Post by melanie on Oct 22, 2022 2:11:08 GMT
1969:
A man in his thirties, dressed in a fine, conservative suit, fumes.
"Shit. I'm still in Saigon" The Pan Am jet, his ride to cooler
climes, delayed. He stuffs his ticket back into his pocket, and
walks back to one of the few places that he knew had good working
A/C: the Airport Bar, and a slight chance of meeting up with a cute
stewardess, or local girl.
He walks on in, and given the time, oddly empty.
Wandering up to the bar, slides onto a stool, hails
the bartender- 'Hey there, Huynh! Still here, flight's late.
pour me a double.'
Bartender strolls over, and pours Jim Beam. "bet you can't wait
to get back- Big promotion for you."
"Damn straight!. Got lucky by running that geologist, and getting the
Brass Hats back in L.A. to believe his reports. Everyones going
to be rich off this- even you: the Bar is going to be going
gangbusters for you. Oilmen always spend more than GIs"
Huynh grins.
"Thats right, and I won't forget you or your cousin, otherwise
I wouldn't have got my foot in the door to talk with Thieu.
Unocals going to be doing big business off the South Coast.
From the reports I got on the test wells we sank, I think there
is as much oil offshore as there is in Iran or Kuwait. Thieu's
in position to be as rich as King Faisal if he sticks with
that deal giving us at Unocal full distribution rights
for developing those oil fields for South Vietnam.
I'm so damn happy- we are all going to be rich, that I
don't mind that the 727 is Late. Pour me some more!"
April 1970: Saigon, Hotel Rex, Penthouse
"Greetings General. I trust your flight from Seoul was pleasant"
"Very much so, as was the reception, General Ky. Quite a good
effort with having the National Assembly ratifying the Unocal
Development Plan.That will mean much for your country, and ours.
I am heartened that President Thieu had contacted us"
"Please - I am just the Vice President now.
Things are changing quickly, with disarray in America over
the matter in Cambodia and Laos. That Communist stooge, Sihanouk,
is probably kissing Mao's boots right now to get aid for his
rebels. We know Kissinger is trying to deal with Le Duc Tho,
right now in Paris.
I suspect his intent is not the best for the Republic
of Vietnam, but as a sop to the rabble from the
Universities, promises on leaving us.
This oil gives us an option other than the
one we are on: Our hope is this path can include the
Republic of Korea. The President, and I, agree on this
fully"
"Now, your 20 year agreement with Unocal was that they get
100% distribution rights: seems you don't have much
to work with."
"Actually, no. besides the normal Fees and Taxes, there is
a rider for providing that Oil for our military use, is not
part of that distribution agreement. That Military use,
allows us to resell up to 25% total production on the World
Market. I feel that clause wasn't thought out by the
Unocol team that we signed with last month, in the haste to
get us to sign
Of that 25%, we are willing to supply the ROK at below
OPEC market prices, in return for Military aid, and Consumer
Goods. I feel that with Korean Troops, we can keep
the Communists under control in Cambodia. Lon Nol has already
agreed, as we both feel that Nixon might not keep
US Forces engaged: His Congress is giving him many problems.
The number of US troops will only get smaller as times goes on
with the 'Vietnamization' program.
If we could get another ROK Division, it won't matter
if American Ground Forces pull back, ROK and ARVN can
hold the infiltration routes."
"How soon till the oil platforms will be ready? Its been
several months since the agreement was signed"
"The Americans can work wonders when they choose. Several
platforms are operational now. As we speak, Refineries
are being built near Vung Tau. We are selling Crude now,
and will be selling refined products in 3 months.
We are hoping, as part of the agreement, to buy
oiltankers, from Hyundai or Samsung, of course, to
transport it."
"I think that we are in agreement. The contract will
be signed. More Troops will be a more difficult task,
but still possible. It is to both of our countries advantage."
Both men smile.
late April 1970. The beach by Vung Tau
A tanned GI strolls over to where some others were camped,
with lawnchairs and what looks to be coleman coolers filled
with ice and cans.
"hey - looks to be way too much beer for just two to take care
of, I bet you need help to get those brews secured."
The man on the left drawled "Pull up a chair, son: My treat.
I am very short, I've got new orders I'm waiting for the trip
back to the States to get firmed up,and am enjoying myself
mightly in the mean time"
The second man snorted "Your beer? Damn, you jet jockeys
take credit for everything. Just not modest like us quiet folk
at 1st Air Cav. It's my damn beer,thank you very much,
duly traded for by _myself_. I had to trade some VC flags and
junk to some seebees to get this fine 'Grain Belt' beer.
But come on over an drain a few, as I am not short, but my 3
day pass is nearly done with. so have a cold one" tossing a
can over to the Newcomer.
The newcomer laughed and grabbed the can "Well, name's Dan.
I'm no master of jet planes or helicopter rider, but I drive
a desk back in Saigon, and without my typewriter,
forms and Carbon Paper, neither of you would be enjoying
the Passes that allowed this fine day at the beach.
Winning the War by the mighty MOS 70A10, Clerk."
All three get to the serious business of emptying cans, and enjoying
the scenery, while listing to a National Panasonic transistor radio.
"So Dan, since you seem to be the ranking REMF present,
whats the deal with that refinery down the coast? Wasn't
there last time I pulled leave a few months back." said
the burly one.
"I think it a new Unocal plant, for those offshore
platforms that been popping up"
"Nope. Sorry Dan, close. Its a new high volume plant
by a new compamy- National Petroeum of Vietnam. They are
in cahoots with Unocal though" said the lanky pilot.
"really?"
"Yep,Checked into it for my Daddy, he's in the business back
in Texas and was wondering about it. Unocal and them are
cutting Shell, Esso and Caltex out,and bet that they will
try to undercut contract prices.
Shell and the others were refining the small amount of
oil that vietnam was producing prior to that offshore
discovery, and selling that gas to the Army and AirForce
at a good profit.
Besides, I wanted to know too, its those damn
platforms that got my behind here in Vietnam"
"No Shit. How so?"
"I was a happy pilot back in Texas ANG, Flying the Duece.
Anyhoo, some damnfool chinaman decided that the PRC needed
to send recon flights over those new platforms, as they reach
near out to the Spratlys, to see what was up. One thing led
to another, and somebody at MACV got thier panties in a knot.
the 147th FIS was just finishing up on thier tour, and then
got new orders cut. F-102 to Return to Tan Son Nhut AFB, and
fly Alerts, and escort anything flying with a Red Star painted
on the side back to China that got too close.
So instead of drinking beer in Texas, I drink it here.
No Idea why they didn't just have the Navy do it.
Plenty of F-4s on those carriers.
But like a said, i'm a short timer now, as they are pulling
the Dueces back out again, back to the States, Moving a Voodoo
2 seater unit in to take the place of the 147th"
"That makes sense. Talked with a jarhead the other day,
the Navy is having real busy time out there, those platforms
also sit right in the path that the North uses to infiltrate
boats&ships into the South. Heard there was trouble with the
platforms getting shot at and stuff. Navy is spending a lot more
time checking Junks out now. He even said that the platforms
are armed- cannons, missiles, radar,all kinds of shit now.
all unofficial& very hush hush. says they anchor a patrolboat
nearby for cover. You hear anything on that, Dan?"
" No, just some crazy talk that the Navy was using
'killer dolphins' to nail NVA frogmen out there. "
"Now I know I been drinking too much. Dolphins?
Hell, they drafted Flipper! Wondered why that show went off TV!
Come on now boys, my pockets are full of MPC script and piasters,
I'm sure you two can help me spend it, as its all monopoly
money back in the States."
"Sure thing, Tex, know just the place where the B-Girls are nice."
"well, what you waiting for, Clerk Dan, we are waiting for your Orders-
Lead the Way!"
---------------------
Now our story so far.
1969 - large deposits of light offshore Oil discovered by a small Unocal
research team from the Con Son Islands to the Spratlys, to the Paracel
Islands.
Moving quickly, Unocal signed a deal(very generous, due to Unocals'
suits missing the importance of a side agreement on sales) with the
Republic of Vietnam. This deal was good enough, that the companies
currently doing business in the RVN were cut out of the
picture by South Vietnam, thier pre- offshore discovery business
looking small change.
This sudden windfall soured relations between Unocal and the other
Producers, making it difficult for unocal to go with its normal
suppliers. Contacts between Vice President Ky and the South Koreans,& their
growing heavy industry with companies like Hyundai and Samsung, made possible
to being able to supply Unocal with the vast amounts of material to build the
platforms and supporting infrastructure needed.
This deal also put President Thieu in charge of the new company,
National Petroleum of Vietnam, though this is not visible unless
a close look is done at the companies structure. One would also notice
that some ARVN Generals were resigning, to take over posts in the
companies structure.
Relations between President Thieu and Vice President Ky are improved to pre
Tet'68
levels, as both Ky and Thieu see that they do need each other to
succeed.
Vietnamization in ongoing, accelerated by S. Korea's offer to add
to the Free World Allies contingent by an additional Division. This
allows additional US troop withdrawals, including parts of the
troubled Americal Division to rotate back. For some in the US,
however, find themselves & the Nat. Guard units they are in are
sent over,unexpectedly activated.
Many in South Vietnam notice the increased presence of the South Koreans,
Most visible is the larger numbers of the Han Jin company transports
moving oil&gas where Shell or Caltex once had. Others notice their
new military presence in patroling the 'Iron Triangle'
New Oil platforms were quickly raised in the South China Seas,
unsurprisingly causing trouble with North Vietnam, and
unexpectedly with Red China.
South Vietnam claimed the areas where the platforms went up,
flying the Flag of the Republic of Vietnam, and North Vietnam
tried to disrupt operations on these platforms with small unit
attacks by sea, and late Jan. 1970 by several Il-28 'Beagles'
flying from Hanoi. After the bombing(which did little damage
to the uncompleted platforms) USS Long Beach took down the
attackers with long range 'Talos' SAMs, with F-8 Crusaders
from USS Oriskany forcibly 'escorting' Chinese Tu-4
'Bull' recon planes away from the area afterwards.
South Vietnam and USA claimed the platforms as RVN territory, each
with its own 12 mile territorial water limit, enforced by the USN
the new platforms were armed(and USN crewed) and had US Marines
for security.
Much acrimony followed in the UN.
ARVN units had massed on the Cambodian border in March following
the Coup by Lon Nol, and his failure to stop Communist infiltration
and by his turning a blind eye to his Military ethnic cleansing
of ethnic Vietnamese living in Cambodia, whether they were
Communists or not.
The sight of mutilated bodies of ethnic Vietnamese merchants&
thier families floating down the Mekong River, filled ARVN troops
with resolve that was seldom seen before.
During a heated telephone exchange between Thieu and Lon Nol
over the atrocities, Nol had a serious Stroke, and would spend
the last two months of his life in a hospital bed.
The following day, Pres. Thieu announces to the world that
ARVN forces would advance to Phnom Phen to help acting
Premier Prince Matak restore order.
unannounced was President Nixon authorizing airstrikes to support
the ARVN thrust to take the 'Parrots Beak' and secure highway
Route 1 to Phnom Phen, along with AirMobile troops to assist.
but no ground formations, as it was thought that with the
ARVN Troops freed up by the Koreans, 45,000 men would be enough.
However, shortly afterwards, the Nixon administration put
Operation PROUD DEEP into effect in April 1970, the End
of the Bombing Halt of the North, and rotated more modern USAF Air
Defense
assets in country should the North (or some whispers of China)
decided to try more bombing of Southern targets. Airfields and
SAM sites were targeted, and the exclusion zone reduced by the
Chinese Border.
The Bombings cut enough supplies to the NVA & VC to allow the
ARVN forces to hold onto Route 1
From Peking, Prince Sihanouk rails against the Pro US government
in Cambodia after the National Assembly requests aid from the US
and other Free World Allies, and gets pledges of aid from other
groups like Pathet Lao, Viet Cong and Khmer Rouge
Tensions are rising all over Asia
A man in his thirties, dressed in a fine, conservative suit, fumes.
"Shit. I'm still in Saigon" The Pan Am jet, his ride to cooler
climes, delayed. He stuffs his ticket back into his pocket, and
walks back to one of the few places that he knew had good working
A/C: the Airport Bar, and a slight chance of meeting up with a cute
stewardess, or local girl.
He walks on in, and given the time, oddly empty.
Wandering up to the bar, slides onto a stool, hails
the bartender- 'Hey there, Huynh! Still here, flight's late.
pour me a double.'
Bartender strolls over, and pours Jim Beam. "bet you can't wait
to get back- Big promotion for you."
"Damn straight!. Got lucky by running that geologist, and getting the
Brass Hats back in L.A. to believe his reports. Everyones going
to be rich off this- even you: the Bar is going to be going
gangbusters for you. Oilmen always spend more than GIs"
Huynh grins.
"Thats right, and I won't forget you or your cousin, otherwise
I wouldn't have got my foot in the door to talk with Thieu.
Unocals going to be doing big business off the South Coast.
From the reports I got on the test wells we sank, I think there
is as much oil offshore as there is in Iran or Kuwait. Thieu's
in position to be as rich as King Faisal if he sticks with
that deal giving us at Unocal full distribution rights
for developing those oil fields for South Vietnam.
I'm so damn happy- we are all going to be rich, that I
don't mind that the 727 is Late. Pour me some more!"
April 1970: Saigon, Hotel Rex, Penthouse
"Greetings General. I trust your flight from Seoul was pleasant"
"Very much so, as was the reception, General Ky. Quite a good
effort with having the National Assembly ratifying the Unocal
Development Plan.That will mean much for your country, and ours.
I am heartened that President Thieu had contacted us"
"Please - I am just the Vice President now.
Things are changing quickly, with disarray in America over
the matter in Cambodia and Laos. That Communist stooge, Sihanouk,
is probably kissing Mao's boots right now to get aid for his
rebels. We know Kissinger is trying to deal with Le Duc Tho,
right now in Paris.
I suspect his intent is not the best for the Republic
of Vietnam, but as a sop to the rabble from the
Universities, promises on leaving us.
This oil gives us an option other than the
one we are on: Our hope is this path can include the
Republic of Korea. The President, and I, agree on this
fully"
"Now, your 20 year agreement with Unocal was that they get
100% distribution rights: seems you don't have much
to work with."
"Actually, no. besides the normal Fees and Taxes, there is
a rider for providing that Oil for our military use, is not
part of that distribution agreement. That Military use,
allows us to resell up to 25% total production on the World
Market. I feel that clause wasn't thought out by the
Unocol team that we signed with last month, in the haste to
get us to sign
Of that 25%, we are willing to supply the ROK at below
OPEC market prices, in return for Military aid, and Consumer
Goods. I feel that with Korean Troops, we can keep
the Communists under control in Cambodia. Lon Nol has already
agreed, as we both feel that Nixon might not keep
US Forces engaged: His Congress is giving him many problems.
The number of US troops will only get smaller as times goes on
with the 'Vietnamization' program.
If we could get another ROK Division, it won't matter
if American Ground Forces pull back, ROK and ARVN can
hold the infiltration routes."
"How soon till the oil platforms will be ready? Its been
several months since the agreement was signed"
"The Americans can work wonders when they choose. Several
platforms are operational now. As we speak, Refineries
are being built near Vung Tau. We are selling Crude now,
and will be selling refined products in 3 months.
We are hoping, as part of the agreement, to buy
oiltankers, from Hyundai or Samsung, of course, to
transport it."
"I think that we are in agreement. The contract will
be signed. More Troops will be a more difficult task,
but still possible. It is to both of our countries advantage."
Both men smile.
late April 1970. The beach by Vung Tau
A tanned GI strolls over to where some others were camped,
with lawnchairs and what looks to be coleman coolers filled
with ice and cans.
"hey - looks to be way too much beer for just two to take care
of, I bet you need help to get those brews secured."
The man on the left drawled "Pull up a chair, son: My treat.
I am very short, I've got new orders I'm waiting for the trip
back to the States to get firmed up,and am enjoying myself
mightly in the mean time"
The second man snorted "Your beer? Damn, you jet jockeys
take credit for everything. Just not modest like us quiet folk
at 1st Air Cav. It's my damn beer,thank you very much,
duly traded for by _myself_. I had to trade some VC flags and
junk to some seebees to get this fine 'Grain Belt' beer.
But come on over an drain a few, as I am not short, but my 3
day pass is nearly done with. so have a cold one" tossing a
can over to the Newcomer.
The newcomer laughed and grabbed the can "Well, name's Dan.
I'm no master of jet planes or helicopter rider, but I drive
a desk back in Saigon, and without my typewriter,
forms and Carbon Paper, neither of you would be enjoying
the Passes that allowed this fine day at the beach.
Winning the War by the mighty MOS 70A10, Clerk."
All three get to the serious business of emptying cans, and enjoying
the scenery, while listing to a National Panasonic transistor radio.
"So Dan, since you seem to be the ranking REMF present,
whats the deal with that refinery down the coast? Wasn't
there last time I pulled leave a few months back." said
the burly one.
"I think it a new Unocal plant, for those offshore
platforms that been popping up"
"Nope. Sorry Dan, close. Its a new high volume plant
by a new compamy- National Petroeum of Vietnam. They are
in cahoots with Unocal though" said the lanky pilot.
"really?"
"Yep,Checked into it for my Daddy, he's in the business back
in Texas and was wondering about it. Unocal and them are
cutting Shell, Esso and Caltex out,and bet that they will
try to undercut contract prices.
Shell and the others were refining the small amount of
oil that vietnam was producing prior to that offshore
discovery, and selling that gas to the Army and AirForce
at a good profit.
Besides, I wanted to know too, its those damn
platforms that got my behind here in Vietnam"
"No Shit. How so?"
"I was a happy pilot back in Texas ANG, Flying the Duece.
Anyhoo, some damnfool chinaman decided that the PRC needed
to send recon flights over those new platforms, as they reach
near out to the Spratlys, to see what was up. One thing led
to another, and somebody at MACV got thier panties in a knot.
the 147th FIS was just finishing up on thier tour, and then
got new orders cut. F-102 to Return to Tan Son Nhut AFB, and
fly Alerts, and escort anything flying with a Red Star painted
on the side back to China that got too close.
So instead of drinking beer in Texas, I drink it here.
No Idea why they didn't just have the Navy do it.
Plenty of F-4s on those carriers.
But like a said, i'm a short timer now, as they are pulling
the Dueces back out again, back to the States, Moving a Voodoo
2 seater unit in to take the place of the 147th"
"That makes sense. Talked with a jarhead the other day,
the Navy is having real busy time out there, those platforms
also sit right in the path that the North uses to infiltrate
boats&ships into the South. Heard there was trouble with the
platforms getting shot at and stuff. Navy is spending a lot more
time checking Junks out now. He even said that the platforms
are armed- cannons, missiles, radar,all kinds of shit now.
all unofficial& very hush hush. says they anchor a patrolboat
nearby for cover. You hear anything on that, Dan?"
" No, just some crazy talk that the Navy was using
'killer dolphins' to nail NVA frogmen out there. "
"Now I know I been drinking too much. Dolphins?
Hell, they drafted Flipper! Wondered why that show went off TV!
Come on now boys, my pockets are full of MPC script and piasters,
I'm sure you two can help me spend it, as its all monopoly
money back in the States."
"Sure thing, Tex, know just the place where the B-Girls are nice."
"well, what you waiting for, Clerk Dan, we are waiting for your Orders-
Lead the Way!"
---------------------
Now our story so far.
1969 - large deposits of light offshore Oil discovered by a small Unocal
research team from the Con Son Islands to the Spratlys, to the Paracel
Islands.
Moving quickly, Unocal signed a deal(very generous, due to Unocals'
suits missing the importance of a side agreement on sales) with the
Republic of Vietnam. This deal was good enough, that the companies
currently doing business in the RVN were cut out of the
picture by South Vietnam, thier pre- offshore discovery business
looking small change.
This sudden windfall soured relations between Unocal and the other
Producers, making it difficult for unocal to go with its normal
suppliers. Contacts between Vice President Ky and the South Koreans,& their
growing heavy industry with companies like Hyundai and Samsung, made possible
to being able to supply Unocal with the vast amounts of material to build the
platforms and supporting infrastructure needed.
This deal also put President Thieu in charge of the new company,
National Petroleum of Vietnam, though this is not visible unless
a close look is done at the companies structure. One would also notice
that some ARVN Generals were resigning, to take over posts in the
companies structure.
Relations between President Thieu and Vice President Ky are improved to pre
Tet'68
levels, as both Ky and Thieu see that they do need each other to
succeed.
Vietnamization in ongoing, accelerated by S. Korea's offer to add
to the Free World Allies contingent by an additional Division. This
allows additional US troop withdrawals, including parts of the
troubled Americal Division to rotate back. For some in the US,
however, find themselves & the Nat. Guard units they are in are
sent over,unexpectedly activated.
Many in South Vietnam notice the increased presence of the South Koreans,
Most visible is the larger numbers of the Han Jin company transports
moving oil&gas where Shell or Caltex once had. Others notice their
new military presence in patroling the 'Iron Triangle'
New Oil platforms were quickly raised in the South China Seas,
unsurprisingly causing trouble with North Vietnam, and
unexpectedly with Red China.
South Vietnam claimed the areas where the platforms went up,
flying the Flag of the Republic of Vietnam, and North Vietnam
tried to disrupt operations on these platforms with small unit
attacks by sea, and late Jan. 1970 by several Il-28 'Beagles'
flying from Hanoi. After the bombing(which did little damage
to the uncompleted platforms) USS Long Beach took down the
attackers with long range 'Talos' SAMs, with F-8 Crusaders
from USS Oriskany forcibly 'escorting' Chinese Tu-4
'Bull' recon planes away from the area afterwards.
South Vietnam and USA claimed the platforms as RVN territory, each
with its own 12 mile territorial water limit, enforced by the USN
the new platforms were armed(and USN crewed) and had US Marines
for security.
Much acrimony followed in the UN.
ARVN units had massed on the Cambodian border in March following
the Coup by Lon Nol, and his failure to stop Communist infiltration
and by his turning a blind eye to his Military ethnic cleansing
of ethnic Vietnamese living in Cambodia, whether they were
Communists or not.
The sight of mutilated bodies of ethnic Vietnamese merchants&
thier families floating down the Mekong River, filled ARVN troops
with resolve that was seldom seen before.
During a heated telephone exchange between Thieu and Lon Nol
over the atrocities, Nol had a serious Stroke, and would spend
the last two months of his life in a hospital bed.
The following day, Pres. Thieu announces to the world that
ARVN forces would advance to Phnom Phen to help acting
Premier Prince Matak restore order.
unannounced was President Nixon authorizing airstrikes to support
the ARVN thrust to take the 'Parrots Beak' and secure highway
Route 1 to Phnom Phen, along with AirMobile troops to assist.
but no ground formations, as it was thought that with the
ARVN Troops freed up by the Koreans, 45,000 men would be enough.
However, shortly afterwards, the Nixon administration put
Operation PROUD DEEP into effect in April 1970, the End
of the Bombing Halt of the North, and rotated more modern USAF Air
Defense
assets in country should the North (or some whispers of China)
decided to try more bombing of Southern targets. Airfields and
SAM sites were targeted, and the exclusion zone reduced by the
Chinese Border.
The Bombings cut enough supplies to the NVA & VC to allow the
ARVN forces to hold onto Route 1
From Peking, Prince Sihanouk rails against the Pro US government
in Cambodia after the National Assembly requests aid from the US
and other Free World Allies, and gets pledges of aid from other
groups like Pathet Lao, Viet Cong and Khmer Rouge
Tensions are rising all over Asia