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ROUTINE
R 021929Z MAR 21 MID200000624868U
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
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INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS//
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INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS//
SUBJ/NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMEMORATION - VIETNAM WAR//
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS/MAR//
RMKS/1. The U.S. Navy performed an extensive array of missions during the
Vietnam War. In the air, it was a key partner with the U.S. Air Force during
the Rolling Thunder and Linebacker air campaigns against North Vietnam, and
in other air operations in Laos and Cambodia. On the coast, it developed a
highly effective blockade to prevent the resupply of enemy forces by sea,
engaged in naval gunfire support missions against enemy targets in the
littoral areas of Vietnam, and provided amphibious transport for Marines
operating in I Corps. On the rivers, it stood up several task forces
designed to protect commercial traffic, assist allied ground forces in
pacifying these areas, and interdict enemy troops and supplies moving on
these inland waterways. The U.S. Navy also supported the war effort with a
massive sea and riverine logistics operation, built and managed shore
facilities throughout South Vietnam, and provided extensive medical support
for the allied military operation. A total of 1.842 million Sailors served in
Southeast Asia. The Navy provided the allied effort with many unique
capabilities, the most significant being the projection of U.S. combat power
ashore and control of the seas to support a land war in Asia far from the
United States. Overall, the Navy suffered the loss of 1,631 men killed and
4,178 wounded during the course of the 11 year war.
2. To ensure the sacrifices of the 9 million who served during this
difficult chapter of our country's history are remembered for generations to
come, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designates 29 March of
each year as National Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. The date is
significant as it marks the day when troops left Vietnam in 1973. On 29
March, we will honor all those who answered our Nation's call to duty. We
vow to never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against
those who honorably wear the uniform of our Armed Forces. We reaffirm one of
our most fundamental obligations: To show all who have worn the uniform of
the United States the dignity and respect they deserve and to honor their
sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us. With conviction, our
Nation pledges our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting
commitment to all Vietnam Veterans.
3. Mission. Meet the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Acts intent by
honoring and recognizing Vietnam Veterans for their service to the Nation and
Navy.
4. Commander's Intent
a. Purpose. Commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day throughout
the Navy on 29 March 2021.
b. Method. Command-centric execution of a coordinated Navy-wide
National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration.
(1) Use available Navy outreach assets to maximum extent possible.
(2) Be guided by, and supportive of, the Navy's strategic messaging.
c. End State: The National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration
becomes an institutionalized community outreach and Navy pride event for all
Sailors, past and present, observed globally through the end of the
commemoration in 2025.
5. Tasks
a. Director, Navy Staff (DNS) will oversee planning and program
development for the National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration.
b. Director, Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC)
(1) Coordinate and support the execution of the commemoration events
to include the execution of a Navy-wide observation and supporting community
outreach events.
(2) Conduct National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at Navy museum
at 1200 local on 29 March 2021.
(a) National Museum of the U.S. Navy. Washington Navy Yard,
Washington, DC. POC: Mark Weber/mark.t.weber@navy.mil/202-433-6901.
(b) National Naval Aviation Museum. Pensacola, FL.
POC: Hill Goodspeed/hill.goodspeed@navy.mil/ 850-452-3604 x3135.
(c) Naval War College Museum. Naval Station Newport, Newport,
RI.
POC: Ryan Meyer/ryan.meyer (AT)usnwc.edu/401-841-1296.
(d) United States Naval Academy Museum. U.S. Naval Academy,
Annapolis, MD. POC: Sarah McGlone/mcglone@usna.edu/410-293-5254.
(e) United States Navy Seabee Museum. Naval Base Ventura County
Port Hueneme, Port Hueneme, CA.
POC: Lara Godbille/lara.godbille@navy.mil/805-982-5167.
(f) National Museum of the American Sailor. Naval Station Great
Lakes, Great Lakes, IL.
POC: Jennifer Searcy/jennifer.searcy@navy.mil/nmas.fct@navy.mil/847-
688-3154.
(g) Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Norfolk, VA.
POC: John Pentangelo/john.pentangelo@navy.mil/757-322-2990.
(h) Puget Sound Navy Museum. Bremerton, WA.
POC: Lindy Dosher/lindy.dosher@navy.mil/360-396-4164.
(i) Naval Undersea Museum. Keyport, WA.
POC: Danelle Eaton/danelle.eaton@navy.mil/360-627-2275.
(j) Submarine Force Museum and Library. Groton, CT.
POC: Bradley Boyd/bradley.m.boyd1@navy.mil/860-694-4276.
(3) Develop a commemoration toolkit for use by Commander, U.S. Fleet
Forces Command (COMUSFLTFORCOM), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT),
Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), Regional Commanders, Commanding
Officers (CO), and Officers in Charge (OIC). Develop and make available a
body of lessons learned at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels
from previous commemorations.
(4) Compile lessons learned from stakeholders and provide to DNS NLT
21 April 2021.
c. COMUSFLTFORCOM; COMPACFLT; CNIC; Commander, Navy Reserve Force
Command (COMNAVRESFORCOM); Commander, Naval Education and Training Command;
and Commander, Naval Recruiting Command:
(1) Ensure COs and OICs plan for and commemorate the National Vietnam
War Veterans Day proclamation. For commands located near a Navy Museum,
consideration should be given to leveraging already existing event.
(2) Execute the Communication Plan, disseminated by NHHC, and
participate in planned community outreach activities as operationally
feasible.
(3) Provide National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration lessons
learned to NHHC NLT 14 April 2021.
d. CHINFO
Provide lessons learned to NHHC NLT 14 April 2021.
6. Coordinating Instructions
Additional coordination instructions and tasking to be provided by
separate correspondence (SEPCOR) as plans develop.
7. Administrative
a. The National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration toolkit is
available at the NHHC website (https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/
commemorations-toolkits/Vietnam-War-Veterans-Day.html).
b. Public Affairs Guidance:
(1) This is an active public affairs posture event.
(2) Public affairs guidance will be provided in separate
correspondence.
8. Point of contact. NHHC POC is Stefanie Lamay, at comm: (202) 433-7880
or via email: stefanie.lamay@navy.mil. Alternate POC is Eric Ritter at
comm: (202) 685-1292 or via email: erid.d.ritter@navy.mil.
9. Released by Mr. Andrew S. Haeuptle, Director, Navy Staff.//
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