During the mid 1960's, the United States was helping the South Vietnamese in their war against North Vietnam. In this conflict, thousands of U.S. soldiers went over to help fight the war. Captain Donald Fougere, was one of these soldiers. When he was there, he noticed that because of location, the people of the tribes were deprived of most modern conveniences. For example, they lived in thatch huts and had no electricity or running water. For this reason, he started up civics actions missions. U.S. Air Force Captain Donald Joseph Fougere, my father and the pilot of a Lockheed C-123 Provider, was the "Chewing Gum Captain," a name he earned from the Montainards tribes people. Below I recount his story from an interview with him.
Sue Fougere
Captain Fougere was a navigator in the 311th Air commando Squadron. This meant that it was his job to resupply the Green Berets who were either in the Demilitarized Zone or right near it. He not only had to go in and help make tight landings and takeoffs, but also sometimes he had to medevac out the dead or dying.
During his time in the Green Beret camps that were usually located near a tribal village, he became aware of the needs of the local people. With this realization, he thought of a trade program with the local tribes. He brought the idea to his squadron and they all donated some money to help launch the program.
The way the program worked was they they would buy hard to get goods such as salt or sewing needles in other countries and then bring them back to Vietnam. Then on their next trip into the mountains, they would bring the supplies with them. The supplies were then traded for locally made artifacts like crossbows, spears, rat traps, and bamboo knives. After they were done in the camp, they would bring everything they had received from the trade back to Danang. In Danang, they sold the goods to soldiers for a profit. The soldiers bought the goods as souvenirs. Instead of keeping the money, Captain Fougere put all of it back into the villages in the form of useable materials such as school houses, wells, books, or chalk boards.
The children of the tribes did not receive many treats as there was not much to give. So the soldiers that went up to the local villages would stuff the pockets of their fatigues with chewing gum. Then when the children saw the soldiers coming, they would run out and beg for treats. This is how Captain Fougere was named the "Chewing Gum Captain."
In honor of all the hard work he did, Captain Fougere received a Bronze Star and the the knowledge that he made a difference, even if only to a few young children.
Donald Fougere with Sue Fougere
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