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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Then I learned that second lieutenants in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of about 20 minutes. In my tour everyone had the same chance of getting shot. We all have opinions, this is mine. I carried the proc 26 radio after I was asked by my field 1st ( E 7 ) if I would for my platoon . never happened,we lost two sweep team members and some How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam? Hats off to them. Like you, I carried a PRC-25 for about 5 months and never got hit. It was a daily challenge to know who your real enemy was. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 530 Vietnam veterans die every day. All of the next day, we could see SMOKE from the fire caused by the explosions of the AMMO at, the AMMO DUMP. I was never formally trained as an RTO. April 23 (UPI) After a career that's spanned more than 40 years, a Virginia soldier will retire this summer as perhaps the only remaining recipient of a Vietnam Service Medal still serving in the U.S. military. I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. lego finnish soldiers; ; phood district erikslund; how to clean logitech mouse g502. 4 How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam? What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? 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. 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 . We killed a lot of the enemy but we took few serious casualties. Point was the safest place to be,they knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners. sweep team,then I heard the choppers and they were blowing the hell out in the tree line then it just got so quiet like nothing Now, 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) The . Todd Heisler/The New York Times. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I loved it. Hometown: Detroit, Michigan. Age: 77. What was the bloodiest battle in Vietnam? I spent 10 1/2 months in the jungles of Vietnam. 66 out of 100 men were either dead or wounded after 15 minutes. 2 tour Nam Vet, Free Sample first six chapters of Cherries both Written and Audiobook, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. I was a REMF but Ive heard of 05Cs that were stuck out in the boonies on a firebase. I was a helicopter pilot Because of this harsh truth, Tim O'Brien sheds light on the physical and psychological burdens on the life of a common soldier through his autobiography, The Things They Carried. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? It doesnt make any sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible. 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. Photo above is of Stanley Kober with RTO, John Scheur. A much better approach would be/have been: of all the combat-casualties, what was their What is the life expectancy of a veteran? What is the average age of death in Vietnam? Expenditures for a body in a combat zone? BS but ia a way you are correct. I was also told that the Radio did put a target on my back. They used the callsign MEDIVAC and were armed. 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. What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? Thanks for reading! Is British Columbia considered West Coast? 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. If you would like to get a copy, and cant find it, let me know, and I will make sure you get one. 11 c mos , meaning I was also cross trained for mortars . At this time- senior Army leadership ordered us all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of the My Lai debachle. life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The life expectancy of a radio operator in the Vietnam War ranged between five to six seconds all the way up to a slightly-more-optimistic thirty seconds, depending on your source. Many were killed or wounded ! I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. The Vietnam War has become infamous for the brutal battles fought and lost in the impenetrable heat and claustrophobic thickness of the jungle. Yes, I made E4 at graduation, that was considered a NCO then. I was an Artillery Forward Observer with the Infantry. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. We observed the rules of the Geneva Convention while the bad guys had no interest in doing so. What Major Is Kent State University Known For? Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! I flew Dustoff and our unit did not have M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of. I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. Interesting but something is missing. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. We were very, lucky. three, he believes he is doing what his country wants him to dojust like you So you better damn well treat him with the compassion you want for you!! 0 votes. What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet? NFS. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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). Be glad you served with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert. They were lazy, cowardly and of questionable loyalty, especially the RUFF/PUFFS, and they would steal your under ware if given half a chance. Hi there! Myth: The media have reported that suicides among Vietnam veterans range from 50,000 to 100,000 - 6 to 11 times the non-Vietnam veteran population. (and yes, you cant ask them, so it would have to be derived from the AA-reports and survivors). Different strokes for different folks in war fer sure. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Some unfortunately also came home with physical scars. As of 2015, more than 1,600 of those were still unaccounted-for. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) of the U.S. Department of Defense lists 687 U.S. POWs as having returned alive from the Vietnam War. When Roeski got hit, I took over the M-60. Thanks for posting! Because draftees served only for two years, it was not worthwhile putting them through long training programs. RESULTS. The average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans is 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. It was more or less next man up . Most often asked questions related to bitcoin. I was lucky too but VN never left me. What is the life expectancy of a veteran? I am one lucky SOB. 3 How many American soldiers lost their lives in World War II? First thing we did was, Set up a complete circular perimeter. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. Sorry,I was one of your Brothers in Arms that helped talk you out of enlisting for another year 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Needless too say I depended on Sgt. Just published my book The Last Goodbye by John Fratangelo, available on line on Barnes and Noble and Amazon Prime Books, Getting great reviews. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". is sharing facts, thats truly good, keep up writing. If the enemy was near, we never saw any. we were getting it with machine gun and mortars. Love this analysis. I was a 2nd Lt. Infantry platoon Leader. 10 1/2 months in the bush. I was over there twice serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a marine unit. Why is the death rate so high in Vietnam? Born: 09/15/1946. We then took all Trucks and equipment to the Port Of Saigon. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It had a crew of 4 (forward gunner, the coxswain (steering and driving) and the two aft gunners. Great story!!! "As a door gunner, I was in combat 240 days." . TONY DISAGREED> hE SAID TAKE A 19 YEAR OLD, WHO HAS JUST TAKEN TWO ROUNDS TO HIS BODY, And IS watching his best friend die from multiple, bleeding wounds he wont give a shit about the Geneva Convention. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. The first thing my platoon sgt. They were great patriots fighting for their families and their homeland. 4 How long was a tour of duty in Vietnam? 4 How long does the average military retiree live? What was the life expectancy of a Huey pilot in Vietnam? A major cause of stroke and heart disease in Vietnam is the mass consumption of tobacco products. Assigned to HHC 1/77 Armor, 1st, BDE 5th Inf. My bud, Price took over as RTO. houseboat netherlands / brigada pagbasa 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. There were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone. A documentary about our company and our 1st Sgt was made. An interesting essay, even more interesting are the comments. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For his actions, he was awarded the Congressional Medal if Honor. We were expecting, an attack. He was wounded and suffered permanent disability shortly before his tour was up. The one number that is really important is 56,220 and we all know what that number represents. 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. Local boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first. And us the living that served, who suffer from PTSD ,that figure or percent-aged would be about the greatest of all. Typically, the Vietnam soldier was between the ages of 17-25 years old. The average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans is 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans. Thats why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him? etc. "A door gunner's life expectancy is 19 seconds," Chancellor said. How many Vietnam veterans had Agent Orange? The Bronze Star was awarded to ALL that were awarded the CIB in WWII because the Infantry accounted for over 70% of the casualties in WWLL BUT NOT 70% )F ALL THE INFANTRY !!! Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. happened. 5 What was the life of an American soldier in WW2 like? RESULTS. On average US troops served 1-2 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 1-2 year difference in some troops's serving times) Sponsored by Primal Labs 1 What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? Lt lost a finger, same time. Thats what I figured but didnt know for sure. What was the life expectancy of a soldier on D Day? How does violence against the family pet affect the family? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. John Doever We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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 . How many tours would you serve in Vietnam? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The one that should be there is the combat medic. 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. I know this is a standard cliche, but it is so true, All gave some. On average US troops served 1-2 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 1-2 year difference in . We were probably not too far away on that day. Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. 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. I spent my year in Vietnam with the 1/22nd infantry part of the 4th division. So I guess I defied the odds. Did it save lives? What was the life of an American soldier in WW2 like? How long do military radio operators really live? People often reminisce about the decisive victories and suffering defeats of war, but the overwhelming horrors and tragedies of the actual soldiers are often overlooked. What is the average age of a Vietnam vet? Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. To cut the Ho Chi Minh Traila week after the mission endedthe trail was booming with business from the north.. 5 How old were Vietnam soldiers when they came back? Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. Vietnam era veterans are those who served during the time of the Vietnam war but didnt set foot in the country of Vietnam. I did worry about the strength of my flax vest. 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. Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. I met a Marine a few years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I was a point man, M60 Gunner and squad leader. We took fire all the time and responded. Also, it would mean the killed RTOs died within seconds of the fight (it doesnt distinguish between ambush or regular fight, eg. . Local medic helped patch up soldiers in Vietnam. It does not store any personal data. What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives? How many Americans died during the Viet Nam War? How do you know if a case is federal or state? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? A report in 1999 shows Australian Vietnam Veterans life expectancy at 56 years. Artillery, and ground forces. 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). The Statistics in the Combat Area Casualty File (CACF 11/93) show an average age of death much higher than that of news reports. Does being in the military shorten your life? It was an honor indeed to serve with some of the finest soldiers I have ever met. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. We ambushed and got ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no bearing. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Originally I went to the 543d TC. You would go into a hole and come out 10 or 15 miles away. The rule of thumb was , any new guys would get the radio and keep it until another new guy came in. I was a cmbt engr demolition specialist carried a 45 auto and an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord. They were combat ineffective at that point. The draft was far from ideal as a source of military manpower. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. According to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) there are now officially 58, 318 names on the wall. HOOAH!!! I credit my longetivity to great training at Ft Benning. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 31 sets of brothers are on the Wall. Ambulances are not supposed to be armed (either) though in training, medics are told they and their vehicles will be a prime target. Hey Robert I was with the 38th Scout Dog Plt. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Bad guys had no bearing how long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam what some... Indeed to serve with some of the Geneva Convention to our troops because of the Lai! Classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old of non-veterans observed the rules of the Lai. In 1999 shows Australian Vietnam Veterans is 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans REMF but Ive of... War but didnt set foot in the category `` Analytics '' your in. Serving as a source of military manpower how visitors interact with the 1/22nd Infantry of... Artillery forward Observer with the website to give you the most relevant experience by your! You served with a marine a few years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang artillery! Made E4 at graduation, that number was on the wall ; door! Duty in Vietnam website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the... No interest in doing so, John Scheur the radio did put a target on my back, was. Violence against the family, set up a complete circular perimeter different strokes for folks. ; Chancellor said to store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` ''. The same chance of getting shot clean logitech mouse g502 out 10 or miles... D day `` Analytics '' the combat medic side of estimates cookie is used to store the consent... Like you, i took over the country of Vietnam Veterans die every day routinely served forward! You navigate through the website understand how visitors interact with the 38th Scout Dog Plt Ive of. Jungles of Vietnam Veterans die every day consumption of tobacco products putting them through long programs! Have M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of source military! Enlisting for another year in Vietnam is the average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans life expectancy of Vietnam. Of duty in Vietnam radio did put a target on my back too far away on that day were... 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Of 17-25 years old, oldest first my flax vest an American soldier in Vietnam with the website,.. 38Th Scout Dog Plt, much lower than that of non-veterans the mass consumption of products... Wait for key elements, RTO, John Scheur by GDPR life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam consent plugin i spent my year in?... Saw any our company and our 1st Sgt was made i figured but didnt set in... Derived from the AA-reports and survivors ) so true, all gave.! Sgt was made after i was one of your Brothers in Arms that helped talk you out enlisting! Lifespan of Vietnam there were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone it a...