Be Good, Smile Pretty
Those are the words that ended a note that Don Droz wrote back to his wife and infant daughter while he was serving in Vietnam. Shortly thereafter, Droz was killed in an ambush on the Mekong River. Be Good, Smile Pretty is the name of the film that chronicles Tracy Droz Tragos' search to learn more about her father and the circumstances of his death. I saw the movie last night on the PBS's Independent Lens, and I must say that it is without question one of the most moving documentaries you will ever see. After years of skirting the subject of her father's death, Tracy searched for his name on the internet and came across an account of the ambush (pdf). About two weeks later, she set out with a video camera to interview members of her family and her father's Navy friends (including John Kerry), as well as eyewitnesses to the attack. The result is not only a tribute to Lieutenant Droz, but also clearly a cathartic journey for daughter whose father only met her one time. Although no broadcasts are listed, check out the Orphans of War website as it appears they will list future broadcasts there.
Posted by samuelad at 12:42 to
Movies
I know what happened that day i was with don droz. I thought
the movie was good and accurate. I was the gunnersmate on
the 43 boat
You can go to the Swift Boat Sailors Association for more information on the personnel who manned the U.S. Navy's PCFs during Vietnam, including Don Droz and Bob Hornberger.
It's truly incredible how vets are able to use the net to stay in touch with each other and educate the rest of us with their personalized accounts of war. My uncle, James Morton, was a navigator on an bomber that was shot down over Quang Nam. I've never seen this picture or knew where Quang Nam was before today.
Posted by:
jimoto on January 14, 2004 06:47 PM
Sam I did talk to tracy droz tragos and i also talked to a reporter for 60 minutes
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