TONKIN: Good facts, wrong year

While reading The Press Thursday morning, section “C,” The Bureaucrats of War, it made me wonder who is Uyless Black? How could he be off by a year? Not checking his facts close enough.

His article is full of facts, however his dates are off by one year. I also am a Vietnam Vet who was in the area at the time of this incident. Aboard USS Prichett (DD561), on patrol in the Formosa Straits that Aug. 2. Radio traffic ordered us to proceed to the Gulf of Tokin at flank speed in support of reports of armed attacks against U.S. warships on Aug. 2, 1964, not 1965, as reported by Mr. Black. Any reader can look up “THE GULF OF TOKIN” in order to get the true story of the escalation of the Vietnam War.

GERALD MUTTON

CPO USN (Ret.)

Bayview