Some of the statistics are skewed because quite a large number of men served on the ground in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand having only setting foot in Vietnam on one or two occasions... (I was looking for John Kerry in Cambodia but never saw him).
Over many years these men fought in extreme situations at times... but not technically in Vietnam.
Those men like me - were awarded the same Vietnam Service Medals as I was ... but certain statistical records may not have accurately record such war service.
And for those that lied about service in the Vietnam War... It is not surprising - except for the media drivel - service in Vietnam was seen as a honor in much of the civilian community — so some took credit when not deserved... to enjoy the accolades that came their way...
Also - these false claims may have come in later years - as being a Vietnam Veteran in the first five years after war’s end would have caused one to be spat upon... But in later years - proper honor finally came to the fore...
I believe you were one, I just wanted to ping you to this thread.
Do you think the average joe really recognizes that “vietnam ERA vet” is a different label than “vietnam vet”?
I don’t.
I think the average joe would only go so far as to differentiate between a “vet” and a “combat vet”.
“...well no, I’m not a COMBAT vet, but I’m still a vietnam veteran”