Vietnam
WWL-TV Special Projects Collection
Details
Collection:LSA
Genre: Special, Documentary
Place Covered: Louisiana General
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Department of State
Date Issued: Circa 1965
Duration: 00:27:55
Subjects: Da Nang, Vietnam | Vietnam War, 1961-1975 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) | Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana | Lakeview, Orleans Parish, Louisiana | New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana | Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana | Metairie, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana | McComb, Pike County, Mississippi | Ponchatoula, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Contributors:
- Johnson, Phil Narrator
Description
Vietnam, a WWL-TV Special Project narrated by Phil Johnson, contains interviews with Louisiana and southern Mississippi natives serving in Da Nang, Saigon, and aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. Johnson tours the Marine's school in booby traps in the hills above Da Nang with Corp. Leonce Delaune from Lakeview. In Da Nang, interviews include: Frankie J. Mendoza, part of the reconnaissance squadron from Morgan City; LCpl Charles Schlosser, Jr., radio operator from 3333 St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans and graduate of Francis T. Nicholls Sr. High; Cpl Leonard Thomas, a cook from 2423 Soniat Street in New Orleans and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School; and PFC Crozier from the 9th Ward and graduate of St. Augustine High School; Johnson then discusses the dangers of the paddy fields in rural Vietnam and of plastic explosives in Saigon. In Saigon, Johnson interviews Lt. Ronald Folse, a plane commander on a Navy P2V, Neptune patrol bomber, from New Orleans and Bogalusa. Interviews aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in the South China Sea include: Kent Fontenot, a radioman from 2025 Painters Street in New Orleans and graduate from Francis T. Nicholls High in 1963; Warren Ballance, a catapults and arresting gear operator from Morgan City; Gerald Tassin, a storekeeper from 2319 Gravier St. in New Orleans; Joel Lafon from McComb, Mississippi; and Levi Jack Rushing, fighter squadron from Mississippi and Ponchatoula.