The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 18, May 6, 2007, Article 6

BOOK REVIEW: SPECIAL AGENT, VIETNAM BY DOUGLASS HUBBARD JR.

Howard Daniel writes: "During my current Southeast Asia trip, I was
in Singapore twice.  During my first stay at the Marriott hotel, I
walked across the street and checked out the large Borders bookstore.
I always find something to buy. This time it was Special Agent, Vietnam,
A Naval Intelligence Memoir, by Douglass H. Hubbard Jr.  It was printed
by Potomac Books in Dulles, VA (ISBN 1-57488-970-2).

"The book perked my interest because I have been looking for a Commander
or Lt. Commander Van Hook or Van Horn.  He was the poor soul assigned by
MG McChristian, the MACV J-2, in January 1966 assigning me the task of
creating an intelligence unit from scratch, in less than 90 days, without
authorized funds or personnel.  During my encounter with him, I could see
he was doubtful I could do it.  I did accomplish the mission in half the
time and I have always wanted to tell him, but I never saw or heard from
him again.  I am hoping that some names in this book will lead me to him.

"But the bonus is that there are also some numismatic tidbits in it!
The first is describing some military clubs that could be unknown to
the military club token community that might match some unidentified
tokens.  Besides intelligence, the agents described in it were also
involved in counter-intelligence and criminal investigations.  For the
latter activity, there are several incidents in it where MPC (military
payment certificates), U.S. currency, postal money orders, post
exchange ration cards, etc., are described.

"There is also the apprehension of a Chinese gang with "counterfeit"
printing plates, but it is not clear if they are for MPC or U.S.
currency.  But the Treasury Fraud Repression Unit is identified to me
for the first time and a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
might reveal more information about the plates and other numismatic
related information, but I will also be contacting the author."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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