Car Bomb (another view) by Tom Briggs

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1966	tom briggs

Car Bomb (another view)

Vietnam

Note the US Navy officer in the photo. In 1966 and prior thereto, for whatever reason, Saigon fell under command of the Navy (Admiral Elmo Zumwalt may be remembered by some). In late '66, this was changed and command of the city fell to the Army.

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All Images Copyright of Tom Briggs ...please ask permission for any use.

Richard Wright		06-Nov-2024 15:15
I was directly over the entrance on the 5th floor. The gunfire/claymores woke me. Looking down from the balcony, I saw the three US personnel (guards) dead, the parked 'blue and white' (taxi - the bomb vehicle) and the departing viet cong jeep racing away (with one occupant falling out - injured?). I moved to the bath (one more wall between me and the likely explosion). Three minutes later, the blast, crumpling the wall. I was lightly injured and able to assist more severely wounded as they descended the stair rubble to the lower floors. Richard Wright, MACVSOG

Guest		09-Nov-2019 19:13
I was in the hotel bombing and survived. rhgardner@charter.net

Pete Bistany		06-May-2017 14:21
Captain, US Army, at the time. I was on the Floor just above the ground level, the last room to the left as you look from the street. Wounded; but lucky.

Jim		13-Dec-2016 02:28
I was with the 716th when we left Fort Dix N J in March 65. 716 th was scattered all over VN at first but we eventually came back to Cholon.We were under the Navy at first.Pulled guard duty all over Saigon.One hotel bombed,the floating restaurant bombed,American Embassy was bombed, remember I was guarding the 3 field Hospital that night. Guarded Westmorland,MAcV 1 & 1 1 etc.Came home Feb 66

Dwight Cimino		17-Jan-2016 22:41
I was in the squad bay in the Capitol BEQ, down Tran Hung Dao from the Victoria, peacefully sleeping away that night. Found out the next AM what had happened. Had they rolled into our BEQ, the casualty count could have hit a thousand, as there were at least 200 of us in the squad bay on the first floor.

Bill		05-Feb-2015 23:43
I was on the way to MACV II compound when the bombing took place. I stayed with one of the MPs at another hotel until the dust settled. Left Saigon for Nah Trang a month later.

Tricia Davies Nearn		18-Nov-2014 12:39
My father, Captain David M Davies was killed in the bombing of the Victoria BOQ. Anyone who knew him, I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you.

Guest		28-Dec-2013 22:38
I survived the explosion but not the memories.

Guest		21-Oct-2013 23:27
I was in a dump truck in front of the hotel when it was blown up bill

Guest		06-Aug-2013 19:13
C. Nevada Johnson, Jr. I had returned from Canto for the weekend and was on the 8th floor. When the firing began I rolled out of bed onto the floor just ahead of the explosion that ripped out the window and the door to my room. I was one of the lucky ones only receiving minor wounds.

H.Churchbourne		30-Jun-2013 13:56
Captain Kunze demanded that Saigon remain "the Pearl of the Orient" and the 716th MP's where made to wear Class A uniforms issued 5 rounds of ammo, and use 55 gal barrels, painted white, for protection while on duty. Several MP's gave their life defending living quarters during this time. 3 died in the attack on the Victoria Hotel on April 1st, 1966.

Robert R. Zins		22-Jun-2013 21:28
I believe the Naval Officer is Captain Kunze, Commander of Saigon Support Command. I arrived at the Victoria Hotel at 5 a.m. on 1 April 1966. Helped to pick up the bodies. Robert R. Zins, Company B, 716th MP Bn

Wm Perry		30-Jul-2012 01:21
I was a member of co a 716 mp bn from june 1965 to june 1966 . I rembemer that attack on april 1st 1966 it waqs a big mess.

Dan Vally		18-Sep-2011 09:34
Guest I was in Saigon when this attack happened. It was a very sad. Hard memories. Thanks for posting Tom.

Guest		05-Jul-2008 17:03
Admiral E. Zumwalt was a great person. I believed he lost a son later on in the VN war! God bless his family. GuestDD7070508

veraferia		03-Apr-2008 00:02
Impressive and sad! The men still haven´t learned the lesson!

Guest		11-May-2007 07:27
Well, you know what they say about people who don't learn from their mistakes.

tim t hoang		08-May-2007 00:19
The history is repeating ... now in Iraq. I've been there, seen that.

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