Our Grand TOM is necessary to keep the nice way of the power and unique of certain shoot
David Parsley04-Jan-2009 14:37
Seeing this pool reminds me of the story of the “relocated” pool at Phu Loi. The pool was originally ordered by the 520th Trans Battalion but “somehow” was relocated by the 1st Aviation Bn. They were good sports and allowed all of us to use “our” pool, so it worked out. In the Army it was not possible to really “steal” anything as long as it ended up in a military unit, because it still belonged to the Army…….. right?
veraferia03-Apr-2008 00:06
Sometimes a woman is more dangerous than a bomb :) !
Monte Dodge26-Jun-2007 16:31
Vote,, great shot and story!!!
Mike Wyen 16-Jun-2007 01:33
Hi Tom , I wondering if you have any pix of all Vietnamese band when they played at all G.I NCO and Officer Club all over in SG or from SouthWest to Hue . Please sent them to us , we need somegood old pix when myself or all my friends were play at those club , in Vung Tau if you do have it . Many thaks Tom and GodBless you . Mike
1moremile06-May-2007 22:48
Blonds are like that. I'm kidding. Another great memory.
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