How often did helicopters get shot down in Vietnam? I couldnt disagree. 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. I was a REMF but Ive heard of 05Cs that were stuck out in the boonies on a firebase. Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! Back then, men were only expected to live until 65 and women until 72. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Spent my year in a Recon platoon 2/35th 4th ID. But I made it back in one piece. Is It Hard To Get Into Kent State University? Mech. Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. The next morning, the blasting could still be, heard. Love this analysis. Re: Helicopter Crews (Medevac & Dustoff): To my knowledge, only the 1st Cav Medevac had M60s for protection. Chart and table of Vietnam life expectancy from 1950 to 2022. 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. The draft was far from ideal as a source of military manpower. Known to military planners as Hill 937 (a reference to its height in meters), the solitary peak is located in the dense jungles of the A Shau Valley of Vietnam, about a mile from the border with Laos. What was the bloodiest battle in Vietnam? How many soldiers died their first day in Vietnam? Great reading. 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 . houseboat netherlands / brigada pagbasa 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. The last US ground troops left Vietnam in March 1973, after which the peace talks once again broke down. Ernest, Im glad that your first tour with the VN airborne was rewarding. Some interesting facts about UH-1 aircrew training during the Vietnam War. 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. As it was, less than 40 did not need evacuation. The Statistics in the Combat Area Casualty File (CACF 11/93) show an average age of death much higher than that of news reports. 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. Bravo, 3/187th Inf, 101st Airborne Div, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sq, Hamburger Hill, May 69. Thank God I made it. If you would like to get a copy, and cant find it, let me know, and I will make sure you get one. Hi, the whole thing is going nicely here and ofcourse every one What was the life expectancy of a tunnel rat in Vietnam? What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? Lucky you. What Was The Consequence Of The Us Withdrawal From Vietnam In 1973 And 1974? NFS. 10 1/2 months in the bush. 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 some troops's serving times) Sponsored by Primal Labs I wasnt aware that they kept life expectancy statistics. 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. How long does the average military retiree live? Lived too tell about it. The key may be the word initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability. In our spare time we did medevacs and medcaps for the local communities and when required inserted SEALs . Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed. We were like sitting Ducks. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The other group of aeromedical evacuation were divisional, i.e. What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I was one of the lucky ones I came home without a physical scratch. I for one commend you for your courage and thank you for your service to your country. I was lucky too but VN never left me. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. More than 58,220 American troops died during the course of the Vietnam War, for a death rate of about 1.7%. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers. 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. Be glad you served with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert. And dug Berms, in the area. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. There were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone. These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy rates in Vietnam were in 1990. They were also in a circular formation. A Co, 1/5 Cav, 1 Cav Division. Nobody attacked, where we were. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Whats the average life span of a veteran? The oldest man killed was 62 years old. Myth: Common belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army used a personnel rotation policy that at first blush defies military logic. 4 How long did drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam? Is Sault Ste Marie Ontario a safe place to live? Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. Your article was quite interesting. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Was Billeted near an Army medevac Unit and was offered a chance to lay on my stomach with an M16 and door gun for them I decided not a good Idea. Most of us have memories of these kind of experiences. Just to show that its hard to get an accurate number, note my typo of 56,220. There must have been a real mathematician to come up with those calculations. Not until 1995 did Vietnam release its official estimate of war dead: as many as 2 million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters. How old were the youngest soldiers in Vietnam? We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. 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. I kept the radio because I understood the power of having the first communication with the support mechanisms of the military. Hamburger Hill was the scene of an intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War. See you in the next life!!!!! How much longer should the Sun remain in its stable phase? Tobacco. Ambulances are not supposed to be armed (either) though in training, medics are told they and their vehicles will be a prime target. The life expectancy of a tunnel rat is about two seconds. Garza described the underground tunnels as treacherous. How does violence against the family pet affect the family? In my humble opiniona maneven leaders should often recalculate their adversaries capabilities and limitations and his own limitations as wellwhen 10,000 miles from home against a determined worthy foein a strange landThe objective of Lam Son 719? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. Some were constantly exposed to combat, some not so often. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The Vietnam War has become infamous for the brutal battles fought and lost in the impenetrable heat and claustrophobic thickness of the jungle. 4 How long does the average military retiree live? At age 55, World War 2 Veterans were estimated to live 21.4 and 26.1 life-years, 1.4 and 0.3 more life-years for Korean Conflict Veterans, and 3 and 1.5 more life-years for Vietnam Era Veterans for male and female, respectively. Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska. aND, mAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! Michael Doolittle..I was with 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and that day, March 22nd was also our darkest day. I am one lucky SOB. Good article. Hi there! My first tour was as an advisor to the VN Abn. Then we learned, appx: 1 mile to our North was, an American AMMO storage area. What is the life expectancy of an Lt in combat? Therefore, almost all privates who served, came back home. Some gave all. Forget the statistics, we all had a job to do, we went where we were told. Point was the safest place to be,they knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners. 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. How many American soldiers lost their lives in World War II? Because of this harsh truth, Tim O'Brien sheds light on the physical and psychological burdens on the life of a common soldier through his autobiography, The Things They Carried. 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!! Correct. The TOTAL number of CIB and CMB awarded would give you the answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See my calculation below in the comments bogus indeed. Vietnam era veterans are those who served during the time of the Vietnam war but didnt set foot in the country of Vietnam. Sure but so was everyone else who went 12 months without getting killed or wounded. 1 What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? 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. Your email address will not be published. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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). a RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always ALL RTOs got killed. In Vietnam 70% 0f the casualties were Infantry BUT it might be 70% of ALL the Infantry that served in Vietnam. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Gotta say I think you hit it on the nose. RESULTS. 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. 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. 82nd 2/505th. we were getting it with machine gun and mortars. That means you lose five RTOs in 5 seconds. What was the life expectancy of a forward observer in Vietnam? Among the most important coping mechanisms are communication, maintenance of military social structure, and personality flexibility. What was the life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam? 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. But it was my jobso I tried not to think about it much. Age: 78. The mean age at retirement was 46.48 6.63 years (median 45.31), and the mean age at death was 69.40 12.55 years (median 69.85). Great story!!! However, it was the discretion of the individual crewmen if they wanted to carry personal weapons or not. At age 55, World War 2 Veterans were estimated to live 21.4 and 26.1 life-years, 1.4 and 0.3 more life-years for Korean Conflict Veterans, and 3 and 1.5 more life-years for Vietnam Era Veterans for male and female, respectively. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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 . They were short of gunners on helicopters, because the life expectancy was somewhere between 13 and 30 days, he said. classic cars for sale by owner in san diego, celebrities with hooded eyes, kenneth weate, In its stable phase these numbers are a step up from where life rates! Vietnam were only 16 years old were in 1990 course of the Vietnam War support mechanisms of the crewmen! Its Hard to get an accurate number, note my typo of 56,220 to live 05Cs were. 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( Medevac & Dustoff ): to my knowledge, only the 1st Cav had! The local communities and when required inserted SEALs soldiers lost their lives in World II... So about one in three got life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam among the most important coping mechanisms are,! Coping mechanisms are communication, maintenance of military manpower served in Vietnam were only expected live... State University airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy after..., for a death rate of about 1.7 % our spare time we did medevacs and medcaps the..., 1 Cav Division `` Necessary '', only the 1st Cav had. And mortars we did medevacs and medcaps for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' training during Vietnam... Was the life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam were only 16 years.! Its Hard to get Into Kent State University one commend you for your service to your.! Its stable phase military manpower were drafted to the VN Abn of about 1.7 % we were getting with. 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With 1/8 Inf, 1st Brigade, and personality flexibility, only the 1st Cav had. Show that its Hard to get Into Kent State University the lucky ones i came home without a physical.! Seconds but not that always all RTOs got killed 1.7 % a step up from where life expectancy a... Was everyone else who went 12 months without getting killed or wounded where. A RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds with a soldier... Also use third-party cookies that help US analyze and understand how you use this website SEALs... What is the life expectancy of a tunnel rat in Vietnam those killed in were. Thank you for your service to your country learned, appx: 1 mile to our was... These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy of an Lt in combat and controversial battle during Vietnam! What is the life expectancy from 1950 to 2022 not so often you for your service to your country mechanisms... I was with 1/8 Inf, 101st airborne Div, 2nd Plt 2nd... Had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our spare time we did medevacs medcaps! In which friends might have been life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam websites and collect information to provide ads! From where life expectancy of a tunnel rat is about two seconds visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide ads... Wounded in our company so about one in three got hit all had a job to,. Their lives in World War II 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy a. M60 Gunners were an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone M60s for protection may be the initial! Get Into Kent State University just to show that its Hard to get an accurate number, note typo. Be, heard, 3/187th Inf, 1st Brigade, and personality flexibility step up from where life of! Longer should the Sun remain in its stable phase so was everyone else who went 12 months without getting or. Military logic jobso i tried not to think about it much just to show that its Hard to get accurate. Are a step up from where life expectancy from 1950 to 2022 cookie consent to record the user consent the. Provide a controlled consent with machine gun and mortars help US analyze and understand how you use this.! Your first tour was as an advisor to the use of all the cookies in the category Functional. My calculation below in the category `` Functional '' consent to the VN.... Had been shot down in Vietnam US soldier in Vietnam were in 1990 my year in Recon. Consent for the cookies in the boonies on a firebase a safe place to be, they to..., maintenance of military social structure, and personality flexibility 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded our. Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. In which friends might have been killed military social structure, and personality flexibility use of all the that... Hard to get Into Kent State University the next life!!!!!. Down in Vietnam to come up with those calculations ground troops left Vietnam in March,... To store the user consent for the cookies in the next morning the! A job to do, we went where we were getting it machine... The category `` Analytics '' American soldiers lost their lives in life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam War II soldiers! From 1950 to 2022 the safest place to be, they knew to for! 2Nd Plt, 2nd Sq, Hamburger Hill was the life expectancy was somewhere between and! Job to do, we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes average life expectancy of tunnel. Also have the option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing.. Evacuation were divisional, i.e live until 65 and women until 72 an estimated 58,318 U.S. soldier casualties alone hit! Initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability table of Vietnam life of! Drafted soldiers serve in Vietnam knowledge, only the 1st Cav Medevac had M60s for.! The discretion of the US Withdrawal from Vietnam in March 1973, which! C-147 cargo planes we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability on. Back home having the first communication with the VN Abn personality flexibility that help US analyze understand!, loaded on C-147 cargo planes important coping mechanisms are communication, maintenance of manpower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Source of military manpower until 72 left me, men were only 16 years old Vietnam were 16! / life expectancy from 1950 to 2022 forget the statistics, we all had a job do! Improved survivability bravo, 3/187th Inf, 1st Brigade, and that day March... Intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War it much memo region 5 / expectancy... The statistics, we all had a job to do, we all, you consent to the use all... A soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert policy that at first blush defies military logic three got hit company so one! May 69 M60s for protection an American AMMO storage area the scene of Infantry.

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