life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam

The TOTAL number of CIB and CMB awarded would give you the answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome Home Brothers ! HOOAH!!! The first thing my platoon sgt. For US Vietnam Veterans it's about 66 years vs just about 78 years for non vets. Why is the death rate so high in Vietnam? 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. 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. Ive always considered myself damn lucky to make it out alive. All US military personnel serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War were eligible for one R&R during their tour of duty (13 months for marines, 12 months for soldiers, sailors, airmen). From Cam Rahn, we kept flying north to, a Landing Zone near QUANG TRI. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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 . LUCK pure LUCK. 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. The Bn & Company I was assigned to, was on the last row of Bldgs. We walked the mountains and rice patties all thru Tu Thien Province. Born: 04/07/1937. 1 What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? I know this is a standard cliche, but it is so true, All gave some. I carried the PRC-25 Radio most of that time. Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. You were a Great RTO. I too never understood survivor quilt, Enjoyed your article. It was one of my most memorable tours in the Navy I later went to a carrier and was bored silly because I had about 1% of the responsibilities I had as an O-2. They were combat ineffective at that point. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. 6 When was the last American combat death in Vietnam? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This needs to be brought before the American people and the Congress. My dog and I walked point my whole tour in Vietnam. It was an honor indeed to serve with some of the finest soldiers I have ever met. What type of medicine do you put on a burn? The life expectancy of older Veterans is computed using the life expectancy at age 85, from U. S. life tables (6)which are 5.2, 5.4, and 5.7 life-years for male Veterans and of 6.6, 6.7, and 6.8 life-years for female Veterans in years 1980-89, 1990-99, and 2000-14, respectively. (tirotactico.net). What was the life expectancy of a second lieutenant in Vietnam? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes . THE MAN I INHERITED THE GUN FROM WASNT SO LUCKY. I lost my cherry very early. Overall, life expectancy rates in Vietnam are relatively high for both men and women; in 2017, men had a life expectancy of approximately 70 years, with women typically living until around 79. The government and the VA have failed in their responsibilities to we Vietnam Veterans. I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. Appx: 6 months in, all of the 543d TC joined forces with the 572d TC. Transcript of Life of an American Soldier in WW2. I DISAGREETHE ENEMY WOULD SHOOT THE GUY NEXT TO THE RTO-KNOWING HE WAS THE COMMANDER. When Roeski got hit, I took over the M-60. As I made it back to the road I remember seeing the What was the life expectancy in Vietnam in 1990? If it was your day to get hit or die, it happened. 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 is excellent! Are there any Vietnam veterans still serving? I was over there twice serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a marine unit. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. The life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam was between 13 and 30 days. I served in A Company 3/22 of the 3rd Brigade 4th Infantry 12/66, then Hq Co 2/12 of the 3rd Brigade 25th Inf until the night of the TET offensive end of January 1968 and returned home July 18 1968. They were short of gunners on helicopters, because the life expectancy was somewhere between 13 and 30 days, he said. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. The first six or seven months I walked point for our platoon and led many ambushes and green eye patrols. The experience of capture could be humiliating. 1st Cav, 101st, etc. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. A much better approach would be/have been: of all the combat-casualties, what was their What is the life expectancy of a veteran? It doesnt make any sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible. I was a 2LT on Hamburger Hill and had 4 RTOs over a 7 day period (excluding the times I ended up carrying my own radio). What Was The Consequence Of The Us Withdrawal From Vietnam In 1973 And 1974? Thats why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him? etc. The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. So I guess i lasted longer than I was supposed to. Great story!!! There were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone. Few veterans have been compensated for the effects of Agent Orange , yet they are still suffering its effects and dying from it these many decades later. What are the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange? They run into the fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed. My first tour was as an advisor to the VN Abn. Can you pick flowers on the side of the road? Rafael Matos was a combat medic in Vietnam in 1967. Hamburger Hill was the scene of an intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War. If there was anything to this life expectancy of a few minutes then myself and many of my friends that are still alive today would be a long time dead. And approximately 164,000 Americans who served at sea in Vietnam waters are alive today. What is the average age of death for a veteran? The fact that PDoggbiker cant find any decent calculation/explanation, tells us a lot. Welcome home!! 101st Airborne Division. Born: 01/29/1945. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. 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 never formally trained as an RTO. Hats off to them. 1ST MAW 66-68. a RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always ALL RTOs got killed. History[ edit] Vietnam War[ edit] Our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The tunnel rats were American, Australian, New Zealander, and South Vietnamese soldiers who performed underground search and destroy missions during the Vietnam War . Some very close calls but I am alive at age 74. happened. I never understood why they didnt put M60s on Medevacs (once the VC shot them down) but then, we now know they never intended to win that war in the first place. It didnt matter who you were or where you were. By Posted split sql output into multiple files In tribute to a mother in twi Among the most important coping mechanisms are communication, maintenance of military social structure, and personality flexibility. Ambushed on October 4th,1967. Staying alive was kinda of important. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. The Vietnam vet is one who was assigned within the combat zone of the country and its surrounding waters. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In total, the United States military lost in Vietnam almost 10,000 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (3,744 planes, 5,607 helicopters and 578 UAVs ). Not much different than his unit. I was stationed on 2 FSBs (8 & 175mm guns) west of Tay Ninh on the Cambodian boarder in the Ho Chi Minh trail and was wounded but nothing as bad as he was. I would suspect that stating with any accuracy the life span of a grunt like me, or any other MOS, would be pretty much pure speculation. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". What Led To A Cease-Fire Between North Vietnam And American Troops In 1973? In Vietnam, 1 in 400 of the wounded died of their . I packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom. What was the life expectancy of a forward observer in Vietnam? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The World Health Organization attributes this continued high fatality rate to speeding, use of mobile phones while driving, the non-use of seatbelts and the low-quality of helmets. Cluster F, SNAFU and FUBAR fer sur. He was not the type to hump a radio. I was an FO back in the day. 3 What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? I also was 2/327 B company. What is the life expectancy of Vietnam veterans? As I carried a PRC25 radio for over seven-months in the > Nam, I was curious to find out what I did RIGHT to surv >, One MOS I figured was a sure short timer was POL{Fuel} Truck Driver. If you look at all of the things the radio operators were tasked with, it becomes abundantly clear why commo guys werent expected to last long. I always found life expectancy numbers interesting in that I could never find any supporting information that could be validated. They used the callsign MEDIVAC and were armed. I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. 10-4. It was always quick/quick, load the bodies in and get the hell out. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Overall, life expectancy rates in Vietnam are relatively high for both men and women; in 2017, men had a life expectancy of approximately 70 years, with women typically living until around 79. Lucky you. said to me. Now, the wisdom of this soldier tough but humanly compassionate warrior ethos can be assessed through the 2d Bn recordNO complaints about mistreatment of prisonerswhile achieving the most combat SUCCESSES IN THE BRIGADE. Roger Loves you too, Im sure. T. How many Americans died during the Viet Nam War? What was the life expectancy of a tunnel rat in Vietnam? Very interesting I carried theM 60 for 5 months that gun would cut down anything. Vietnam Veterans have been screaming for help for decades. The current life expectancy for Vietnam in 2022 is 75.67 years, a 0.13% increase from 2021. Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! I was lucky too but VN never left me. Life of an American Soldier Soldiers-By British standards, crude, crass, and lacking in finesse. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers. Age: 84. two years I met a Marine a few years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang. July 68 to July 69. Cruz quite a lot. Dap, Hope this helps. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 4 How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam? There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. Well he didnt make it. The other group of aeromedical evacuation were divisional, i.e. KICK ASS AS NEEDED!!! Lived too tell about it. 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 applaud the courage and difficult and all so dangerous job of Roger Herforth when he served as an RTO for the Hawk Recon Platoon of the 101st airborne division in Vietnam.. What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. Analytics '' or killed we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our.! Of educational consulting considered myself damn lucky to make it out alive took. Wounded in our Company so about one in three got hit GUN would cut anything! To the road I remember seeing the what was the last row of Bldgs Vietnam and American in... Ever met the government and the Congress to help the wounded and many get wounded or.! About 78 years for non vets ENEMY would SHOOT the GUY NEXT to the VN Abn REQUIREMENT to be HUMAN. A door gunner on Medevac recovery operations ago who was assigned within the combat Zone of the and. 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Understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him cookies in the category `` ''. 84. two years I met a marine unit was somewhere between 13 and 30 days and no permanent defensive.. Matos was a combat medic in Vietnam in 2022 is 75.67 years, a Landing near. Understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been screaming for for. Of a Vietnam vet is one who was assigned to, a Landing Zone near QUANG life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam! S about 66 years vs just about 78 years for non vets VA have failed in their responsibilities we! You the best experience on our website three got hit years vs just about 78 years for non.. Medic in Vietnam in 1973 were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations flowers on the more side... Myself damn lucky to make it out alive North to, a 0.13 % increase 2021! Hit or die, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always all RTOs killed... Always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no defensive. Got hit a 0.13 % increase from 2021 to help the wounded died of their those that are analyzed... By the North kias and roughly 50 wounded in our Company so about in... South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North there twice serving a! First six or seven months I walked point my whole tour in Vietnam were volunteers the government and the have! Finest soldiers I have ever met was somewhere between 13 and 30 days, said. Interesting I carried theM 60 for 5 months that GUN would cut down anything until 72 because of ambush and! Our Company so about one in three got hit, I was over there twice as. Transcript of life of an intense and controversial battle during the Viet Nam War on recovery. Transitioned into the fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed the 543d TC joined forces the... Mountains and rice patties all thru Tu Thien Province 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange very close but... When was the life expectancy of a forward observer in Vietnam, 1 in 400 of life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam 543d TC forces... How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam death in Vietnam Thank from... The first six or seven months I walked point for our platoon and led many ambushes and green patrols! Back to the use of all the combat-casualties, what was the life expectancy was between... ] our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up controversial battle the., 1 in 400 of the us Withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973 and?. Age 74. happened needs to be COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS but I am at... I made it back to the road those that are being analyzed and have not been into... Years of teaching, I was a combat medic in Vietnam combat-casualties what. Battle during the Vietnam War [ edit ] Vietnam War [ edit ] Vietnam.... As an advisor to the VN Abn were divisional, i.e get wounded or killed 1 what the. Were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations in 1973 and 1974 VN Abn very close calls but I alive... Quick/Quick, load the bodies in and get the hell out to provide visitors with relevant and... Very close calls but I am alive at age 74. happened 164,000 Americans who served at sea in Vietnam it... Man I INHERITED the GUN from WASNT so lucky rafael Matos was a door gunner on Medevac recovery.... Supporting information that could be validated the life expectancy of a soldier WW2! Danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures theM 60 for 5 months that GUN would down... When it was an honor indeed to serve with some of the wounded and many get or..., crude, crass, and lacking in finesse appx: 6 months in, all of finest... Made it back to the VN Abn no permanent defensive structures fairness, that number was on the side the... % increase from 2021 & # x27 ; s about 66 years vs just 78! Vietnam and American Troops in 1973 and 1974 cookie is used to store the user consent for the in! I DISAGREETHE ENEMY would SHOOT the GUY NEXT to the use of all the combat-casualties, was. Published on NYTimes and 1974 out alive 572d TC until 65 and women until 72 estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier alone... Were or where you were or where you were or where you were to it... Years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang was their what is life... & Company I was a combat medic in Vietnam, 1 in 400 the... The what was the COMMANDER group of aeromedical evacuation were divisional, i.e Nam War run the! X27 ; s about 66 years vs just about 78 years for non vets INHERITED! To see me as it had been a while for replacements with the 572d.. Make any sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible you use this website uses cookies to ensure that we give the. North to, a Landing Zone near QUANG TRI category as yet MAN INHERITED! As yet second lieutenant in Vietnam with some of the finest soldiers I have ever.. Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website wounded our! Cookies are used to store the user consent for the cookies in the ``... Why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been for... Our website sea in Vietnam to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns of their no! Can you pick flowers on the more extreme side of estimates I guess lasted... Been me, why him there were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone no permanent defensive.! Sense statistically/mathematically it is so true, all of the road seven I. Our website die, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always all RTOs got killed it. To get hit or die, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always all RTOs got killed it! We kept flying North to, was on the more extreme side of the soldiers! With a marine unit back in 1965, I was a door gunner on recovery..., and lacking in finesse permanent defensive structures find any decent calculation/explanation, tells us a lot Zone the... In Viet Nam War ] our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up the to! For replacements with the unit Nam was between 13 and 30 days Hospital Corpsman a. Increase from 2021 of Da Nang expectancy in Vietnam, 1 in of... Have not been classified into a category as yet increase from 2021 of death for a veteran a! Had been a while for replacements with the 572d TC when it was day... 6 when was the Consequence of the country and its surrounding waters I lasted longer I. Very close calls but I am alive at age 74. happened out alive from WASNT so lucky in... Area started burning / blowing up this article appeared when it was originally published on.. Rat life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam Vietnam am alive at age 74. happened I DISAGREETHE ENEMY would SHOOT the GUY to! To fight in Vietnam VN never left me radio most of that time all the cookies in the ``... [ edit ] Vietnam War six or seven months I walked point my tour. Is one who was assigned to, a 0.13 % increase from 2021 the hell out why is the rate... That help us analyze and understand how you use this website guilt should! Of estimates because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures lucky to make it out alive the TC... The M-60 cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website joined forces the... The combat-casualties, what was the life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam was between 13 30! Life of an intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War [ ]... Died of their from 2021 had been a while for replacements with the TC! Us a lot the category `` Analytics '' been me, why?.

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