USAA is proud to be the Preferred Provider of Insurance and Financial Services to The American Legion USAA salutes The American Legion on 94 years of supporting the active military and veterans. USAA’s values mirror those of The American Legion. We believe the military community, veterans who have honorably served and their family members deserve a higher level of service. Like The American Legion, our commitment to service is a core part of everything we do. We know what it means to serve. Let us serve you. 1-877-699-2654 | usaa.com/legion Insurance Banking Investments Retirement Advice USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affi liates. Purchase of a non property and casualty insurance product, or an insurance policy off ered through USAA Insurance Agency, does not establish eligibility for or membership in USAA property and casualty insurance companies. Use of the term “member” or “membership” does not convey any eligibility rights for auto and property insurance products, or legal or ownership rights in USAA. Ownership rights are limited to eligible policyholders of United Services Automobile Association. The term “honorably served” applies to offi cers and enlisted personnel who served on active duty, in the Selected Reserve, or National Guard and have a discharge type of “Honorable.” Eligibility may change based on factors such as marital status, rank, or military status. Contact us to update your records. Adult children of USAA members are eligible to purchase auto or property insurance if their eligible parent purchases USAA auto or property insurance. The American Legion receives fi nancial support from USAA for their sponsorship. © 2013 USAA. 138877-0313 MAIL TO: Veterans Commemoratives™, Two Radnor Corp. Ctr., Suite 120, Radnor, PA 19087-4599 YES! I wish to order ______ qty. U.S. Military Service Emblem Knives at $29.50* each. Featuring your Service Branch Name and Emblem laser engraved on the handle Please send my FREE American Flag Pin. as a permanent reminder of your service to Country (For multiple orders please use a separate sheet of paper.) SERVICE BRANCH: Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps I WISH TO PAY IN FULL AS FOLLOWS: Enclosed is my check or money order payable to “Veterans Commemoratives” for $______ OR, The most popular sized case, Charge my Credit Card $_______ 3-1/2" closed, is perfect to carry in your pocket and provides three CREDIT CARD: Exp. Date:____/____ Only most practical and useful $ 50* blade sizes. CC#: ________________________________ 29. Visa MasterCard AMEX Discover per Knife Signature: ____________________________ SHIPPING ADDRESS: (We cannot ship to P.O. Boxes) merican Military Service Men Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Aand Women have carried traditional wooden handled, three-bladed pocket knives Name: ______________________________ for generations during periods of war and peace. We are pleased to create and issue our own version Address: ____________________________ of this popular knife, handcrafted with a two-toned polished wooden handle, strong riveted case and three City:_____________ State:____Zip: ________ honed stainless steel blades in the preferred clip, spey and sheepfoot shapes. Satisfaction is guaranteed or Phone #: (______)______________________ return within 30 days for replacement or refund – no questions asked. Order yours today and Email:________________________________ others as gifts for family, friends and *Plus $7.95 per knife for engraving, shipping & handling. *PA residents add 6% state sales tax. fellow Veterans. ©2010-2013 ICM BLDKNI-ALM-0313 FREE FLAG PIN with Every Order! CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-800-255-3048 Mon - Fri from 9am - 5pm EST Have Credit Card Ready. TO HONOR YOUR SERVICE TO COUNTRY MAIL TO: Veterans Commemoratives™, EXCLUSIVE U.S. MILITARY Two Radnor Corp. Ctr., Suite 120, Radnor, PA 19087-4599 YES! I wish to order a Diamond Service Branch Watch featuring my Birthstone and Monogram, BIRTHSTONE WATCHES as follows: Please send my FREE American Flag Pin. Personalized with Your Birthstones, Monogram, Initials and Service Years Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps Coast Guard These exclusive watches have personalized features NOT SHOWN: Merchant Marine Seabee not found anywhere at any price: Birthstone Mo. (1): ________ Monogram (1): ___ • Special dials, minted like fine coins, capture every detail of your Service Initials Desired (3): ______ ______ ______ Branch Emblem and include a genuine Diamond at 12 O’clock. Years of Service: ___________ to ___________ • Unique Dress Bracelet customized with four of your birthstones and Post Number: your monogram within a circle of stars. _____________ • Case back engraved with your initials, years of I WISH TO PAY IN FULL AS FOLLOWS: service and Post Number. Enclosed is my check or money order payable to: “Veterans Commemoratives” for $125* per watch OR, • Precision Quartz Movement for years of Charge my Credit Card $125* per watch as follows: accurate timekeeping. • Satisfaction guaranteed 100% or return within 30 days for CREDIT CARD: Exp. Date:____/____ replacement or refund. So, order today with confidence. CC#:__________________________________ Visa MasterCard AMEX Discover ARMY shown at left with Ruby Birthstones. NAVY AIR FORCE MARINE CORPS COAST GUARD Signature:______________________________ SHIPPING ADDRESS: (We cannot ship to P.O. Boxes) Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Name: ________________________________ Address: ______________________________ City:_____________ State:____Zip: ________ Phone #: (______) ______________________ JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Email: ________________________________ *Plus $14.95 per watch for engraving, shipping & handling. GARNET AMETHYST AQUAMARINE ZIRCON EMERALD PEARL RUBY PERIDOT SAPPHIRE ROSE GOLDEN BLUE *PA residents add 6% state sales tax. BIRTHSTONES ARE SIMULATED FOR CONSISTENT SIZE AND CLARITY. NAMES REFER TO COLOR. ZIRCON SAPPHIRE ZIRCON ©2010-2013 ICM BRSWAT-ALM-0313 FOR OTHER FINE MILITARY GIFTS AND COLLECTIBLES VISIT VETERANS COMMEMORATIVES™ ONLINE AT WWW.VETCOM.COM contents March 2013 • Vol. 174, No. 3 22 The Mysteries of Tonkin Gulf Declassifi ed documents and other records reveal THE ‘WRITE’ THING inconsistencies in the sequence of events leading to U.S. entry in the Vietnam War. By John Prados At the White House’s invitation, The American Legion participated in the National Day of Service in On the cover Washington on Jan. 19, welcoming 30 Forward Motion visitors to its booth on the National Mall. Nearly 2,000 people – including Operation Comfort Warriors provides rehabilitation National Commander Jim Koutz – equipment, entertainment options and joyful stopped by to write letters of smiles to wounded and ill servicemembers. support to veterans, and dozens Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sterling, physical therapy more signed up to volunteer at VA assistant Jon Chittim and Army Sgt. 1st Class Ron medical facilities. Photo by Craig Roberts Speilmann, from left, make use of hand cycles donated by The American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors program at Joint Base Lewis- McChord in Washington. Photo by Scott Spiker 36 The Will to Drill If the United States embraces its own petroleum reserves, North America could become the new Middle East. By Alan W. Dowd 40 A Sacred Priority American Legion members in Ireland are serious about taking care of each other, alive or gone. By Jeff Stoff er 5 Vet Voice 8 Commander’s Message 10 I Am The American Legion 12 Big Issues 15 Living Well 20 Veterans Update 48 Rapid Fire 60 Comrades 64 Parting Shots The American Legion Magazine, a leader among national general-interest publications, is published monthly by The American Legion for its 2.5 million members. These wartime veterans, working through 14,000 community-level posts, dedicate themselves to God and Country and traditional American values; strong national security; adequate and compassionate care for veterans, their widows and orphans; community service; and the wholesome development of our nation’s youth. MONTHMONTMONMONO H 20201313 | THETHE AMERICANAMERIMEE CANN LEGIONLEGIIOON MMAGAZINEAGAZAGAG INEI 00 DIAGNOSED WITH MESOTHELIOMA? IT’S TIME TO RETURN FIRE. TURN TO FELLOW VETERANS. As former Marines and Sailors, we served together yesterday. As seasoned attorneys, we’ll fi ght this disease with you today. Attorneys at Coady Law fi rm have successfully represented veterans in Mesothelioma claims nationwide for two decades. We’ve helped them understand their rights—and secured Bud Coady Dave Fanikos Harvard, 1979 Harvard, 1985 USMC, 1979-89, 1991 USMC 1986-1989 millions for their families in just compensation. Gulf War Veteran Attorney at Law Attorney at Law Trust in the experience of shipmates who served with you. Contact the Coady Law Firm. Receive a FREE, no obligation consultation. Call 1-888-802-MESO (6376) FOR A NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION. ฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀ 36 MONTH FINANCING AVAILABLE For details please call or visit online. NATIONAL COMMANDER James E. Koutz PUBLISHER The American Legion CLEAR ACRES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeffrey O. Brown EDITOR Jeff Stoffer OF LEAVES DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINE OPERATIONS Henry Howard While You Ride! MANAGING EDITOR Matt Grills ASSOCIATE EDITOR Laura Edwards ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Julie Campbell The DR® LEAF and LAWN VACUUM SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Steve Brooks turns your riding mower into a DISPATCH EDITOR Cameran Richardson powerful yard clean-up machine! ASSISTANT WEB EDITOR Andrew Romey WEB MANAGER Jacob Piercy VACUUMS leaves, grass clippings, BURNPIT EDITOR Mark