The War: Joy in Seattle

It rained on their parade, but for the 814 men of the 9th Division's 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, it was Christmas, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July combined. Each man had served at least ten months in Viet Nam, and theirs was the first unit to be shipped home since President Nixon's June 8 announcement at Midway that 25,000 U.S. troops would be withdrawn this summer. Last week they flew in nine C-141 StarLifter transports to McChord Air Force Base in Washington. As bystanders clapped and called out "Thank you! Thank you!" they paraded proudly through downtown Seattle, their...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!