We went out typically in two boat patrols one lead one cover . I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. As I was running to the rivers edge, ready to unload on the VC hiding in the elephant grass, I ran past a grass hut and never bothered to clear it. I was an Artillery Forward Observer 13F20 E-5 at that time. If you look at all of the things the radio operators were tasked with, it becomes abundantly clear why commo guys weren't expected to last long. He decided to stay even though he had a deep feeling he wasnt going to make it. Well he didnt make it. BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. Got hit inside 15 minutes, first ambush we walked up too. We are a woman-owned small business and Veteran-owned incorporated in Ohio. I was told to show the new guy how to use it properly. I personally carried 300 rounds of ammo at all times, one belt in the gun and two across my chest. 1ST MAW 66-68. 79% had a high school education or better. Our battalion operated at a base camp near Tuy Hoa in Phu Yen province along the South China Sea from October 1966 to January 1967. His comparison to a FB was that if we were fired on we returned fire and requested assistance when needed. How Many Vietnam War Veterans Are Still Alive? I was constantly untangling the barrel and bipod of the gun from grasping vines and branches. They run into the fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed. Every single . The next three weeks passed uneventfully. Not much different than his unit. 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. Thanks for the perceived loss and the countless assassinations and torture visited upon Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians goes mainly to the American media and their undying support-by-misrepresentation of the anti-War movement in the United States. Was No. .. MEDEVAC helicopters flew nearly 500,000 missions. Once we turned on the radar they could hit us with a harm missile. In Service to My Men | Article | The United States Army If you would like to get a copy, and cant find it, let me know, and I will make sure you get one. Data based on the latest United Nations Population Division estimates. Hack received the Purple Heart for major combat injuries, and spent the rest of his military career as a recruiter for the US Army in Akron, Ohio. You can find the polarity of a compound by finding electronegativities (an atoms desire for an electron) of the atoms; Carbon has an electronegativity of 2.5, compared to Fluorines A) Enter the the Ksp expression for the solid AB2 in terms of the molar solubility x. After every officer in our company was either killed or had serious wounds, our 1st Sgt , David McNerney took over the company and without his leadership, and knowledge of war, and unbelievable courage, our company would probably have been wiped out. Was I lucky ? You just do the best job you can and if you got hit, so be it! 1 Gun over my shoulder, grabbed a corner of a poncho and stumbled off with three other soldiers. An Rtos job was essential, tough,(Carrying the extra weight of the radio transmitter along with his rucksack), and dangerous. Radiomen in the Vietnam War faced a 5-second life expectancy 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975. Commanders like him were few and far between many were afraid of their own shadow and were only there to get their ticket punched. Rarely do we examine war through the unique bond between a man and his weaponin this case the . And us the living that served, who suffer from PTSD ,that figure or percent-aged would be about the greatest of all. Remember he wanted to reenlist for one more year in Vietnam. In Vietnam 70% 0f the casualties were Infantry BUT it might be 70% of ALL the Infantry that served in Vietnam. Great information. This is excellent! If you ask people who live in these countries that won the war in Vietnam, they have a different opinion from the American news media. My shit got weak and a sniper popped three rounds in my young ass. They were Kims cousins not her brothers. endstream endobj 4315 0 obj <>/Metadata 89 0 R/Pages 4312 0 R/StructTreeRoot 120 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 4316 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 4312 0 R/Resources<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 4317 0 obj <>stream Then we learned, appx: 1 mile to our North was, an American AMMO storage area. Assigned to HHC 1/77 Armor, 1st, BDE 5th Inf. However, inaccurately reported, the News Media made the Tet Offensive famous. Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. HOOAH!!! HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. 1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures). That same day, I along with 3/4 others was transported to Long Bhin Post. "The Rangers pulled themselves over the top," President Ronald Reagan said of the men, in 1984. Fortunately, it was recorded on Spotify and can be listened to here: Thank you for both articles: (1)Going up river to port and (2) the flight from Italy back to Nam. We do have infantry (why do you think we have that MOS? Mi hermana se sorprende N-F C-F Cl-F F-F 2 Answers C-F is the most polar. Often as not he was right beside you with a stolen chicken and a bag of rice. both tours. US Wings provides aviation apparel to the U.S. Government and commercial customers along with the general public. One was holding a carbine. Startled, I quickly pointed my M60 at them. Army Infantrymen (11B) are the main land combat force, and known as "Eleven Bravo.". If anything went wrong, I could easily kill some of our soldiers. Welcome home brothers and sisters. 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 An interesting comment I had. Fact: The American military was not defeated in Vietnam. I was one of the many others I rode river boats in the Mekong Jan 68 to 69. Totally bogus. The Vietnam War was the turning point for Communism. (and yes, you cant ask them, so it would have to be derived from the AA-reports and survivors). I was trained as a RTO in 1970 at Fort Ord then went to Fort Gordon for teletype school, my MOS was 05C20 when I finished. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam? Bravo, 3/187th Inf, 101st Airborne Div, 2nd Plt, 2nd Sq, Hamburger Hill, May 69. It is Honor in the Valley of Tears. 5 Answers There is no word like addressal. Nixon Presidential Papers. 99% of infantry men will currently live to die of natural causes. located on the South End of, the Post. 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! I was never formally trained as an RTO. 11 c mos , meaning I was also cross trained for mortars . Me, a vehicle mechanic with Btry E, 41st Arty Quads 1970. Hats off to them. Most of us have memories of these kind of experiences. They were well-armed, well-trained and knew how to fight. According to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) there are now officially 58, 318 names on the wall. Sure but so was everyone else who went 12 months without getting killed or wounded. Many were killed or wounded ! So I guess I defied the odds. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. I remember hearing a Lieutenant (Kennedy) say to one of his two platoon RTOs My RTO is Foxtrot Uniform. The next morning, the blasting could still be, heard. The average age of the men killed: 23.1 years. maybe your question i vauge. Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds. We were very, lucky. I think those numbers are percentages of US KIA, not mortality times. Either way, thats a lot of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen, male and female that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and there are still people dying as a result of their wounds receiver so very long ago in a place called Vietnam. I was in 2nd Platoon and carried the platoons No. I packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom. Comments were more interesting than the article it self. Welcome home!! I am 81 now and survived the encounter by terminated the sniper. An NVA soldier had evidently spotted the gun and waited patiently for me to stick my head up. I was an RTO for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 to sept 70. I spent 10 1/2 months in the jungles of Vietnam. Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. In an instant the jungle erupted in gunfire. African Americans played a prominent role in the Vietnam War. KICK ASS AS NEEDED!!! The fact that PDoggbiker cant find any decent calculation/explanation, tells us a lot. 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 . After about 30 minutes, the four enemy soldiers got up and left the area. Well, according to current mortality and morbidity statistics for the USright around 77.5 Years! The Kb of pyridine, C5H5N, is 1.5 x 10-9. As some said, averages are meaningless. His body was torn to pieces. endstream endobj startxref 82nd 2/505th. It was just part of the job. Although the percent that died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. This Battle changed his life and his future, had it not been for his actions, every man on this FSB Gold would have died. Four platoons in a rifle company. estimated education differentials in life expectancy for Veterans in 2011-14 are close to those of U. S. population in 1979-89. 1st Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry. The peace settlement was signed in Paris on 27 January 1973. They were lazy, cowardly and of questionable loyalty, especially the RUFF/PUFFS, and they would steal your under ware if given half a chance. This makes calculations of those alive, even in 2017, difficult to maintain. Calculate the pH of a solution of 0.157 M pyridine.? I was over there twice serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a marine unit. Some of my men didnt. Needless too say I depended on Sgt. More importantly, Grandstaff was very gung-ho. 10 1/2 months in the bush. life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam - lbgf.org In 1973, Renza opened his own salon in Peekskill. It was just north of Saigon. Both were infantry in WW2. No combat assignments for another year of service in Vietnam or get out in about a month. I was wounded 3 times during the 10 1/2 months I was in-country before being medevacd out in Apr of 68. Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! Life Expectancy of the World Population. Though I flew only about 1/2 dozen missions as a Huey door gunner, I was initially told to sit on my flak jacket I always did so (personal protection first). PDF Mortality Rates and Life Expectancy of Veterans - Veterans Affairs PLEASE HELP!!! The Army suffered the most total casualties, 38,179 or 2.7 percent of its force. 6 Answers They say Kali Ma Theyre referencing this scene from the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: What is the life expectancy of an army infantry soldier? The rule of thumb was , any new guys would get the radio and keep it until another new guy came in. 97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. DeLong was later killed attempting to escape from a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp in Cambodia. As a result, less than one percent of all Americans wounded, who survived the first 24 hours, died. They have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups. 4 Charlie Ranallo, were on No. I was a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade. Papitto Opportunity Connections Mission: The Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is a private foundation dedicated to listening and working together with Rhode Islands BIPOC communities to empower and create individual success stories by investing in education, job skills training, and entrepreneurial ventures. See also: Population I for one commend you for your courage and thank you for your service to your country. 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. The body felt as though it weighed considerably more than it looked. I was lucky too but VN never left me. He said when they were ambushed they took defensive positions, returned fire, called for assistance when needed, and retreated when necessary. They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. I was still pondering the move to 4th Platoon when U.S. Air Force jets screamed over the treetops with canisters of napalm. And dug Berms, in the area. Thats why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him? etc. This article appeared in the October 2021 issue of Vietnam magazine. I did worry about the strength of my flax vest. Look for the blue accessibility symbol floating on every page of our website and click on it to tailor your viewing experience to your particular disability. Lowering my gun, I turned around and noticed two VC sitting in the doorway of the hut, staring at me. 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. Had multiple Ks and Ws. Roger Loves you too, Im sure. I just wanted to get off No. His best friend is 86 and still alive. As we approached the battle, we heard intense firing. AS LEADERS IN AMERICAS SERVICES WE MUST BE PROFICIENT AND READY TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSIONS- Some unfortunately also came home with physical scars. The other group of aeromedical evacuation were divisional, i.e. We were discussing the different units and dangers of each. That was supposed to be 58, 220. but wait, there are more numbers for the same story. The first six or seven months I walked point for our platoon and led many ambushes and green eye patrols. I felt the same way jumping off the chopper with my m-60, 300. rounds of ammo,grenades,sandbags and six canteens of water. I was already lugging around a 24-pound weapon, 300 rounds of ammo and a pack that weighed a good 45 pounds. Of the eight who remained, seven were wounded. The fact is that most machine gunners, RTOs, junior officers and other extremely dangerous jobs survived the war. The earliest casualty record contains a date of death of . This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between 95 and 00. The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. military personnel as having served in-country. B)Enter the the Ksp expression forC2D3 in terms of the molar solubility x. Jimmy aaja -M.I.A. well i have been army infantry for 12 years with 2 deployments, and still going strong. Non-divisional aeromedical evacuation units went by the callsign DUSTOFF. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE VIETNAM VETS ARE NOT. Im laying behind a rice paddie dike.I put my whole body as far down in the muck while the bullets were over my head. It was an HONOR and a privilege to serve with these brave men for my 11 month tour. Not long after the artillery barrage ended, the North Vietnamese swept through 4th Platoon and executed some of the survivors. After a couple of hours, the Viet Cong stopped shooting and melted back into the jungle. They were all up there scanning the terrain and looking for signs. In total, the 7th Infantry spent four years in Vietnam. On the morning of March 22, 1967, companies A and B of my battalion began a search-and-destroy operation along the Cambodian border. Interesting, I carried a Prick 25, for 2 months. where can i find red bird vienna sausage? Keep in step with US Wings Join our newsletter to receive all our latest news and offers, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from US Wings. We used to provide cover for these guys. In January 1967, the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, was airlifted to Pleiku province in the Central Highlands. 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 Sure, its softer than it was before, but the training they go through is intense, something a loser who spends his time on the computer all day attacking people he doesnt know anything about and all the facts CANNOT do. 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. Then he said youre on a FB, the enemy always knows your location, can pretty much attack at will, and you really dont have the capability to retreat. We gathered the casualties and set out for Company A. An infantry platoon commander in combat had an average of 6 weeks life expectancy. 2 Gun to Ranallo. Learned a lot from him. However, Shermans were very outmatched by the German tanks on the field of battle. Eventually I found a spot where the bed leveled off and began firing on the NVA. Its just (bad) luck, fate, randomness theres no right or wrong, no justice or fairness, no reasoning. If it was your day to get hit or die, it happened. 17 photos showing the life of an elite US Army Ranger I handled Top Secret Commo on a daily basis. I applaud the courage and difficult and all so dangerous job of Roger Herforth when he served as an RTO for the Hawk Recon Platoon of the 101st airborne division in Vietnam.. Carried the prc25 for about 7 months. Rules may have changed, I was in the Delta region. RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. THE MAN I INHERITED THE GUN FROM WASNT SO LUCKY. A battery of big 155 mm howitzers blasted the tiny platoon perimeter, tearing trees out of the ground and hurling chunks of red-hot shell splinters through the air. The average time lapse between wounding to hospitalization was less than one hour. Some were constantly exposed to combat, some not so often. No. An Hinglish word (Hindi/English). I also earned a Combat Infantryman Badge, signifying that I had been actively engaged in combat. One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. I was an Artillery Forward Observer with the Infantry. Contents1 [] Also: for years I have read those life-expectancy numbers never really understanding them, but also noting that they wildly vary. Our home base was Quang Tri fire Base, But I spent about 6 months out at Mai Loc with the rig. Also, it has been incorrectly reported that two of Kim Phucs brothers were killed in this incident. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Done ranting. The average life expectancy of a front-line soldier in eastern Ukraine is four hours, a Marine said. To cut the Ho Chi Minh Traila week after the mission endedthe trail was booming with business from the north.. As mentioned, who kept track of that in the first place? Oh, and even the Air Force has ground units. We looked for cover and returned fire the best we could. The one that should be there is the combat medic. 240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. If the NVA shot at the group retrieving the bodies, I was to fire over the heads of the grunts and engage the enemy. 1 gun! Everyone laughed. 2 Gun.. 1 Gun. I had an assistant gunner, Spc. Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! Spanish Help The oldest man killed was 62 years old. Proudly holding my M60 over my head, I screamed at the top of my lungs, No. Really no mention of the regular rifleman. The Tet Offensive succeeded on only one front and that was the News front and the political arena. Welcome Home Brothers ! I think convoy truck drivers had one of the most dangerous job. 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. But it was my jobso I tried not to think about it much. One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. a RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always ALL RTOs got killed. They also struggled with logistical problems and the complex political situation in Vietnam. I was told my life expectancy was about 45 secs during a fire fight because of the weapons and demo I carried.