The 30 September 2007 Veterans Administration estimate places the daily deaths of WWII US veterans at 1,000 per day. These numbers do not include the Americans who served in Vietnam during World War II. It makes a big difference because stating that only one-third of Vietnam veterans are still alive today is much harsher than stating that three-quarters of Vietnam veterans are still alive and well. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. To that we can add those who served in adjacent waters and countries, but 2.6 is likely the closest figure to those in country. Each BUFF had 6 crewmen onboard. Veteran Suicide Data and Reporting - Mental Health I have had stage III melanoma, stage III squamous cell throat cancer and now stage II bladder cancer. i think the definition should not be restricted by whether you wore khakis or como. There are still a lot of us left by some miracle! The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. I was with 4th Med Bn. Be content with your service, and leave it there. I can assure you there will be those of us alive longer than 10 years from now. Bob Kerrey. He now has a 100% disability as unemployable. I dont see how there can be any dispute about this. no problem with the spell checking. It would cause great pain to them; reminiscent of what occurred to the family of my namesake, my first cousin Dante Michael Puccetti. What percentage of Vietnamese died in the Vietnam War? - 2023 I flew several hundred sorties in a gunship. What is the life expectancy of a Vietnam veteran? If my math is correct, are you going on 68 years old ? Around 2.7 million troops were stationed in Vietnam either on land, within its airspace, or in its waters. Had an easy tour given what i was trained for before I got there. 11B20 and proud of it. How many Korean War veterans are still alive? Forget 1954, let use a true date of 1962 (first advisors) YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video. give me a date between June 25, 1968 thru June 25 1969 and I can tell you where I was in country. A lot of guys broke out with rashes every time that sprayed for mosquitos, using Melithon, which was every 2 weeks over all Base Camps. As soon as I was wounded, I was thrown into a world that I was alone! Id like to know what the 1 in 14 men figure is based on. The truth is that until Vietnam veterans can agree amongst themselves what constitutes a real Vietnam vet, the debate may continue. at DaNang If we came in they set up tents to sleep in and had a big blivet bag for a shower. The debate depends on only two numbers. I asked him to give me his number, he did not put a number on it just that he was Not. The first impact of a rocket was twenty meters to the left and ten meters behind as the rocket flew over its target. Well again, nothing that you have posted tells the story that you were in Vietnam. As anti-war vet , all these years later, I respect yall and your stories. She is new to that post, having spent 20+ years as head of coding & analysis at NSA. To not count us is disrespecting us who also answered the call. Check your POW list. My number one issue is running into a FAKE. Bob, Everything slowed down, and I was alone, above my body that was thrown into the dashboard hitting with my left side. Thousands of veterans die alone every year, with their remains my larger point is that , in my opinion, they were veterans. I served 2 tours late 1966 to late July 1968, TET and the rest as an infantry platoon sgt Also served in Korea 1963 and considered a Korean war vet as that war has never ended. I am unsure of how many Native peoples joined the US marine corps and volunteered for combat duties. 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. Alice, my sister lost hers in Oct 2020 from throat cancer due to agent Orange. The artillery, Helo crews, combat engineers, in Vietnam are also considered Combat Vets, Well, I guess it just did not count for us Huey Teams (Sky Angels) supporting infantry/artillery units by flying in to lay down suppression fire, flying you into hot LZs, taking you out of the boonies, bringing you ammo and supplies, flying the wounded and dead back to base camp, not to mention Huey night Hawk missions to rectify an enemy ambush for our infantry that would be pinned down with no hope of survival. Arrived in country March 1969, subsequently assigned to B Battery 1/14 Arty. You do not need to establish anything other than that. Systematically, a surveyor from the Plei Do Lim (PDL) flash Out Post (OP) had too physically exchanged the old for the new code-book and radio frequencies for the facility. Born: 09/15/1946. I actually vollenteered to go to NAM. All Lawyer adds is for 2 percent, do you think that this was a greater risk for Cancer. They lost about 20 men KIA in late January, many captured. Was I counted each time or once? if you were effected by the first or second tour, or as i did, three years back and forth , then you were , are are a veteran. In fact, the first two advisors (MAJ Dale Buis and MSG Chester Ovnand) killed by the enemy died in an attack on their base near Bien Hoa on July 8, 1959. This is a reasonable number but you get very different notions of the death rate when you compare 800,000 to 2.7 million versus 800,000 out of 9.2 million. I also had assisted the FAA in 3 fatal Aircraft accidents. Over 8.7 million Americans served in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era from 1964 to 1973 (1). it is much easier to say who was not. Anyone suggesting that only a CIB award means you were a combat veteran is very uninformed The Battle of Soui Tre March 21, 1967 the men of the 2/77 Artillery were every bit infantry as well as Arty that day and many many other FSB battles. How Many World War 2 Veterans Die Each Day? - Thelma Thinks NO, some who got to sleep in the same bed night after night, yet were low slow flying targets by day are NOT REMF. and by the way, they never got benefits after their time at sea. I believe the aircrews flying out of those places were take issue with not in harms way. In 11 days of December 1973, 16 B-52s were lost over North Vietnam during Linebacker II. Copyright 2022 MilitaryPerson.com No two people standing side by side performed the same duties. many US MILITARY PERSONNELL served in Afghanistan from the start to when the last GI got on the last plane/helicopter out. How many Vietnam War veterans are still alive 2023? So, where is the discrepancy in these numbers? The commander of the sapper ambush signaled the weapons man to fire the first RPG, and it impacted behind the target. i am not saying i was a hero, but i am saying that i did the job and i did not argue. My husband was awarded several (door gunner w/191st AHC Bounty Hunters). The New York Times reported that claims like those of the American War Library are false and that, instead of only one-third of Vietnam vets remaining, the number points to more like 75 percent of Vietnam veterans still living and breathing today. I dont know why we have to make this simple arithmetic drill so difficult. How Many Vietnam Vets Die Each Day? - Answers It is an all-too-common misunderstanding that to be affected by Agent Orange you had to have been sprayed, and/or you are required to prove that to the VA. I am a solid 10. the average combat vet in Nam was 240 days. It was an incredibly tumultuous time in US history and, for that reason, its unclear how many people actually served during this struggle. If we dont include forces in Thailand or Guam why are we including anyone except Navy pilots, because I dont remember any deep water people who were subjected to enemy hostilities. As Ive mentioned before, I dont think posing this question was intended to be divisive among veterans, but it has turned out to be. That number stands around 306,000 killed by agent Orange (and other colors). With an estimated 6 million Vietnam Veterans currently living in the U.S. or abroad, VA remains dedicated to serving all Veterans of the Vietnam Era., All troops were sent home in April 1973. Floyd James ThompsonHe was one of the longest-held American prisoner of war in U.S. history that was returned or captured by troops, spending nearly nine years in captivity in the forests and mountains of South Vietnam and Laos, and in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Phu Loi Nov 66 to Dec 67 HHD 11th Cbt Avn Bn. How many Vietnam veterans are dying each day? i spent three years to and fro, with about 2-3 months in vietnam on every trip. U failed to remember the last name on the Wall was in 1975. hello, My brother claims he is a Vietnam veteran. After 20 some years of filing claims and multiple appeals (DAV advocate,) have given up on the VA. Do I count as a real Vietnam vet? There were 7 RoyalThai Air Force bases used during the war, from 1961-1975, three closed between 1972 to 1973. We and they generally slept in the same bunks in the same tent if we werent up on call during the night. we had a crew of about 42, spent weeks at anchor in vung tau or da nang. 400 hundred days of always being ready to fight and protect our 40 Huey helicopters, flew as door gunner a lot. The number of people who are Vietnam veterans in the first place is a number that is widely debated. This is a controversial post. I think by now weve pretty much said all that can be said about this question. SFC Chester D Carpenter, I liked it very much this war was up close and personal to me I first thought if the French were there for over twenty years what could we do from the beginning this was a war about money and troops paying the high price in blood I will not name names but Agt Orange was used in Korea they knew how harmful it was I had two personal losses my Navy pilot and my best friend a Marine he came home but never could come to terms with life again, John, I need to talk to you about this article. She is also a strong advocate for equal opportunity, and she works tirelessly to ensure that all students have access to quality education regardless of their socioeconomic status or race. Interestingly, the research concludes that Vietnam veterans seem to be dying at a similar rate to World War II veterans. There are 500,000 Korean War veterans still living, but about 600 of those die every day, according to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation. Yes, Vietnam War veterans are still eligible for various benefits and compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including disability compensation, health care, and education benefits. John, These numbers have come about due to the extensive research of various mortality indexes and sources by the American War Library which concluded that about one-third of those who served in the Vietnam War are still alive today. How many veterans die each day? - Answers I understand that they only got about 300,000 of us, but that is a huge, decent number, considering how cynical we Nam vets can be about studies. Last I heard the database indicated that the Median Age of Death of Nam vets was reached at least three or four years ago. Our Honor and Integrity are important to each of us. I can smell a fake and phony 10 seconds after we meet !!!!! Special Forces orderly room to picked-up theyre new frequencies. I turned left into the open valley dirt road that lead to the OP, crossed the blue line (river or stream on a map) and raced through the dense, triple canopy jungle to the open valley floor. But a growing army of strangers is. the merchant marine needed every officer and sailor they could find. Return to reality. Real combat veterans will share with other combat veterans as their stories have many similarities. 109, 000 died in the service during this period. Luck of the draw my twin that received a silver star got the luck of the draw made it home. Antonia Leonard is an education expert who has dedicated her life to helping students achieve their academic goals. Good disxussiin. i never saw them again, but i knew we had shared something that was filled with pride, sadness, and the passage of time. Not sure where we were. These numbers were not included since these service members were far removed from combat experience and did not spend any amount of time in harms way. 4 Carl Dodd Former Police Officer Author has 18.5K answers and 25.3M answer views 10 mo The 25th Infantry Division, in III Corps, issue two different Malaria Pills. Do you by chance remember a Jim Blackshear? I had encountered a learning experience, and inspirational contact with the celestial. It was an incredibly tumultuous time in US hi >, It poses more confusion about what constitutes a Vietnam Vet! Ive also created a poll to help identify my website audience before leaving, can you please click HERE and choose the one item that best describes you. We hauled cargo to the bases and for a few months I hauled hitest gas to the airbase at DongHa. Sgt. During the Vietnam War, Air Force C-123 planes sprayed millions of gallons of herbicides over the jungles of Southeast Asia to destroy enemy crops and tree cover. (1st time to operate a river boat 2nd time to evacuate injured Marines. I am not sure how it can be calculated, how to distinguish actual combat veterans, as that reality is a risk factor for contact with an enemy force. it is the duty of the community to stay behind their warriors to heal them and at the back of them when they come back. Granted, most of them were deployed for the durationa WWII vet I knew was gone 4 years without coming back to the states. Hometown: New York City. Quite a story. Our med company was on 6 different LZs during the year I was with them, supporting the 3rd Bde 4th ID. Steve How many Nam Vets die per day is what??? - Leatherneck.com Apparently, its been agreed upon that 800,000 Vietnam veterans had passed away by the year 2000. 240 300 World. How many Vietnam Vets die per day? Are these all American vets. Tough and crazy. IF you didnt get any extra pay better have a good excuse .like to hear it. The youngest Vietnam War veteran was a 15-year-old child named Dan Bullock. I needed the rest! The funny thing,(not so funny) is that when we carried peaches and beer, no problem. Our 2003 NJAOC Desk Guide to the unique health issue of Nam vets and our children is still the Gold Standard. Agent Orange is a Herdicide. We were near AF ranch hand ops and many of my buds still alive from then have the cancers, diabetes, amputations and such. Served most of my time on LZ Professional. He was drafted and qualified for Helicopter pilot school. Later, and Welcome Home to all Vietnam Veterans!!! These numbers do not include the Americans who served in Vietnam during World War II. As I moved my right hand to change gears, it just blew apart, as red blood and parts of my hand flew everywhere instantaneously, but in slow motion I seemingly was catapulted onto some parallel universe. Statistics on PTSD in Veterans | US News He objected, and was assigned as an interpreter attached to the American Embassy in Sweden. I left the Ville at 3:00pm. to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. it was one of the smaller airbus aircraft. Porier was firing from the north, while the three Cobras choppers were engaged the sappers trying to kill me. The exact percentage of surviving Vietnam War veterans is not known, but it is estimated to be around 25% of the total number of veterans who served during the war. Combat Veterans know who they are, pretenders know that they are not.. I have VSM on my DD215 which deleted the AFEM on my DD214. Okay.Ill be the one to tell it like it is, even though everyone here, as well as everyone else, knows the truth already! I saw the edge of the dirt, the jungle growth, the nearby trees, while I heard the world explode. He is absolutely obsessed with military and different men who have served, The definitive statistics come from the VAs Million Vietnam Vets database, which will continue until we are all gone. According to the American War Library website, it was concluded by the Department of Defense that their best estimate is that between 2,709,918 and 3,173,845 GIs served in Vietnam and its surrounding waters between the years 1954 and 1975. I was a grunt and shotgunner on convoys !!! Served until April 28, 1968 !!!!!! While that's a staggering figure is, the actual amount could be higher. Is It Hard To Get Into Kent State University? I bounced all around and slowed almost to a stop, and I downshifted and ground to first gear while checking my watch. Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War. According to the American War Library, as of February 28, 2019, it is estimated that approximately 610,000 Americans who served in land forces during the Vietnam War or in air missions over Vietnam between 1954 and 1975 are still alive to this day. He was killed in action just a few months later. My uncle John was in Company A, 290th Engineer Combat Bn during WWII. They are paying on Melathion settlements (Watch TV, and it as on 2 to 3% purity, used inside US) There are no living Veterans that I know of. When we DEROSed we were given 6-8 pills to continue taking them every week. In my mirror I saw its beam illuminate each and every particle of dust that my passing vehicle spewed into the air; thus creating a mobile, magical, camouflaged chamber of brightly dancing fairies shielding me from harm. How Did The Campus Shootings Demonstrate The Continued Divisions Within The Country? The fear returned, as I knew he was of small stature. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. Very devisive infighting among all the service members who served at a time when it was not popular. Apparently, its been agreed upon that 800,000 Vietnam veterans had passed away by the year 2000. The first US advisors that I can find evidence of arrived in country in 1955. My cousin was with the 82nd and was there when the TET offensive happened. He showed me his DD214 and low and behold it says he was in Vietnam. I have read that One in Seven that went to Vietnam were in actual combat CIB. Educate your self and search the web for the last battle of the Vietnam war. to 1984 approx. he was wearing his VIETNAM ERA VETERAN cover. My time stands still. The other number of significance is the number of Viet Nam veterans killed by Dow chemical. i am not better, but i am not worse. I was shot up more than a dozen times and shot down once. How were WWII veterans & Korean War Veterans accounted for? How many Vietnam War veterans are still alive 2022? and for the most part, we had no weapons. I will have to disagree with the CIB being the only combat veterans The Battle of Soui Tre 3-21-1967 at Fire Support Base Gold Operation Junction City, the 2/77 Artillery 18 105s and the 3/22 Infantry A & B Cos the enemy lost 881 KIA and UNK WIAs, we lost counting the landing in the 19th 55 KIA & 287 WIA, within an hours Westmorland and other Stars were there claiming this Victory (14 Stars on the battlefield) The Artillery are every bit combat veterans with the infantry and many other FSB battles as well I have a CIB and did 22 months in country late including TET. In 2019, the most . earned their stripe. As an analogy I will use familiar figure of that time. I was in Nam in 1968 and 1969 as a combat Marine. I was the first male born to the Puccetti family after his death, so my parents received permission to name their son after Dante. NO! We had a lot of support vets near Saigon. Antonia is a firm believer in the power of education, and she is passionate about helping students reach their full potential. And just as the bell rang he got out of the ring , technically I won the fight. i do not denigrate their service or define them as inferior. Each averaged 2500-3000 personnel on a yearly rotating bases, groaning and shrinking based on the missions being conducted. Not affiliated with any government agencies.All Rights Reserved. Please do your own due diligence on the American War Library before citing them on ANYTHING, ever. His Engineer company was tasked to fight as Infantry, and they did. A veteran who served in the Vietnam War would be in their early 70s to late 90s today, depending on their birth year. I do not believe we were counted as vets. guy next to me was shoot dead I think that counts. About 30000 Canadians came into the us to join up. A half century after serving in Vietnam, hundreds of veterans have a new reason to believe they may be dying from a silent bullet test results show some men may have been infected by a. Everyone knows this. Age: 84. Frantically searching to find that one resource in my spirit to survive. yep I wonder also. The now call them Vietnam era veterans. Heres a fact: Jeffery Lynn Scheller, USN, born July 31, 1954 was Killed In Action on October 1, 1972. The total number of is estimated at 2.8 million US veterans who were exposed to the poisonous chemical while serving and later died. Door gunner with the 191st AHC Bounty Hunters. You can sleep in it. I changed emails and cant reach you!! Trying to understand: Does being shot at outside the wire while moving to new location count? Was back at LZ Bayonet the last part of my tour after being medevaced off of Professional and in the hospital at Chu Lai. from Fallen Leaves, Broken Lives By Edward Tick My mom had all three sons in the war my twin brother and i were drafted he got combat I got artillery the younger one joined the air force . I was on the initial invasion into Cambodia, that battle was 15 REMFS against 300 NVA> The next day we went in with the 25th infantry. We were sprayed every 2 weeks with Melithon (Insecticide) that was 96 percent pure. Does having your ramp down and touching a river bank count as boots on ground while we were not allowed to go off the boat when we were pumping gas to the airbase? to Ken Drombosky So the vets that actually saw combat numbers are swelled by the rear echelon members to 600,000. yet there were millions that signed up or were drafted. It served my pain well as a lifeless, mean spirited dark soul destroying everything in front of me. Reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs say about 240 300 World War II veterans are still alive in 2021. Combat was what we did. Hazardous duty pay was $65 and overseas pay varied by rank $8 to $ 16. In the highlands we had to take one every day in addition to the once a week pill. Mekong Delta US Army 1969. Home Kent State University How Many Vietnam Veterans Are Still Alive In 2022? These numbers were not included since these service members were far removed from combat experience and did not spend any amount of time in harms way. There was a huge difference between the merchant ships i sailed on, no passengers, and vessels like usns geiger. I was all over in 7 years. PDF Sobering Statistics Concerning Vietnam Vets As of April 2016 How many REAL Vietnam vets are alive today? - American War Library The last number of Viet Nam veterans alive today was 730,000, which would equate to around todays number of 610,000. Thank you for taking the time to read this. David, please do not compare this to Merchant Seaman in WWII who braved the many packs of Submarines etc as thgatr uis hgow many died in WWIU, Sorry my spell check went nuts Various percentages of actual Vietnam Veterans is bothersome.