I've just finished reading the new book "GOODNIGHT SAIGON" by Charles Henderson. For those of you who have not read it yet you should do so ASAP. It is an outstanding account of the final weeks and days leading up to the "Fall of Saigon" and the outstanding jobs the Marines, and especially the Marine Security Guards at the American Embassy in Saigon, and the surrounding American Consulates, did.

You will learn of the heroic action of Gunnery Sergeant Robert W. "Bobby" Schlager in retreiving the American Flag from the top of the flag pole on top of the then surrendered American Consulate in Bein Hoa while he was hanging off of a helicopter and was being fired on at that same time by the VC who already had control of the city and the Consulate. It is the story that only a Marine could do, and that only a Marine could appreciate.

Semper Fi!!!

Jule Spohn
Sgt - USMC - 1960/66
MSG - Am Emb - Seoul, Korea - 1962/65