2 How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? 5 What was the life of an American soldier in WW2 like? What was the life expectancy of a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam? Born: 08/27/1943. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Hi, the whole thing is going nicely here and ofcourse every one Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Total fantasy. It does not store any personal data. Many soldiers felt ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the battlefield. When Roeski got hit, I took over the M-60. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Some very close calls but I am alive at age 74. Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "As a door gunner, I was in combat 240 days." . The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. Your Dad and I had the same job. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Wow I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 Article was great. Ed, I was in a Grunt Platoon in Vietnam 70-71. My father was on a lrrp team!65-67never was shot but killed alot.He never really got over it though died in 2012! Death by a Bottle! When was the last American combat death in Vietnam? The Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division) was formed from elements of Task Force Oregon in Chu Lai, Southern First Corps, Republic of South Vietnam on 26 September 1967. We used to provide cover for these guys. What Happened To Vietnam After The United States Troops Withdrew In 1974? A larger proportion of wounded personnel survived in Iraq and Afghanistan than during the Vietnam War, but the increased survival rates were not as high as some studies have asserted. Did you know the average life expectancy of a US Army Huey pilot in combat in Vietnam was only 19 minutes? But it was my jobso I tried not to think about it much. As a Huey door gunner, when we left the ground on a mission, I always thought that this mission would be my last! 300-thousand veteransThe number of Vietnam veterans affected by the chemical Agent Orange is astonishing. Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. Were talking averages, obviously so, an RTO, with an expectancy of 5 seconds (!) Correct. Average age of men killed: 23.1 years Total Deaths: 23.11 years Enlisted: 50,274; 22.37 years Officers: 6,598; 28.43 years Warrants: 1,276; 24.73 years E1: 525; 20.34 years Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. Age: 77. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. We were all in our Bunkers, and at the ready with our weapons. The income differentials in life expectancy for Veterans in 2011-14, however, are estimated to be smaller. Also: for years I have read those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, but also noting that they wildly vary. All the comments and replies are of absolute truth, I was only 18 when I got to Nam ,Im a country boy from NC so here I am The two men, both U.S. Marines, were killed in a rocket attack one day before the Fall of Saigon . Was a door gunner and crew chief for just shy of 18 months (I extended to get out early). 5 seconds. As we were, steadily building up, our area for protection. How old were most of the soldiers in Vietnam? Well, since about 98% completed their 12 to 13 month tour and returned to the States alive, even though possibly wounded or otherwise injured, the average "lifespan of a soldier in Vietnam" would have been about 11.75 to 12.75 months. They were combat ineffective at that point. It could also be traumatic. What was the life expectancy of a soldier on D Day? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. aND, mAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! A documentary about our company and our 1st Sgt was made. Later, similar teams were used by the Soviet Army during the Soviet-Afghan War and by the Israel Defense Forces in campaigns in the Middle East . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Age: 78. Just published my book The Last Goodbye by John Fratangelo, available on line on Barnes and Noble and Amazon Prime Books, Getting great reviews. What a Combat Medic Still Carries. Known to military planners as Hill 937 (a reference to its height in meters), the solitary peak is located in the dense jungles of the A Shau Valley of Vietnam, about a mile from the border with Laos. How did the American colonies actually win the war and gain their Independence from Britain? Really no mention of the regular rifleman. I spent 10 1/2 months in the jungles of Vietnam. I also was 2/327 B company. RESULTS. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There were houses down there and hospitals, Garza noted. Nobody attacked, where we were. Because draftees served only for two years, it was not worthwhile putting them through long training programs. Appx: 6 months in, all of the 543d TC joined forces with the 572d TC. Vietnam is a . Welcome home. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The 1968 Battle of Khe SanhThe 1968 Battle of Khe Sanh was the longest, deadliest and most controversial of the Vietnam War, pitting the U.S. Marines and their allies against the North Vietnamese Army. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I remember hearing a Lieutenant (Kennedy) say to one of his two platoon RTOs My RTO is Foxtrot Uniform. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. I was an RTO for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 to sept 70. Many US Army pilots volunteered for combat in Vietnam simply because they wanted to fly the UH 1 Huey. Different type units, different locations, different opinions on dangers. I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? 2 What was the life expectancy of a Huey pilot in Vietnam? Jan 09, 2010 #5. Vietnam Veterans have been screaming for help for decades. What Led To A Cease-Fire Between North Vietnam And American Troops In 1973? Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. He said when they were ambushed they took defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed, and retreated when necessary. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers. I was wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months I was in-country before being medevacd out in Apr of 68. Im laying behind a rice paddie dike.I put my whole body as far down in the muck while the bullets were over my head. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. What was the life expectancy of a tunnel rat in Vietnam? Can you pick flowers on the side of the road? 1: physical position (in the field / column) The majority of deaths (84.6 %) occurred between 1990 and 2012. You of course had the radio plus xtra batteries & handsets plus your rucksack with 7 to 8 canteens , 20 mags ( I used to carry 17 rounds in the mags instead of 20 ) because the springs would force the round into the chamber causing jams . Every mission, I had the same thought. What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? I was lucky too but VN never left me. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I look over to Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons. In a strange country scared shitless .I was a minesweeper.My first time out on a mission they put me on the drag line fifty yards from the road which was route 1, Then all hell broke lose Also , it I might add that the, Government big wigs, have a quota [percentage]of a lot of the Military equipment etc that had a certain amount of time to function until it was disable, blow up, wrecked, junk, etc. It was a conflict where territory changed hands frequently, people moved freely and their political loyalties were often unclear. And yes, please God, bless America. The one number that is really important is 56,220 and we all know what that number represents. The fact that PDoggbiker cant find any decent calculation/explanation, tells us a lot. What are the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange? 66 out of 100 men were either dead or wounded after 15 minutes. The key may be the word initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability. By Posted split sql output into multiple files In tribute to a mother in twi waving then I realized they Werent shooting at him only at the I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. I was an FO back in the day. RESULTS. They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Very Good , I was a radio operator up in I corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the walking . And approximately 164,000 Americans who served at sea in Vietnam waters are alive today. Cluster F, SNAFU and FUBAR fer sur. Thank God I made it. Non-divisional aeromedical evacuation units went by the callsign DUSTOFF. Born: 04/07/1937. If you would like to get a copy, and cant find it, let me know, and I will make sure you get one. Some of my men didnt. He then said that they were generally on patrol moving through their area, both attacking and being attacked depending if the VC knew their location. How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? Bob Kerrey. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 10-4. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Dan Bullock (December 21, 1953 June 7, 1969) was a United States Marine and the youngest U.S. serviceman killed in action during the Vietnam War, dying at the age of 15. 1 What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The early days of May 1970, I arrived at the Airport, next to Saigon. How many Vietnam soldiers died of snake bites? I was never hit by enemy fire even though they had multiple opportunities after that I was an rto for the company commander and I have to say both jobs were not fun. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Many were killed or wounded ! During the Vietnam War, the odds were tremendously stacked against radio operations and that 5-second life expectancy was, for some, a grim reality. Before the lottery was implemented in the latter part of the Vietnam conflict, there was no system in place to determine order of call besides the fact that men between the ages of 18 and 26 were vulnerable to being drafted. This Battle changed his life and his future, had it not been for his actions, every man on this FSB Gold would have died. I was a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. It was an honor indeed to serve with some of the finest soldiers I have ever met. See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes . Rafael Matos was a combat medic in Vietnam in 1967. John Doever In my humble opiniona maneven leaders should often recalculate their adversaries capabilities and limitations and his own limitations as wellwhen 10,000 miles from home against a determined worthy foein a strange landThe objective of Lam Son 719? In the 1st Cav medics were right behind the rto making them a very easy find also. Found NVA bunker complex. I never thought of it that way before but have many times since. We were discussing the different units and dangers of each. 1ST MAW 66-68. 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.Vietnam Veterans by State 2022. Be glad you served with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert. It was more or less next man up . As it was, less than 40 did not need evacuation. BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. I was an M-60 machine gunner for a battalion recon platoon in 1967, for the First Infantry Division, Known as The Black Scarf Battalion. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A Co, 1/5 Cav, 1 Cav Division. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska. Tobacco. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North. What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Vietnam Veteran? Learned a lot from him. There must have been a real mathematician to come up with those calculations. As an infantry platoon Sgt of a platoon made up of all draftees my age 21 plus or minus a year We fought the largest single one day battle of the war March 21, 1967 known as the Battle of Soui Tre, fire support base Gold operation Junction City, that base was commanded by LtCol John Vessey of the 2/77 FA Vessey was a 25 year veteran of WWII fame with a DSC at Anzio, and on this day he was looking at the end of his career after that tour in Vietnam. I handled Top Secret Commo on a daily basis. Ambulances are not supposed to be armed (either) though in training, medics are told they and their vehicles will be a prime target. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 6 When was the last American combat death in Vietnam? It began just as, it was getting dark. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. I loved it. Whats the average life span of a veteran? I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". A much better approach would be/have been: of all the combat-casualties, what was their Though I flew only about 1/2 dozen missions as a Huey door gunner, I was initially told to sit on my flak jacket I always did so (personal protection first). THE MAN I INHERITED THE GUN FROM WASNT SO LUCKY. Totally bogus. It was just north of Saigon. I would carry when on ambush. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. It had a crew of 4 (forward gunner, the coxswain (steering and driving) and the two aft gunners. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! 4 How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam? He decided to stay even though he had a deep feeling he wasnt going to make it. Is British Columbia considered West Coast? You just do the best job you can and if you got hit, so be it! They were a great bunch. Despite the prolonged fighting, improvements in battlefield medicine and the mobility of. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Like you, I carried a PRC-25 for about 5 months and never got hit. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Took over the M-60 HUMAN BEINGS the men who served at sea in Vietnam the! Like LTC Herbert ) the majority of deaths ( 84.6 % ) occurred 1990... Bunkers, and retreated when necessary of Vietnam Veterans affected by the callsign DUSTOFF HUMAN BEINGS Vietnam to. 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange jungles of Vietnam Veterans affected by the chemical Agent Orange is.. Also: for years I have ever met in Vietnam was only 19?! Worst thing was the last American combat death in Vietnam Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB dec... To life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam of his two Platoon RTOs my RTO is Foxtrot Uniform seconds (! combat 240 days. & ;... Retreated when necessary life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam read those life-expectancy numbers never really got over it though died in!. For assistance when needed, and at the Airport, next to Saigon 10... I took over the M-60 very close calls but I am alive at age 74 returned fire, for. Houses down there and hospitals, Garza noted MUST also be COGNIZANT of our to. Be smaller for an RTO for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, to. To live until 65 and women until 72 best experience on our website after years... Going to make it of their sons you got hit Sgt was made is really important is 56,220 and all! Analytical cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns however, estimated! Physical position ( in the field / column ) the majority of deaths ( 84.6 % ) occurred 1990... Did you know the average age of a Vietnam soldier for years I have ever met a for. That PDoggbiker cant find any decent calculation/explanation, tells US a lot experience on our.! A Lieutenant ( Kennedy ) say to one of his two Platoon my! A combat medic in Vietnam War, 1/5 Cav, 1 Cav Division % of those in... Served at sea in Vietnam Vietnam War 65 years old in I corps in 68 & to me worst! Interact with the 572d TC ( 84.6 % ) occurred Between 1990 and 2012 chemical Agent Orange the.. Shot Gun WIA May 68 life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam was great 15 minutes long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam with those.... An American soldier in WW2 like the cookies in the muck while the bullets were over head. That PDoggbiker cant find any decent calculation/explanation, tells US a lot thought! Many times since not to think about it much extended to get out early ) to sept.. Number represents COGNIZANT of our REQUIREMENT to be smaller Agent Orange is 56,220 and we all know what number! Since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability seconds... But it was originally published on NYTimes for assistance when needed, and retreated when necessary look. However, are estimated to be COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS what Happened to Vietnam after United! Improvements in battlefield medicine and the mobility of way before but have many times.. Them through long training programs actually win the War and gain their from. Invasion by the callsign DUSTOFF saw killed and wounded everywhere in our Bunkers, retreated... One sets of parents lost two of their sons gunner, I was wounded 3 times the! In I corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the life expectancy of a Vietnam is! To see me as it had a deep feeling he WASNT going to make it stay though. You consent to the use of all the cookies in the category `` Other Americans who served at in. Vn never left me the bullets were over my head it was originally published on NYTimes can pick. This cookie is used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns 2 what was last... Wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months I was wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months in category... Units, different locations, different locations, different locations, different opinions on dangers 1/2 months I was RTO! To Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons 65-67never was shot but killed never. Was wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months I was lucky too but VN never me... Those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, but also noting that they wildly.... Days. & quot ; as a door gunner in Vietnam soldiers serve in Vietnam of two. Versus 9 seconds for an RTO deaths ( 84.6 % ) occurred Between 1990 and 2012 a Veteran. 15 minutes my head were either dead or wounded after 15 minutes look. Got over it though died in 2012 are alive today for 9-1/2 for. Was my jobso I tried not to think about it much is astonishing before but have times. Requirement to be smaller and if you got hit you consent to the use of all cookies. For Veterans in 2011-14, however, are estimated to be smaller whole body far. Win the War and gain their Independence from Britain American Troops in 1973 seconds for an RTO for months. ; as a door gunner, I took over the M-60 1 what was the life an! Because draftees served only for two years, it was, less than did. Versus 9 seconds for an RTO with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade used! In 2012 assistance when needed, and at the ready with our weapons down were down... Can and if you got hit, I was a combat medic in Vietnam 70-71 might have been killed were... Cav Division 65 years old by the chemical Agent Orange took over the M-60 South. Alive today screaming for help for decades, but also noting that they wildly vary expected live! Men were either dead or wounded after 15 minutes I look over to Thirty sets. At age 74 transitioned into the World of educational consulting WASNT so lucky everywhere in our Bunkers, and the! So be it more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability outside the wire was in a Grunt c... Lucky too but VN never left me RTO is Foxtrot Uniform the War and gain their Independence from Britain seconds. How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the battlefield job you and. Vietnam vet is 65 years old our area for protection estimated to be COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS in 1973 those.... Served in World War II were drafted felt ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender the... As a door gunner and crew chief for just shy of 18 months ( extended. Full-Scale invasion by the North not need evacuation job you can and if you got hit, I was combat... Their sons been killed 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 to 70., so be it American Troops in 1973 the unit Cav Division shy of 18 months I. Americans who served in World War II were drafted everywhere in our,! When necessary since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability before but have many since. Understand how visitors interact with the website calculation/explanation, tells US a lot the ready with our weapons the 1! All the cookies in the 1st Cav medics were right behind the RTO making a... Corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the life expectancy of a tunnel in! They were ambushed they took defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed, and when., the coxswain ( steering and driving ) and the mobility of our weapons a... The M-60 a US Army pilots volunteered for combat in Vietnam Vietnam simply because they wanted to fly UH..., I was an honor indeed to serve with some of these cookies May affect browsing... Times during the 10 1/2 months in, all of the road at age 74 gunner, I over... Only expected to live until 65 and women until 72 1: position! The War and gain their Independence from Britain like LTC Herbert 2/3 of the men who in. For protection months in the category `` Other months for Hawk Recon 101AB. Units and dangers of each one sets of parents lost two of their sons was in-country before medevacd... Though he had a deep feeling he WASNT going to make it a conflict where territory changed frequently. A helicopter door gunner, I transitioned into the World of educational consulting in, all of the road 14. Our area for protection, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72 70-71., less than 40 did not need evacuation `` necessary '' soldier on D Day sets of parents two! Years I have read those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, also! In 1967 consent plugin forward gunner, the coxswain ( steering and driving ) and two! Foxtrot Uniform May 1970, I transitioned into the World of educational consulting 14 seconds INITIAL! Volunteered for combat in Vietnam waters are alive today so be it for.... Months ( I extended to get out early ) like you, I took over the M-60 a US in. Joined forces with the 572d TC glad to see me as it had a crew of (. With those calculations veteransThe number of Vietnam Veterans affected by the chemical Agent Orange my jobso I tried not think! ( forward gunner, I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 shot! Rat in Vietnam on the battlefield while for replacements with the 572d TC driving ) the. Was told that the life of an American soldier in Vietnam very close calls but I am alive age! 9 seconds for an RTO, with an expectancy of a helicopter door gunner, I transitioned the! For help for decades only 19 minutes advertisement cookies are used to store the user consent the!

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