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March 30, 2019 Grunt.com Admin

What is a Vietnam Vet

I have just recently discovered the Grit newsletter so I guess you can say I am kind of the “New Guy” I served 1 tour with Lima 3/1 never even thought of extending after being witness to some extendys getting wasted after coming back. In my opinion if I made it for one tour there was no way I was going to push my luck,considering the fact that there was really no good reason for us to be there.Thats not why I am writing. Over the years I have run into Vets wearing Vietnam Vet hats and other items claiming to be Nam vets but,when I approach them to find out where and when and who they served with some will tell me “Oh I didn’t actually go to Vietnam ” but,”I served during the war” Does that make him a Vietnam Vet? or the so called Vietnam Era Vet? With that said why does a person that did not leave the states during WW-2 considered a WW-2 Vet yet, if you served during any other period you are an “Era” vet. Sometimes I hesitate to ask someone about their service for fear of what they might say.One time I saw a guy with a 1st Mar. Div hat and was excited to speak with him. When I told I was with 1st Marines in 68 He just turned and walked away and said he was to busy to talk.I followed him and started asking him more questions he all he said was he was “Around Da Nang” “Who with!” I ask. no answer and he just kept walking away. I later saw him inside the store without the hat on he pretended like he did not see me but I just had to ask. “You are a fake aren’t you?” No answer. I just walked away and let it go. My anger management group therapy helped in that situation. A few years prior the Cops would have to be called. Thanks for letting me vent Marines Paul 0311 68-69

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
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Comments

Ed Grantham - April 20, 2020

I was in my favorite bar about 4 years ago drinking with my girlfriend’s nephew. (Army, Iraq). I was wearing a Corps ball cap. We were approached by a little short round that said he was a Marine vet and asked us to buy him a drink. I asked his MOS and he didn’t know what I meant so I asked what his job was. He said he was infantry. Then I asked him if he went to boot camp a PI or Hollywood. He said he went to boot at Pendleton. I told him he was a liar and to go away. Then I had to grab the nephew who was starting to punch him out. The poser ran out of the bar. Our bartender was laughing her a$$ off.

bruce s bender - April 20, 2020

the Vietnam Veteran or Vietnam Era Veteran is an interesting point. A LT. once said to a group of us at our first duty station, and I quote him as well as a few others who shared his philosophy- If you enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era – than you signed the line to – in the event of your death- you will go where you are sent- and perform like you are a Marine- some stayed stateside for their enlistment- others were sent to Vietnam- Laos- Thailand- or even Okinawa. He also said if we served during the Vietnam War- we are Vietnam Veterans- some friends I made said – What is the difference? You were willing to DIE for your Country- so most do not care about the accolade Era Vet or Vietnam Vet- No one will agree 100 % on the above. I enlisted for 4 years and many died in training and auto accidents stateside. One Marine the night before his discharge got drunk at the Club on base- and choked to death in his sleep- Again, I Served proudly and went with no complaints where ever they sent me. I am still proud of serving my Country- and have questioned POSERS who were full of shit too! I went on a cruise a few years ago- and they had a Veterans Meeting for all Military – 3 showed up- A Korean Vet- a young lady from the Army- and Me- ( sad that only 3 attended. Again- Semper Fi- My brothers – and we all did our Country proud- Vietnam Vets or Era vets.

Sgt Robert L Sisson - April 20, 2020

Bobby you are so right about how it was when we came back. For years I never told anyone I was in Vietnam because all the BULL CRAP I would hear. I think that is why so many guys wear their COVERS now. It really pisses me off when NOW someone tells me THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Sorry 50 years to late.

G Willard 0311, 8651, 8511…. - April 20, 2020

Thanks for so many voices sharing my sentiments. Thanks for setting this discussion in motion Paul; I’m with you 100%. How can you feel, experience, understand combat PTSD without being in this pit with us SFC???? If you only reached SFC at retirement, I’d have to assume you spent more time in the reserves than active duty. Don’t know of any full time active duty for 20 or more years that didn’t retire as a Master Sgt or 1st Sgt. at the very least, and my FAMILY and my PTSD groups are top heavy with Marines, soldiers, sailors, and Air Force. If Murray and Harry (hope those are the 2 Marines I’m thinking of) are out there, please pick this one up for us! Borderline rage for me. Thanks

SFC Cordeiro Gary, retired - April 20, 2020

I am an Vietnam era vet. Served as an MP, Shore Patrol, Honolulu, 70-72. You don’t have to be in Vietnam to feel and experience what PTSD is and the mantra, party hearty, you’ll be dead tomorrow. Fort DeRussy and the open air club and the wooden 2 man rooms are gone, life goes on.

Bobby Yarbrough, GySgt USMC (ret) 1969-1994 - April 20, 2020

Well my way of thinking is this, being in Vietnam, 1stRadBn Da Nang and other arreas. 1970-71. is this. When I came home no one wanted me around called baby killer and other things. Many of you know this to be true from your return state side. I wear my Vietnam Vet and Desert Storm cover allthe time. Hell yes I am proud of my service and my combat time. Started out as a 2575 Signal Intelligence specialist, turned into a Communications chief. 1Sgt during Desert Storm when other seniors didn’t want the job. Only Vietnam vet and combat veteran in the company at that time, the real 1Sgt was in the Hospital at the time. I am lucky I haven’t ran into any one faking their service in Vietnam. We are dying faster than any other era Marines, run into more Desert Storm vets now. As I know is that in country is a Vietnam Vet, served during the war but not in country be proud to be a Vietnam ERA Vet you supported those of us that went.

Sgt Court Conkwright 1962-1966. - April 20, 2020

Don’t blame you Paul. I was the Corps at P.I. In 1962. I didn’t get called up for Nam many of my Brothers did. I came out a E – 5. I have also found 155 Marine from my L Company at the Island. There are about 35 that have passed away. I still have about 85 to 90 that are my list. Since I started my list other Marines have hooked up with our group. Then a few Army, Navy and AF joined in with us. I have 3 Marines from Khe Sanh with me. 2 of them have the Navy Cross and Purple hearts. I have about 4 Majors on the list. I also work with Wounded Warriors every Oct in SD. It just nice give sometime back to them. If you would like see what I do then email me at. courtcurtis@usa.net. Once we hook up I will send you one of emails that goes out to our group. We ask nothing but brotherhood. I will not pass your email around. It only goes on the email I sent out to the group. You take care and God Bless you! Court Conkwright

James Logan - April 20, 2020

I know the feeling. I served from 1959 Reserves in high school. Regulars July 1960 Parris Island till April 1965. Flew to Gitmo for the Cuban Missle crisis with 1/8. Reg Ninth Marines for the Golf of Tonkin, saw Vietnam from the ship I was on. Sailed for 67 days off shore, saw lots of firing at night. Got discharged April 1965. Would I love to wear a hat or cover saying Vietnam Vet? Sure would but I didn’t earn it! I respect those that did and those that gave all. Semper Fi to all my brother combat vets as well as those of us that didn’t see action. Jim Logan

Juan Gonzales jr - April 20, 2020

Go to a veteran of foreign wars lodge present your DD214 to join they will let you know if your eligible to join if’ they say no your not a veteran you can join the American legion those are for persons who were not incountry but served in the military be proud of your service and your MOS every one is needed Retired marine msgt.

Glenn Talbott - April 20, 2020

I served from July ’64 to July ’68, so when I meet other Marines and we start talking about when we were in, I’m always very careful to mention up front that I never got to Vietnam. Just lucky I guess. Glenn 2851 – Electronics schools in SD, MABS-37 3rd MAW at El Toro, and Station Electronics at Iwakuni

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