Don't know if you cuised on the Hau Giang (southern branch) of the Mekong near Chau Phu, but here's a story my Vietnamese wife tells about the Navy guys.
She was only a toddler in 1971, but she distinctly recalls that she was lost one day in her part of town, crying and not knowing how to get home.
A guy in a green uniform and a moustache (that's all she remembers) took her by the hand, gave her some candy, and led her around the village looking for Mom. My wife recalls he stopped a lot of people asking if they knew who she was.
Finally he found Mom and turned my now-wife over to the family.
I've spent a lot of time in that area over the years, and to this day there's not a single person I've met who has anything but fond memories of the Naval presence in those years.
Thought you'd like to know.
Thanks, angkor. I do like to know that.
Thank you for your post. I traveled a lot in South Vietnam, on the Mekong Delta I spent a lot of time near Vung Tau and Tan Chow.
I have MANY wonderful memories in south Vietnam, and quite a few friends that were stabbed in the back (and murdered by the Communist North Vietnamese) when the U. S. left.
John Kerry lied to the American people (as he still does today) and caused untold tragedy with his lies.
God bless you and your wife.