Have you ever wondered what “really” happened concerning the Capital Kinh Do Theater bombings? Or, the Pershing Field Sports Stadium bombing? Or, the U.S. Embassy bombing? Or, the Floating Restaurant bombing? Or, the many, many other bombings and terrorist acts that took place in Saigon and Viet-nam?
Once again Kathy’s continuing research has paid off concerning events that took place while many of us were in Saigon.
Her latest find on the Internet is “The Study of the Use of Terror by the Viet Cong” The Mariah Project (MAC/SOG).
This is a 41 page “Secret” report and study outlining Viet Cong acts of terror throughout Viet-nam during the period of 1957 though early 1966. The study was completed as part of the Phoenix Project.
It includes detailed information about the Pershing Field bombing, U.S. Embassy bombing and the Capital Kinh Do Theater bombings. As well as, many other events.
It even contains transcripts from captured Viet Cong documents and reports detailing the planning and execution of the Capital Kinh Do Theater bombings of 1963 and 1964.
This now declassified “Secret” document provides interesting insights from both the American and Viet Cong perspectives.
Thank you very much, Kathy, for locating and sharing this information with all us Saigon Kids. I’m sure everyone appreciates your efforts as much as I do – 
Click Here to view The Mariah Project report and study.
Bob
PS: As you read through this document, it might prove helpful to others, if you could identify the page numbers in the report which relate to events and incidents Saigon Kids experienced. You can leave the information in the Comments section below. This way folks can zero in on the specific information relating to their experiences in Saigon – without having to read the entire report. Just a thought –
Pershing Field Bombing- The Pershing Field Bombing happened during a major Boy Scout trip to Nha Trang over the summer. This incident caused the death of a repairman who was on the roof of our house in the JDP Compound. When I returned from the trip, my mother told me about the bomb going off and the repairman coming down from the roof to fast on a rickety bamboo ladder. The ladder broke and he fell to his death. My Dad was away in Long Xuyen and she had to call for help and handle the situation herself while watching my 3 younger sisters. Not an everyday occurrence where we came from in Memphis, TN.
The mention of that bombing brought back that memory to me very clearly.
PS. The year was 1964.
I was in the US at the time of the bombing, but when I returned to Saigon, my mother gave me the low down as she knew it. My dad was a big ball fan and was usually at the field when games were being played. If I recall it correctly, five bombs were planted under the stands, one of which was right under where my dad usually sat (middle row of stand, near home plate). Seeing some friends of his that evening, he moved to the far end of the bleachers…when the bombs went off, one of them was right where he normally would have been sitting.
At the time, dad owned a black and while 1959 Chevy station wagon that he used to shuttle wounded to the hospital. He recalled that none of the Vietnames kids that were usually about during games were around that evening, a sure sign of trouble that unfortunately, no one recognized at the time.
NOTE – All of the above was passed to me, so my facts may not be 100% correct.
Ken
Hello Saigon Kids…
The U.S. Embassy bombing in Saigon will always be a memory for me, as I was working in the building at the time of the blast. (I returned to Saigon following my freshman year at the Univ. of Arizona, and accepted a one-year contract position at the embassy, 1964-65).
I have written up a full account of the experience, and I have the complete photo packet that USIA produced for the media.
Just contact me if you want more info.
All the best,
David Henry
Hello David – Good to see you stopping by for a visit. Sounds like an interesting write up and photo packet. I’ll email you about it in the next few days.
I hope all is good with you and yours.
Bob
Dear David, May I have permission to use photos from your collection for the documentary?
Would you like to be interviewed? I have quite a lot of people already on film and would love to add your stories. Did you know
William Perkins? He told me about his time working back in Saigon after he completed school.
It would be terrific to add your first hand story to the film.
Elvera Roussel 917-297-3083