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June 4, 2020 Grunt.com Admin

Vietnam War: Facts, Stats & Myths

Myth: Common belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted.
Fact: 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.

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.

Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.

240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

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Comments

Donald R Key, Lcpl 68-72 - June 30, 2020

I forgot to say I was with E co 2nd Bn 26th Marines, 03-69 to 04-70, 0311

Donald R Key, Lcpl 68-72 - June 30, 2020

Semper Fi my Brothers

Nick 0311 - June 30, 2020

Hey Cpl Hornsey, When were you with 3/1? I was L -3/1 67-68

Cpl James Hornsey Mike 3/1 CUPP - June 30, 2020

I am very proud of my CAR. I also had no one to tell stories to. Drove a semi for forty years for Yellow Freight System. Sometimes drove down the highway and all the sudden start crying. Sounds dumb right. After retiring things got worse. Finally went to the VA. I am an 0311 but became a R/O. Company Captain put me in for a Navy/MC Achievement with “V”. Pretty proud of that too. Semper Fi brother.

Nick 0311 - June 30, 2020

Wait ! What! I’m giving mine back! Nick 0311

Nick 0311 - June 30, 2020

Semper Fi Vernon ! I often wonder how differently things would have turned out if i could have talked about it then. Maybe not different at all but who knows. Right? Nick 0311

Harry 1371 - June 30, 2020

I agree 100%!! I received my pin at a ceremony at the VA hospital. Thought it to be a distinct award for in country vets, found out later that was for era vets, even the ones that were happy they did not have to go and called me “stupid for going” Do not mean to take away from anyones service, but a lot of the vets accepting the pin enlisted in the reserves to decrease their chance of having to go , and now are being rewarded? No bitterness here! Harry 1371

James Kanavy, CPL, 0311, 0231 - June 30, 2020

The”Vietnam Era Pin” is a participation trophy and blurs the distinction of the Vietnam Veteran from the Vietnam Era veteran.

Ron - June 30, 2020

Of the 2.7 million who served in Vietnam, how many saw combat? I was told that those stationed in Saigon had to ware dress uniforms and could not carry a weapon because we didn’t want to look like occupiers of Vietnam.

L/Cpl So Sueme - June 30, 2020

…and no one mentions major battles won or lost by American forces. I believe in WWII it was at least six in the lost column. I’m unsure of Korea but my “baby-boomer” generation – that, according to WWII and Korean vets, couldn’t fight our way out of a wet paper bag – lost ZERO – NONE – NADA – ZIP.

Ooh-rah! Hooah! Anchors Aweigh! Semper Fi!

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