Vietnam Statistics

[Sully]

Very interesting:

Did you serve in Vietnam?? This provides some interesting statistics

and info on the War..

SOBERING STATISTICS FOR THE VIETNAM WAR

In case you haven't been paying attention these past few decades after you returned from Vietnam, the clock has been ticking. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE.

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old."

So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam? I don't know about you guys, but it kind of gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of information I'm used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets...

So the last 14 years, we are dying too fast, only the few will survive by 2025...if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So in 2,190 days...from today, lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive... in only 6-10 years.

These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer - 1st Recon April 12, 1997.

STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS:

9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975).

8,744,000 GI's were on active duty during the War (August 5, 1964 - March 28, 1973).

2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam, this number represents 9.7% of their generation.

3,403,100 (including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the broader Southeast Asia Theater (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, flight crews based in Thailand, and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters).

2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (January 1, 1965 - March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.

Of the 2.6 million, between 1 - 1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support, or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.

7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam

.

Peak troop strength in Vietnam: 543,482 (April 30, 1968).

Agent Orange is taking a huge toll on Vietnam Veterans with most deaths somehow related to Agent Orange exposure. No one officially dies of Agent Orange, they die from the exposure which causes ischemic Heart Disease and failure, Lung Cancer, Kidney failure, or COPD related disorders.

CASUALTIES:

The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.

Hostile deaths: 47,378

Non-hostile deaths: 10,800

Total: 58,202 (includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.

8 nurses died -- 1 was KIA.

61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.

11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.

Of those killed, 17,539 were married.

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.

The oldest man killed was 62 years old.

Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1% (national average 58.9% for every 100,000 males in 1970).

Wounded: 303,704 -- 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care.

Severely disabled: 75,000, -- 23,214: 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,081 sustained multiple amputations.

Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than Korea.

Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII.

Missing in Action: 2,338.

POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity).

As of January 15, 2014, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

DRAFTEES VS. VOLUNTEERS:

25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII.)

Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.

Reservists killed: 5,977.

National Guard: 6,140 served: 101 died.

Total draftees (1965 - 73): 1,728,344.

Actually served in Vietnam: 38% Marine Corps Draft: 42,633.

Last man drafted: June 30, 1973.

RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND:

88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian; 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1% belonged to other races.

86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics);

12.5% (7,241) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.

170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.

70% of enlisted men killed were of Northwest European descent.

86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were Caucasian; 12.1% (5,711) were black; 1.1% belonged to other races.

14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.

34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.

Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.

Religion of Dead: Protestant – 64.4%; Catholic – 28.9%; other/none – 6.7%.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:

Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.

Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18%.

76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working class backgrounds.

Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.

Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional, managerial, or technical occupations.

79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service.

63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation.

Deaths by region per 100,000 of population: South – 31%, West – 29.9%; Midwest – 28.4%; Northeast – 23.5%.

DRUG USAGE & CRIME:

There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group. (Source: Veterans Administration Study.)

Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison – only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.

85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.

WINNING & LOSING:

82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the War was lost because of lack of political will.

Nearly 75% of the public agrees it was a failure of political will, not of arms.

HONORABLE SERVICE:

97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged.

91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country.

74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.

87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem.

[rhino 2]

Very interesting:

Did you serve in Vietnam?? This provides some interesting statistics

and info on the War..

SOBERING STATISTICS FOR THE VIETNAM WAR

In case you haven't been paying attention these past few decades after you returned from Vietnam, the clock has been ticking. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE.

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old."

So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam? I don't know about you guys, but it kind of gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of information I'm used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets...

So the last 14 years, we are dying too fast, only the few will survive by 2025...if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So in 2,190 days...from today, lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive... in only 6-10 years.

These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer - 1st Recon April 12, 1997.

STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS:

9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975).

8,744,000 GI's were on active duty during the War (August 5, 1964 - March 28, 1973).

2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam, this number represents 9.7% of their generation.

3,403,100 (including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the broader Southeast Asia Theater (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, flight crews based in Thailand, and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters).

2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (January 1, 1965 - March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.

Of the 2.6 million, between 1 - 1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support, or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.

7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam

.

Peak troop strength in Vietnam: 543,482 (April 30, 1968).

Agent Orange is taking a huge toll on Vietnam Veterans with most deaths somehow related to Agent Orange exposure. No one officially dies of Agent Orange, they die from the exposure which causes ischemic Heart Disease and failure, Lung Cancer, Kidney failure, or COPD related disorders.

CASUALTIES:

The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.

Hostile deaths: 47,378

Non-hostile deaths: 10,800

Total: 58,202 (includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.

8 nurses died -- 1 was KIA.

61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.

11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.

Of those killed, 17,539 were married.

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.

The oldest man killed was 62 years old.

Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1% (national average 58.9% for every 100,000 males in 1970).

Wounded: 303,704 -- 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care.

Severely disabled: 75,000, -- 23,214: 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,081 sustained multiple amputations.

Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than Korea.

Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII.

Missing in Action: 2,338.

POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity).

As of January 15, 2014, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

DRAFTEES VS. VOLUNTEERS:

25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII.)

Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.

Reservists killed: 5,977.

National Guard: 6,140 served: 101 died.

Total draftees (1965 - 73): 1,728,344.

Actually served in Vietnam: 38% Marine Corps Draft: 42,633.

Last man drafted: June 30, 1973.

RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND:

88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian; 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1% belonged to other races.

86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics);

12.5% (7,241) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.

170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.

70% of enlisted men killed were of Northwest European descent.

86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were Caucasian; 12.1% (5,711) were black; 1.1% belonged to other races.

14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.

34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.

Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.

Religion of Dead: Protestant – 64.4%; Catholic – 28.9%; other/none – 6.7%.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:

Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.

Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18%.

76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working class backgrounds.

Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.

Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional, managerial, or technical occupations.

79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service.

63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation.

Deaths by region per 100,000 of population: South – 31%, West – 29.9%; Midwest – 28.4%; Northeast – 23.5%.

DRUG USAGE & CRIME:

There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group. (Source: Veterans Administration Study.)

Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison – only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.

85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.

WINNING & LOSING:

82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the War was lost because of lack of political will.

Nearly 75% of the public agrees it was a failure of political will, not of arms.

HONORABLE SERVICE:

97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged.

91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country.

74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.

87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem.

And still no one can tell us, Just that the Hell were we doing over there....

[Nam 66]

[ray3187]

I read the book "Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff" by H.R. McMaster. This book explains the process of how we got into the war. You will discover that there was no reason for us to be involved.

[rhino 2]

I read the book "Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff" by H.R. McMaster. This book explains the process of how we got into the war. You will discover that there was no reason for us to be involved.

I didn't read the book......But it all started with Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles [The Domino Theory].....Ike sent advisers , They started to get picked off, Kennedy sent his Green Berets to protect them, Then they started to get picked off.....So the 3 stooges Johnson' MacMera 'Westmoreland..Sent in all hands.....

The Vietnamese AKA Viet Minh fought the Japanese with help from the USA....And then the French.....And a little know foot-note.....After we left they beat the Chinese who invaded their northern border....

Oh.....They also cleaned up the mess we left in cambodia...

[RDinGA]

My own little brother, an anti-war protestor at the time refused to even talk to me for almost 20 years. Thankfully, we are on speaking terms now.

Having spent 3 tours in country between '67 and '71, I can state without a doubt that my most beloved keepsake is the ribbon rack, that I was wearing upon my return from my second tour. In the Oakland airport, I was assaulted with a tomato. Amazingly, a tomato seed became lodged EXACTLY in the middle of my Silver Star ribbon. Almost like it was an official attachment! I have THAT ribbon rack in a display case today, as a reminder of that day.

On my third tour, I added 2 more Purple Hearts and an Air Force Cross to that rack. I was medically retired in '72, after an extended recovery period from a back injury suffered on my last rescue effort.

One statistic you left out, or maybe I missed it, was the astronomical suicide and homeless rate that Vietnam vets faced in the years following their return to the real world.

I remember vividly, each and every one of those lives I was unable to save. Those failures will haunt me forever. I seek out those 15 names every time I go to the Wall, to apologize for my inadequacies.

So whenever I see a Vietnam vet, I offer a sincere 'Welcome Home' and a handshake. I even have a few non-vets in our HOG chapter doing the same thing!

I firmly believe that the respect for the military, and the celebrations upon deployment return, are in part the aftermath of the way Vietnam vets were treated decades ago.

I know, I'm rambling. So please accept my humblest heartfelt apologies!



Rich

USAF PJ, Det. 6, 38th ARRS, Bien Hoa, RVN, '67-'68, '68-'69 and '70-'71

[2006gold]

I didn't read the book......But it all started with Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles [The Domino Theory].....Ike sent advisers , They started to get picked off, Kennedy sent his Green Berets to protect them, Then they started to get picked off.....So the 3 stooges Johnson' MacMera 'Westmoreland..Sent in all hands.....

The Vietnamese AKA Viet Minh fought the Japanese with help from the USA....And then the French.....And a little know foot-note.....After we left they beat the Chinese who invaded their northern border....

Oh.....They also cleaned up the mess we left in cambodia...

Possibly earlier than that. Burns, in his Vietnam documentary, states that Ho Chi Mein wrote a letter to Truman asking for aid which was never delivered by the CIA. This was at the height of the Red Scare and McCarthy. My opinion is the whole damn mess could have been avoided.

[rhino 2]

Possibly earlier than that. Burns, in his Vietnam documentary, states that Ho Chi Mein wrote a letter to Truman asking for aid which was never delivered by the CIA. This was at the height of the Red Scare and McCarthy. My opinion is the whole damn mess could have been avoided.

Very complicated Issue.....The French ask for aid from the US 1954 at Dien Bien Phu..[Air support].....And was turned down mostly by a powerful Senator from Texas .... Johnson... ....Like i said........Very Complicated.........

[paws]

Being a young female teen I could never understand WHY we were over there. I still don’t - unless ultimately it was to cut down on the American population by killing off our available young men. No.. I didn’t get and still don’t get.. the bigger political picture. I HATE POLITICS!!!

And the mess went on, and on, and ON.....

Then I could not understand the American public for hating the boys returning....

1) many HAD to go - no choice - the Draft.

2) they HAD to follow orders - whatever they were - and did so whether they liked it or not.

3) how can you blame an individual PERSONALLY for something he did not personally orchestrate but was ORDERED to do?

As I look back I believe this was the beginning roots of the liberal media tainting the truth to the American public. They could have just as easily cheered the returnees but no, they chose to sensationalize negative events and broadcast propaganda that denigrated our military.

At that time the American public was ripe for the picking as they had not been hardened by the repetitive, negative blasting by the media. That was a more innocent time when people watched the news to see generally what was going on - not realizing they were being fed a bunch of garbage. Unfortunately today the media is still at it - a hundred-million times worse - and we have a whole couple of generations now that swallow it hook, line, and sinker.

Vietnam was one of the blackest, black-eyes America has ever given herself.

[rhino 2]

If you really want to get confused.......It was the British that started the whole mess 1945/46.....They fought with French, and joined forces with the Japanese after they surrendered to the British, ......It was Called ; Operation Masterdom...

The Brits were good at dividing country's up after a war...And Screwing them up...

AKA; The Middle East.....

[RDinGA]

Vietnam was one of the blackest, black-eyes America has ever given herself.

Let us not forget the veterans from what is often called the 'forgotten war" in Korea. The Korea Veterans Memorial is an eerie place for me, since it could very well have been part of the VVM Wall complex!

https://www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm