Response

Well, as luck would have it, I did most of the things you mentioned in your letter (thank you for your eloquent compliment, too).  As for medals, I just can't seem to find any Air Force MSMs on my rack.  I was fortunate enough to receive a Defense MSM, but I think the seven Air Medals, 3,000 hours in the air, one crash, countless ground missions as a North Vietnamese linguist, and the loss of some dear US and SVN comrades gave me the inspiration to respond.  I won't return the favor in kind and challenge your credentials.  I'm sure you served our country well.  By the way, it's a well known fact that the PH was just as much of a joke then as the AFAM is now.  Many were justly deserved - many more were not.  You're right, the awards program is desparately in need of an overhaul.  Unfortunately, I can't change it.  By the way, why did you get out of the Marine Corps and enter the Air Force?  

I guess the reason it appears I speak from both sides, as you put it, is that this conflict was so convoluted that it's easy to switch points of view, depending on the sub-topic, mood, or personal experiences.  I've finally come to the point where I agree to disagree.  There is, in most cases, no right or wrong opinion, only personal perspectives.  The ones who need the most educational assistance are the young ones who only get  their information from one side or the other.  That's where you can help most - by giving them the perspectives as you saw it.

Hope this helps clear up some misperceptions.  I tried to write this down earlier, but I'm not as adept at this computer as I would like to be.  I'd be happy to discuss any other point you might want to relate.  I enjoy hearing your experiences and opinions.  I also respect your views, even if we don't agree.  Remember, we saw things from completly different vantage points, at least most of the time.

Ron McMasters