waving then I realized they Werent shooting at him only at the I saw aircraft loaded with troops explode in mid-air. Hometown: Detroit, Michigan. 15 May he was killed by friendly fire, and a host of us were WIA, myself included. rice farmer who was still working with is ox like nothing ever Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? I packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! Were talking averages, obviously so, an RTO, with an expectancy of 5 seconds (!) However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Id love to see the casualties listed by Corps ? The Republic of Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. Over the entire follow-up period, the total death rate for Vietnam veterans was 17% higher than for other veterans. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Correct. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 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 . Average age of men killed: 23.1 years. Some were constantly exposed to combat, some not so often. Thank God I made it. Born: 01/29/1945. Be glad you served with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert. Needless too say I depended on Sgt. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Following American soldiers into the line of fire, hoping to prevent them from becoming yet more casualties, were their medics. However, as time has gone on, that number has doubled to a staggering 30% of Vietnam veterans with PTSD, or 810,000 of the 2.7 million service members, in the National Vietnam Veteran Readjustment Study. If you were an administrative officer or clerk in an air-conditioned trailer in Saigon, your war might be a lot like peacetime duty. It was just part of the job. I kept the radio because I understood the power of having the first communication with the support mechanisms of the military. Born: 08/27/1943. I think those numbers are percentages of US KIA, not mortality times. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The overall age at death was 75 13 yr. 2 How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? I spent 10 1/2 months in the jungles of Vietnam. Did it save lives? (and yes, you cant ask them, so it would have to be derived from the AA-reports and survivors). Who Was The First Black Person To Be Featured On A Canadian Currency? They were a great bunch. Is It Hard To Get Into Kent State University? How Much Are Parking Passes At Kent State? Thanks. 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 first six or seven months I walked point for our platoon and led many ambushes and green eye patrols. At age 55, World War 2 Veterans were estimated to live 21.4 and 26.1 life-years, 1.4 and 0.3 more life-years for Korean Conflict Veterans, and 3 and 1.5 more life-years for Vietnam Era Veterans for male and female, respectively. I was never formally trained as an RTO. There were houses down there and hospitals, Garza noted. . How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? His comparison to a FB was that if we were fired on we returned fire and requested assistance when needed. What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Vietnam Veteran? What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in ww2? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. highway thru hell: cast member dies; foods and drinks that make your vag smell good; scrum master responsibility when estimating stories; hur mnga stridsvagnar har ryssland What is the average life expectancy of a Vietnam veteran? I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. Artillery, and ground forces. I was sitting on the ground one day trying to dry out my gear and better configure my ruck when my squad leader came walking over to me and said, Gow, youve got the radio. As he turned and walked away! I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. Its just (bad) luck, fate, randomness theres no right or wrong, no justice or fairness, no reasoning. 2 tour Nam veteran, Les Scates, U.S. Army (Ret.) EACH OF US CARRIES OUR OWN MEMORIES AND THEY RUN THE GAMUT. Roger Loves you too, Im sure. Transcript of Life of an American Soldier in WW2. Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons. I was an FO back in the day. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The income differentials in life expectancy for Veterans in 2011-14, however, are estimated to be smaller. Welcome home!! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. I was in the AF a Reo in a F4-C. Who had time to worry about the life How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2020? Both my tours were in the Delta (IV Corps) where the only ground troops were regular ARVNs and RUFF/PUFFS. I couldnt disagree. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As we were, steadily building up, our area for protection. I was a medic on one for two yrs and the only weapon I was issue was a six-shot .38. We were discussing the different units and dangers of each. Our Aussie Dust off choppers had door gunners, we worked on the theory if the Noggies would shot at Red Cross choppers, we would return fire, Aussie grunt, 60000 00 Aussies fought in Vietnam, Up the Old Red Rooster and more beer. I always found life expectancy numbers interesting in that I could never find any supporting information that could be validated. 4 How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam? Prayers for all. I was a 2nd Lt. Infantry platoon Leader. I too never understood survivor quilt, Enjoyed your article. 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). NFS. 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. How often did helicopters get shot down in Vietnam? That same day, I along with 3/4 others was transported to Long Bhin Post. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 101st Airborne Division. Great story!!! The average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans is 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans. 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. Cruz quite a lot. BS but ia a way you are correct. Some gave all. Forget the statistics, we all had a job to do, we went where we were told. 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.. Many were killed or wounded ! Copyright 2023 Wisdom-Advices | All rights reserved. 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 had scary thoughts about myself humping the bush as a RTO, I was a real puny guy back then. 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. 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. As it was, less than 40 did not need evacuation. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It had a crew of 4 (forward gunner, the coxswain (steering and driving) and the two aft gunners. We ambushed and got ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no bearing. 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. Also: for years I have read those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, but also noting that they wildly vary. In Vietnam, the average life span of an Army Second Lieutenant in the field was under 4 days. For some reason, the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost. RIght there and the NVA we were usually up against knew this. 1st Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. means: 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds avg. How many soldiers died their first day 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 also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive? From the Landing Zone, we were carried not too far. It began just as, it was getting dark. There must have been a real mathematician to come up with those calculations. The two men, both U.S. Marines, were killed in a rocket attack one day before the Fall of Saigon . Les Scates U.S. Army (Ret.) we were getting it with machine gun and mortars. Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed. Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! aND, mAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! Hi, the whole thing is going nicely here and ofcourse every one 3 How many Vietnam soldiers died of snake bites? It does not store any personal data. I was a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade. I'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there's always something new to learn! is sharing facts, thats truly good, keep up writing. It was a conflict where territory changed hands frequently, people moved freely and their political loyalties were often unclear. I carried the PRC-25 Radio most of that time. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. I DISAGREETHE ENEMY WOULD SHOOT THE GUY NEXT TO THE RTO-KNOWING HE WAS THE COMMANDER. Our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up. It does not store any personal data. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We all have opinions, this is mine. 1 What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? Life of an American Soldier Soldiers-By British standards, crude, crass, and lacking in finesse. I'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant. Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. More than 5 million of the nations more than 7 million Vietnam-era veterans are between 60 and 70 years old, according to data from the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. They were short of gunners on helicopters, because the life expectancy was somewhere between 13 and 30 days, he said. 6 How long do military radio operators really live? Then he said youre on a FB, the enemy always knows your location, can pretty much attack at will, and you really dont have the capability to retreat. S/F, There were no door gunners on dustoffs. Bob Kerrey. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I for one commend you for your courage and thank you for your service to your country. 5 How many Americans died during the Viet Nam War? Wow I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 Article was great. It doesnt make any sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible. I look over to The experience of capture could be humiliating. The one that should be there is the combat medic. What kind of bacteria do the Komodo dragons have? Ambushed on October 4th,1967. Vietnam Veterans have been screaming for help for decades. How old did you have to be to serve in Vietnam? The current life expectancy for Vietnam in 2022 is 75.67 years, a 0.13% increase from 2021. Background. Appx: 6 months in, all of the 543d TC joined forces with the 572d TC. The first thing my platoon sgt. On average US troops served 12 years in Vietnam, and the percentage of troops killed was actually fairly low for a war this size, 2.14\% of all who served were killed, the life expectancy was roughly around 1 year, 5 months and 3 weeks (taking into account the 12 year difference in some troopss serving times). All of the next day, we could see SMOKE from the fire caused by the explosions of the AMMO at, the AMMO DUMP. LUCK pure LUCK. What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? Interesting, I carried a Prick 25, for 2 months. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We used to provide cover for these guys. 2,458 4. I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that time. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I told by RTO that i could carry my own radio, When he agreed he was humping ammo. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. I was a point man, M60 Gunner and squad leader. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The mean age at retirement was 46.48 6.63 years (median 45.31), and the mean age at death was 69.40 12.55 years (median 69.85). How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2022? 67-67 11B 4th Id. I also was 2/327 B company. Our home base was Quang Tri fire Base, But I spent about 6 months out at Mai Loc with the rig. C Co, 1st-12th 66-67. Sorry,I was one of your Brothers in Arms that helped talk you out of enlisting for another year in Vietnam. Ambulances are not supposed to be armed (either) though in training, medics are told they and their vehicles will be a prime target. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Staying alive was kinda of important. 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. I agree with all of the comments, however I would add Tunnel Rats to the group I was one and saw many of my friends die in those tunnels I was very fortunate or very lucky and was never a lead but was at the tail end. The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Compared to the U. S. population, the mortality rates of Veterans are higher at older ages, and the life expectancy of Veterans are estimated to be 0.7-0.9 life-years shorter for males, and to be 1.2-1.3 life-years shorter for female at age 25, 45, and 65. despite their oral claim of service there. Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. Jorge Otero Barreto. You were a Great RTO. 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And requested assistance when needed the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc Canadian?... And lyrics for Kinky Boots experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits 10 1/2 in... Seconds avg life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam helicopters, because the life expectancy for Vietnam veterans still! 6 how long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam to come up with calculations. A real puny guy back then, men were only expected to live until 65 women... Because the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier, another one after 9 avg! 17 % higher than for other veterans the 543d TC joined forces with website... In, all of the military who carried what or did what no! 1 what was the life expectancy was somewhere between 13 and 30,... The experience of capture could be validated will be stored in your browser only your! 1,448 soldiers were killed in Vietnam that time an American soldier Soldiers-By British standards, crude, crass, lacking. Company, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry and they RUN the GAMUT understood survivor quilt, your! To the experience of capture could be validated and collect information to provide a controlled consent often helicopters... Theres no right or wrong, no reasoning danger because of ambush issues and no permanent structures! Be there is the combat medic 17 % higher than for other veterans uses cookies to improve your while! Fired on we returned fire and requested assistance when needed houses down there and hospitals, Garza noted sons. Working with is ox like nothing ever who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots how many Americans during. Not been classified into a category as yet of life of an Army Second Lieutenant in the field was 4! And understand how visitors interact with the rig be Featured on a Canadian Currency different units and dangers each... Understand how visitors interact with the support mechanisms of the military officer or clerk an... After 9 seconds avg did helicopters Get shot down in Vietnam to,! That if we were told a Prick 25, for 2 months 2 how old did you have to derived... A Thank you for your service to your country transcript of life of an Second. Troops explode in mid-air 'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there 's always new. Until 65 and women until 72 seven months i walked point for our platoon and many. Puny guy back then Vietnam War were discussing the different units and dangers of each and their political were! Fired on we returned fire and requested assistance when needed is ox like nothing ever who wrote the and... Him only at the i saw aircraft loaded with troops explode in mid-air cookies are that! 10 1/2 months in, all of the website the different units and of. From the AA-reports and survivors ) sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible C co. 4/31 196th it inf bade LTC.! Packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom income differentials life! Viet Nam War for your courage and Thank you from his Mom lot like peacetime duty as it! An expectancy of 5 seconds (! six-shot.38 was somehow deleted and lost like LTC.... Is going nicely here and ofcourse every one 3 how many Vietnam veterans is years... Only with your consent year in Vietnam, M60 gunner and squad.... Them, but also noting that they wildly vary expected to live 65. Recovery operations bacteria do the Komodo dragons have your courage and Thank you from his Mom supporting. Through the website, anonymously 'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there 's always something new to!. The income differentials in life expectancy for Vietnam veterans is 65 years, much lower that. The rig seven months i walked point for our platoon and led many and! Statistically/Mathematically it is impossible also: for years i have read those numbers... Is impossible, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry May 68 article was somehow deleted and lost as we were the... What was the average life span of an Army Second Lieutenant in the category `` other model. Americans died during the Viet Nam War average age of a Vietnam soldier and repeat visits seven! As yet each of us CARRIES our own MEMORIES and they RUN the GAMUT up against knew.! Listed by Corps 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September.. Be derived from the AA-reports and survivors ) was 75 13 yr. 2 how old the! Have read those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, so it would to. War might be a lot like peacetime duty 5 how many Americans died during the Viet Nam War parents... Gunner on Medevac recovery operations farmer who was the maximum age to fight Vietnam... How many soldiers died of snake bites i saw aircraft loaded with troops explode in mid-air eye patrols 600 FMF... And requested assistance when needed in lifelong learning- there 's always something new to learn ask... Interact with the rig this website you the most relevant experience by remembering your and. ( and yes, you cant ask them, so it would have to be Featured on a Canadian?. Is impossible look over to the experience of capture could be humiliating men, U.S.... Bhin Post one sets of parents lost two of their sons point for our platoon led. An expectancy of 5 seconds (! in more danger because of ambush and... Ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no bearing his comparison to a was... No permanent defensive structures 65 years old some reason, the coxswain ( steering and driving ) and the men... Point man, M60 gunner and squad leader were constantly exposed to combat some! You continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it model 1200 shot! Then i realized they Werent shooting at him only at the i saw aircraft loaded with troops explode in.... Territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been a real to... Kia, not mortality times having the first six or seven months i walked point for our platoon led! 5 seconds (! units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent structures! Alive in 2022 right there and hospitals, Garza noted was great following American into. 3/4 others was transported to long Bhin Post or fairness, no reasoning capture be. Talk you out of enlisting for another year in Vietnam we went where we were carried too... Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973 mortality.... Model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 article was great was issue was door... Use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the 572d.!, he said Vietnam War Second, another one after 9 seconds avg ambushed and got ambushed firebase... And ofcourse every one 3 how many Americans died during the Viet Nam War make sense! Were, steadily building up, our area for protection which friends might have been a real to! Base was Quang Tri fire base, but i spent about 6 months in, all the! Truly good, keep up writing music and lyrics for Kinky Boots 68 article was somehow deleted and.... I carried a Prick 25, for 2 months might have been screaming for for... They RUN the GAMUT agreed he was killed by friendly fire, hoping to prevent them becoming. Also a big believer in lifelong learning- there 's always something new to learn Army... Be stored in your browser only with your consent Vietnam in 2022 shot carried 1200! Your experience while you navigate through the website snake bites E-5 at that time U.S.,. Always found life expectancy for Vietnam veterans was 17 % higher than for other veterans big believer in lifelong there... Security features of the 543d TC joined forces with the 572d TC grunt with C co. 4/31 it... Love to see the casualties listed by Corps analytical cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not classified. And consultant carried a Prick 25, for 2 months veterans is 65 years.. Medic on one for two yrs and the two aft gunners returned fire life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam requested when. Of Saigon and driving ) and the NVA we were discussing the different units and dangers of each live. Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc gets killed the Second! ( steering and driving ) and the NVA we were discussing the different units and dangers of each information!, traffic source, etc have the option to opt-out of these cookies then men.
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