Thoughts on the military and military activities of a diverse nature. Free-ranging and eclectic.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Nugent & Robb.

This is coolbert:

During the Vietnam War, President Johnson had two sons-in-law that were of military age.

Both were IN the military at the time too.

One was Patrick Nugent. Patrick, an enlisted man in the Illinois Air National Guard [ILARNG], served in the capacity of a crewman on transport aircraft.

The second was Charles Robb, a career man in the Marines, with a rank of Major.

Robb was serving in the White House as a Presidential Aide at the time of the war, and Nugent served his weekend monthly with his ILARNG unit.

When critics began there shrill attacks upon the President and his handling of the war, Johnson felt a lot of pressure to send his sons-in-law into harms way. It was felt that it would be poor form for the President to draft and send young military age men to Vietnam while his own sons-in-law lived comfortably in the states.

Patrick was encouraged to volunteer for active duty in Vietnam.

Charles DID receive orders to proceed to Vietnam as a normal career move.

And these two men DID serve in Vietnam. And both did with honor. Patrick, flying in transport aircraft, DID fly into "hot" airfields [airfields either under attack or under the potential of attack. And Chuck Robb DID serve six months in a combat role, and then served the remainder of his six month tour in staff positions.

After the war, each man chose a different path in life.

Nugent faded into obscurity. He has not been heard of from a long time.

Charles Robb became a U.S. Senator from Virginia. Served a number of terms. May have been Governor of the state of Virginia prior to that. Charles Robb has now assumed the status of an elder statesman. Sits on "blue ribbon" commissions. Recently evaluated the intelligence on Iraq that existed prior to the outbreak of the current war.

Being the son-in-law of the President can sometimes have advantages, sometimes NOT!

coolbert.

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