Cam Rahn Bay

Another Vietnam base was Cam Rahn Bay, an R&R (or rest and recuperation) destination for countless soldiers. The United Service Organizations sent many entertainers into the country during the war. The USO performers created all sorts of acts for the troops, lifting their spirits. We never knew what celebrity might be traveling with us to Vietnam.

On one occasion we had the Swedish actress Ann-Margret on board. She stood, as beautiful as ever, at the top of the portable stairs and did a little dance, wearing a mini-skirt and white boots. The troops surrounding our plane looked up in awe. Some dramatically collapsed on the tarmac. And from the bottom of the stairs they could see right up her skirt. Hoots and howls erupted.

Another time I had Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and the Sons of the Pioneers, a group of singing cowboys that accompanied Roy and Dale on many of their professional engagements. The flight attendants asked them to sing “Happy Trails” and the crew and deploying soldiers joined in.

Later in the flight Dale became very quiet, absorbed in writing a book about the death of one of their adopted children. Roy stayed in the cockpit during most of the flight. All aspects of flying fascinated him and the crew loved having him there. They exchanged movie and flying stories, much to everyone’s delight. I remember the huge gold ring that Roy wore. It was in the shape of a Western saddle and covered his ring finger from knuckle to knuckle. On the sides of the saddle were bright jewels: rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.

Most celebrities were kind and courteous. One, however, was not. He was short and arrogant. He had an aisle seat in the first row behind the galley wall. As the flight attendants walked past, he called us “darling” or “sweetie” and either tried to pull us onto his lap or slapped our backsides. Because he was such a military bigwig, we put up with his behavior. But no one liked it. Some of the men in his entourage seemed embarrassed and later apologized for his actions.

Throughout the Vietnam War the USO sent entertainers overseas, and we were privileged to escort them. On our way back to the States, the area by the rear galley often hosted impromptu jam sessions. The harmonious voices of entertainers, servicemen, and flight attendants filled the plane with pure passion, fueled by a love of country and the thrill of finally leaving Vietnam.

Photo:

Sailors and Flight Attendants.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-27