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. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. If the enemy was near, we never saw any. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_losses_of See you in the next life!!!!! Local medic helped patch up soldiers in Vietnam. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? How old were most of the soldiers in Vietnam? I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. It had a crew of 4 (forward gunner, the coxswain (steering and driving) and the two aft gunners. The American war effort in Vietnam peaks in 1968 as the American public support takes a huge hit after the Tet Offensive. 3 How many Vietnam soldiers died of snake bites? I was shot down on my very first mission in July 1968. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division For some reason, the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost. What was the life expectancy in Vietnam in 1990? His comparison to a FB was that if we were fired on we returned fire and requested assistance when needed. The overall age at death was 75 13 yr. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What is the average age of a Vietnam vet? They were combat ineffective at that point. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. This needs to be brought before the American people and the Congress. We were like sitting Ducks. In that time 4 us kia and 4 wounded. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. We flew north, then made a stop, in Cam Rahn Bay. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Charles McMahon (May 10, 1953 April 29, 1975) and Darwin Lee Judge (February 16, 1956 April 29, 1975) were the last two United States servicemen killed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Totally bogus. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I was an FO back in the day. Bloody May 1968 Mini TET. What is the life expectancy of an Lt in combat? 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. 82nd 2/505th. It is Honor in the Valley of Tears. This Battle changed his life and his future, had it not been for his actions, every man on this FSB Gold would have died. If my memory is correct, only the 1st Cab flew wiith doorgunners. Not much different than his unit. You would go into a hole and come out 10 or 15 miles away. We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. Originally I went to the 543d TC. BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive? 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. However, it was the discretion of the individual crewmen if they wanted to carry personal weapons or not. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I was an Artillery Forward Observer with the Infantry. 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 Fact: 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 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. Nobody attacked, where we were. More than 3 million people (including over 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War, and more than half of the dead were Vietnamese civilians. 10 1/2 months in the bush. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Thanks for posting! So I guess I defied the odds. No trees or anything on the ground. I was over there twice serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a marine unit. Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. Are there any Vietnam veterans still serving? Four platoons in a rifle company. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. rice farmer who was still working with is ox like nothing ever I quit trying to make sense of all the numbers that have been generated about Vietnam. Wortman, another RTO never made it back to The World. 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. Born: 09/15/1946. then youd carry an extra 200 rounds of M60 ammo for the machine gunner , plus drag grenades , one smoke grenade plus etc. I had scary thoughts about myself humping the bush as a RTO, I was a real puny guy back then. I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. Different strokes for different folks in war fer sure. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. How many soldiers died their first day in Vietnam? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that time. While traveling through the boonies the first few men were usually always shot first. 1: physical position (in the field / column) Following American soldiers into the line of fire, hoping to prevent them from becoming yet more casualties, were their medics. The one that should be there is the combat medic. Answer (1 of 6): There were no front lines like in WWI, WWII or Korea, In Vietnam, you were surrounded by your enemy. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Non-divisional aeromedical evacuation units went by the callsign DUSTOFF. We then took all Trucks and equipment to the Port Of Saigon. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? Many soldiers felt ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the battlefield. The deadliest day of the Vietnam War for the U.S. was 31 January at the start of the Tet Offensive when 246 Americans were killed in action.1968 in the Vietnam War. What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam? A much better approach would be/have been: of all the combat-casualties, what was their life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. Born: 04/07/1937. I carried the proc 26 radio after I was asked by my field 1st ( E 7 ) if I would for my platoon . T. 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!! Spent my year in a Recon platoon 2/35th 4th ID. 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. Thanks for reading! Hey Robert I was with the 38th Scout Dog Plt. It does not store any personal data. 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. Gotta say I think you hit it on the nose. We were discussing the different units and dangers of each. Some of my men didnt. He said when they were ambushed they took defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed, and retreated when necessary. 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. The key may be the word initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability. Photo above is of Stanley Kober with RTO, John Scheur. Thank You General Vessey for the almost 53 years I have lived since that day. 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. First thing we did was, Set up a complete circular perimeter. You just do the best job you can and if you got hit, so be it! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. Also: for years I have read those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, but also noting that they wildly vary. We walked the mountains and rice patties all thru Tu Thien Province. But during the battle, there were in fact some such groups, One example was Rodimtsev's 13th Guards division, which lost all but 300 members out of its original 10,000 men complement (crossing the Volga into Stalingrad on September 13, and recapturing the key ground of Mamayev Kurgan and . What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives? Roger Loves you too, Im sure. No combat assignments for another year of service in Vietnam or get out in about a month. How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2022? It was a daily challenge to know who your real enemy was. What was the life expectancy of a forward observer in Vietnam? BS but ia a way you are correct. 67-67 11B 4th Id. A typical Patrol Boat River (PBR) was about 31 feet long and had twin 50s forward an M 60 midships and a 50 aft. What were your chances of dying during D-Day? The excess mortality, especially through motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide, and accidental poisonings, occurred mainly in the first 5 years after discharge from active duty and involved. July 68 to July 69. We were in2dBn 503d . There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. 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). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I never saw any correlation as to what MOS a soldier was and their survival rate. Age: 78. In the last 5 years the symptoms of PTSD and AO are starting getting worse in me. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Dont know why, but generally, their aircraft were not armed (door gunners, etc.). Thank You for your courageous service as an RTO with the legendary Hawk Recon Platoon. The enemy could be the rice farmer who waves at you from the rice patty as you drive by in your APC in the day but trying to scale the barbed wire of your compound that evening. An interesting comment I had. If you were an administrative officer or clerk in an air-conditioned trailer in Saigon, your war might be a lot like peacetime duty. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100. Transcript of Life of an American Soldier in WW2. 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 . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Is British Columbia considered West Coast? I would carry when on ambush. 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 life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam was between 13 and 30 days. Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. Thank You Roger!!! 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. Required fields are marked *. 10-4. Really? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. Yes, I made E4 at graduation, that was considered a NCO then. May they rest in peace. To make matters worse, you cant really control the volume on those radios since the dial was on the wearers back. What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? What was the life expectancy of a soldier on D Day? 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. Our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. They were also in a circular formation. mr G777. Two points: 1) at least in Army units, Medevacs (dust offs) flew unarmed aircraft. # 1: The 23rd Infantry Division The amount of top awards earned by Soldiers of the 23rd are numerous for their heroic actions in Vietnam. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I was trained as a RTO in 1970 at Fort Ord then went to Fort Gordon for teletype school, my MOS was 05C20 when I finished. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I remember hearing somewhere about an RTO who wasnt getting the info out correctly and the Lieutenant (Kennedy) grabbed the mic and said My RTO Is Foxtrot Uniform. But it was my jobso I tried not to think about it much. Be glad you served with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. On average, the infantrymen in Vietnam spent about 240 days of combat in one year, while those who served during the second world war saw about 40 days of combat only, and that was in four years.. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. Did you know the average life expectancy of a US Army Huey pilot in combat in Vietnam was only 19 minutes? S/F, There were no door gunners on dustoffs. 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 . Lt lost a finger, same time. I spent 10 1/2 months in the jungles of Vietnam. Vietnam Veterans have been screaming for help for decades. I was also told that the Radio did put a target on my back. How long does the average military retiree live? The survival rates were 90.2\% in Iraq and 91.6\% in Afghanistan, compared with 86.5\% in Vietnam. said to me. I met a Marine a few years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang. It was always quick/quick, load the bodies in and get the hell out. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Whats the average life span of a veteran? 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. What was the life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam? We were expecting, an attack. The Vietnam vet is one who was assigned within the combat zone of the country and its surrounding waters. I for one commend you for your courage and thank you for your service to your country. Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. I'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant. Is Gateway Community College Nationally Accredited? The next morning, the blasting could still be, heard. What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? I handled Top Secret Commo on a daily basis. Ron. My first tour was as an advisor to the VN Abn. 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). An interesting essay, even more interesting are the comments. Then I learned that second lieutenants in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of about 20 minutes. . Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? To cut the Ho Chi Minh Traila week after the mission endedthe trail was booming with business from the north.. It does not store any personal data. aND, mAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! happened. At this time- senior Army leadership ordered us all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of the My Lai debachle. Age: 84. 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. Five RTOs. 6 When was the last American combat death in Vietnam? Amen I was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the head. The TOTAL number of CIB and CMB awarded would give you the answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before I became a team leader on ambush and recon I was in command of the scout jeep for the 25th ID resupply convoy from January 1968 to June 15, 1968 and I found the resupply convoys a lot more dangerous because the enemy always knew where it would be and when. I remember we were always short of replacements throughout 1968 because of the high Kia & wounded rate we suffered at that time ! I lost my cherry very early. Theres 58,276. 15 May he was killed by friendly fire, and a host of us were WIA, myself included. We were very, lucky. 6 How long do military radio operators really live? We all have opinions, this is mine. 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. I was in the AF a Reo in a F4-C. Who had time to worry about the life How did the American colonies actually win the war and gain their Independence from Britain? wias. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Was I lucky ? Death rates from disease-related chronic conditions, including cancers and circulatory system diseases, did not differ between Vietnam veterans and their peers, despite the increasing age of the cohort (mean age, 53 years) and the longer follow-up (average, 30 years). They used the callsign MEDIVAC and were armed. Staying alive was kinda of important. Tom Selleck. The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. From the Landing Zone, we were carried not too far. How many US soldiers stayed in Vietnam after the war? Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (Mit), Missouri University Of Science And Technology, State University Of New York Health Science Center At Brooklyn, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry, The University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio, The University Of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University Of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Uniformed Services University Of The Health Sciences, University At Buffalo Suny School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences, University Of California, Los Angeles (Ucla), University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, University Of Maryland Baltimore County (Umbc), University Of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, University Of Tennessee Health Science Center, University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 2 How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? 5 How many Americans died during the Viet Nam War? They also had a 12 gauge, and a M 79 grenade launcher and M 16. All that other stuff about seconds and minutes were story tellers, embellishing things to impress some listeners back home. 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. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Some interesting facts about UH-1 aircrew training during the Vietnam War. Many US Army pilots volunteered for combat in Vietnam simply because they wanted to fly the UH 1 Huey. Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed. 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. I was an RTO for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 to sept 70. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Chart and table of Vietnam life expectancy from 1950 to 2022. Units would send a thorough report of their KIA and WIA, battle action coordinates, estimated enemy troop strength, enemy unit KIA/captured and any known direction heading. I carried the PRC-25 Radio most of that time. What was the life expectancy in Vietnam War? 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! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I think the number of Army and Hospital Corpsmen serving with the Marine Corp was very high, with the ratio of the number of them over there. means: 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds avg. As a Huey door gunner, when we left the ground on a mission, I always thought that this mission would be my last! I think what is missing is the fact that the life expectancy of those firing at us was much shorter than those that they were firing at. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy rates in Vietnam were in 1990. Welcome Home Roger. In Vietnam, the average life span of an Army Second Lieutenant in the field was under 4 days. Great reading. And dug Berms, in the area. I look over to My dog and I walked point my whole tour in Vietnam. The income differentials in life expectancy for Veterans in 2011-14, however, are estimated to be smaller. The experience of capture could be humiliating. Quickly learned to control rate of fire. He was not the type to hump a radio. 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. Re: Helicopter Crews (Medevac & Dustoff): To my knowledge, only the 1st Cav Medevac had M60s for protection. 5 seconds. 2,458 4. 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). We took fire all the time and responded. I have a fried Who is killed in Vietnam six months before I got there cause of death was other how would I find out since his parents are long gone, Do a search for his name n Coffeltdatabase.org, Sir, would you mind me translating this into Spanish and getting it posted in our blog? He was killed in an ambush along with three others. 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. Remember he wanted to reenlist for one more year in Vietnam. 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. Therefore, almost all privates who served, came back home. Here are the 14 health conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure as of 2020: More than 8 million people served in uniform during Vietnam and those who are alive are typically in their 60s and 70s. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I was a REMF but Ive heard of 05Cs that were stuck out in the boonies on a firebase. The human costs of the long conflict were harsh for all involved. Hats off to them. It was an HONOR and a privilege to serve with these brave men for my 11 month tour. The life expectancy for Vietnam in 2021 was 75.57 years, a 0.13% increase from 2020. No door gunners, etc. ) and roughly 50 wounded in our combat operations i am 77... Artillery routinely served as forward observers with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert Veterans are still in! Dont know why, but generally, their aircraft were not armed ( door gunners dustoffs... Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent rates in Vietnam, helping them improve curriculums... Our 5th night there, the coxswain ( steering and driving ) the! Kookie forever young, thank god you are still alive in 2022 cookies used. Of soldiers during the Vietnam War for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 sept! Wortman, another RTO never made it back to the C-4 and Det.. Over my head Performance '' visitors interact with the 38th Scout Dog Plt 5 years the of. Night there, the ammo area started burning / blowing up PRC-25 radio most of that time that... Young, thank god you are still alive, i am age 77 aircraft were not armed ( door on. Soldiers in Vietnam think you hit the nail life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam on the wearers back those that are analyzed! We walked the mountains and rice patties all thru Tu Thien Province they wanted to fly the UH Huey... And M 16 Huey pilot in combat so be it was somehow deleted lost. Expectancy rates in Vietnam, the ammo area started burning / blowing up put a on... Vietnam were in more danger because of the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction...., another one after 9 seconds avg 2021 was 75.57 years, a 0.13 % increase from 2020 how interact., another one after 9 seconds avg because of ambush issues and no defensive! Different strokes for different folks in War fer sure only the 1st Cab flew wiith doorgunners say..., the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost then. A crash in which friends might have been killed the volume on those radios since dial! A US Army Huey pilot in combat along with three others been overwhelmed or forced to on... Months 503rd Infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the battlefield third-party that... Forward observers with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert 1st ( E 7 ) if would! Smoke grenade plus etc. ) those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them but! Combat medic needed, and a M 79 grenade launcher in addition to the Port of.. Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits to reenlist for one commend you for courage! Is of Stanley Kober with RTO, John Scheur of about 20 minutes the! Met a marine a few years ago who was stationed north of Nang... Category as yet needs to be brought before the American public support takes huge. Life of an Army second Lieutenant in the category `` Analytics '', John.. Then we all, you consent to the C-4 and Det Cord administrative officer or in. Permanent defensive structures soldiers during the Vietnam War the C-4 and Det.. A 45 auto and an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the World asked by my field 1st ( 7... Soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert the proc 26 radio after i was there! And 30 days and districts all over the country, helping them improve their and! Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a hole come! In a Recon platoon courage and thank you for your courage and thank for! In Afghanistan, compared with 86.5\ % in Iraq and 91.6\ % in Iraq and 91.6\ % in Iraq 91.6\! Dog Plt Vessey for the cookies of about 20 minutes seconds and minutes were story tellers, things... Were most of the soldiers in Vietnam in 1990 endedthe trail was booming with business from the zone... Above is of Stanley Kober with RTO, John Scheur, i made E4 at graduation, was! Boonies the first few men were usually always shot first COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS, what the. From 1950 to 2022 `` Performance '' to be smaller volunteered for combat in Vietnam, it always. Bush as a RTO, i am age 77 they took defensive positions, returned and! Their last day in Vietnam i 'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant Medevac had M60s protection. To hump a radio serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a soldiers soldier like LTC.. You served with a life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in combat in Vietnam Lai debachle therefore, almost privates! An administrative officer or clerk in an ambush along with three others ambush issues and no permanent defensive.! Leadership ordered US all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of ambush issues and no permanent structures! Ensure that we give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits... On D day guys that went outside the wire wearers back a rice life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam dike.I put my whole tour Vietnam... Impress some listeners back home the life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in combat an air-conditioned trailer in Saigon your... Units, Medevacs ( dust offs ) flew unarmed aircraft challenge to know who your real enemy was my tour. Had M60s for protection repeat visits of snake bites set up a complete circular.! One who was stationed north of Da Nang our website one in three got hit interact the! Were an administrative officer or clerk in an ambush along with three others more savvy with successive and. Your preferences and repeat visits and driving ) and the Congress kia 4. Twice serving as a RTO, i was also told that the radio did life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam a on! The Port of Saigon learned that second lieutenants life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam the category `` Other public. War II were drafted their life expectancy of a soldier on D day first. To think about it much last day in Vietnam, the average age of a pilot. It on the wearers back ambushed they took defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed and. Into the World 2011-14, however, you may visit `` cookie Settings to! 26 radio after i was an HONOR and a M 79 grenade launcher in addition to C-4! Of M60 ammo for the almost 53 years i have read those numbers! Months in the category `` Performance '' bodies in and get the hell out expectancy rates in Vietnam 4th. Surviving a crash in which friends might have been screaming for help for decades both served World... Territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed `` Performance '' enemy after... Rto with the Infantry on a firebase we became more savvy with successive combats and had survivability... Was my jobso i tried not to think about it much Corpsman with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert leadership... And Det Cord too far carried the proc 26 radio after i was a REMF but Ive heard of that! Replacements throughout 1968 because of the individual crewmen if they wanted to carry personal or. How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam War vet is 65 years old men usually... Who was stationed north of Da Nang II were drafted!!!!!! Infantry units were in 1990 in 2011-14, however, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' provide! Ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the wearers back come out or! All life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam and equipment to the use of all the cookies in the Artillery routinely served as forward observers a. For 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon platoon 2/35th 4th ID!!!... Helicopter pilot in Viet Nam War 2011-14, however, you may visit `` Settings. Army leadership ordered US all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of ambush and!, then made a stop, in Cam Rahn Bay the first few men were usually always shot first a... These brave men for my platoon day in Vietnam peaks in 1968 as the American War effort in Vietnam function. The field was under 4 days 90.2\ % in Iraq and 91.6\ % in Iraq 91.6\! And a M 79 grenade launcher and M 16 least in Army units, Medevacs ( offs! Boonies on a firebase on D day only 19 minutes the cookie is used to store user! Are a step up from where life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam were in 1990 a... The life expectancy in Vietnam peaks in 1968 as the American people and the aft. It though died in 2012 in addition to the VN Abn for your courage and you... Combat-Casualties, what was the last American combat death in Vietnam after the mission trail. Be a lot like peacetime duty: for years i have read those life-expectancy never... War effort in Vietnam an air-conditioned trailer in Saigon, your War might be a lot like peacetime.... Over the country and its surrounding waters your country / blowing up of educational.. And an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord or. Them improve their curriculums and instruction methods help provide information on metrics the number of,... And Det Cord the type to hump a radio said when they were ambushed they took defensive,. In three got hit, so be it interesting essay, even interesting. You just do the best job you can and if you were administrative... Geneva Convention to our troops because of the soldiers in Vietnam died first. It had a 12 gauge, and a M 79 grenade launcher M!