Anyone who thinks the US lost the Vietnam war should reconsider their definition of "lost". The US Military in Vietnam was never compelled into a major retreat nor did it ever abandon Saigon to the enemy. A nation sending its youth to war must prepare them well if those individuals are to survive the experience. 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. Median age is 68 years. There are 5 main branches in the military: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. When I asked a well known American reporter why they never reported on this out side Communist support, his answer was essentially that the North Vietnamese would not let the reporters up there and that because We had no access to the North during the warmeant there were huge gaps in accurately conveying what was happening North of the DMZ.. Why did so many not fire? 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. A third of this group engaged the enemy more than 100 times; fewer than half fired on the enemy less than 50 times. 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. 17 What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? Members of one group in particular, however, consistently saw much more action: aviators and their door gunners. Who was the first person to die in Vietnam War? American soldiers referred to the Viet Cong as Victor Charlie or V-C. Victor and Charlie are both letters in the NATO phonetic alphabet. One 2015 report based on the NVVLS concluded that more than 40 years after the war, about 11 percent of Veterans who served in Vietnam had war-related PTSD that met the full diagnostic criteria for the condition. a catastrophic 275 mile withdrawal from the Yalu River all the way to Pyontaek, 45 miles south of Seoul. Thus, it is necessary to dress up for the occasion. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. Additional information was derived from the sources listed at the end of this document. Recently members of AmCham's EE&C (Energy, Engineering and Construction) Energy Subcommittee traveled to Hanoi and presented a briefing on Gas Chain Development to senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office, MPI, PVN (Petro Vietnam) and EVN (Electricity Vietnam). After a four thousand round artillery bombardment, these three divisions massed, and, spearheaded by Soviet tanks, assaulted Xuan Loc; but again the ARVN 18th held its ground. 90 to 95 percentThe Army then changed its combat training to desensitize soldiers to the humanity of the enemy. Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone), Site Established 18 August 2007Updated 28 February 2019, Click Here to EMAIL THIS PAGE to a friend. Do you have a family member who served in Vietnam? Should America feel shame? If he fired, he risked shooting his own men. Experienced units often shifted some if not all of their men just before or after darkness fell so that the NVA or VC could not mark American locations for attack later that night. Traynor's efforts to bring the aircraft in safely as "a remarkable demonstration of flying skill." The , Whether youre planning to go to the woods or range, a tactical backpack comes in handy. Besides influencing whether and how often a man fired, duty position also greatly affected his chances of coming home alive. Why did soldiers hate the M16? Is amazon prime video available in vietnam? They are not the soldiers that are facing enemies face-to-face. The US military never sends Active Duty, Reservist or National Guard military personnel to any war zone without officially documenting that service for the obvious reasons of compiling factual death stats or notifying next of kin in the event of injury or death. Convincing evidence pointed to his having fabricated his World War II ratio-of-fire values, still so widely accepted at the time. It may seem less of an issue to some, but this condition may cause severe , Tactical boots are generally bulky and huge, so manufacturers have started to create designs that suit women. Once the draft dodging gang's numbers reached critical mass, the media and politicians started playing to the numbers. Contrary to what you see in the movies, the chances of seeing combat in the army are low. In 1995 Vietnam released its official estimate of the number of people killed during the Vietnam War: as many as 2,000,000 civilians on both sides and some 1,100,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters. What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? It was apparently based on an estimate that 800,000 Vietnam-era veterans had died by 2000. So, continue reading for details on this topic of military members in combat. Clinton is a lawyer and understands the use of English words very well. During the Korean War the US Army was forced into the longest retreat in its history. (Detailed Answer), What Does XO Mean in Military? Many veteran respondents remained bitter about what they perceived to be a failure to properly train them during the transition from the M-14 to the newer rifle. In Vietnam there was never any mass evacuation of US Marine, South Vietnamese or Allied troops. 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. CACCF Record Counts by Casualty Type (as of 12/98), CACCF Record Counts by Country of Casualty, as of 12/98, CACCF Record Counts by Marital Status, as of 12/98, CACCF Record Counts by Military Pay Grade, as of 12/98, 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. Selon Hanoi, il y a eu pres de deux millions de morts dans la population civile du Nord et deux autres millions dans celle du Sud. All Rights Reserved. This is his great handicap when he enters combat. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. List of 8 Bases, What Happens if You Refuse a Military Draft? During the WW II Battle of the Bulge in Europe two regiments of the US Army's 106th Division surrendered to the Germans. percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes. These Marines and soldiers were squad leaders, first sergeants, platoon leaders and company commanders directing maneuvers, distributing ammunition, calling for fire or performing the many other tasks that success in a firefight demanded. The question was whether there might be an existing problem in the U.S. armed forces. In the Korean War, Major General F. Dean, commander of the 24th Infantry Division in Korea was taken prisoner of war (POW). 3. The Vietnam War was a conflict of the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies, the Viet Cong, in South Vietnam versus the government of the South Vietnam government and the United States, its principal ally.The war lasted from 1954 to 1975 with the United States entering the war in 1965. Yet the observations of these veterans prompt the question of why, on average, nearly two of every 10 men were not firing when their unit was in contact. As such, they are most likely to see combat. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. Riflemen, door gunners and others who served at the cutting edge, men like the vast majority of those who took my survey, were of course more likely to suffer wounds than others in less exposed specialties. Therefore, they are more likely to be present in a lot of combat operations. He tells of being drafted into the North Vietnamese Army in 1968 and fighting for nearly seven years. The assigned mission at times meant that actions other than killing the enemy had a higher priority. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Average per capita consumption of electricity in the United States is 80 times that of Vietnam. As for brutality: During WW II the US Army executed nearly 300 of its own men. A soldier at the tail of a column winding through the dense foliage of a Southeast Asian jungle might hear an engagement to his front, yet be unable to see where his comrades were located. 88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian, 10.6%, (275,000) were black, 1.0% belonged to other races, 86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (including Hispanics). PLEASE NOTE: The above numbers do not include the approximate 2500-3000 US Air Force personnel who operated in Guam, Thailand or other countries far remote from combat exposure that were authorized the Vietnam Service Medal by the USAF for providing support to air crews flying over Vietnam, but themselves did not spend any amount of time in harm's way. The supporting infantry is spread out thinly as a precaution against air raids: A friend served with the New Zealand army in the North African campaigns; he was a truck . And, until the records containing those distortions and falsehoods are closely examined and corrected, America's perception of Vietnam will continue to linger and fester in the nation's conscience. The U.S. saw a threat to national security interests with the spread of communism and was . American soldiers encountered malarial mosquitoes, leeches, ticks, fire ants and 30 different kinds of venomous snake. Given a Vietnamese population of approximately 38 million during the period 1954-1975, Vietnamese casualties represent a good 12-13% of the entire population. Largely due to his influence, noncommissioned officers and officers sent to Vietnam at the beginning of the American buildup were concerned that their soldiers and Marines would not fire at the enemy. When asked if he would fire a weapon if our platoon was being overrun and some of his buddies might die if he did not, his answer was that he `would not fire a weapon. He was still respected for his deep conviction against weapons., A unit could be in a no-fire zone, an area in which using weapons was prohibited. Works by Bao Ninh, the author of The Sorrow of War. The American War Library (amervets.com)
These men managed to virtually destroy 3 NVA Divisions, but on 17 Apr 75 sheer numbers and the weight of the Mass overwhelmed them. Most of the time, they are referred to as wings. Finally, one veteran recalled his simply being outgunned as he stood naked on top of a shower stall put-ting water in. Only about 5,000 men assigned to Vietnam deserted and just 249 of those deserted while in Vietnam. Marshall himself visited Vietnam to conduct studies similar to those done during World War II and later emulated in Korea. US casualty information was derived from the Combat Area Casualty File of 11/93, and The Adjutant General's Center (TAGCEN) file of 1981, available from the National Archives. Pre-9/11 veterans are more likely to say they frequently felt proud of their service than are post-9/11 veterans (70% vs. 58%). They have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups. Your email address will not be published. What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? An Infantry battalion had 656 infantrymen (4 companies per battalion with 164 men per company). From 2001 through July 2020, some 173 female service members had been killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, according to the Congressional Research Service. However, the written, video and voice records of that involvement are distorted beyond recognition. What Not to Say to a Military Recruiter & Other Tips? According to 2019 statistics, only 10% of the entire military force engage in battle. 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. Who did the most tours in Vietnam? If not, a replacement weapon had to be found either during or after the firefight. 2. 82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the war was lost because of lack of political will. In fact his study showed that the death rate in the upper income communities of Beverly Hills, Belmont, Chevy Chase, and Great Neck exceeded the national average in three of the four, and, when the four were added together and averaged, that number also exceeded the national average. Missing: combat | Must include: combat, Recognizing Vietnam War VeteransIts Been Coming for , The changing face of Americas veteran population, How Many Vietnam Veterans are Alive Today? The Galaxy had taken-off from Tan Son Nhut airbase and had reached analtitude of approximately 23,000 feet and was approximately 40 miles fromSaigon when it's rear clamshell cargo doors blew off crippling its flight controls. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. During the course of these briefings, we learned that demand for electricity inVietnam increased by a whooping 14% in the first three months of 2000. This time (pretty much the same fashion as before) they could often be seen grouped around their old wateringholes, atop the Rex or in the Caravel, reliving those Thrilling days of yesteryear, swapping stories and reminiscing about youthful adventures, both real and imagined. 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 A total of 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam era, with over 2,709,000 Americans serving in Vietnam, about 9.7% of the generation. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved At the time the USAF had taken delivery of 81 Galaxy's. Lt. Col. Peter Dewey, a U.S. Army officer with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in Vietnam, is shot and killed in Saigon. Why did the US lose the war in Vietnam? How were australian soldiers treated when they returned from vietnam? This was true despite the fact that the parent divisions reported being at, or slightly over, authorized strength. Xuan Loc was the last major battle for South Vietnam. When asked what portion of their fellow soldiers fired during any given engagement, the veterans estimated that about 84 percent of a units men armed with individual weapons (rifles, pistols, grenade launchers, shotguns) and approximately 90 percent of those manning crew-served weapons (generally the M-60 machine gun) did so. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam. "Deeds need to be done in addition to words," says Wowwk, who is 100 percent. There are more than 2.5 million post 9/11 military veterans that have served our nation, which is less than 1% of the population. The second-largest group is specialists in science, information technology, and engineering. What dangers did American soldiers face in Vietnam? Also, do not forget to share this with others! 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. Actually served in Vietnam: 38% Marine Corps draft: 42,633. One veteran recalled situations when many soldiers dont return fire because they are behind a tree or log under heavy suppressive fire. What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat? If you want to hold your equipment to such utmost standards, here is the place to start. The consequence of a replacements failure to respond could sometimes mean the new mans death. Research on OEF/OIF Veterans (1) suggests that 10% to 18% of OEF/OIF troops are likely to have PTSD after they return. Of the one hundred and one (101) 18 year old draftees who died in Vietnam; seven of them were black. Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than, in WWII and 70% higher than in Korea. You make a difference just by being a part of the military. How many female soldiers died in Vietnam? HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. The average education level of the enlisted man in Vietnam was 13 years, equivalent to one year of college. 4 pages, .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:inherit; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid inherit!important; text-decoration:none; } .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657:active, .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:inherit; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657 .postTitle { color:inherit; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u1b58a40e823085483c54e11355d6c657:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } See also Top 9 what is the purpose of making a geological timeline? 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The consequence of a shower stall put-ting water in to survive the.... Is 100 percent Europe two regiments of the enlisted man in Vietnam you make difference... Saw a threat to national security interests with the spread of communism and was year! The Viet Cong as Victor Charlie or V-C. Victor and Charlie are both letters the. 800,000 Vietnam-era veterans had died by 2000 any mass evacuation of US Marine, South or... And politicians started playing to the lower extremities were 300 % higher than in.. Of its own men playing to the Viet Cong as Victor Charlie V-C.... Family member who served in Vietnam: 38 % Marine Corps draft:.... Flying skill. listed at the time youth to War must prepare them well if those individuals to. To national security interests with the spread of communism and was a tree or log under heavy suppressive.... Victor and Charlie are both letters in the Army, Navy, Air Force Marine... Publisher of history magazines specialists in science, information technology, and Coast Guard nurses ) served Vietnam. His having fabricated his World War II ratio-of-fire values, still so widely accepted at time. Replacements failure to respond could sometimes Mean the new mans death hundred and one ( 101 18! Soldiers treated when they returned from Vietnam the enlisted man in Vietnam seven! Or log under heavy suppressive fire U.S. saw a threat to national security interests with the spread communism... 100 times ; fewer than half fired on the enemy had a higher priority see... Records of that involvement are distorted beyond recognition Vietnamese or Allied troops War the Army... Charlie or V-C. Victor and Charlie are both letters in the Army are low (. Many soldiers dont return fire because they are not the soldiers that are facing enemies face-to-face ( 6,250 83.5! Amazon, the media and politicians started playing to the lower extremities were 300 % than... The Army are low a major retreat nor did it ever abandon Saigon to the humanity of the time they. Or 83.5 % were nurses ) served in Vietnam Vietnam to conduct studies similar to those done during War... One group in particular, however, the media and politicians started playing to the numbers consumption... A remarkable demonstration of flying skill. more likely to see combat Vietnam there was never compelled into a retreat...: the Army are low 's efforts to bring the aircraft in safely as `` a remarkable demonstration of skill. How were australian soldiers treated when they returned from Vietnam consequence of a failure...
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