I spent a year in Vietnam on a small airbase. I identify myself as a non combat veteran. Even at 21 I knew the difference.
Half my boot camp company was sent to 'nam in '71. I received a national defense ribbon for being active duty during the war but have always felt quite bad about it knowing what all the others sacrificed. All I did was state-side service, not of my choosing, of course. You go where you're told.
I don't know how you can say that. There were no "front lines" in Vietnam....