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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Members of Battery B, 2d Bn, 77th Arty, 25th ID, fire 105-mm. howitzers from FSB Sedgwick II, 2 May 1969 Photo by Sp4 Joseph T. Primeau via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Soldiers from Co C, 4th Bn, 47th Inf, 9th ID, on patrol in the delta, 10 Oct 1968 Photo by Sp4 Dennis D Connell, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Capt. Charles T. Guthrie, 1st ID, briefs Kit Carson scouts and other 1st ID soldiers prior to a sweep, 27 Feb 1970. Photo by Sp6 John W. Glunt, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

An M60 gunner from the 2d Bn, 28th Inf, 1st ID, in Binh Duong Province, 15 Mar 1968 Photo by Sp4 Dennis J. Kurpius, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Saw a bald eagle in a tree while talking in Icy Strait Point. Check out that wing span!

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Saw a pair of Humpback whales right off the shore at Icy Strait Point in Alaska on our recent cruise. We were on the boardwalk to I'm not sure who whose people were on the beach, but lucky them. Pretty neat!

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Communist weapons and ammunition captured from a Communist base near Highway 14 on 8 March 1969. Photo by Sp4 Rundle, 221st Sig Co, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- What items can you identify? :]

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Soldiers and vehicles from Troop A, 4th Sqd, 12th Cav, 1st Bde, 5th Inf Div, on Highway 1 in northern I Corps, 20 Aug 1969 Photo from Sp5 Lawrence J. Sullivan, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sgt. Curtis E. Hester, Co D, 151st Inf, (Indiana National Guard) on a LRRP mission near Long Binh, 31 Aug 1969 Photo by Pfc. Richard H. Goff, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

An M42 "Duster" from the 5th Bn, 2d Arty, II FFV, occupies a perimeter defense position at FB Nancy, 1969. Photo by Sp5 James F. Sullivan, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, hold the line near Long Binh during Tet 69, 23 Feb 1969. Photo by Sp4 Kenneth L. Powell, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

SW versus NE Monsoon rains in South Vietnam (from my MACV collection) erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- You can see how the changing weather patterns impacted operations during the war.

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense challenge coin that Deputy Minister of National Defense Lt. Gen. Gau presented to me last week for my work with the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative. Looks pretty slick! :]

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Soldier art showing U.S. and South Vietnamese soldiers somewhere in II Corps. Source and artist unknown- likely from a 4th Infantry Division magazine (I am looking) in 1968 or 1969. Restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Pleased to have given a briefing about the upcoming Longest Climb Foundation veteran trip to VN to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense, Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Gau, and other government officials earlier this week at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, D.C. vietnamnews.vn/politics-law...

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Politico-religious areas of influence in the Mekong Delta/Cochinchina, circa 1954. Viet-Minh and VC Operational Boundaries document via AHEC -- You can see that the emerging South Vietnamese government 1954-1956 had a steep hill to climb in terms of exerting control.

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Soldier from the 3d Bn, 187th Inf, 101st AbDiv, holding an SKS-type rifle with bayonet and wearing a North Vietnamese pith helmet somewhere in South Vietnam, 68-69. Photo by John Snyder, B-3-187, via The Steel Thread Project.

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

One of the great pleasures for grunts in the field was a chance to get hot chow in a relatively safe area. Is that pizza I see? :] Photo by John Vollersten, HHC, 3d Bn, 187th Inf, 101st Abn Div, somewhere in III Corps (Phuoc Vinh?) via The Steel Thread Project

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

One of the best songs from the great American songbook ever. youtu.be/rjzTNWWO7U0?...

youtu.be

GLEN CAMPBELL LIVE WICHITA LINEMAN

YouTube video by Dinkydoo40

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Alpha Company, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, somewhere in northern III Corps 67-68. Photo by Joe Nugent via The Steel Thread Project. Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- they shall never grow old--

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

You only get to hear "The Great Gig in the Sky" for the first time once. Appreciate it. He did. :] youtu.be/-zX_sBPiFk4?...

youtu.be

Gen Z Reacts To Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon! | FOR THE FIRST TIME!!

YouTube video by Conzzy

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

An absolutely ethereal minimalist jazz cover of Radioheads "Everything In It's Right Place." I feel those tears, Robert. youtu.be/LsjaLJMAbnk?...

youtu.be

Robert Glasper performs Radiohead's "Everything in Its Right Place" at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

YouTube video by medici.tv

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Cue Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. "Rollerball" remains one of the most brilliant but sadly under-appreciated sci-fi films in cinematic history.

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Proud to see Pvt. Sam McCright, my nephew, graduate from Fort Jackson basic training. This is when his mom, my sister-in-law, found him in formation (center between the two soldiers at attention.)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Sp4 Ed Rose, dog handler, Co A, 1st Bn, 8th Inf, 4th Inf Div, leads a patrol with his dog on Hill 1049 near Dak To, 17 Dec 68. Photo by Sp4 Jacob E. Hawes, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

A B-52 Stratofortress prepares for a mission at U-Tapao, Thailand, 7 Feb 1969 Photo by Sp5 Bryan K. Grigsby, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Soldiers from the 1st Sqd, 11th ACR, and their M113 ACAV's defend Long Binh Post, 23 Feb 1969. Photo by Sp4 Kenneth L. Powell, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Dong Tam amphibious base, just west of My Tho in the Mekong Delta and home to the Mobile Riverine Force plus the 9th Inf Div. Photo via USAEC Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

A Shau Valley looking East. Smoke appears to be rising from Hill 937 (aka Hamburger Hill). The battle took place in early May 1969 and I don't know when this photo was taken, but sure seems like an interesting coincidence. USACE photo. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Hueys pick up members of Co D, 3d Bn, 60th Inf, 9th Inf Div, in the Mekong Delta, 1969. Photo by Sp4 Allen T. Rockoff, 221st Sig Co, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

A Shau Valley looking south from the A Luoi Airfield, photo overlaid on Google Earth. Photo via US Army Corps of Engineers Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

A soldier from the 1st Sdq, 11th ACR, throws a grenade against the enemy attacking Long Binh while a DASPO cameraman films, 23 Feb 69. Photo by Sp4 Kenneth L. Powell, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Members of Co D, 151st Inf (Indiana ARNG), on a mission somewhere in III Corps, 20 Sep 1969. Photo by Richard H. Goff, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A soldier hews a log with an ax somewhere in Vietnam, date unknown. Photo by Franklin Nickerson, DASPO, via TTU Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- Original is less than 1MB, but what amazing composition!-

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Loss and expenditure stats from MACV, FY 68 and 69, via MACV document from AHEC. These numbers would include items too worn out to be serviceable in addition to those permanently damaged or destroyed.

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Camp Enari, just south of Pleiku City, home to the 4th Inf Div for most of its time in Vietnam. Photo overlaid on GE. Original photo from the USA Engineer Corps. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The caption from the TTU VCA is confusing- claims to be the Mekong Delta mid-1969 but then has a reference to the 173d Abn in 1965. The first explanation seems more likely, but hard to say. Also, the image is under 600k, but turned out okay. Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Sgt. Guillermo A. Hoyos, Co C, 2d Bn, 34th Armor, sits atop an M-48 tank which provides security on Highway 547 in Thua Thien Province, 15 Aug 1969. Photo by Pfc. Richard H. Goff, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

A member of the 26th Eng Bn uses a bulldozer to push down trees during a land clearing operation, Aug 1969. Photo by 1Lt Berry, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Had a request for Dien Bien Phu maps, so here are some screenshots I just made. Digital work by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Landing craft and artillery barges from the 1st Bn, 11th Arty, 9th Inf Div, prepare to be turned over to the RVNAF, July 1969. Photo by SP4 James Boak, 221st Sig Co, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Soldiers from the 25th Inf Div move out after landing by Hueys, Aug 1969. Photo by Sp4 Ronald W. C. Charron, 221st Sig Co, via NARA Sand Storm Remix by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- The original colors in this photo were all out of wack, so I went to a subdued look emphasizing the figures--

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

A soldier from Co D, 5th Bn, RAR, keeps watch during Opn "Mindy," Aug 1969 Photo by 1LT Mike Loehrer, 221st Sig Co, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Pvt Bruce Larner, Co D, 5th Bn, RAR, waves in a UH-1D helicopter in Phuoc Tuy Province, Aug 1969. Photo by 1LT Mike Loehrer, 221st Sig Co, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Members of Battery B, 1st Bn, 30th Arty, 1st Cav Div, mark the landing site for a CH-54 and 155-mm. howitzer at LZ "O'Keefe" 75km north of Saigon, 19 July 1969. Photo by SP5 Carl Hansen, DASPO, via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Details from a isometric view map of Saigon, 1881, via LOC. Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard) -- Note that the Vauban style Saigon Citadel is still standing as late as 1881!

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Rare photo of an M56 Scorpion 90-mm. SP gun passing by members of Co A, 2d Bn, 503d Inf, 173d Abn Bde, near Vo Dat, 26 Nov 65. The 173d soon traded in their M56's for M113's. Photo by Sp4 Vincent J. Calarco, Jr., via NARA Digital restoration by erikthehistorian (erik villard)

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

In the Mekong Delta, Communist units relied heavily upon civilian labor to transport supplies. These laborers would move material at night via sampan or foot. U.S. night ops certainly killed many of those laborers during Speedy Express. They would be unarmed, yes, but not exactly non-combatants.

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Dr. Erik Villard @erikthehistorian.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

One of the topics in my upcoming book is Opn Speedy Express, the controversial 9th Inf Div mission in the NE Delta Nov 68-May 69. One of the central accusations made by some was that armed U.S. helicopters treated the AO as a free fire zone. I offer this recent find for consideration- read on.

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