THIS ISSUE IS CLOSED
Honoring All Those Who Served in Vietnam
“We will never ever forget them. We will never forget their devotion and their sacrifice.
They stand before us, marching into time and into shared memory, forever.”
– Ronald Reagan, Dedication at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue, November 1984
They came from all over the country, from all walks of life, to fight for freedom on the other side of the world. They answered the call of duty. They served with courage, honor, and commitment. As a nation, we owe all of our Vietnam Veterans a debt that can never be repaid.
Nothing about the Vietnam War was easy. It was a conflict that took place in a faraway country divided by decades of bitter history. Front lines were blurred by dense jungles, thick forests, and acres of swampy grasslands. The enemy was near invisible. The threat of ambush lurked on every patrol, within cities and inside every remote village.
Our nation’s involvement spanned three decades and it’s estimated that more than 2,500,000 Americans served in Vietnam. More than 58,000 lost their lives and another 365,000 were wounded. Few generations have faced a more daunting challenge. Few are more deserving of our gratitude and respect.
As the United States officially marks its observance of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, America Remembers is proud to introduce the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Tribute Thompson. Like the many dedicated American warriors, the Thompson served proudly in Vietnam continuing a tradition of excellence earned during World War II and the Korean War. This stunning presentation firearm is a lasting tribute to the Vietnam Veterans and links them forever in time with their brothers-in-arms who fought at Normandy, North Africa, Sicily, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Inchon, and Pork Chop Hill. The Tribute is a working semi-automatic Thompson submachine gun in caliber .45 ACP. This historic issue honors the service of America’s Armed Forces in Vietnam, on one of the most memorable American infantry weapons of all time.
The Thompson: An American Original
Vietnam was considered the “last great war” for the Tommy Gun. Though it saw limited use by U.S. troops, it was a popular weapon for soldiers on both sides, and many ARVN soldiers relied on Thompsons. According to some servicemen, the Thompson was a “warhorse” highly sought after for its superior stopping power and absolute refusal to jam. When the going got tough in Vietnam, the Thompson proved a formidable friend to those lucky enough to score one. It became a favorite weapon for river patrols, recon squads, and helicopter crews who needed to provide cover during risky extractions. For your ease of ownership, the Thompson is being produced in a semi-automatic firing version. This means no special license is required to own one. Anyone who can own a standard hunting rifle can own it in most states (Not available in CA, CT, MD, or NY).
Honoring the Heroes of Vietnam
The Vietnam 50th Anniversary Tribute Thompson is a working Thompson Model 1927A-1 semi-automatic submachine gun in .45 ACP. Each Thompson is produced in America by the expert gunsmiths of Thompson/Auto Ordnance Corporation, the company founded by Brigadier General John T. Thompson. Craftsmen commissioned by America Remembers polish and decorate each Tribute in the edition. The Tribute features a highly-polished, blued steel receiver, decorated with extensive 24-karat gold. The gold-decorated receiver provides an ideal canvas for detailed artwork depicting those who served, and their Thompsons, in action. Complementing the gold are the Tribute’s walnut stocks.
On the top of the Tribute, you’ll find banners that read, “Vietnam War – 50th Anniversary” and “A Grateful Nation Remembers.” You can also find the first of several elaborately designed Asian dragons. In Vietnamese culture, dragons are symbols that represent prosperity, power, and nobility.
Artwork on the top of the Tribute also features a jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. Set in a gold-layered bamboo frame, the dramatic image pays tribute to all those who served on carriers during the Vietnam War. Also featured is a dramatic Asian dragon, an important and powerful symbol representing the nation of Vietnam.
The left side of the receiver features scenes of our armed forces serving in Vietnam. The first shows a soldier making his way through the jungle with his machete and Thompson in hand. Not only did ground forces have to contend with a nearly invisible enemy, but they had to maneuver through thick overgrowth, bugs, bad weather, and deadly booby traps. Every step was taken with caution and the point man was on constant alert.
Next, a pair of Huey helicopters are shown in a landing zone. These rapid takeoffs and landings ranked among the most dangerous maneuvers in the war. Success depended on the skill of the pilot and adequate cover fire. At the end of the receiver, you can see two soldiers operating the powerful M60 machine gun. Nicknamed “The Pig” for its hefty size, the M60 was ruthless when it came to routing the enemy from its hiding place.
Also featured is the POW/MIA flag. The iconic flag was created by the National League of Families in 1971 and officially recognized by Congress in 1990 “as the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation.” The design was originally sketched by a former Army pilot and became the now iconic image of a man’s head bowed in silhouette with a guard tower and the words, “You are not forgotten.”
The left side also includes the iconic Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. The medal from the country of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) was awarded to all members of the United States military who completed at least six months of duty in the Republic of Vietnam between March 1, 1961 and March 28, 1973. The design features two superimposed six-pointed stars surrounding an outline of Vietnam with a flame at the center. Below it we have set a banner that reads: “Lest We Forget.”
The right side of the receiver features four scenes bookended with a pair of Asian dragons. The first shows a Patrol Boat River (PBR) cruising along the Mekong Delta. The PBR was a fast moving boat that policed the coastal and river waterways of Southeast Asia. Affectionately known as “The Brown Water Navy,” PBR crews acted as gatekeepers for the constant flow of traffic up and down the delta.
Next, the sandbag walls and towering Howitzers of Khe Sanh are featured. The 6,000 man garrison at Khe Sanh firebase held out for more than two months against two NVA divisions. Supported by heavy artillery and air bombardments, the courageous defenders of Khe Sahn were finally relieved by U.S. forces in April of 1968. Scattered throughout the country, firebases like Khe Sanh provided artillery support for field units.
The center image depicts American warriors in the battle-ravaged streets of a Vietnamese city. In late January, 1968, the North Vietnamese launched the Tet Offensive. The unexpected attacks allowed the NVA to temporarily overrun some of the largest cities in South Vietnam, including Saigon and Hue.
The final scene features a squad carefully making their way across a rice paddy. There was little terrain in Vietnam that didn’t pose a challenge to U.S. troops. Paddies were littered with deadly booby traps, and the tall grass surrounding the fields was high and thick enough to hide enemy soldiers waiting in ambush.
The right side features a logo commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Inside the oval frame is a lone American warrior, the distinctive silhouette of Vietnam and a pair of U.S. military helicopters.
Secure Your Piece of Vietnam History Today
The Vietnam 50th Anniversary Tribute Thompson is issued in an exclusive limited edition of only 500, available exclusively from America Remembers. With millions of Americans so personally connected to the Vietnam War, we expect demand for the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Tribute Thompson will be high.
Order now and we will arrange delivery of your working Thompson through a licensed firearms dealer of your choice. You don’t need a special license to own the Tribute in most communities (Not available in CA, CT, MD, NY).
Much like the generations of men and women of America’s Armed Forces who came before, those who served with valor in Vietnam deserve their honored place in American history. They didn’t hesitate to put their lives on the line and give up everything in defense of our liberty and freedom. Some made the ultimate sacrifice. All of them deserve our gratitude. The Vietnam 50th Anniversary Thompson is a superbly crafted Tribute that, when passed from generation to generation, will ensure that we never forget those who gave so much. Order yours today to secure your place in this edition honoring all who proudly served in Vietnam.
