My Dad is a Vietnam Vet...the 101st out of Ft. Campbell, served sometime between 1964 - 1967 (I think).
I played Army Guard in the mid 90s and the few Vietnam Era types in the unit were the best ones to hang with.
Thank you for a wonderful letter.
My cousin (quite a bit older than me) was a nurse in the Mekong Delta. She wrote an article (back in the 90’s I suppose?) about her experiences. I don’t recall many of the details, but I know that I was very surprised by her upbeat thoughts. She said she survived by concentrating on the good things. The boys that she helped saved. The friends that she had made. The care packages from home including some material to make curtains out of! She said she wouldn’t have traded it for anything - it is part of her, and makes her who she is.
As the song goes... “weren’t no V-D heroes back in 1973.” I was too young to buy a beer when I came back.
Num`Bah `Huckin’ One G.I...
Personally, being born in 1959 I missed being drafted by a few years and when I was old enough to volunteer the war was over.
I still remember working with people who had just come back from Vietnam and didn't really understand all the ramifications at the time
I do now
AS a Vietnam veteran, thanks for posting this. It is very cathartic to see someone else is in the same shoes I’ve worn for over 40 years.
Thanks, I needed that.
Heard a General on FOX tonight. 58,000 Americans died in Viet Nam. 100,000 Viet Nam vets have committed suicide.
(( ping ))
many “Thank Yous” ...for me it doesnt seem like enough, but I have nothing worthy to offer for those who gave so much...
“Vietnam veterans are white, black, beige and shades of gray; but in comparison with our numbers in the “real world,” we were more likely black.”
“Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.”
Race and Ethnic Background
88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian; 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1% belonged to other races.
86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics);
12.5% (7,241) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.
170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.
70% of enlisted men killed were of Northwest European descent.
86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were Caucasian; 12.1% (5,711) were black; 1.1% belonged to other races.
14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.
34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.
Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.
79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service.
(63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation.)
Draftees vs. Volunteers:
25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII.)
Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.
Reservists killed: 5,977.
National Guard: 6,140 served; 101 died.
Total draftees (1965-73): 1,728,344.
Actually served in Vietnam: 38%
Marine Corps draft: 42,633.
Last man drafted: June 30, 1973.
The image of those who fought in Vietnam is one of poorly educated, reluctant draftees — predominantly poor whites and minorities. But in reality, only one-third of Vietnam-era veterans entered the military through the draft, far lower than the 66 percent drafted in World War II.
It was the best-educated and most egalitarian military force in America’s history — and with the advent of the all-volunteer military, is likely to remain so. In WWII, only 45 percent of the troops had a high school diploma. During the Vietnam War, almost 80 percent of those who enlisted had high school diplomas, and the percentage was higher for draftees — even though, at the time, only 65 percent of military-age males had a high school diploma.
Throughout the Vietnam era, the median education level of the enlisted man was about 13 years. Proportionately, three times as many college graduates served in Vietnam than in WWII.
Another common assumption: The war in Vietnam was fought by youngsters wet behind the ears, who died as teenagers barely old enough to shave. In fact, more 52-year-olds (22) died in Vietnam than 17-year-olds (12). An analysis of data from the Department of Defense shows the average age of men killed in Vietnam was 22.8 years, or almost 23 years old.
Though the notion persists that those who died in Vietnam were mostly members of a minority group, it’s not true. About 5 percent of KIAs were Hispanic and 12.5 percent were black — making both minorities slightly under-represented in their proportion of draft-age males in the national population.
A common negative image of the soldier in Vietnam is that he smoked pot and injected heroin to dull the horrors of combat. However, except for the last couple of years of the war, drug usage among GIs in Vietnam was lower than for U.S. troops stationed elsewhere.
From
http://www.vvof.org/factsvnv.htm
You are heros.
That was nice, thanks.
http://www.war-stories.com/aspprotect/warstory-classic-1.asp
These are their stories.This is what they are.
Oh geeez....I just re-read the lead post and realized that this is your personal composition. Thank you so much for writing it. It’s really moving.
And, thank you for your service to our country.
Dang, everything seems to make me teary today. What a beautifully written reply. With your permission I’d like to save it and share.
Welcome home brother and thank you for your service
God Bless America
Phan Rang 67-69