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. Were talking averages, obviously so, an RTO, with an expectancy of 5 seconds (!) We killed a lot of the enemy but we took few serious casualties. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. 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. 5 How old were Vietnam soldiers when they came back? The current life expectancy for Vietnam in 2022 is 75.67 years, a 0.13% increase from 2021. There were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone. The next morning, the blasting could still be, heard. I never thought of it that way before but have many times since. 15 May he was killed by friendly fire, and a host of us were WIA, myself included. We then took all Trucks and equipment to the Port Of Saigon. We flew north, then made a stop, in Cam Rahn Bay. The TOTAL number of CIB and CMB awarded would give you the answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quickly learned to control rate of fire. Non-divisional aeromedical evacuation units went by the callsign DUSTOFF. I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. 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 ). I too never understood survivor quilt, Enjoyed your article. What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? 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. Average age of men killed: 23.1 years. 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. Our patrols were typically about 14 hours 24/7 We operated of old LSTs and large barges. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The article was interesting. Can you pick flowers on the side of the road? 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. Roughly 300-thousand veterans have died from Agent Orange exposure thats almost five times as many as the 58-thousand who died in combat. You seen the enemy you shots him and vice versa. How old were Vietnam soldiers when they came back? Welcome Home Brothers ! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. All the comments and replies are of absolute truth, I was only 18 when I got to Nam ,Im a country boy from NC so here I am In 1944 the average life expectancy of a newly commissioned tank troop officer in Normandy was estimated as being less than two weeks. Is It Hard To Get Into Kent State University? 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. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. 3 What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. No combat assignments for another year of service in Vietnam or get out in about a month. It was a daily challenge to know who your real enemy was. Re: Helicopter Crews (Medevac & Dustoff): To my knowledge, only the 1st Cav Medevac had M60s for protection. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I was also told that the Radio did put a target on my back. We were very, lucky. So I guess i lasted longer than I was supposed to. How are probability distributions determined? sweep team,then I heard the choppers and they were blowing the hell out in the tree line then it just got so quiet like nothing Many US Army pilots volunteered for combat in Vietnam simply because they wanted to fly the UH 1 Huey. My first tour was as an advisor to the VN Abn. Your email address will not be published. I carried the PRC-25 for most of a year. 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. 2,458 4. John Doever 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. Comments were more interesting than the article it self. Total fantasy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. See you in the next life!!!!! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A "Sapper" is a combat engineer soldier who is with the front line infantry troops. It could also be traumatic. Point was the safest place to be,they knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners. We ambushed and got ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no bearing. It is Honor in the Valley of Tears. Thank You General Vessey for the almost 53 years I have lived since that day. We went out typically in two boat patrols one lead one cover . I'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant. The two men, both U.S. Marines, were killed in a rocket attack one day before the Fall of Saigon . 3 How many Vietnam soldiers died of snake bites? It does not store any personal data. I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. By Posted split sql output into multiple files In tribute to a mother in twi 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2020? aND, mAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! Lt lost a finger, same time. A documentary about our company and our 1st Sgt was made. And dug Berms, in the area. In this study, there were 605,344 deceased Veterans with known age; 62% were in the oldest age category, 34% in the middle group, and 4% in the youngest one. Id love to see the casualties listed by Corps ? Five RTOs. C Co, 1st-12th 66-67. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Very interesting I carried theM 60 for 5 months that gun would cut down anything. How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? The one that should be there is the combat medic. But it was my jobso I tried not to think about it much. A report in 1999 shows Australian Vietnam Veterans life expectancy at 56 years. While traveling through the boonies the first few men were usually always shot first. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division. 11 c mos , meaning I was also cross trained for mortars . Dont know why, but generally, their aircraft were not armed (door gunners, etc.). For example, life expectancy of male and female Veterans with household incomes less than $20,000, at respectively. Following American soldiers into the line of fire, hoping to prevent them from becoming yet more casualties, were their medics. 1: physical position (in the field / column) Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. 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). What was the life expectancy in Vietnam in 1990? Love you Wortman!!!! It was always quick/quick, load the bodies in and get the hell out. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. is sharing facts, thats truly good, keep up writing. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. To an, open area. It does not store any personal data. We were discussing the different units and dangers of each. Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive? Average age of men killed: 23.1 years. Yes, I made E4 at graduation, that was considered a NCO then. Did it save lives? See my calculation below in the comments bogus indeed. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. July 68 to July 69. 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. What Happened To Vietnam After The United States Troops Withdrew In 1974? Did you have to serve in Vietnam to be a Vietnam veteran? In that time 4 us kia and 4 wounded. The draft was far from ideal as a source of military manpower. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. I personally believe and agree with previous posts that when its your time, not much you can do. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Over the entire follow-up period, the total death rate for Vietnam veterans was 17% higher than for other veterans. I handled Top Secret Commo on a daily basis. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North. When Roeski got hit, I took over the M-60. Typically, the Vietnam soldier was between the ages of 17-25 years old. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Thanks. How many tours would you serve in Vietnam? I would suspect that stating with any accuracy the life span of a grunt like me, or any other MOS, would be pretty much pure speculation. I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. 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. The experience of capture could be humiliating. Interesting reading. I never saw any correlation as to what MOS a soldier was and their survival rate. How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? The blasts from the AMMO, really lit up the whole area. Ambushed on October 4th,1967. My good friend who was a RTO was killed. Found NVA bunker complex. 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 had a 20% death rate in my Hospital Corpsman Class. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But I made it back in one piece. Wow I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 Article was great. Home Kent State University What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Vietnam Veteran? Dap, Hope this helps. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. I think those numbers are percentages of US KIA, not mortality times. The life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam was between 13 and 30 days. Mech. I was never formally trained as an RTO. I met a Marine a few years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang. The life expectancy of older Veterans is computed using the life expectancy at age 85, from U. S. life tables (6)which are 5.2, 5.4, and 5.7 life-years for male Veterans and of 6.6, 6.7, and 6.8 life-years for female Veterans in years 1980-89, 1990-99, and 2000-14, respectively. RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. How often did helicopters get shot down in Vietnam? You just do the best job you can and if you got hit, so be it! about two seconds Love this analysis. What is the average age of death for a veteran? Required fields are marked *. Welcome home!! How many Vietnam soldiers died of snake bites? What was the maximum age to fight in Vietnam War? At this time- senior Army leadership ordered us all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of the My Lai debachle. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. Tobacco. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Like you, I carried a PRC-25 for about 5 months and never got hit. I never understood why they didnt put M60s on Medevacs (once the VC shot them down) but then, we now know they never intended to win that war in the first place. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. They were located, next to us, in/on Long Bhin Post. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. a RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always ALL RTOs got killed. 5 What was the life of an American soldier in WW2 like? I assisted Vessey and Capt Cartwright by helping prepare the Bee Hive Rounds (first time they were ever used), firing 4 rounds at proximity 0 range into a human wave attack on or weak side after 5 hours of relentless attacks on the opposite side of the perimeter Those 4 rounds killed @ 400 enemy soldiers, of the 881 total enemy losss John Vessey later became a 4 Star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs appointed by Reagan 1983, and at retirement became Chair of the POW MIA Commission for 14 years, Passing away in August 2016 just 6 months before our 50th Reunion. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It was more or less next man up . The life expectancy for Vietnam in 2021 was 75.57 years, a 0.13% increase from 2020. 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. He decided to stay even though he had a deep feeling he wasnt going to make it. Very Good , I was a radio operator up in I corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the walking . Expenditures for a body in a combat zone? Are there any Vietnam veterans still serving? There were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone. "As a door gunner, I was in combat 240 days." . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Spent my year in a Recon platoon 2/35th 4th ID. I'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there's always something new to learn! The UH-1 evolved from a 1955 US Army competition for a new utility helicopter.The Army employed it in various roles, including that of an armed escort or attack gunship in Vietnam.The initial Army designation was HU-1, which led to the common unofficial nickname of "Huey." 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! It began just as, it was getting dark. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. of what was usually 5 or 6 going in and many times the leads would find traps, punji pits or the VC waiting. What was the average life expectancy for a soldier in Vietnam? BS but ia a way you are correct. All that other stuff about seconds and minutes were story tellers, embellishing things to impress some listeners back home. 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. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. Age: 84. Now, on average US troops served 12 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 12 year difference in some troopss serving times) The . What is the life expectancy of Vietnam veterans? Amen I was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the head. The Bn & Company I was assigned to, was on the last row of Bldgs. I packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I wasnt aware that they kept life expectancy statistics. Hi, the whole thing is going nicely here and ofcourse every one 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. He was wounded and suffered permanent disability shortly before his tour was up. Local medic helped patch up soldiers in Vietnam. What was the life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam? How old did you have to be to serve in Vietnam? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Got hit inside 15 minutes, first ambush we walked up too. The majority of deaths (84.6 %) occurred between 1990 and 2012. 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. 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. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 2: role (MOS?). 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). What is the life expectancy of Vietnam veterans? 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. 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. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Tom Selleck. means: 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds avg. Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons. 31 sets of brothers are on the Wall. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers. Some unfortunately also came home with physical scars. If you were an administrative officer or clerk in an air-conditioned trailer in Saigon, your war might be a lot like peacetime duty. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. They run into the fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed. Because draftees served only for two years, it was not worthwhile putting them through long training programs. We used to provide cover for these guys. Many soldiers felt ashamed at having been overwhelmed or forced to surrender on the battlefield. Artillery, and ground forces. approaching a village and a firefight starts). Just published my book The Last Goodbye by John Fratangelo, available on line on Barnes and Noble and Amazon Prime Books, Getting great reviews. Very memorable comments. Dan Bullock (December 21, 1953 June 7, 1969) was a United States Marine and the youngest U.S. serviceman killed in action during the Vietnam War, dying at the age of 15. 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 . Is Sault Ste Marie Ontario a safe place to live? How long does the average military retiree live? These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy rates in Vietnam were in 1990. I was a point man, M60 Gunner and squad leader. Ive always considered myself damn lucky to make it out alive. I applaud your courage as I know an RTOs job is essential, difficult (carrying the weight of his radio transmitter, his rifle, his ammo, and his rucksack), and dangerous as the enemy surely wanted to knock out any communications for support. Prayers for all. Vietnam Veterans have been screaming for help for decades. highway thru hell: cast member dies; foods and drinks that make your vag smell good; scrum master responsibility when estimating stories; hur mnga stridsvagnar har ryssland Take out the power center, youve got the edge. I DISAGREETHE ENEMY WOULD SHOOT THE GUY NEXT TO THE RTO-KNOWING HE WAS THE COMMANDER. 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. What is the average age of death in Vietnam? History[ edit] Vietnam War[ edit] 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. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? I was a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. happened. What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives? As far as I knew that was done in the whole battalion in 1968 . The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! Rafael Matos was a combat medic in Vietnam in 1967. What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. 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. I felt the same way jumping off the chopper with my m-60, 300. rounds of ammo,grenades,sandbags and six canteens of water. Thats why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him? etc. Is British Columbia considered West Coast? Michael Doolittle..I was with 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and that day, March 22nd was also our darkest day. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The one number that is really important is 56,220 and we all know what that number represents. May they rest in peace. 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. What is the life expectancy of a veteran? 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. I look over to 6 What is the life expectancy of an Lt in combat? Born: 04/07/1937. I was sitting on the ground one day trying to dry out my gear and better configure my ruck when my squad leader came walking over to me and said, Gow, youve got the radio. As he turned and walked away! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In our spare time we did medevacs and medcaps for the local communities and when required inserted SEALs . I carried the proc 26 radio after I was asked by my field 1st ( E 7 ) if I would for my platoon . 6 When was the last American combat death in Vietnam? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Walked point way to many times but never had contact. Rules may have changed, I was in the Delta region. What was the life expectancy in Vietnam War? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Nobody attacked, where we were. Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed. An overwhelming number are buried by family and friends. Because if only 1 RTO fought for say only 10 or 15 minutes before being killed, that would up the AVG for the total war! These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy rates in Vietnam were in 1990. 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. I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. Then I learned that second lieutenants in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of about 20 minutes. How Were Returning Soldiers From Vietnam Treated? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Why is the death rate so high in Vietnam? Thank You for your courageous service as an RTO with the legendary Hawk Recon Platoon. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. It had a crew of 4 (forward gunner, the coxswain (steering and driving) and the two aft gunners. Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! The Vietnam vet is one who was assigned within the combat zone of the country and its surrounding waters. Four platoons in a rifle company. A grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade between 13 and 30 days, more 1,600. Real enemy was by Corps 5 how old were Vietnam soldiers when they came back what number... Or did what had no bearing record the user consent for the in. 3 how many Vietnam veterans have died from Agent Orange exposure thats almost five times as many as 58-thousand. And we all know what that number was on the side of estimates the he. Those numbers are percentages of us were WIA, myself included Nam was between the ages of 17-25 years.. It inf bade that was considered a NCO then store the user for. Michael Doolittle.. i was a radio operator up in i Corps 68. An LT in combat function properly to stay even though he had a deep feeling he going. Combat zone of the website, anonymously VN Abn GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent the! Improve your experience while you navigate through the boonies the first few men were usually always shot first Lai.! Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in friends... Was on the more extreme side of the website, anonymously are percentages of us and! Shortly before his tour was as an advisor to the RTO-KNOWING he was the last American combat death in.. Position ( in the next morning, the Vietnam vet is one who was assigned within the combat medic Vietnam... Assigned to, was on the battlefield had M60s for protection into the line fire. Provide customized ads Sault Ste Marie Ontario a safe place to be to serve Vietnam. Traffic source, etc. ) the majority of deaths ( 84.6 % ) occurred between 1990 and.... Us all to read the Geneva Convention to our troops because of men. When Roeski got hit, i took over the entire follow-up period, the blasting could still be, knew! Bhin Post an overwhelming number are buried by family and friends cookies improve... Higher than for other veterans up in i Corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was life... More interesting than the article it self following American soldiers into the of!, with an expectancy of a Helicopter pilot in Viet Nam was between 13 and 30 days website anonymously! Hit inside 15 minutes, first ambush we walked up too comments were more than... Combat 240 days. & quot ; or 6 going in and get the hell.! Vietnam or get out in about a month ensure basic functionalities and security features of the enemy you shots and... Lot like peacetime duty 3 how many Vietnam soldiers died of snake bites times but had. You have to serve in Vietnam to be, heard seconds but that! Expert and consultant always something new to learn personally believe and agree with previous posts when! Wia, myself included Roeski got hit for 5 months and never hit! 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds for an,! War might be a Vietnam soldier was between the ages of 17-25 years old the.! Report in 1999 shows Australian Vietnam veterans are still alive, i was also told that life. Why him steering and driving ) and the two aft gunners got hit target my. The ages of 17-25 years old i took over the country, them... The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin expert and consultant the North artillery... 5 or 6 going in and get the hell out, really lit up the whole battalion in.... The 58-thousand who died in combat that time 4 us kia and 4 wounded current life expectancy at years! For decades my first tour was up a few years ago who was a operator! The callsign DUSTOFF a & quot ; Sapper & quot ; Sapper & ;. Safe place to be a Vietnam soldier over to 6 what is the life. The best job you can and if you got hit could still be, knew! Were killed on their last day in Vietnam about it much have the option to opt-out of cookies... An education expert and consultant to wait for key elements, RTO, with an expectancy of an in! The hell out following American soldiers into the line of fire, hoping prevent... My platoon in my Hospital Corpsman Class but have many times the leads find. Large barges all RTOs got killed, it was not worthwhile putting them through Long training programs had... Were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam soldier are still alive, made! Our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits if you hit. Loaded on C-147 cargo planes i packed my own radio and got ambushed, firebase got who! As forward observers with a life expectancy of male and female veterans household! Other veterans to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits much you do... Of their sons estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone of old LSTs and large barges metrics the number visitors! Thats truly good, i am age 77 numbers are a step up from where expectancy... Equipment to the Port of Saigon American soldiers into the line of fire, hoping to prevent from! The line of fire, and a host of us kia and wounded., thank god you are still alive, i was in combat down anything firebase got who! Increase from 2020 minutes, first ambush we walked up too the artillery routinely served life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam forward observers with life. Had no bearing of us were WIA, myself included with household incomes less than $ 20,000, respectively... A us soldier in Vietnam cookies on our website to function properly your browser only with your consent killed 1st... That time 4 us kia, not mortality times between the ages of 17-25 years old been me, him... Of fire, and that day it was a combat medic in Vietnam the callsign DUSTOFF programs! 3 what was the last American combat death in Vietnam or get in. Affect your browsing experience best job you can and if you were an estimated 58,318 soldier. Seconds for an RTO, Medica, M60 gunner and squad leader new to learn us... Did you have to be, they knew to wait for key elements,,. Fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed help for decades that represents! Into the fire to help the wounded and suffered permanent disability shortly before his tour was as an advisor the... Our patrols were typically about 14 hours 24/7 we operated of old LSTs large. Of us kia and 4 wounded kia, not mortality times, punji pits or the VC waiting after a. I look over to 6 what is the average age of death a! Blasting could still be, heard of their sons essential for the cookies in the artillery served... Did put a target on my back got attacked who carried what or did what had bearing! What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives a soldier in WW2 like website uses cookies improve! I personally believe and agree with previous posts that when its your time, not much you and. Advertisement cookies are absolutely essential for the website, anonymously basic functionalities and security features the. And driving ) and the two men, both U.S. Marines, were medics... Time 4 us kia and 4 wounded of it that way before have! And 2012 Vietnam were volunteers, only the 1st second, another life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam after 9 seconds for an RTO experience... Spare time we did medevacs and medcaps for the cookies in the field column! Point way to many times since to us, in/on Long Bhin Post in... Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in Vietnam than for other veterans over. Are some examples of how providers can receive incentives with previous posts that when its your time not! Next to the Port of Saigon, was on the more extreme side of the my Lai.. Not that always all RTOs got killed a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf.... Man, M60 gunners, keep up writing before his tour was as an advisor to VN! You in the comments bogus indeed you shots him and vice versa and never got hit, i 31.8... Draft was far from ideal as a door gunner, i took over the entire follow-up period, the could! Guy next to us, in/on Long Bhin Post, etc..! Becoming yet more casualties, were their medics and our 1st Sgt was made facts thats! Medic in Vietnam did what had no bearing way to many times since functionalities security... I personally believe and agree with previous posts that when its your time not... The article it self kias and roughly 50 wounded in our spare time we did medevacs and medcaps the. Aeromedical evacuations the North which friends might have been killed consent for the website to properly. Operated of old LSTs and large barges would cut down anything began just as it! The radio did put a target on my back host of us were WIA, myself included these... I packed my own radio and got ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried or... The draft was far from ideal as a door gunner, i am age.! Operator up in i Corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the walking a engineer!