[VIETNAM DAILIES 1967 9TH INFANTRY THAI ARMY US ARMY OLD RELIABLES]

Year Published: 1967

Creator: David Plenn

Description:

As his service in Vietnam was coming to an end, U.S. Army combat cameraman David Plenn put a group of 16mm films into a metal box and shipped them back to the USA. These films included both material he'd shot as a cinematographer for the Army, and materials shot by other members of combat camera. The films remained in their box for three decades while Plenn pursued a successful career as a Hollywood cameraman. In the 2000s he donated the films to Periscope Film in hopes of having them preserved and made available to the public.

This particular film dates to September 1967 and shows a joint Posting the Colors Ceremony between the Thai Army 9th Infantry Division and the US Army 9th Infantry Division based at Dong Tam Base Camp in Southern Vietnam. The footage includes shots of important personnel including Major General George G. O'Connor and General William Westmoreland as well as ground artillery like the M101A1 Howitzer.

Film opens, close-up orange cardboard container for safety film dated to 22 Sept (0:06). Major General George G. O'Connor (June 1967- February 1968) stands alongside other Thai Generals and observes joint Posting the Colors ceremony between the Thai Army 9th Infantry Division and US Army 9th Infantry Division (“Old Reliables”) (0:18). Members of US 9th Infantry Division Artillery band play brass instruments (0:47). Members of Thai and US Army stand side-by-side in salute; Posting the Colors ceremony continues (1:07). General O’Conner addresses troops (2:01). Close-up ceremonial plaques showing solidarity, unity between the two 9th Infantry Divisions (2:16). Thai general addresses troops (2:22). Thai cameraman captures ceremony using a Bolex H-16 Reflex (2:43). Officials exit ceremony (2:45). New roll of film, continuation of Thai ceremony captured on Bolex H-16 Reflex (2:55). Ceremonial firing of a M101A1 Howitzer (4:53). New roll of film (5:41). Signage on exterior of building for Division headquarters, Dong Tam Base Camp (5:51). General William Westmoreland and other generals get into Willys MB Jeep, convoy of Jeeps (5:59). Thai Generals get into vehicles, convoy exits camp (6:28-7:58). Film ends (7:59).

Complete Record: As his service in Vietnam was coming to an end, U.S. Army combat cameraman David Plenn put a group of 16mm films into a metal box and shipped them back to the USA. These films included both material he'd shot as a cinematographer for the Army, and materials shot by other members of combat camera. The films remained in their box for three decades while Plenn pursued a successful career as a Hollywood cameraman. In the 2000s he donated the films to Periscope Film in hopes of having them preserved and made available to the public. This particular film dates to September 1967 and shows a joint Posting the Colors Ceremony between the Thai Army 9th Infantry Division and the US Army 9th Infantry Division based at Dong Tam Base Camp in Southern Vietnam. The footage includes shots of important personnel including Major General George G. O'Connor and General William Westmoreland as well as ground artillery like the M101A1 Howitzer. Film opens, close-up orange cardboard container for safety film dated to 22 Sept (0:06). Major General George G. O'Connor (June 1967- February 1968) stands alongside other Thai Generals and observes joint Posting the Colors ceremony between the Thai Army 9th Infantry Division and US Army 9th Infantry Division (“Old Reliables”) (0:18). Members of US 9th Infantry Division Artillery band play brass instruments (0:47). Members of Thai and US Army stand side-by-side in salute; Posting the Colors ceremony continues (1:07). General O’Conner addresses troops (2:01). Close-up ceremonial plaques showing solidarity, unity between the two 9th Infantry Divisions (2:16). Thai general addresses troops (2:22). Thai cameraman captures ceremony using a Bolex H-16 Reflex (2:43). Officials exit ceremony (2:45). New roll of film, continuation of Thai ceremony captured on Bolex H-16 Reflex (2:55). Ceremonial firing of a M101A1 Howitzer (4:53). New roll of film (5:41). Signage on exterior of building for Division headquarters, Dong Tam Base Camp (5:51). General William Westmoreland and other generals get into Willys MB Jeep, convoy of Jeeps (5:59). Thai Generals get into vehicles, convoy exits camp (6:28-7:58). Film ends (7:59).