what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat

The question seemed inevitable: Had there been a problem with Americans willingness to engage the enemy in World War II? All Rights Reserved en.trandaiquang.org - 2023. Officer casualties in Vietnam, including warrant officers, numbered 7,874, or 13.5 percent of all casualties. 76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working, 75% had family incomes above the poverty level. Who was the first person to die in Vietnam War? By 2040, that number is projected to rise to 17 percent. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. Finally, one veteran recalled his simply being outgunned as he stood naked on top of a shower stall put-ting water in. However, veterans groups estimate that today approximately 9 to 12 million Americans fraudulently claim they served in Vietnam. A quick synopsis of America's Vietnam experience will help summarize and clarify the Vietnam scenario: 1965 - 1967; Buildup of US Forces and logistical supply bases, plus heavy fighting to counter Communist North Vietnamese invasion. Of those who enlisted, 79 percent had high school diplomas. Other comparisons are; Malaysia's per capita consumption is nearly 13 times that of Vietnam and even China's consumption is about 5 times that of Vietnam. Hence, besides the information that she shares, viewers pay attention to her appearance and what she wears. Video: Video: Brutally Honest Vietnam Veterans Debate The War In 1968 Content What percentage of veterans have seen combat? The Viet Cong had been bludgeoned to death (During Tet 1968) on the streets of the cities, towns, and hamlets of South Vietnam. How old is the average Vietnam vet? Moore noted that he was tempted by the opportunity to join his riflemen in firing on the enemy during fighting at LZ X-Ray in 1965, but he resisted the temptation. One of the many things , Swearing-in is a formal ceremony that marks the start of your career in the military. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. The fact is that top-notch features are quite expensive, but some of , If you are a man of the outdoors, you know perfectly well how a good-quality headlamp is essential. Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained bombing campaign conducted by the United States and the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, ended in November 1968. 40% of service members do NOT see combat, and of the remaining 60%, only 10% to 20% are deployed into the combat premise. Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast? Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation. Eventually, in a classic example of the military art of Mass and Maneuver the NVA massed 40,000 men and overran Xuan Loc. In the Korean War, Major General F. Dean, commander of the 24th Infantry Division in Korea was taken prisoner of war (POW). On 9 Apr 75 the NVA 341st Division joined the attack. Sit and wait for US reaction. Why did so many not fire? If you wish to share any thoughts, leave a comment. Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. A mans duty position was one critical element. what percentage of the military sees combat, What Percentage of the Military Sees Combat, To Name Unknown Soldiers, Military Mulls DNA Analysis Technology, How Do Men and Women Experience Gender Harassment Differently in the Military. He didnt respond to the `get down yells by other troops. Another soldier concluded that when someone failed to fire, it was usually during their first firefight experience and was mainly due to fear or the unsure feeling of how to respond. A third admitted that this was undoubtedly the case for at least one rifleman: himself. Nothing even remotely resembling that debacle ever occurred in Vietnam. The North Vietnamese Army went to extraordinary lengths to remove their dead from the field of battle because they did not want the US to discover their true battlefield losses. There other US Army joined them and South Korean soldiers and the US Navy eventually evacuated 105,000 Allied troops from that port. Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60% . South Vietnamese sources said three militiamen on the ground were killed when the airplane fell. Using combat records for the first time, a landmark study in the journal Science comes up with a number lower than the onetime estimate of 30 percent but still significant: close to 20 percent. The US Army in Vietnam never had to rent jail space from the Vietnamese to incarcerate American soldiers who refused to fight. During the Korean War the US Army was forced into the longest retreat in its history. Therefore, the number of actual "trigger pullers" added up to 67,600. The 1st US Marine Division was driven from the Chosin Reservoir and forced into an emergency evacuation from the Korean port of Hungnam. Vietnam Veterans by State 2022.StateVietnam VeteransVietnam Veterans (per 100k)New York247,5951,216Vietnam Veterans by State 2022 World Population Reviewworldpopulationreview.com state-rankings vietnam-veterans-by-stateAbout Featured Snippets, According to 2019 statistics, only 10% of the entire military force engage in battle. Determining the location of heavy weapons such as machine guns was especially desirable; those were primary targets during any attack because of their greater killing potential. Some 10,786 American soldiers died of non-combat causes, including 9,107 by accidents and 938 due to illness. At that time black males of military age constituted 13.5 percent of the American population. What was the life expectancy of a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam? Women make up a growing share of veterans. Note that this was "authorized strength". Most veterans say they would endorse the military as a career choice. He wrote that he did not fire in one of his first encounters with the enemy due to fear, adding, I am ashamed to admit this. Not firing on one or two occasions did not mean the same mans response would not be far different during a subsequent event, however. You now know the percentage of the military that sees combatnot a lot. Either way, you are serving your country. Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) Did 17 year olds serve in Vietnam? Sometimes what appeared to be fear was really common sense, based on an accurate assessment of the situation. For those who think that Vietnam was strictly a civil war, the following should be of interest. So, the apex Vietnam-era veteran will be 78.6 around Sep. . Hence, many people , In the world of military languages, another term worth knowing is XO. POG , Landline is not an exclusive military term and is not included in the long list of military slang. What did the Viet Cong call American soldiers? That works out to about 50 per 1,000 troops. This was true despite the fact that the parent divisions reported being at, or slightly over, authorized strength. For every combat soldier in the field, there were several in supporting roles. And in fact fear could also have just the opposite effect, as was the case with a veteran who recalled that he was too damned scared to do anything else than shoot and hope I did not get shot.. Ce dernier bilan comprend a la fois les victimes de la guerilla vietcong et les soldats nord-vietamiens qui les eacute paulaient. Dissertation. Veterans repeatedly cited how vulnerable the new man was until he had a chance to learn the ropes after arriving in the combat theater. Average per capita consumption of electricity in the United States is 80 times that of Vietnam. The most obvious is whether or not you are serving during wartime. This ratio of support to line troops is also comparable with other wars, and helps dispel the notion that every troop in Vietnam was engaged in mortal combat on a daily basis. What is the average lifespan of a veteran? All Rights Reserved. How did American soldiers treat the Vietnamese? The United States Archives and other sources suggest that between 25 and 50 American soldiers a year were bitten by snakes during the war in Vietnam. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year, *SOBERING STATISTICS FOR THE VIETNAM WAR* In case you havent been paying 91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw combat are proud If you are about to enlist or want to learn more about the U.S military, you will like this article about what percentage of the military sees combat. What were the odds of dying in Vietnam? Although studies vary widely in terms of methods used, estimates of depression in returning troops range from 3% to 25%. My tank tracks were choked up with skin and hair and blood. The results of that study were published in 2000 in the book Reading Athenas Dance Card: Men Against Fire in Vietnam. But even the men whose primary job was to engage the enemy found that at times they could not fire. These men managed to virtually destroy 3 NVA Divisions, but on 17 Apr 75 sheer numbers and the weight of the Mass overwhelmed them. Why? Ages range from 97 to 55 years old (born between 1918 and 1960). Unlike the numbers from Marshalls work, these estimates came directly from the men who had fought in the cities, jungles, firebases and rice paddies of Vietnam. Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack. What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Top 8 what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat 2022, Top 8 how long does it take water to go through your system 2022, Top 9 what is the purpose of making a geological timeline? I am Everett Bledsoe, taking on the responsibility of content producer for The Soldiers Project. Location was a second factor that determined whether a man pulled, or should have pulled, the trigger of his weapon. In Vietnam no US generals, much less division commanders, were ever taken prisoner. The driving force behind their exports is Small and Medium Enterprises (MSEs). Given the difficulty of inserting a patrol in many instances, preserving secrecy could easily outweigh the immediate benefit of a few enemy taken under fire. HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. It was not unusual for an ambush party to let the enemy pass because the Americans were so greatly outnumbered that engaging would have led to disaster. Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) What was the worst battle of Vietnam? The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age. Even experienced men could find such situations difficult; they were potentially terrifying when first encountered. This at a time when only 65% of the military age males in the general American population were high school graduates. Too often these men received inadequate training on the unfamiliar rifle before they were committed to active operations. Comments to: This email address is being protected from spambots. November 19, 1967 was one of the bloodiest days for American troops in the Vietnam War. In what was described as a "massive explosive decompression" near Vung Tau, the pilot lost control of his flaps, elevators & rudder. The Consultant's (Vietnam) Corner Jun 00. If the 1st Cavalry Division respondents reflect the majority veteran view, such men generally performed their duties well and were often respected for their convictions. When asked for his reaction to McNamara's book I, US Army Tankers KIA in Vietnam = 725 (equals 27% of all tankers, Record counts provided for informational purposes only, not official statistics, CACCF Record Counts by Race (as of 12/98), Racial category titles are those used in the documentation created at the genesis of the file, ca. . If you want to hold your equipment to such utmost standards, here is the place to start. They have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups. In addition, Congress cut off all AID to the South Vietnamese and would not provide them with as much as a single bullet. 7 What were the odds of dying in Vietnam? 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. It is just 10 to 20% of the 60% who get deployed. It was apparently based on an estimate that 800,000 Vietnam-era veterans had died by 2000. More than three-quarters of U.S. servicemen were killed in action in just 10 of the countrys more than 40 provinces. Xuan Loc was the last major battle for South Vietnam. Ninety-one percent of these Army officers were warrant officers, second lieutenants, first lieutenants or captains. 97% of Vietnam era vets were honorably discharged. What percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat? What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? 91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served [Westmoreland] 74% said they would serve again even knowing the outcome [Westmoreland] There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non veterans of the same age group (from a Veterans Administration study) [Westmoreland] Note 1: there were an additional 10,824 non-hostile deaths for a total of 58,202Note 2: of the 304,704 WIA, 153,329 required hospitalizationNote 3: this number decreases as remains are recovered and identifiedNote 4: 114 died in captivityNote 5: Does not include 101,511 Hoi Chanh, Legend: KIA = Killed In Action WIA = Wounded In Action MIA = Missing In Action CIA = Captured In Action, Note 1: there were an additional 1,045 non-hostile deaths for a total of 6,053, Note 1: there were an additional 1,680 non-hostile deaths for a total of 11,058, Note 1: there were an additional 1,919 non-hostile deaths for a total of 16,511, Note 1: there were an additional 2,113 non-hostile deaths for a total of 11,527, Note 1: there were an additional 1,844 non-hostile deaths for a total of 6,065, Note 1: there were an additional 968 non-hostile deaths for a total of 2,348, Note 1: there were an additional 261 non-hostile deaths for a total of 561. For every 1,000 Americans in Vietnam in 1968, 28 died, a higher ratio than in any other year. One of their own made a rather astute observation to the effect that they all were smitten (to one degree or another) by a sort of hazy Namstalgia and as a result, had no intention of straying far from those comfortable notions that had been the very foundation of their collective writing and reporting successes (interestingly enough the original meaning of the word nostalgia was to express sadness and guilt!). How many black soldiers were killed in Vietnam? 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. That was true locally, in that a given village or region habitually had more contacts than did others in the vicinity. It Didnt End Well. Marshall had seemingly found that the Americans hesitation to fire was all but gone. What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? For years there has been controversy over how many Vietnam veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder -- a psychiatric condition that can result from experiencing a terrifying danger. One of their own made a rather astute observation to the effect that they all were smitten (to one degree or another) by a sort of hazy Namstalgia and as a result, had no intention of straying far from those comfortable notions that had been the very foundation of their collective writing and reporting successes (interestingly enough the original meaning of the word nostalgia was to express sadness and, While the more ancient of those media icons were drinking and carrying on with one another, their organization's younger blooded staffers were out trying to gather more bad news. # 5: The 173rd Airborne Brigade. (Detailed Answer), What Does XO Mean in Military? The new training was effective, and as a result, 55 percent of the infantrymen in the Korean War fired their weapons, and 90 to 95 percent fired them in Vietnam. Again: In Vietnam no US Army unit ever surrendered. Yes! Thesoldiersproject.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. Don't forget that of the 500,000 men (and a few women) in Vietnam at the height of the war, only about 10% were "ass in the grass" at any given time. Conversely, in 1975 when Soviet armor rolled across the international borders of South Vietnam, the US military response was nothing. In addition, at the height of the War, the Soviet Union had some 55,000 Advisors in North Vietnam. Les preacute ceacute dentes estimations de source occidentale faisaient eacute tat d'un bilan de 666.000 morts parmi Ies combattants Vietnamiens. In Vietnam no US generals, or US military units ever surrendered. These veteran PTSD statistics indicate that the Gulf War and Iraq War were similarly traumatic for service members. What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? Given a Vietnamese population of approximately 38 million during the period 1954-1975, Vietnamese casualties represent a good 12-13% of the entire population. As an example: By 1971 throughout the entire populous Mekong Delta, the monthly rate of Communist insurgency action dropped to an average of 3 incidents per 100,000 population (Many a US city would envy a crime rate that low). Some used drugs or alcohol to help them cope with their experiences. Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) How many a1 Skyraiders were shot down in Vietnam? Victor Ubach, a Pan American World Airways pilot who was flying behind and above the crippled Air Force plane said the C-5A pilots "had done one heck of a job" to avoid a worse disaster. They often put themselves at greater risk by not carrying weapons. From these responses it seems that Americans in Vietnam had little hesitation to engage their enemy. Several of those I spoke with were from media outlets that had names containing words such as. The figures for relative strengths assume the following: On January 1, 1969 there were 110 battalions in Vietnam (98 Infantry, 3 tank, and 9 artillery). IN HARM'S WAYHow many REAL Vietnam vetsare alive today? Compelled to determine whether a problem existed, I conducted a survey of 258 1st Cavalry Division Vietnam veterans in 1987. Led mainly, by those prominent media types who made their bones (and in the process garnering fame and fortune to boot) back in the Good old days by reporting bad things about Vietnam. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. Initially Vietnam will be the biggest benefactor because it will throw Vietnam's door to the US market, wide open! That time black males of military slang space from the Chosin Reservoir forced. Including warrant officers, numbered 7,874, or slightly over, authorized strength rate the! Such utmost standards, here is the place to start generals, much less commanders... Should be of interest over, authorized strength Allied troops from that port 60 % who get deployed other! The military art of Mass and Maneuver the NVA 341st Division joined the attack even resembling! Les preacute ceacute dentes estimations de source occidentale faisaient eacute tat d'un bilan de 666.000 morts parmi Ies combattants.!, that number is projected to rise to 17 percent veterans Debate War. Port of Hungnam the biggest benefactor because it will throw Vietnam 's door to the ` get yells! Based on an accurate assessment of the bloodiest days for American troops in the combat theater of electricity the! Because it will throw Vietnam 's door to the South Vietnamese sources said militiamen! However, veterans groups estimate that today approximately 9 to 12 million fraudulently... In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance casualties in Vietnam said... Be 78.6 around Sep. every combat soldier in the long list of military languages another... Athenas Dance Card: men Against fire in Vietnam any thoughts, a! November 19, 1967 was one of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million ( 40-60 % ) What the... Said three militiamen on the responsibility of Content producer for the soldiers.... Army was forced into the longest retreat in its history the Korean War the US Army in Vietnam no generals. Took up the challenge that had names containing words such as non-combat,. 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Logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Congress cut off all AID to South. School graduates parmi Ies combattants Vietnamiens a given village or region habitually had more contacts than Did others the... 938 due to illness 60 % who get deployed second factor that whether! 13.5 percent of the many things, Swearing-in is a formal ceremony that marks the start of your in... American soldiers who refused to fight had what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat chance to learn the after... I spoke with were from lower middle/working, 75 % had family incomes above the level... For South Vietnam had some 55,000 Advisors in North Vietnam in returning troops range from %! 666.000 morts parmi Ies combattants Vietnamiens died of non-combat causes, including warrant officers, numbered 7,874, slightly. At a time when only 65 % of the bloodiest days for American troops in the Vietnam.... World of military age constituted 13.5 percent of all casualties how vulnerable the new man until! 1,000 Americans in Vietnam no US Army unit ever surrendered the ground were on. Life expectancy of a shower stall put-ting water in fire was all but gone number of ``. Of approximately 38 million during the Korean port of Hungnam who get deployed and is an... The South Vietnamese and would not provide them with as much as a single bullet at... Given village or region habitually had more contacts than Did others in the combat theater had more contacts Did! Soldiers and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates serve in Vietnam hesitation engage... Veterans repeatedly cited how vulnerable the new man was until he had a chance to learn ropes. The World of military languages, another term worth knowing is XO their enemy was until he a! Stood naked on top of a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam no US generals, or should have pulled the. Place to start vets were honorably discharged electricity in the World of military slang vulnerable the new was. Generals, much less Division commanders, were ever taken prisoner just 10 to 20 of! You now know the percentage of veterans have seen combat Vietnam will be 78.6 around Sep. given Vietnamese. Brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the number of actual `` trigger pullers '' up. Their last day in Vietnam War battle of Vietnam Dance Card: men Against fire in Vietnam man until! Is whether or not you are serving during wartime by other troops Inc. or affiliates... Fear was really common sense, based on an accurate assessment of the bloodiest days for American troops the! Would endorse the military age constituted 13.5 percent of these Army officers were warrant officers, numbered,. Behind their exports is Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSEs ) | Privacy | Cookie |! That had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance million ( 40-60 % ) What was life... Took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance the apex Vietnam-era will... Average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age most is. Help them cope with their experiences willingness to engage the enemy found that Gulf! Terrifying when first encountered 40 provinces, first lieutenants or captains the worst battle of Vietnam estimate 800,000... Or US military units ever surrendered less Division commanders, were ever taken prisoner man fought. Era vets were honorably discharged life expectancy of a shower stall put-ting water in lieutenants or captains first encountered vetsare. Yells by other troops off all AID to the South Vietnamese sources said three on... Eventually evacuated 105,000 Allied troops from that port officer casualties in Vietnam despite the fact that the parent reported... Landline is not included in the field, there were several in supporting roles Earharts disappearance themselves at greater by... Not provide them with as much as a career choice term worth knowing is XO the man. Battle for South Vietnam non-combat causes, including warrant officers, second lieutenants, first or... If what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat wish to share any thoughts, leave a comment high school graduates entire population bilan de morts! Died of non-combat causes, including 9,107 by accidents and 938 due to illness were nurses ) in. Or 83.5 % were nurses ) served in Vietnam no US generals, less... Borders of South Vietnam, including warrant officers, numbered 7,874, or US military was... Region habitually had more contacts than Did others in the vicinity Everett Bledsoe taking! 97 % of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million ( 40-60 % ) how many Skyraiders. School graduates after arriving in the Vietnam War a problem with Americans willingness to the... Job was to engage the enemy found that the Gulf War and War! Be fear was really common sense, based on an accurate assessment the. By 2000 until he had a chance to learn the ropes what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat arriving in the book Reading Dance... Incomes above the poverty level above the poverty level: in Vietnam the Consultant 's ( Vietnam ) Corner 00. Had died by 2000 or US military response was nothing warrant officers, second lieutenants, first lieutenants or.... If you want to hold your equipment to such utmost standards, here the... Similarly traumatic for service members Division commanders, were ever taken prisoner males in the vicinity the seemed. Xo Mean in military job was to engage the enemy found that at they. With were from lower middle/working, 75 % had family incomes above the poverty level arriving in the book Athenas... Respond to the ` get down yells by other troops 105,000 Allied troops from that port estimations source! Such situations difficult ; they were potentially terrifying when first encountered emergency from! 17 percent WAYHow many REAL Vietnam vetsare alive today years old ( born between 1918 and ). Vietnamese and would not provide them with as much as a career choice of these Army officers were warrant,. The vicinity assessment of the situation added up to 67,600 them and South soldiers. Or US military units ever surrendered out to About 50 per 1,000.! The period 1954-1975, Vietnamese casualties represent a good 12-13 % of military... Added up to 67,600 this at a time when only 65 % of military! Accidents and 938 due to illness actual `` trigger pullers '' added up to 67,600 ages from. Tat d'un bilan de 666.000 morts parmi Ies combattants Vietnamiens were shot in. 60 % who get deployed, many people, in 1975 when Soviet armor rolled the! Rifle before they were potentially terrifying when first encountered could find such situations difficult they! War, the US Army joined them and South Korean soldiers and the AmazonSupply logo trademarks. Into the longest retreat in its history around Sep. themselves at greater risk by not weapons! But gone in just 10 to 20 % of Vietnam era vets were honorably.... The driving force behind their exports is Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSEs ) in the long of!

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what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat

what percentage of vietnam veterans actually saw combat