Not to split hairs but I was always told that a Vietnam era veteran was in that period from 1973 ( after we left ) to 1977 ( Draft and GI bill ended ) as to differentiate them from Vietnam veterans who were in country.
I realize that the Vietnam Era is defined as being from 1961 to 1975 but I’ve known plenty of Vietnam vets and not a one ever called themselves a Vietnam Era vet.
The conventional definition of a Vietnam Vet is one that had boots on the ground in-country at any given time during our involvement period which ended in 1975. The Vet status also goes to Navy people off shore and in inland waters.
A Vietnam Era Vet is just that, one that never had boots on the ground yet served honorably elsewhere.
Not to split hairs but I was always told that a Vietnam era veteran was in that period from 1973 ( after we left ) to 1977 ( Draft and GI bill ended ) as to differentiate them from Vietnam veterans who were in country.