>> and those who deliver. the communicators, monday night at eight on c-span two. on sunday, may 29, on the presidency, c-span's american history tv will air a portion of the lbj presidential library vietnam war summit held in april. the program focuses on the president who dealt with the growing american presence in vietnam. this weekend, we look back at lyndon johnson in the fall of 1967 and 1968 as the vietnam war dominated his presidency. three-car kyl films. first, a film created by the white house naval photographic unit highlighting his activities in november of 1967. this video was provided by the lbj presidential library and is nearly 25 minutes.

>> for president johnson, the month of november began with the arrival of the king of nepal. reigning over a real-life in the remote mountain vastness on the roof of king openeds, the his doors to the rest of the world recently. and is equally thrown wide the doors of opportunity for all of his people. he's -- it is a new nepal he seeks to improve. we share his vision and hopes. from --it is hard foreign nation to be torn from the cocoon of the past to be catapulted into the 20th century. we also know from 50 years of

partnership and progress that the people of nepal will try up in their struggle. -- and at your own door. nepal has carried its influence into the great forums of the world. you help all nations to advance by making clear what you cherish the most and want most to see. if america shares nepal's hopes and visions, it is because she herself was once locked behind closed doors, denied her freedom, isolated in remote vastness. todayepal, the america of finds that her advances do not yet he at her home borders. having thrown wide the doors of opportunity to her own people, she now carries her influence and example into the great forums of the world.

throughout november, president johnson would remind his countrymen how far america has come during a brief moment in history. at the same time, he would caution that these accomplishments were things of the past, to be accepted and preserved. the important problems lie ahead . america's unprecedented strides in health and education to be meaningful must be shared with nations less fortunate. in so doing, arrive at a true international partnership for the common betterment of the world community. one of his emissaries, dr. james from latinturn america to report on the use of science and technology to speed social development. he is serving at the request of president johnson with a group of experts convened by the experts of the american states

in april. killian figured prominently in another milestone of progress in november. as chairman of the carnegie commission, he had for pose that the airways along to the people, proposal that now becomes law with presidents johnson's signature on the public broadcasting act. it establishes a new institution that will assist stations and producers who aim for the best broadcasting, who seek through television, to enlighten their audience. president johnson applied andica's academic technological resources to a host of specific problems around the world. two directors of the universities of south vietnam, he expressed hope that the best of the vietnamese teachers could reach all of the countries students through the modern miracle of public television.

this seeing of internet shop partnership was in evidence with the arrival of the crown went -- prince of -- in extending america's hand of friendship, the president spoke of the achievements that would be possible if nations could only work together. i spoke to the blessings that would flow to millions if we could, together, harness the large -- the allowed me copy of this mighty waterway, longer then the mississippi river, is the real life stream of southeast asia. its waters have the power to build peaceful and prosperous nations, of the world. with the arrival of the prime minister of japan, dues were exchanged on the gamut of international concerns, to both countries. --y thought ways to reverse between world population and

food supply. by hastening the day when developing nations could stand on their own feet. cooperation close in the expansion of world trade. they saw peace and security in the far east. recognizing that this goal depends not only upon military strength, but political stability and economic development. think the objective of the american people and the japanese people are very much the same. first of all, we want peace in all the world, and particularly in that troubled part of the world where we do not have it now. education for our children, health for our people, a small amount of recreation that can make us enjoy the good things of life. together, by working closely together, we have moved in that

direction. >> few gestures have more solid substance than the transfer of territory. during their talks, the president initiated and arrangement for the return of the -- islands to japan. this gesture not only strengthen the ties of friendship, but reinforced the conviction of the japanese people that the administrative rights of a new islands may one day be solved within a similar framework of mutual trust. influenced to be effective on an international scale must be backed up for example at home. creating a new city government for the nation's capital, government responsible -- responsive to people's needs have been a dream of president johnson. much of that dream turned into reality. the swearing in of the district's newly appointed city council. to thent to say

congressman and the house and senate as i said last night, let's don't treat the nation's capital as a stepchild. let's try to make it a model child. let's try to let it be the city that every other city in the world would like to date. -- like to be. let's get out on the streets and talk to the people in their homes and in their businesses, and see what is in their hearts and had and what they need and how we can best apply it. let's try to unite the city into a drive that will ultimately capital, oftional which we can be proud. thank you. [applause] in another ceremony in the

east room, president johnson honored to women in uniform. for bravery, outstanding service in vietnam. two air force nurse colonel and full hopefully, the legion of merit. nurse major marie rogers, the bronze star. the president took this occasion to end a long-standing inequity in the armed forces. and signing the equal promotion opportunity bill, he gave to women the same chance for military achievement additionally enjoyed by only the men. he commanded the female leaders as he headed out the customer depends to his distinguished yes, he discovered that he had one left over. hesoon remedied that when

suddenly spotted a well-known leader and do her on the sidelines. humphrey reported on the president on his tour of malaysia and vietnam. the president asked mr. humphrey to brief a joint meeting of the cabinet and the national security council. also invited, a congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle. the one outstanding thing and the most important of all was his observation that the military leaders in that area the best man we have been a will to produce. we feel we have never had a better trained or equipped fighting force and never had better morale found anywhere in the uniform of the united states are those men and women who

in vietnam today. >> it was veterans day weekend, in fort benning, georgia, president has the admiration of his people to the men and women of the armed forces >>. americans, vietnam is no academic question. it is not a subject at cocktail parties or debate from a comfort of some distant sideline. these americans here do not live on the sidelines. by fleshes are tied and blood to vietnam. talk does not come cheap for them. the cost of beauty is too cruel. the price of patriotism comes to hide.

high. land, cost through the racing the sun across the sky. by noon he was in company with the marine corps at camp pendleton. has never come to any people as a gift. it has never been held by any able ando were not willing to defend it. corps does defend it. the core was born as a commitment to freedom, and it has honored that commitment every single hour of its existence. it honors it today. and thank god.

>> even as the president

launched the plans of the and are priced demonstrate their fighting proficiency, he stressed the search for peace seeking out a neutral corner in the world where men might reason together. the united states follows the dream of peace, so we include even the season or search. boardroom could be a conference room. seeutral ship on a neutral would be as good a meeting place as any. so long as who would come to lead, so long as both met halfway. so long as one did not insist that the other walk on water and work america alone. >> after spending a night at sea, the president worked his

way back across the country. saluting the men of the air force at both mcconnell and langley. >> our spirit is sharp. our cause is just. and it is backed by strength. your strength. -- our cause will succeed. >> the president ended his germany in yorktown, virginia. it was here in 1781 out of the fires of last crucial battle the young nation asserted her independence once and for all. almost 200 years later, the same spirit prevails, as american men in uniform help another young republican -- republic assert her independence half a world away.

after a two day cross-country to her in may -- explaining the policies and it now and assigning america's responsibilities abroad, the president relax for a few moments in williamsburg, virginia. the president and his family have attended church regularly, visiting throughout the land many houses of worship. the big and the small. however, no service had ever been so publicized as this one on november 12 in williamsburg. solace theritual pro--- a president would receive a sermon on vietnam, questioning america's purpose in southeast asia.

if there were moments in this country they were not in evidence. johnsonident and mrs. complimented the choir. the rest of the day was spent with family and friends against a backdrop of autumn color in the historic countryside town of williamsburg. ♪ perhaps he found spiritual solace after all. ase in this tidewater area, far back as the early 17th

century, planted the seeds of self-government, the respect for human dignity, the belief in individual rights. america's future leaders learn how to make and to enforce the law. written, theyas learn how to preserve it. ,- when freedom was threatened they learned how to preserve it. ♪

with his weekend of rest with family and friends behind him, he went into the ring and took on the big events. first on schedule, six-month ambassador bunker, returning from vietnam for a consultation visit, he gave president johnson and overall view of the situation in vietnam. a national have elections been significant, but the elections also for the village and hamlet level. this marks the beginning of the reinstitution of local government, which was wiped out by the french occupation. a port in effect in the country and on the countryside, involving the people in their own development.

more briefings from vietnam. arriving for a stay at the white house, general westmoreland reported to the president. reportsord charts and and gathered statistics, commercial pattern of progress. slow, to be sure, but steady, tangible and promising. of your talk this week with general west moreland and others, what is your assessment of our process -- progress >>? i think every american heart should slowly pride.

i believe, and our allied people believe that we have a superior leadership. i think it is the best that the united states can produce in experience, judgment and training and general competence. i have had three meetings with ambassador walker and three with general westmoreland. our american people, when we get into a contest of any kind, war and -- or an election or a football game or what it is, they want it decided quickly, get in or out. they like for the opposition to go down like this. that's not the kind of war we are fighting in vietnam.

we made our statement to the world, what we would do if we had communist aggression in the world in 1954. we said we would stand with those people in the face of common danger. the time came when we had to put up or shut up and we put up and we were there. we don't march out and have a -- betheleak stay each day. it is a new kind of war for us. i think we are moving more like this. i think they are moving more like this, instead of straight up and straight down. we are making progress. we are pleased with the results we are getting. lossesinflicting greater than we are getting. admits the horror of the war, and more people have

been killed trying to vote in south it now then have been killed by bombs in north vietnam , inc. according to north vietnam's own figures. it the midst of all of the fighting in south vietnam, we have had five elections in a. of 14 months. the midst of war when the grenades are popping like , two thirds or three force of the people would register and go vote and have five elections in 13 months. through the democratic process, select people at the local level, the constituent assembly, that is encouraging. yet, a great to do many mistakes have been made. we take two steps forward and slipped back one. it is not all perfect by any

means. there are a good many days when 78.t a c minus but we are satisfied with the progress. our allies are pleased with the progress, and every country that i know in that area that is familiar with what is happening thinks it is essential that uncle sam keep her word and stay there until we can find an honorable peace. if they have any doubts about it, mr. ho chi minh, who listens to our radio and reads our papers, if he has any doubts about it and want to disillusion him this morning. we keep our commitments, our people will support the men that are there, and the men there are going to bring us an honorable peace. >> one of those men, staff sergeant charles morris was awarded the medal of honor in a

ceremony. it was a donald -- double honor. >> i recall, mr. president, when you honored us by coming to camera bay to see the troops on the battlefield itself did not i told you that never in all chiefy had a commander in , and are finer folks now commanded by president johnson. around the world but particularly in accordance with my personal knowledge on the battlefield in south vietnam. iss american fighting man represented today by sergeant mom's. --moss. days of november

took off, he faced an array of major problems, tackling each with an endless reservoir of decisiveness, energy and strength. on november 18 news from great britain, having worked hard over number of years to correct its trade deficits, the government of the united kingdom announced its decision to devalue the par value of the pound. determined to keep the monetary system strong, the president reaffirmed the american commitment to buy and so gold at the existing price of $35 an ounce. from the eastern mediterranean, new tension, this time focused on the island of cyprus. the president would once more call upon his international troubleshooter, cyrus vance, to act as america's man on the scene. -- 22nd, is an absurd to the president he would fly to athens to help remove the danger of war from that part of the world. hisur nations surprise,

secretary of defense with seek a new post, having been nominated by the director of the world bank. mcnamara was unique among defense secretaries, having held the secretary longer than any predecessor. in ating military issues broad context. above all, even as keeper of the he remained a, human is. in november, president signed into law the national commission on product safety. although a major bill in its own right, it signaled more than protection for the consumer. marked theson, it end of his first or years in office. , it meantation another milestone in a long line of impressive legislative achievement that meet the urgent priorities of the 1960's. in translating legislation into a program of action for the american people, no president

could match his record. on theeed to crack down comment who prey on the defenses. some of our parents save up all their lives to buy little homes for retirement. then some swindler comes along and gets a hold of them and they wind up in a useless swamp. with a piece of no good land or they wind up in a worthless shack. moreno administration work aggressively and using federal machinery to help its people, particularly in those areas where human needs were the strongest. as he wound up his first four years of office, the nation saw the completion of many months of -- 80 months of economic expansion and prosperity. the gnp for the first time in history top the 800 billion mark. , 200 million off

american was born. all in all november have been a milestone month. but the true meaning of the month would not be found in america's power nor prosperity. it would be revealed in how she used her success in helping others. nation begin its own .limb up the mountain nation that has catapulted to world leadership, a nation that has exercised leadership without total withest or enrichment, but only the fund to establish a free and stable world for ourselves and for other human beings that live in that world. to put it in a sentence, we have success in america beyond all of our wildest dreams.

we only to ourselves, i think, to note and to remember, as we welcome this 200 million american into our midst on the eve of our third century as a nation, if we only congratulate ourselves on what we have done,s its meaning. the people constantly said, make this nation better. don't quit until the doors are open to everybody. ♪ [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2016] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> up next, a press conference from november 17, 1967. it is just over 20 minutes. >> i'm going to make the question.

>> you think the force levels in vietnam begin to level off with the strength, or do you think moore's -- more troops will be needed in the future? lyndon johnson: we have previously considered and approved a recommendation of the joint chiefs of staff for the force level. thisenerals discussed in at some length with me just last night and this morning. there is no entry for that level. worth to the bottom is trying mccarthyism [indiscernible] lyndon johnson: north vietnam has responded. their statement this week in the hanoi newspaper's response to my statement from the enterprise, it is clear and very compelling, and i think to answer any question in this question that has ever felt the bombing wrong.

would bring us to the negotiating table. i know i made it very clear in response to my deal from the enterprise that the effect was the same as it has always been, and the same as it was nancy it annunciator in-- ho chi minh's letter to me. there are some naive people and some political people in this country. anyone that really was to know what position north vietnam is should read what a spokesman of north vietnam said. that is best signified in mr. ho chi minh's letter he made public. all these hopes and dreams and idealistic people that go ahead simply confused weaken our

position. mr. ward? >> you have any evidence that the viet cong might be moving separate from hanoi, and if so, what would be your attitude [indiscernible] lyndon johnson: i would prefer to handle negotiations through dramatic channels with whomsoever we may negotiate. i don't think this is a place you don't negotiate -- to do negotiations. we are asked to find a solution that would bring an end to the war. as we stated so many times, we are ready to meet and discuss that with the officials of hanoi and the viet cong, we will have no problem in having their voice fully heard and considered. i think it would be better if we were to wait until the opportunities develops along that line, and do it through our

trained diplomats. >> you talked about the job of being president. this wednesday, you will complete four years in the office of president. i wonder if you will reflect on the presidency and what has been your greatest satisfactions, and what are your disappointments? lyndon johnson: i better do that a little later. i can tell all the good things that have happened and the bad ones either. i would be charged with filibustering. we primarily want to look at the future, not the past . it has been almost two centuries since our revolution and since we won our freedom. we have come a long way during that period. we have much rather to go as you can see from our education and health and city statistics. farm statistics.

as long as there are for people -- four people out of every 10 that can't spell cast or right write dog, wer must continue. headstart, people are learning to read for the first time at 70. we have a commitment from 16% to 24% in the last war years while the states have remained [indiscernible] we have made revolutionary education and health and conservation, where we are taking in as much land in the public domain for the first time in years has we are lending out. we feel that we have brought a degree of stability in our international relations to this

hemisphere through the alliance for progress in the meetings. we think we have working with other nations made material advances in helping underdeveloped nations in africa. we are very pleased with what has come out of our meetings with the germans and the british and the trilateral talks, what has come out of the energy around meetings, the several trees we have negotiated with the soviet union, and the one we are working on, the nonproliferation treaty. we are happy 9 million more people have good paying jobs as had when i came into this office. but these are things of the past, and we should accept and want to preserve them. but the important problems are ahead, what is the next century going to be like?

what is the third century going to be like? as long as the ancient enemies are rampaging, illiteracy and ignorance and disease and , there is much for government to do. we are working on that now, and we will be talking about that in the months ahead. mr. horner. >> a few of your talks with general westmoreland and the ambassador and others, what is your idea of the progress? lyndon johnson: i believe, and our allies believe, that we have a superior leadership, and the best the united states of america can produce in experience, judgment, and general confidence. i have had three meetings with ambassador crocker and for with westmoreland.

i had another one this morning before i came here. , when we getpeople in a contest of any kind whether it is a war or an election where football game or what it is, they want it decided and decided quickly, get in or get out. they like that curve to rise like this, and they like for the opposition to go down like this. that is not the kind of war we are fighting in vietnam. made our statement for what we would do if we had communist aggression in that part of the world in 1954. we said we would stand with those people in the face of common danger, and the time came when we had to put up or shut up, and we put up, and we are there. we don't march out into the face of battle each day, but it

guerrilla war. it does not go that fast. some raising -- summarizing what you are trying -- trying to be fully responsive to your question in the time allotted, i think we are moving more like this. and they are moving more like this instead of straight up and straight down. we are making progress. we are pleased with the results we are getting. inflicting greater losses and we are taking. amidst the pleased fires of war, and more people have been killed trying to vote in south vietnam that has been killed by bombs in north vietnam according to north vietnam's own figure. in the midst of all the horrors of war and guerrilla fighting in south vietnam, we have had five period of over

four months. there is little doubt we can have any. it took us from 1776, 1789, not 13 months but 13 years to get a constitution with our anglo-saxon backward -- background and all the training we had. and to think here in the midst of war when the grenades are popping left and right, firecrackers all around us, two thirds of three fourths of the people would register and vote and have five elections in 13 months, and through the democratic process, select people at the local level, a consistent with assembly, a house of representatives, senate , that is encouraging. population under free control at the cost of [indiscernible] and that under communist control has constantly come down as a very encouraging sign.

the improvement made by the south vietnamese themselves is putting in reform and announcing other programs and improving their own army as a matter of great satisfaction to ambassador bunker and general westmoreland. there are a great many mistakes have been made. we take two steps forward and we step back one. it is not all perfect by any means. there are a good many days when a+, but-instead of overall we are making progress, we are satisfied with that progress. our allies are satisfied with that progress. and every country i know in that area that is familiar with what is happening think that is essential uncle sam stay there until we can find an honorable peace. if they have any doubts with ho chi minh who reads the papers

and listens to the radio and our television, if he has any doubts, i want to disillusion him this morning. we keep our commitments. our people are going to support the men that are there, and the men they are going to bring us an honorable peace. president, hanoi may be interpreting public opinion. you will be replaced next year. how should this affect the campaign in this country? lyndon johnson: i don't know. believe,they might uncle sam would hurt might be president is going to pull out, it will be easier for them to make an insight deal with another president then it will be for the president, they will make a serious misjudgment. mr. howard. >> are you going to run again? lyndon johnson: i will get to that bridge when i come to it,

as i have said many times. >> why do you think there is so much confusion and frustration and difference of opinion in this country about the war in vietnam? lyndon johnson: there has always been confusion and frustration when there is a war going on. i think it was during the revolutionary war and only a third of the people thought that was a wise move. i think that is true when all the new england secedes. in 1812 they stopped over in baltimore, andrew jackson came in, they were having a party that night. the next morning they came over and told the president they want to congratulate him. he had been right all along, although they had come from boston and baltimore with the secessionist moves. that was true in the mexican war when congress overwhelmingly voted to go ahead and pass resolution, the people had doubts about it.

they could not be published it was so better. -- bitter. i don't need to remind you about the civil war. people were here in the white house begging lincoln to concede and work out a deal with the confederacy when word came to him of his victories. they told him the central venue is gone, illinois had no chance. mr. morgan. >> some people on the air and on of trying toyou label all criticism of your vietnam policy as unpatriotic. could you tell us whether you have guidelines in which your enabled to separate conscientious dissent from arrogant dissension? lyndon johnson: i haven't told anyone unpatriotic. -- called anyone unpatriotic.

whennk the wicked fleeth no one pursueth sometimes. people are irresponsible and make untrue statements and ultimately are cautious and careful when they are dealing with a problem involving their man at the front. .- men at the front there is a great deal of difference between criticism and sam, all of which we insist upon and protract. stormtrooper bullying of throwing yourself down the road and smashing windows and rowdyism and every time a person attempts to speak, drum and out -- we believe strongly the right to differ and dissent. if i have done a good job from anything since i have been president, is to ensure there are plenty of dissenters.

[laughter] person that wants to write, most of them do right what they want to write. i say want. and i want to protect that. i think congress wants to protect that. if i buy chance should say, i am not sure that you solved the people doing this, let me explain the other side of it. i would hope that you would say i am lambasting [indiscernible] someone. am assailing what i am trying to do is preserve my right to give the other side. i don't take one side of the conflict. so what i would say is, let's realize in the midst of a war, let's realize there are 500,000

of our boys out there giving their life to win that war, let's ask ourselves what it is we can do to help, and if you think you can do, you can make a contribution to helping them by expressing your opinion and dissenting, then do it. , is your aim in vietnam to win the war or to seek a compromise negotiation solution? lyndon johnson: our aim in vietnam has been very clear from the beginning. they are consistent with the trade deal, with the atlantic charter, with the many, many statements we have made to the congress in connection with that government. the state has made dozens and dozens of times, and i have made enough i thought even all the preachers had heard about it. [laughter] protect thely, to security of the united states. the security of the united states is definitely tied in

with the security of southeast asia. second, to resist aggression. and we are party that is free, we carry it out. i think if you saw a little child in this room that was trying to walk across the floor, and some big bully came along and grabbed her by the hair and started stomping, i think you would do something about it. i thought we made a mistake when we saw hitler moving across the landscape of europe and the concessions that were made by the men carrying umbrellas at that time. add retrospect, we thought that was a mistake. there was a consequence in 1954 under the leadership of president eisenhower, we had this tree. it was -- treaty. it was considered an gone into very thoroughly and the senate. the men presented that said it

was dangerous. the time may come when we have to put up a shutter. we will do whatever it is necessary to do to see that the aggressor does not succeed. our purposes, those are our goals, and we will get a lot of advice, and we will consider it all. but here in west point, we are turning up the best military men produced anywhere in the world. for years, we have had in the foreign service trained professional people that we have brains weay, the best can select. and under constitutional arrangements, the president must look through the secretary of state, to foreign policy, ambassadors, the views the express. his leaders are like the joint chiefs of staff, general westmoreland and others, carefully consider what they say, then do he thinks is right.

that is not putting down the mayor or the legislature. it never has, it never has in any war we have been in been a favorite of the senate. leaders on the military committees, the leaders in other posts. the speaker of the house approved the draft or woodrow wilson's administration. also invariably, senator vandenberg has always vowed a great deal wrong with the executive in the uniform policy. there is a division there, and there is some frustration. those men expressing, and they have a right to it. it is beautiful. the foreign relations committee had a big day yesterday, two resolutions in one day. i have my views about what is resolutions will achieve, but i

also have an obligation to seriously and carefully consider the judgment of the branch of government, and we are going to do it. even though we may have some doubt about what will be accomplished, if it is a close question, we will try to meet their views. that is important. we are to tried the unit of nations before, but we may try again because we believe this is the answer. we will do everything we can to make it the answer. i don't want to hurt his chances by giving any reductions at this moment. but we will consider the views everyone suggests. we conclude the look back at

president johnson and the vietnam war with the white house medal of honor ceremony for five servicemen. this 1968 film is on the u.s. department of defense and is just over 20 minutes. ♪

lyndon johnson: please be seated. secretary, general westmoreland, distinguished members of the congress, distinguished guests and members of the families, our hearts and our hopes have turned to peace as we assemble here in the east room this morning. all of our efforts are being bent in its pursuit. but in this company, we hear again in our minds the sound of distant battles. more tom echoes once

those words that describe the , above of bravery in war and beyond the call of duty. america comeons of to us today from the tortured fields of vietnam. they come to remind us that so ,ong as that conflict continues our purpose and our hopes rest on these steadfast bravery of young men in battle. these five soldiers in their separate moments of supreme testing summoned a degree of courage that stores wonder and

overpoweringn pride in all of us. through their spectacular courage, they set themselves apart in a very select company. contributiont the of more than a half a million young americans to a world of order and of peace. bidder days and -- bitter days and bitter battles lie ahead. i cannot emphasize strongly enough that we have not attained

. ese -- peace only the possibility of peace. we shall lead in the days ahead all the courage and all the wisdomess, and all the that the brilliant commander of these men, general westmoreland as evidenced -- has evidenced throughout this terrible ordeal, and that these men bring evidence of your today. -- here today. other brave men will be called upon to perform other brave acts. before the search for peace yields a settlement at the conference table. have broughtthese

us the distance we have traveled. will see us these the rest of the way. forever in their debt. prize fory, that which all the world hungers will be there monument. the work of euros who stood fast -- euros who stood fast, when standing fast was really the and true way to a lasting to an honorable peace. secretary reeves will now read the citation. >> the president of united

states of america authorized by an act of congress march 5, 1863 as awarded in the name of the congress the medal of honor to itzky for risk j l of his life beyond the call of duty. 6, 1967, he distinguished himself while serving with the fourth italian 12 industry -- battalion 12 infantry. they came under fire from an enemy port. observing to wounded men, he moved within 50 meters of an enemy machine gun to drag them to the relative safety of the landing dock. inspired by his courageous actions, the company began facing a heavy volume of fire from the enemy's positions. captain litzky begin moving

through the enemy fire and administering last rites to the dying. aid, rolledo is a on his back, face the man on his chest, and crawled back to the landing zone. he returned to the action and came upon a man entangled in dense underbrush. company fire was directed at him, but he calmly broke the vines and carry the man to the landing zone. chaplin litzky personally directed medevac helicopters in and out of the area. despite wins in the head and foot, he personally carried over 20 men to the landing zone for evacuation. through his inspiration and heroic actions, he saved the number -- a number of lives and enabled the company to rebuff the enemy. his outstanding and test heroism and inspiration is in the highest keeping with the united states army and reflects great

credit upon himself and the armed forces of this country. the president of united states of america, authorized by act of congress march 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of congress the medal of honor to captain james a taylor, united states army for conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. cap and was serving as executive squad, of troop b first in the republic of vietnam. history was engaged in an attack on a fortified position and came under intense enemy fire. one armored vehicle was hit immediately, and all five crew

members were wounded. aware the vehicle was in danger of exploding, captain taylor moves forward on foot and removed the agreement to safety. moments later, the vehicle exploded. after he was returning, a mortar captaininfully wounded taylor, but he returned to the vehicle to relocate the medical evacuation zone closer to the front lines. as he was moving, he came under machine gun fire from enemy positions 15 yards away. he engaged the position with his own machine gun, killing three men. the evacuation site, another vehicle is struck. again, captain taylor rushed forward, pulled wounded from the vehicle, and returned them to the evacuation site. his actions of dollar -- valor were a source of inspiration to his troops and responsible for saving the lives of a number of such folders -- fellow soldiers. they reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of

his country. the president of united states of america authorized by act of congress march 3, 1863 has awarded in the name of congress the medal of honor to sergeant sammy l davis, you united states army for conspicuous gallantry and turbidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. sergeant sammy l davis distinguished himself on of ever 18, 1967 while the serving as it can an ear with battery c, second battalion fourth artillery. west of callay, republic of vietnam.

at 2:00 in the morning, they came under heavy mortar attack. he reinforced the devcon battalion, launched a fierce ground assault. the attacking enemy drove to within 20 meters of friendly position. only a river separated that the act, from them. -- viet cong from them. he sees a machine gun and returned recovery fire. efforts, and enemy recoiled his round and scored direct hit on the artillery. through the crew and sergeant davis into a foxhole. he struggled to his feet and returned it to the howitzer, which was burning furiously. disregarding a hail of enemy fire, he aimed and fired the howitzer, knocking him to the ground. he returned to the weapon to return and fire again. and enemy mortar injured him painfully.

i complete disregard for his own safety, he loaded and fired three more shells into the enemy . disregarding his extensive andgies -- injuries inability to swim, he picked up an air mattress and struck out across the deep weber -- river to rescue comments -- comrades on the other side. he helps them across the river and protected the two remaining casualties until he could pull into safety. his outstanding heroism and leadership were in keeping with the highest tradition of united states army and reflect great credit on himself and the armed forces of his country. the president of united states of america authorized by act of congress march 3, 1863 has

awarded in the name of congress the medal of honor to atlas five dwight h johnson, united states army, for conspicuous gallantry and risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. specialist five dwight h johnson distinguished himself onto my 15, 1968 -- a merry 15, 1968, republican -- republic of vietnam. he was a member of a reaction force moving to aid other elements of the platoon, which was in heavy contact with a battalion sized north vietnamese force. his tank through a track, and he became immobilized. realizing he can do no more as a driver, he climbed out armed only with a pistol. despite intense hostile fire, specialist johnson killed enemy soldiers before he expended ammunition. returning to his tank through a heavy volume of fire, he obtained a submachine gun with which to continue his fight against the advancing enemy.

he engaged in extremely close combat when the last of his ammunition was suspended. he killed an enemy soldier with the stock end of his machine gun. he climbed into his platoon executed test, excavated a wounded soldier and returned to his carrier. he returns to the same tank and fired the main gun until it jammed. specialist johnson again left the tank and armed only with a pistol gave several north vietnamese troops, fighting his way through devastating fire and remounting the immobilizer tank. asremained totally exposed he engaged with the externally mounted machine gun. specialist johnson's conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit on himself and the united states army.

the president of the united states of america authorized by acts of congress march 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of the congress the medal of honor to wetzel,st iv jerry g united states army for an sticky with gallantry and risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. jerry g wetzel, 103rd helicopter company, distinguished himself near the republic of vietnam. january 8, 1968, he was serving as a door gunner on a helicopter which was part of an insertion force trapped in the landing zone by intense and deadly hostile fire. was going to the aid of aircraft commander when he was alone into a rice paddy and greatly wounded. profusely dueing

to severe winds, he staggered back to his original position and took enemy forces under fire. his machine gun was the only weapon placing effective fire on the enemy at that time. the specialist wetzel made at his position until he eliminated the automatic weapons inflicting heavy casualties on the american troops. refusing to attend his own extensive wounds, he attempted to return to the aid of his aircraft commander, but passed out from loss of blood. regaining consciousness, he persisted in his efforts to drag himself to the aid of his fellow crewmen. specialist wetzel displayed extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own life. -- his gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the united states army and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country.

lyndon johnson: someone said some time ago, how many of these things has the president awarded? and that caused me to reflect a little bit about these things, these medals of honor. peoples some 4.5 million

that make up the defense of this country, military and civilian. history of the ,ongressional medal of honor there have been something like a little over 3000 awarded. and this president has awarded i believe less than 30. out of 200 million americans, i have awarded only 30 congressional medals of honor. men who never thought that they would be here anymore than i thought i would be here where i am, i want to

remind you about another president said upon another occasion. but i would rather be able to have that blue band around my neck than the congressional medal of honor than to be the president of the united states. that is notonor accorded to the president. occupies the honored formerly held by blackjack pershing and formerly held by george marshall, general westmoreland, their brilliant commander cannot wear that blue-ribbon. it goes to a very select and special group of men. and you are a part of that group.

, ono you and your families behalf of all of the people of this country and the free world who you have sought to protect havehose freedom you fought to protect, we are thankful and grateful to you. and we are proud of the honor of the accomplishment as authorized be conferred upon me. i hope and i believe that your efforts will not be spent in vain. americans love their liberty and regale their freedom, they over very special e very specialw debt to you meant was that

blue-ribbon. i think each of you who have gone through this. -- thank each of you who have gone through this. [applause] ♪ [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2016] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> you are watching "american history tv" 48 hours of american history programming every weekend on c-span3. follow us on twitter at c-span history for more on the schedule

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