Vo Nguyen Giap (RIP)

For John, BLUF:  One of our enemies from long ago moves on.

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Jack Mitchell texted me that Viet-namese General Vo Nguyen Giap has passed away.

And, someone sent me the following:

From Sen. Mccain's Twitter account:

John McCain @SenJohnMcCain 22s
Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap has passed away - brilliant military strategist who once told me that we were an "honorable enemy" #Vietnam

Those of us who remember back to the Viet-nam War tend to think of General Giap as the military leader of the other side.  He was also the military leader when the Viet-namese ousted the French in 1954.  He was the commander who defeated the French at Điện Biên Phủ.

On the other hand, during the years of war all was not easy sledding up in Hanoi, as this blog post from Reporter Tom Ricks (The Best Defense) points out.

The Tweet from Senator McCain shows that for many in the Service of their Nation it is important to be seen as "honorable".

Hat tip to Blogger Jack Mitchell.

Regards  —  Cliff