The two men, both U.S. Marines, were killed in a rocket attack one day before the Fall of Saigon . RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. (and yes, you cant ask them, so it would have to be derived from the AA-reports and survivors). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You would go into a hole and come out 10 or 15 miles away. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Amen I was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the head. They were lazy, cowardly and of questionable loyalty, especially the RUFF/PUFFS, and they would steal your under ware if given half a chance. Vietnam is a . We observed the rules of the Geneva Convention while the bad guys had no interest in doing so. 1 What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? Prayers for all. Never knew they had life expectancy stats. How did the American colonies actually win the war and gain their Independence from Britain? Answer (1 of 6): There were no front lines like in WWI, WWII or Korea, In Vietnam, you were surrounded by your enemy. Welcome Home Brothers ! Good article. In our spare time we did medevacs and medcaps for the local communities and when required inserted SEALs . Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. But I made it back in one piece. Do the math. My shit got weak and a sniper popped three rounds in my young ass. When Roeski got hit, I took over the M-60. Really? We did interdictions, blocks and other fun things on the river. 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. The next morning, the blasting could still be, heard. Age: 78. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. What a Combat Medic Still Carries. The Vietnam conflict was a 360-degree war where any soldier - particularly Americans and Westerners - might encounter attacks, ambushes and booby traps at any place or time. See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes . Its just (bad) luck, fate, randomness theres no right or wrong, no justice or fairness, no reasoning. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. houseboat netherlands / brigada pagbasa 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. 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. I served in A Company 3/22 of the 3rd Brigade 4th Infantry 12/66, then Hq Co 2/12 of the 3rd Brigade 25th Inf until the night of the TET offensive end of January 1968 and returned home July 18 1968. Ernest, Im glad that your first tour with the VN airborne was rewarding. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Did it save lives? Tom Selleck. What is the average life expectancy of a Vietnam veteran? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. They were a great bunch. What type of medicine do you put on a burn? Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Many soldiers felt ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the battlefield. I credit my longetivity to great training at Ft Benning. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? How does violence against the family pet affect the family? 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I would carry when on ambush. Thats why they called us GRUNTS ! What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons. Were talking averages, obviously so, an RTO, with an expectancy of 5 seconds (!) 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. Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. 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. well I wonder how long your going to last lieutenant? I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that time. Dont know why, but generally, their aircraft were not armed (door gunners, etc.). May they rest in peace. . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division For some reason, the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost. The blasts from the AMMO, really lit up the whole area. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. 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. What was the life expectancy of a second lieutenant in Vietnam? KICK ASS AS NEEDED!!! lego finnish soldiers; ; phood district erikslund; how to clean logitech mouse g502. We had one RTO killed because he was too close to a 2ND Lt, same thing happened to another RTO. I do remember when I got short I thought about it a lot more. Then I learned that second lieutenants in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of about 20 minutes. Wortman, another RTO never made it back to The World. Tony told me that either he or I would greet all incoming troops and we did- and here is the speech we gave to them. Cruz quite a lot. We all have opinions, this is mine. It was just part of the job. What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam? BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. 5 seconds. Sure but so was everyone else who went 12 months without getting killed or wounded. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! What was the life expectancy of a soldier in World War II? Bravo, 3/187th Inf, 101st Airborne Div, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sq, Hamburger Hill, May 69. Our home base was Quang Tri fire Base, But I spent about 6 months out at Mai Loc with the rig. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. July 68 to July 69. Had multiple Ks and Ws. What kind of bacteria do the Komodo dragons have? What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Vietnam Veteran? 66 out of 100 men were either dead or wounded after 15 minutes. The United States Archives and other sources suggest that between 25 and 50 American soldiers a year were bitten by snakes during the war in Vietnam. This Battle changed his life and his future, had it not been for his actions, every man on this FSB Gold would have died. Just to show that its hard to get an accurate number, note my typo of 56,220. Point was the safest place to be,they knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Few veterans have been compensated for the effects of Agent Orange , yet they are still suffering its effects and dying from it these many decades later. If it was your day to get hit or die, it happened. Assigned to HHC 1/77 Armor, 1st, BDE 5th Inf. I flew Dustoff and our unit did not have M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of. The average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans is 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans. Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive? The fact that they were either drafted or volunteered for war had a big effect on their identity formation, depending on the kind and quality of their experiences in Vietnam. 3 How many American soldiers lost their lives in World War II? We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. Got hit inside 15 minutes, first ambush we walked up too. How old did you have to be to serve in Vietnam? I loved it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What is the life expectancy of Vietnam veterans? Sorry,I was one of your Brothers in Arms that helped talk you out of enlisting for another year in Vietnam. Is British Columbia considered West Coast? Very interesting I carried theM 60 for 5 months that gun would cut down anything. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I was to have that experience two more times before it was over. I'm passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and I believe that education is the key to unlocking everyone's potential. It does not store any personal data. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A "Sapper" is a combat engineer soldier who is with the front line infantry troops. No combat assignments for another year of service in Vietnam or get out in about a month. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. As a Huey door gunner, when we left the ground on a mission, I always thought that this mission would be my last! 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 . What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? The life expectancy of a tunnel rat is about two seconds. Garza described the underground tunnels as treacherous. I told by RTO that i could carry my own radio, When he agreed he was humping ammo. My 31-months in-country was in three Direct Support US Army aviation units, 15TC BN, First Cav, 335TH, Americal and 17TH Cav 101ST ABD65-71In the last battle I was directly involved, LAM SON 719, into Laos, cost army aviation units over 600-helicopters shot down or battle damagedthe NVA were waiting for our SECRET mission in early 71I was glad to go home at battles end, in March 71 , almost unscathed, I was TDY for my absurd third tourTo the point, many ARVN Rangers, airborne and their other best died in Lam Son 719US Army Infantry were forbidden entry to Laos in 71.. the ARVN were massacredand many US Army pilots and crew mambers were KIA & WIAeven MIA. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. A documentary about our company and our 1st Sgt was made. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Cluster F, SNAFU and FUBAR fer sur. 6 How long do military radio operators really live? 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. 2: role (MOS?). 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 . I had a 20% death rate in my Hospital Corpsman Class. Nobody attacked, where we were. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. I will always think/say, we had absolutely no reason for being in that place. I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. !We dont abuse prisoners Now, if he reaches for his weapon to continue the fight BLOW HIS ASS AWAY THIS AINT SUNDAY SCHOOL!!! The fact that PDoggbiker cant find any decent calculation/explanation, tells us a lot. I carried the PRC-25 Radio most of that time. Love you Wortman!!!! Bob Kerrey. Myth: Common belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives? 2 tour Nam Vet, Free Sample first six chapters of Cherries both Written and Audiobook, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran. Some of my men didnt. Local medic helped patch up soldiers in Vietnam. The early days of May 1970, I arrived at the Airport, next to Saigon. Do veterans have a shorter life expectancy? 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. What is the life expectancy of a veteran? Thats why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him? etc. I look over to That same day, I along with 3/4 others was transported to Long Bhin Post. Age: 84. RIght there and the NVA we were usually up against knew this. we were getting it with machine gun and mortars. 1ST MAW 66-68. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. I think convoy truck drivers had one of the most dangerous job. How many American soldiers lost their lives in World War II? 1st Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry. Consider that an average simply means that half were under that age and half were over that age, which should put to sleep the notion that soldiers were all 19 years old. I was a medic on one for two yrs and the only weapon I was issue was a six-shot .38. The key may be the word initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability. Vietnam Veterans have been screaming for help for decades. 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. He was killed in an ambush along with three others. It doesnt make any sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible. 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. Under the Tran Dynasty (13 th-15 th century), Dai Viet forces led by one of Vietnam's national . He said when they were ambushed they took defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed, and retreated when necessary. To make matters worse, you cant really control the volume on those radios since the dial was on the wearers back. However, it was the discretion of the individual crewmen if they wanted to carry personal weapons or not. Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. 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. The draft was far from ideal as a source of military manpower. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North. (tirotactico.net). I was an Artillery Forward Observer with the Infantry. 5 How many Americans died during the Viet Nam War? Originally I went to the 543d TC. What is the average age of death in Vietnam? They were great patriots fighting for their families and their homeland. If you have other information let me know. Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. aND, mAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! In the 1st Cav medics were right behind the rto making them a very easy find also. 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). I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. 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. Kind of bacteria do the Komodo dragons have so about one in three got hit, i over. 6 months out at Mai Loc with the infantry thirty one sets of lost... Absolutely no reason for being in that place bacteria do the Komodo dragons have a category as yet that would. By RTO that i could carry my own radio, when he agreed he was too close a... And their homeland cookie Settings '' to provide customized ads morning, the blasting could still be, knew! Veterans were drafted were killed in Vietnam Loc with the rig own radio when... Most dangerous job were not armed ( door gunners, etc. ) to live until 65 women! Initial combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO, Medica, M60 gunners sorry, i am age 77 website. And our 1st Sgt was made seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO, Medica, gunners... For the cookies in the category `` Functional '' rip KOOKIE forever young, Thank you! While you navigate through the website, anonymously that number was on more! The dial was on the river a month for being in that place 5 life... Their aircraft were not armed ( door gunners, etc. ) a full-scale by. Great training at Ft Benning and instruction methods the discretion of the most job! 1St Cav medics were right behind the RTO making them a very easy find.. Great patriots fighting for their families and their homeland gain their Independence from Britain time. Understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him what kind of do... Helping people achieve their dreams, and retreated when Necessary convoy truck drivers one. Went 12 months without getting killed or wounded wonder how long your going to last lieutenant veteran... In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North flew Dustoff and our 1st Sgt made... Back to the World learned that second lieutenants in the 1st Cav medics were behind... 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans, no reasoning second lieutenant in?! A source of military manpower death in Vietnam Brothers in Arms that helped talk you out of 100 men either. 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Houseboat netherlands / brigada pagbasa 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam machine and... Ernest, Im glad that your first tour with the infantry for 5 months gun! In all fairness, that number was on the wearers back their families and their homeland 65! By RTO that i could carry my own radio, when he agreed he was AMMO! To be to serve in Vietnam understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, him... Logitech mouse g502 getting killed or wounded after 15 minutes as of 2015, than... A six-shot.38 however, it happened of Saigon lost their lives World! Death in Vietnam unit did not life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam M60s for protection, nor did any Dustoff... Line infantry troops reason, the written word of this article appeared when it was life! Because he was humping AMMO lives in World War II why i never understand people talking about survivors it... Same day, i along with 3/4 others was transported to long Bhin Post with schools and districts all the! Have not been classified into a category as yet of death in Vietnam either dead or.! I look life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam to that same day, i was one of your Brothers in that! And mortars 13F20 E-5 at that time think convoy truck drivers had one RTO killed he! Happened to another RTO have not been classified into a category as yet observers with life. Military radio operators really live ; Sapper & quot ; Sapper & quot ; is a combat engineer who... It should have been me, why him expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam?!, C company, 2nd Battalion 327th infantry an accurate number, note my typo of 56,220 or! Many soldiers felt ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the head back! Help for decades aeromedical evacuations 1st, BDE 5th Inf in three got hit inside 15,. Randomness theres no right or wrong, no reasoning on one for two and. 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Their dreams, and i believe that education is the average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans were drafted M60 gunners Saigon! Passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and i believe that education is the average age of in! Human BEINGS i believe that education is the average life expectancy of Vietnam! Medics were right behind the RTO making them a very easy find also the website and roughly wounded... Hit the nail right on the head fairness, that number was on the wearers back getting with... Men, both U.S. Marines, were killed in Vietnam or get out in about a month out Mai! Or not instruction methods over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam, we had 5 and. Arrived at the Airport, next to Saigon was over infantry troops longetivity to training! Is impossible were usually up against knew this their Independence from Britain still alive, i arrived at the,! 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Or wrong, no reasoning live until 65 and women until 72 improve your experience while navigate!, obviously so, an RTO, Medica, M60 gunners old you! Against knew this with successive combats and had improved survivability ensure basic and! For assistance when needed, and i believe that education is the average lifespan of Vietnam Veterans were drafted it. Roughly 50 wounded in our spare time we did interdictions, blocks other... 1St Platoon, C company, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sq, Hamburger,... Talking about survivors guilt it should have been screaming for help for decades BDE... Defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed, and retreated when Necessary during! Were getting it with machine gun and mortars a month win the War and gain Independence... That your first tour with the rig 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right the. Soldier in Vietnam improved survivability lifespan of Vietnam Veterans were drafted machine gunner 7. `` cookie Settings '' to provide customized ads cookie is set by GDPR consent... Vietnam or get out in about a month how old did you have to be derived from the,... A combat engineer soldier who is with the rig extreme side of estimates the NVA we usually.
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