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4/22/2021 9:52:40 PM
 
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Section 21: Community News Subject: Thoughts on Wall That Heals Msg# 1123582
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Some data I found:
2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers. Totals
9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975. 2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam. 240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Of Those LostThe first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1961. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. The Davis Station in Saigon was named for him. Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. 58,148 were killed in Vietnam, 75,000 severely disabled, 23,214 were 100% disabled, 5,283 lost limbs and 1,081 sustained multiple amputations. Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21 years old. 11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old. Of those killed, 17,539 were married. The average age of the men killed: 23.1 years. Veteran Successes
Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation. They have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups. Their personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent. 87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem. There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans Administration Study). Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison – only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes. 85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life. 97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged. 91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served. 74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome. |
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: I was 14 years old in 1966. Probably 85% of adult men in my neighborhood were WWII veterans. I grew up thinking virtually all men were veterans, certainly just like my father, my uncles and grandfathers and neighbors. My family was split between Army and Navy. My father's cousin killed on Guadalcanal was the only Marine. The men in my family were a hard-drinking, chain- smoking gregarious lot. All were actual combat veterans and I only heard their stories after they had been drinking. Only a couple went to college on the GI bill, most were blue-collar types. At this time, as 14 year old, I surmised there was something wrong with our President, LBJ. I could never put my finger on it, but even as an adolescent I just didn't like or trust the guy. He scared me, I guess! Prior to all this, when I was 11 years old I witnessed the assassination of JFK and saw firsthand how this tragedy affected EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything that LBJ did after he took office scared me! Most particularly what scared me as a 14 year old was LBJs Vietnam and what he did to the country with it! I learned what college deferments were and what draft dodging was and everything in between! I learned who I looked up to and admired, and those who I thought were really not contributors to our society. For the most part my observations as an adolescent have proved to be true for me and there were MANY observations that made me want to scream. Like the folks that I saw who worked in government, senior executives mind you, who during this time frame joined the Peace Corps to avoid military service. Confusing to say the least.......and those were not isolated incidents! The "Wall" has healed and I hope those that cowered feel bad in their senior years. I'm just the kind of SOB who always asks those several years older than me if they ever served............just to see their reaction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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