The Vietnam War has a very long history. Starting in 1955, the war went on until 1975, making it the second longest war, aside from the ongoing Afghanistan conflict. Over 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam and it's surrounding waters during this 20 year period.
By the mid 70s, combat and support units withdrew from Vietnam, but the war continues today to have a direct impact on many of our aging veterans, their families and families of those killed or missing in action.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is acknowledged on March 29 every year, honoring anyone who served in the military during the 1955 to 1975 time period. Given that respect and post combat support wasn’t immediately provided to those returning veterans, on this day our Nation offers that respect to everyone involved.
If you know a Vietnam veteran please take a moment on this or any other day to say thanks and inquire how their doing!
A few facts
Just over 9 million personnel served in the military from 1955 through 1975.
2.7 million served in Vietnam (9.7% of their generation) including 1.6 million who fought in combat.
The average age of American soilders in Vietnam was 19. And, 61% of all personnel were younger than 21.
Today, the average age of Vietnam veterans is around 70 with the oldest living being 97.
258 Vietnam veterans were awarded the Metal of Honor.
Over 58,000 died in combat plus over 303,000 were wounded.
The youngest killed in Vietnam was only 16 (5 personnel), the oldest killed was 62.
An untold number still suffer today from the after effects of Agent Orange.
Of the 766 POWs, 144 died in captivity.
7,484 women served in Vietnam. Of those, 84% were nurses, 8 nurses died during the conflict, one was killed in action.
Over 1,500 Vietnam veterans are still unaccounted for today and remain MIA.
Less than 600,000 veterans who actually served in Vietnam and it's surrounding waters are still alive today.
Thought for the Day - Our Freedom, is the most wonderful, precious, most irreplaceable and expensive thing you have. It's God given, but someone else paid dearly for you to have it.
God Bless our fellow Vietnam Era Brothers and Sisters!
By the mid 70s, combat and support units withdrew from Vietnam, but the war continues today to have a direct impact on many of our aging veterans, their families and families of those killed or missing in action.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is acknowledged on March 29 every year, honoring anyone who served in the military during the 1955 to 1975 time period. Given that respect and post combat support wasn’t immediately provided to those returning veterans, on this day our Nation offers that respect to everyone involved.
If you know a Vietnam veteran please take a moment on this or any other day to say thanks and inquire how their doing!
A few facts
Just over 9 million personnel served in the military from 1955 through 1975.
2.7 million served in Vietnam (9.7% of their generation) including 1.6 million who fought in combat.
The average age of American soilders in Vietnam was 19. And, 61% of all personnel were younger than 21.
Today, the average age of Vietnam veterans is around 70 with the oldest living being 97.
258 Vietnam veterans were awarded the Metal of Honor.
Over 58,000 died in combat plus over 303,000 were wounded.
The youngest killed in Vietnam was only 16 (5 personnel), the oldest killed was 62.
An untold number still suffer today from the after effects of Agent Orange.
Of the 766 POWs, 144 died in captivity.
7,484 women served in Vietnam. Of those, 84% were nurses, 8 nurses died during the conflict, one was killed in action.
Over 1,500 Vietnam veterans are still unaccounted for today and remain MIA.
Less than 600,000 veterans who actually served in Vietnam and it's surrounding waters are still alive today.
Thought for the Day - Our Freedom, is the most wonderful, precious, most irreplaceable and expensive thing you have. It's God given, but someone else paid dearly for you to have it.
God Bless our fellow Vietnam Era Brothers and Sisters!
