It makes a big difference because stating that only one-third of Vietnam veterans are still alive today is much harsher than stating that three-quarters of Vietnam veterans are still alive and well. Of the 2.7 million men and women who served in land forces in Vietnam, only about 600,000 are still alive. Here are some statistics on the veterans of the Vietnam War. It should be duly noted that these numbers do not include the 2500 to 3000 US Air Force troops stationed in Guam, Thailand, and other countries that were involved in the Vietnam War effort. I knew what life in-store for me in my recovery had- years of pain and disabilities while I waited for my next adventure. One sapper shot off a whole magazine of armor piercing bullets at the drivers side windshield of the truck, and glass was flying in all directions. The stroke wasnt assumed until after 2000 & heart not until 2010. Isolated atrocities committed by American Soldiers produced torrents It does not store any personal data. All who served In Country and the those outlying areas in support should be considered Vietnam Vets. so in 2190 days.from today, lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive. I am glad that you make Dante, I know the struggle has been long, but the spirit soars and the tale told Live long my brother, None of us are very far away from those days A harrowing experience that can never be diminished by time. My spirit was above my body and I was looking down at myself bouncing around in the drivers side. remember) there will likely be a debate as to how I would not believe the NYT. It seems to be all about syntax. next with 1st of 12th cav. Does anyone else remember ? Who is the oldest living Vietnam veteran? we both served and i think that is what distinguishes us from draft dodgers or people that claimed bone spurs or kept getting deferments those are the people i despise. Hell no. Thank you for taking the time to read this. The group in my AIT Class were all happy about this. Often cited as the last verified American POW from the Vietnam War, Garwood was taken to North Vietnam in 1969, and reportedly was released in 1973 along with the other U.S. POWs as part of the Paris Peace Accords. I was a grunt and shotgunner on convoys !!! Estimating the number of suicides among Vietnam veterans Unconfirmed reports that 50,000 or more Vietnam veterans have committed suicide give the impression that these veterans are at exceedingly high risk of suicide compared with other veterans and nonveterans of the same age. It is a deeply troubling statistic and has. 1st cav div. Whether you were sprayed or not makes no difference, and YOU ARE NOT required to prove anything other than being present in Vietnam. Learn something new everyday. USA, (Ret.). Everyone that served and was in combat which means they were in the line of fire (received it and returned it in some form or fashion) deal with their dark side in various ways. Ive seen start dates for the VN war as 1954, 1959, 1961, 1964 and 1965. BTW, Marys father was a Marine in Nam and died when she was only a few years old. My brother claims he is a Vietnam veteran. Since the fall of Saigon and Operation Baby Lift occurred in 1975, wouldnt an 18 year old at that time be 64 or 65 today ? The amount of compensation a Vietnam War veteran can receive varies depending on their individual circumstances, such as their disability rating and the number of dependents they have. nearly every classmate from the academy served on some basis during the vn war. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The Korean War was not supported by the ENTIRE nation, actually that is why it is known as the Forgotten War. I spent 3 separate tours in Vietnam. Who is the oldest living Vietnam veteran? I find it best not to remember that time. Assuming were talking solely about U.S. Vietnam veterans, all I would add is that anyone who served in the military and entered the war zone is technically a Vietnam veteran. I had a Swedish citizen in AIT, with orders to go to Vietnam. I agree with the conclusion taken by the Website Admin. Sobering Statistics Concerning Vietnam Vets As of April 2016 . (Mar 1969-Sep 70) 2/23, 196 LIB & 1/23 MP Co, 11 LIB, AMERICAL DIV. Their is a new book about to be released by Bill Comeau that tells a similar story of the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Duel with the Dragon about the Battle of Soui Tre that I fought in. Ive also created a poll to help identify my website audience before leaving, can you please click HERE and choose the one item that best describes you. They wore the Vietnam Service Medal. Please do your own due diligence on the American War Library before citing them on ANYTHING, ever. . We need more honest Veterans. IF you didnt get any extra pay better have a good excuse .like to hear it. 1 How many American soldiers died in Vietnam in 1975? I have read about Canadians coming south to fight in Vietnam but have never seen any real authority to support this. The one question I have is how many in country vets did multiple tours over there. Posted in these groups: Vietnam War American History Posted >1 y ago These Veterans are now in or about to reach . Anyone suggesting that only a CIB award means you were a combat veteran is very uninformed The Battle of Soui Tre March 21, 1967 the men of the 2/77 Artillery were every bit infantry as well as Arty that day and many many other FSB battles. Agreed. Tom, to me, the CIB says everything; the wearer is a soldier who has earned the right to it and deserves respect. Be content with your service, and leave it there. Thank you for being there to help us when called. How many veterans die each day? i have read that only one in seven guys that went to Vietnam, were actually in combat. His combat medal was an Air Medal. It is called the Stolen Valor Act., Dau Tieng A Co. 3/22 Inf. they sucked. how would you define a clerk typist who stayed in saigon and never went into the field. A Co. 2/8th, First Cavalry, 1968-69. I certainly dont agree on the 9 million in country. Only believing what Fox & Friends has to say is really what you need to question Most things in the NYT does get critical peer review and push back when questionable Fox NOT SO, look at the crap coming out of Tucker Carlson, now that is scary extreme BS, The picture tells far more than a Thousand Words, it is that thousand yard stare, and any veteran who was out there can fill in the blanks of what they were thinking at that moment Offshore ocean sailing is a lot like being out trucking thru the jungle Minutes , hours day upon day of monotony and boredom, interrupted by moments of fright & terror I know that thousand yard stare, and many a time since I have found myself back there in my mind, staring at whatever and seeing nothing but what was in my mind. You would think the services would know how many were assigned to RVN and direct support of RVN, wouldnt you?? Age 20y 11mo. A veteran who served in the Vietnam War would be in their early 70s to late 90s today, depending on their birth year. But I didnt beat him he just left. Or is this a total number of vets with all the other countries that supported us . The oldest living Vietnam War veteran is believed to be a man named Larrivee Ronald A , who was born in Feb, 24, 1935. Can You Join the Military With Depression? Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (Mit), Missouri University Of Science And Technology, State University Of New York Health Science Center At Brooklyn, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry, The University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio, The University Of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University Of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Uniformed Services University Of The Health Sciences, University At Buffalo Suny School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences, University Of California, Los Angeles (Ucla), University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, University Of Maryland Baltimore County (Umbc), University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, University Of Tennessee Health Science Center, University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The first US advisors that I can find evidence of arrived in country in 1955. You may not care but us guys that stepped foot in Nam AND had bullets flying at us, we care, and we are genuine vietnam Combat Vets. Tell it like it is. He arrived on Yankee Station, Vietnam in early May, 1972 when he was still 17 years of age. Music That Moves the Military. Past history shows ALL Veterans of previous Wars were classified as Vets of those wars regardless of where they served. Home Kent State University How Many Vietnam Veterans Are Still Alive In 2022? 101st Airborne 25th Infantry 82nd Airborne 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. I do not like pretenders but do not want to take on the duty of Valor Police. Only military remaining were Marines at the Embassy. I do not, however, have a CIB. Leave your thoughts below in the comment section. The number of people who are Vietnam veterans in the first place is a number that is widely debated. In the first part of the journey the mountain would act as a radio (my lifeline) barrier between Camp Enari and the PDL fortified Ville. You go, brother! There is a statistic that has been widely quoted in the veteran community that highlights an estimated 22 veterans a day are committing suicide. Our med company was on 6 different LZs during the year I was with them, supporting the 3rd Bde 4th ID. According to the American War Library website, it was concluded by the Department of Defense that their best estimate is that between 2,709,918 and 3,173,845 GIs served in Vietnam and its surrounding waters between the years 1954 and 1975. VA released VetPop 2020 which is VA's new official estimate and projection of the Veteran population. I knew I was dying, but I struggled with all my might to stay alive. The term I like to use is Together We Served. I saw the truck bounce towards the trees. If you served anywhere at all, anywherre during WWI, you are a WWI vet. We who were in Vietnam know who we are and dont need anyone telling us what they think. Well again, nothing that you have posted tells the story that you were in Vietnam. 8,113,000 are still alive (May 2000) Post navigation Lets ask somebody on Facebook where we can get all the correct true data and facts. Phu Loi Nov 66 to Dec 67 HHD 11th Cbt Avn Bn. War is Heck!!! That was our regimen along the Cambodian border, too. Combat veteran means far more than having a CIB. Sorry for your loss of your loved one. Then there was peace. Pleiku, Dak To, An Khe. Using the 2.7 million and assuming one hundred thousand did two tours, I would use the six hundred thousand as the amount still living, due mainly to the delays in Agent Orange treatments and PTSD delays with the sucides from 1970 approx. Was I counted each time or once? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. To say that the Air Force in Thailand and Guam was too far away to be in harms way shows you have no idea what Navy and Air Force aircrews do. no disrespect here. I did a short extra tour with the 97th Trans in Cam Rahn Bay, they had 30 or so LCUs that hauled artillery projectiles and other stuff including fuel up many of those rivers. Today, the state with highest number of Vietnam veterans is California, with 596,130, followed by Florida with 519,224. And a number of Navy in ships, bombing communist. serveved in nam 67 to 68 and 69 to 70. both tours in the 1st cav. So, here well dive a little bit deeper into how many Vietnam veterans are estimated to still be alive based on various approximations and predictions. It was what it was. ho, i could not . If we arent able to > determine WHO is a Vietnam Vet, then how can one determine how many of us > are still alive today? Check out this post and see if you can figure this out. I flew as a crew chief / door gunner from dec 12 th 1965 till dec 15th 1967,I may not have had my boots on the ground out side the wire but we flew close air support , every time you grunts got your ass in a sling we were there to help you, i was on old B model gun ships low and slow ,I was shot down three times, so i dont think your cib means that much to me. 240,000 survivingAbout 70 million people fought in World War II and, as of 2021, there are still approximately 240,000 surviving veterans in the United States alone. They wouldnt know the truth even if they tripped over it. i do not remember the moss but the went on quite a while. I was hoping for more accurate numbers. Im sorry I did. i said once if you walked , you worked. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Active duty 70-71, Quang Tri, Khe Sahn, Danny. This is a controversial post. Videos, Film, Music, and Movies about VN War, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran, A Chat Between Three Veterans [live video with author], Lest We Forget Meet the Authors & Book Signing April 4th: Cherries and Donut Dolly, Interview with author John Podlaski in Examiner Magazine, American Heroes Radio interviews author of Cherries A Vietnam War Novel, Cherries Author Interviewed on British Website, U.K. Blogspot posts interviews author, John Podlaski, More Book Reviews and author interviews about Cherries, https://news.va.gov/89450/vietnam-war-veterans-honoring-served-memorial-day-2021/, https://cherrieswriter.com/2015/11/13/lost-to-history-the-canadians-who-fought-in-vietnam/, Three maps remind us of the horror of the Vietnam War WebInvestigator.KK.org by F. Kaskais, Three maps remind us of the horror of the Vietnam War | Self Improvement Life Hacks, Three maps remind us of the horror of the Vietnam War | Top Pin Answers, A Day in the Life of an Infantry Point Man in Vietnam. Many Vietnam Vets do not even know about the secret operations from Thailand, now declassified, that probably helped save their rears during some of their combat operations. I left the Ville at 3:00pm. Thats what we did in Vietnam we left and am glad we did. I will never forget the pop pop pop, pop pop of an AK-47 in rapid-fire, but I heard the far off rattle of a M-60 machine-gun through the roar; Why I thought of PFC Wildaboro and his escapade with the machine gun that OTHER sun-drenched afternoon! as we end our lives we should never forget that each served, in some way. We, the U.S. have lost over 158,000 American lives to the Vietnam war and that count is still rising. The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died. They dont include forces in Guam or Thailand. So, where is the discrepancy in these numbers? After 20 some years of filing claims and multiple appeals (DAV advocate,) have given up on the VA. Do I count as a real Vietnam vet? by your definition, cia personal in civilian clothes were not veterans. How Many B 52S Were Shot Down During The Vietnam War? The Vietnam Veterans of America have cited that they will remain an organization until last man standing. I appreciate all the support there and around the world but Vietnam area at Fort Whatever Ohio wasnt Vietnam and no matter how brave the girls in Germany told you you were you were not a Vietnam Vet. Interestingly, the research concludes that Vietnam veterans seem to be dying at a similar rate to World War II veterans. Each averaged 2500-3000 personnel on a yearly rotating bases, groaning and shrinking based on the missions being conducted. It's estimated that tens of thousands of veterans have returned to Vietnam since the 1990s, mostly for short visits to the places where they once served. I could type and did all the reports. There were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone. I WOULD SURVIVE! These Veterans are now in or about to reach their 80's. How many Vietnam vets . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I opted for love! Far as Im concerned, they are all Vietnam Vets and this devisiness should STOP! Born: 09/15/1946. I did work with Korean Troops. I was driving the OPs 3/4-ton, 4X4 truck down the main dirt highway from Camp Enari entering the Ville and Mark Stanley was a passenger in the cab. I dont have a CIB to show for it, but I most certainly was in combat. Various percentages of actual Vietnam Veterans is bothersome. Chester/Gordon, It would cause great pain to them; reminiscent of what occurred to the family of my namesake, my first cousin Dante Michael Puccetti. At this rate there will be only a few of us alive in 2015. Thank you..Its been many years sinice I left, needed answers, read the 1987 pulitzer prize book on Vietnam, A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan, and later Secrets by Daniel Ellsberg a Marine who worked at the pentagon cable room.both left me so shaken I couldnt finishe either but Ilearned so much. I was on LZ Bayonet during 1970 and experienced many of the things you described. I,m getting older bot I remember combat pay and jump pay were both $55 dollars. From what my son in law says (Apache gunship pilot) they also flew a tremendous number of combat hours everyday, And I know from what few stories he did tell (hes now deceased) they often had mortar rounds incoming. This cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. Did your foot ever touch the ground? Bien Hoa & Phu Bai, two badly polluted areas! April 1st was my day to rejoin 4th. These numbers have come about due to the extensive research of various mortality indexes and sources by the American War Library which concluded that about one-third of those who served in the Vietnam War are still alive today. Agent Orange is a Herdicide. Granted, most of them were deployed for the durationa WWII vet I knew was gone 4 years without coming back to the states. My body, accompanied by my mind, was pitched out the right-side door, sliding between the seat and under the dashboard to land on the shoulder of the dirt road alone. 101st Airborne Division, 1969-70 Presently, I approached the road to the top of PDL hill, and I was thinking what a beautiful day this would have been if this were some other place in some other world. A number 1/2 the peak, say 250,000 still seems high but would come closer to 3,000,000 number serving. These numbers were not included since these service members were far removed from combat experience and did not spend any amount of time in harms way. 610,000 figure is more accurate., NYT was referring to VN Era Veterans. Those of us who wear air crew wings probably saved your ass more than once. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Porier was firing from the north, while the three Cobras choppers were engaged the sappers trying to kill me. Their names are at least on the wall thanks to the efforts of many service organizations and Congress. As a retired Green Beret, his assessment and stats of the war are accurate. I was all over in 7 years. best to all. Still, the American War Library continues to verify their accounts and come to more concrete conclusions. Got the scars to prove it too, both physical and mental. 1968, 69. The Vietnam War was the nation's longest and costliest conflict of the Cold War. This could be a simple semantics issue, but what about the Air Force guys who flew over Vietnam. 15 of us REMFs were surrounded by the 33rd NVA June 13 1970. Every grunt I know would say no. ONLY Vietnam Vets are separated into two categories. I am a Viet Nam combat veteran. Considering the number of troops deployed at different times, the build up and the draw down, its inconceivable that there could have been 9m serving in country. There he was wearing my dress uniform jacket SSG, CIB, BS three rows of ribbons 8 years service, 10 overseas hash marks and he had 3 very underage teeny boppers girls smoking weed telling them war stories and bragging about his combat exploits. I dont know why we have to make this simple arithmetic drill so difficult. I entered an L shaped ambush. It is difficult to say how many Vietnam veterans have been affected by Agent Orange. No, Wildaboro was gone, and AK-47s and B-40 rockets were sapper armaments Later, I read in a letter that Sp.4 Donnon F. Porier grabbed the M-60 machinegun, risking his life, and ran down the hillside rushing to the ambush site. We all bleed red. As I started to slowly stagger upright towards the opposite side of the road, trying with all my might to gain my balance, I went down hard. when we carried ordnance we had to accept 50 cal fire from the shore on the way to saigon. Still, other sources like the New York Times claim the number of Vietnam veterans is actually somewhere around 9.2 million. The Vietnam War was an undeclared war between the US and Vietnam from 1955 to 1975. I served 2 tours late 1966 to late July 1968, TET and the rest as an infantry platoon sgt Also served in Korea 1963 and considered a Korean war vet as that war has never ended. How many Vietnam veterans died from Agent Orange? A Vietnam Era Veteran is everyone who was serving in the military while the Vietnam War was going on. I was there in 69-71 also sprayed Im 74, inlisted 1968 spent 2 tours in Vietnam Im now 73, Comments left by my fellow Vietnam vets are very useful. Finally figured out what was wrong with me, received help but refuse to dwell on the dark demons that quite frankly just did not give a dam for humanity. The total goes up every day. Everyone knows this. If you were in Vietnam, you were exposed to Agent Orange, period. When all was done and the Army was cleaning up the details of the action, they decided to award CIBs to the officers and not to enlisted. Deaths per day . How about disabled numbers? If I got in the ring with Cassius clay later known as Mohamed Ali. my point is that they were shot at and in country. The New York Times estimated that, of the 8.4 million Vietnam veterans who were still alive in 2000, 1.1 million had died. Age: 77. Good disxussiin. Frantically searching to find that one resource in my spirit to survive. The youngest Vietnam Veteran is aged in the late 60s today with life expectances estimated at 86 years old (for normal people). i TO AM A VEITNAM VET. Why cant you be just a proud Veteran. . after spending 1968 with 3/25 0f 2nd field forces and 1970 with the 1/12 cav. I stomped the gas and the engine roared- the truck jumped forward and bounced crazily and so did, garbing the steering tightly. If you served in country on a ship in the gulf or dropped 2000 pound bombs you are a vietnam vet. That number was reasonable: About 9.2 million Americans served in the military during the Vietnam era . I always ask if they know what a fuck you lizard was. Those were the prime draft years, but of course there were a few older guys over there too.This does not include other American men there who are not covered by the A, like civilian contractors. Navy ships were classified as Blue Water ships. Our 2003 NJAOC Desk Guide to the unique health issue of Nam vets and our children is still the Gold Standard. Aside from that, I have always doubted any fact stated by the NY Times; although the federal government is no better. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website, Ive also created a poll to help identify my website audience before leaving, can you please click, Vietnam: The War that killed Trust (GuestPost), Gold Star Families Memorial Monument DedicationCeremony. We all figured it was a Combat death. Bless you and your family Those of us who live day to day with that medical time bomb know the pain you suffered before he passed, and the endless pain of loss ever after. earned their stripe. Those an in the Era the we were in Vietnam but they are not Vietnam Vets by any stretch of you imagination. The New York Times reported that claims like those of the American War Library are false and that, instead of only one-third of Vietnam vets remaining, the number points to more like 75 percent of Vietnam veterans still living and breathing today. Other sappers were shooting their AKs at any targets.
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