Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Source: http://clydemcdonnell.blogspot.com/
(Click on any picture to see full size)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was almost not built. It's supporters had to fight to raise money. They had to fight to put it on the Mall. They had to fight to keep the design. Sometimes the fighting was bitter. The conflict was fueled by emotions that was as much about the war, as it was with the memorial. There were racial slurs and even some death threats.
Jan Scruggs said: “The idea of having all these names permanently displayed in Washington a few blocks from the White House, a block from the State Department, down the street from the United States Congress — to me, this was poetic justice. These were the people everyone wanted to forget. They wanted this whole thing to go away, and I didn’t want it to go away.”
The stone for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall came from Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It was deliberately chosen because of its high reflective quality. The stone cutting and fabrication was done in Barre, Vermont.
The Stones were then shipped to Memphis, Tennessee, where the names were etched in the stones. The etching was completed by using a photo emulsion and sandblasting process. The negatives that were used in the process are in storage at the Smithsonian Institution.
When a visitor looks upon the memorial wall, his or her reflection can be seen simultaneously with the engraved names, which is meant to symbolically bring the past and the present together.
One wall of names points toward the Washington Monument, the other wall of names points in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial.
Since November 13, 1982, the day of dedication for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, millions of people have come to see what has now become a national landmark. They read the thousands of names of the dead and missing troops that have been engraved on the wall.
They come by the thousands and stare at its beauty, and at their reflections in the polished black granite. They seem compelled to touch the wall and to run their fingers over the name they were searching for.
In 2009, the Washington National Parks Visitor Stats for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was 4,555,371 visitors. That was 2nd only to the Lincoln Memorial.
A 252-foot "Moving Wall", a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. consisting of numerous interlocking aluminum panels duplicates the original structure and now travels throughout the United States. Wherever this "Moving Wall" may go, it always draws large crowds of people. Viewing the "Moving Wall", basically allows many to be reminded of the terrible loss that a country suffers when it sends its young men and women off to any war.
I hope that the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall" and it's replica, the "Moving Wall" would also be a constant reminder of the large price that some Americans have had to pay for the freedom that You and I are all now able to enjoy.
Short History Of Vietnam Conflicts
Vietnamese women and children crouched in a muddy canal.
From 1946 until 1954, the Vietnamese people had struggled for their independence from France, during the First Indochina War. At the end of that war, the country was temporarily divided into North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam came under the control of the Vietnamese Communists, who had opposed the occupation by France. Their aim was for a unified Vietnam under Communist rule. The country called South Vietnam was controlled by Vietnamese who had collaborated with the French Government during the war..
What we call "The Vietnam War", was a military struggle that was fought in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975. It involved the North Vietnamese and the "National Liberation Front" (NLF) in conflict with United States forces and a few of its allies and the South Vietnamese army.
The United States became involved in Vietnam, because it believed that if all of the country fell under a Communist government, then Communism would soon be spread throughout Southeast Asia and possibly beyond. This belief was known as the "domino theory." The United States government supported the South Vietnamese government. The South Vietnamese government's repressive policies led to a rebellion in South Korea, and the National Liberation Front was formed as an opposition group The National Liberation Front had close ties to North Vietnam.
In 1965, the United States sent in troops in order to prevent the South Vietnamese government from collapsing. The United States failed to achieve that goal, and in 1975, Vietnam was reunified under Communist control. In 1976, the country officially became the "Socialist Republic of Vietnam".
During the bitter fighting, approximately 3.5 to 4 million Vietnamese on both sides were killed. There was another 1.5 to 2 million Lao and Cambodians deaths after they were drawn into the war. More than 58,000 American military troops lost their lives.
Vietnam War Statistics
In Uniform And In Country
(1) Vietnam Veterans: 9.7% of their generation.
(2) 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam era (August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975).
(3) 8,744,000 GIs were on active duty during the war (August 5, 1964 - March 28, 1973).
(4) 3,403,100 (including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the Southeast Asia Theater (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, flight crews based in Thailand, and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters). 2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (January 1, 1965 - March 28, 1973).
(5) Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.
(6) Of the 2,6 million, between 1 - 1.6 million (40 - 60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.
(6) 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam.
(7) Peak troop strength in Vietnam: 543,482 (April 30, 1969).
There Were 58,202 American Casualties
(1) Hostile deaths: 47,359.
(2) Non-hostile deaths: 10,797.
(3) Total: 58,202 (includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.
(4) 8 nurses died - 1 was KIA (killed in action).
(5) Married men killed: 17,539.
(6) 61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.
(7) Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1 men per 100,000 males serving in Vietnam (national average 58.9 men for every 100,000 males serving in Vietnam. (Averaged in 1970).
(8) Wounded: 303,704 (153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care).
(9) Severely disabled: 75,000--23,214 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,081 sustained multiple amputations. Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than in Korea. Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII
(10) Missing in Action: 2,338.
(11) POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity).
Socio-Economic Status of American Troops
(1) 76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/ working class backgrounds.
(2) Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.
(3) Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional, managerial or technical occupations.
(4) 79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service. (63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation).
(5) Deaths by region per 100,000 of population: South-31, West-29.9; Midwest-28.4; Northeast-23.5
Race And Ethnic Background
(1) 88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian, 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1% listed as others.
(2) 86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics); 12.5% (7,241) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.
(3) 170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.
(4) 86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were Caucasian; 12.1% (5,711)were black; 1.1% belonged to other races
(5) 14.6% (1.530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.
(6) 34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.
(7) Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.
(8) Religion of Dead: Protestant - 64.4%; Catholic--28.9%; other/none - 6.7%.
Draftees And Volunteers
(1) 648,500, or 25% of the total forces in country were draftees as opposed to 66% of the ones in WWII.
(2) Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.
(3) 5,977 Reservists died.
(4) 6,140 National Guard members served; 101 died.
(5) Total draftees (1965-73): 1,728,344.
(6) Total draftees that served in Vietnam: 38%.
(7) Marine Corps drafted 42,633.
(8) Last man drafted was on June 30, 1973.
Service In Vietnam
(1) 97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged.
(2) 91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country.
(3) 66% of Vietnam vets say they would serve again if called upon.
(4) 87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem
(Information Courtesy of the VFW Magazine and the Public Information Office, HQ CP Forward Observer - 1st Recon).
***
A village burns.
The war in Vietnam was long and controversial. War has always been controversial in our nation. This time, our country was bitterly divided. This division was loud and some times violent. Both sides of the controversy. told and spread many vicious lies. We showed the world that we were a nation of liars. That included the Presidents, Congress, College teachers, the hippies, the clergy and the Wall Street vultures. They were all liars.
New York Times
Daniel Ellsberg, a Vietnam War veteran with a doctorate in economics, worked for the Defense Department as an analyst. He contributed to Robert McNamara’s study, which later became known as the Pentagon Papers, for a period of time in 1967. By 1969, Daniel Ellsberg had begun attending antiwar protests and decided that the war in Vietnam was unjust. In October 1969, Daniel Ellsberg and a colleague covertly photocopied the Pentagon Papers. He shared the document with a select group of officials, scholars and reporters, including Neil Sheehan of The New York Times.
On June 13, 1971, the New York Times began publishing excerpts of the study, which revealed a startling picture of United States government deception and policy blunders.
Life Magazine ran the above picture of a wounded Sgt. Jeremiah Purdie.
The American troops, who were doing what their country asked of them, were fighting in Vietnam with an enemy who was trying to destroy them. At the same time, they were bring showered with lies and contempt by their fellow Americans.
The greatest injustice and shame during that period of time was how the American troops were treated by many of the American public.
***
William Faulkner wrote:
"Some things you must always be unable to bear."
There are 58,195 Names on "The Wall" in Washington, D.C. I can't post all of them on this blog, but I will post the ones that came from the small towns that I have lived in. It just so happens that I did not know any of them personally. I wish I had. It would have been my honor.
You can find about any of the names on the Wall by going to the excellent site known as "The Virtual Wall".
The Virtual Wall
As you read about these heroes, remember that they were just like the guys who played basketball and football in your town. He could have been the young man in the neighborhood who cut your grass.
SOUTH FORK, PENNSYLVANIA
Donald Eugene Hunter
Private First Class
M CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES,
3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
South Fork, Pennsylvania
Born on June 27, 1948 - Died on May 01, 1968
DONALD E HUNTER is on the Wall at Panel 53E Line 034
******
PORTAGE, PENNSYLVANIA
Joseph Paul Noel
Corporal
C CO, 3RD TANK BN,
3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Portage, Pennsylvania
Born on June 30, 1947 - Died on June 05, 1968
(Incident Date June 01, 1968)
JOSEPH P NOEL is on the Wall at Panel 60W Line 021
***
Russell James Swanhart
Lance Corporal
AMMO CO, SUPPLY BN,
1ST FORCE SVC RGT,
FORCE LOG CMD, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Portage, Pennsylvania
Born on May 21, 1948 - Died on September 12, 1967
RUSSELL J SWANHART is on the Wall at Panel 26E Line 064
***
Damian Thomas Tomasko
First Lieutenant
RECON PLT, E CO, 1ST BN,
46TH INFANTRY, 198TH INFANTRY BDE,
AMERICAL DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Portage, Pennsylvania
Born on May 27, 1947 - Died on January 05, 1969
DAMIAN T TOMASKO is on the Wall at Panel 35W Line 041
******
MERCER, PENNSYLVANIA
David Elroy Baun
Specialist Four
C CO, 2ND BN, 18TH INF RGT, 1 INF DIV
Army of the United States
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on October 28, 1945 - Died on June 30, 1966
DAVID ELROY BAUN is on the Wall at Panel 08E Line 110
***
Maurice Edwin Garrett, Jr
CaptainA TRP, 2ND SQD, 17TH AIR CAV, 101 ABN DIV
Army Of The United States
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on April 17, 1946 - Died on October 22, 1971
MAURICE EDWIN GARRETT on Wall Panel 02W Line 047
***
Richard Lee McNeish
Private First Class
3RD PLT, B CO, 1ST BN, 7TH MARINES,
1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on July 07, 1945 - Died on October 24, 1967
RICHARD L McNEISH is on the Wall at Panel 28E Line 061
***
Albert Krisunas Christy
Staff Sergeant
B CO, 1ST BN, 35TH INFANTRY,
25TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on August 04, 1938 - Died on March 17, 1966
ALBERT K CHRISTY is on the Wall at Panel 06E Line 017
***
Miles Bradley Hedglin
Private First Class
B CO, 1ST BN, 8TH INFANTRY,
4TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on August 04, 1949 - Died on March 25, 1969
MILES B HEDGLIN is on the Wall at Panel 28W Line 036
***
Carl James Forrester
Sergeant
C CO, 1ST BN, 7TH CAVALRY,
1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on August 08, 1941 - Died on February 01, 1966
CARL J FORRESTER is on the Wall at Panel 04E Line 128
***
Merle Robert Higgins
Sergeant
D CO, 4TH BN, 9TH INFANTRY,
25TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Born on August 06, 1947 - Died on June 05, 1969
MERLE R HIGGINS is on the Wall at Panel 23W Line 074
******
RIDGWAY, PENNSYLVANIA
Jerome Edward Bowers, Jr
Corporal
C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Born on March 25, 1947 - Died on April 18, 1970
JEROME E BOWERS Jr is on the Wall at Panel 11W Line 020
***
Larry Wayne Gardner
Sergeant
B CO, 1ST BN, 26TH MARINES,
3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Born on Born on October 10, 1946 - Died on January 21, 1967
(Incident Date January 17, 1967)
LARRY W GARDNER is on the Wall at Panel 14E Line 062
***
Paul Eugene Yonkie
Technical Sergeant
76TH MIL ALFT SQDN, 437TH MAW
United States Air Force
Born on June 04, 1934 - Died on September 01, 1968
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
PAUL EUGENE YONKIE on the Wall at Panel 45W Line 023
******
STRUTHERS, OHIO
Ronald Charles
Lance Corporal
B CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES,
3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Struthers, Ohio
Born on March 18, 1946 - Died on July 02, 1967
RONALD CHARLES is on the Wall at Panel 22E Line 098
***
Walter Bruce Hoxworth
Sergeant
C CO, 2ND BN, 12TH CAVALRY,
1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on June 15, 1948 - Died on March 08, 1969
WALTER B HOXWORTH is on Wall Panel 30W Line 077
***
Eugene Michael Paliskis
Staff Sergeant
DET A1-212, MACV-SOG,
1ST SF GROUP, US ARMY
SPT CMD VIETNAM, MACV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on June 07, 1937 - Died on November 16, 1964
EUGENE M PALISKIS is on the Wall at Panel 01E Line 072
***
Louis Sam Gutierrez
Sergeant
B BTRY, 1ST BN, 21ST ARTILLERY,
1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on March 03, 1940 - Died on November 18, 1965
LOUIS S GUTIERREZ is on the Wall at Panel 03E Line 100
***
Charles James Huzicko
Sergeant
C CO, 2ND BN, 60TH INFANTRY,
9TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on February 23, 1946 - Died on June 25, 1968
CHARLES J HUZICKO is on Wall at Panel 55W Line 035
***
Jerry Lee Rogers
Specialist Four
A CO, 2ND BN, 8TH CAV RGT, 1 CAV DIV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on June 12, 1947 - Died on September 12, 1967
JERRY LEE ROGERS is on Wall at Panel 26E Line 063
***
Leonard Stephen Hauserman
Private First Class
A CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on February 18, 1942 - Died on March 30, 1966
LEONARD S HAUSERMAN is on the Wall at Panel 06E Line 064
***
John Mirich
Specialist Five
A CO, 227TH ASLT HELO BN,
11TH AVN GROUP, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Struthers, Ohio
Born on September 02, 1946 - Died on January 16, 1969
JOHN MIRICH is on the Wall at Panel 34W Line 016
******
JEFFERSON, OHIO
Ronald Douglas Brown
First Lieutenant
D CO, 1ST BN, 46TH INFANTRY,
198TH INFANTRY BDE,
AMERICAL DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Jefferson, Ohio
Born on May 23, 1946 - Died on October 01, 1968
RONALD D BROWN is on the Wall Panel 42W Line 053
***
Charles Eugene McMillion
Private First Class
C CO, 1ST BN (MECH), 5TH INF RGT, 25 INF DIV
Army of the United States
Jefferson, Ohio
Born on August 27, 1948 - Died on May 29, 1969
CHARLES E. McMILLION on the Wall Panel 23W Line 016
******
TORONTO, OHIO
Elwood Charles Baker
Private First Class
A CO, 8TH ENG BN, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Toronto, Ohio
Born on January 23, 1950 - Died on December 18, 1970
ELWOOD C BAKER is on the Wall at Panel 06W Line 128
***
Ronald James Manning
Hospitalman
H&S CO, 2ND BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Navy
Toronto, Ohio
Born on May 09, 1954 - Died on May 15, 1975
RONALD J MANNING is on the Wall at Panel 01W Line 131
***
George Dennis McClelland
Private First Class
A CO, 3RD ENG BN,
3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Toronto, Ohio
April 26, 1949 - Died on June 23, 1969
GEORGE D McCLELLAND is on the Wall at Panel 22W Line 123
******
SALINEVILLE, OHIO
Elwood William Davis, Jr
Private First Class
HHC, 2ND BN, 7TH CAVALRY,
1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Salineville, Ohio
June 24, 1940 - Died on November 17, 1965
ELWOOD W DAVIS Jr is on the Wall at Panel 03E Line 074
***
James Edward Lightfoot
Equipment Operator 1st Class
NMCB-7, 3RD NC BDE,
USNAVFORV
United States Navy
Salineville, Ohio
August 24, 1929 - Died on September 08, 1967
JAMES E LIGHTFOOT is on Wall at Panel 26E Line 036
******
SALEM, OHIO
Larry Homer Crumbaker
Lance Corporal
I CO, 3RD BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Salem, Ohio
June 22, 1945 - Died on March 30, 1967
LARRY H CRUMBAKER is on the Wall at Panel 17E Line 070
***
James Lloyd Robinson
Specialist Four
C CO, 554TH ENG BN,
79TH ENG GRP, 20TH ENG BDE
Army of the United States
Salem, Ohio
Born on January 02, 1947 - Died on October 05, 1967
JAMES LLOYD ROBINSON is on Wall at Panel 27E Line 055
***
William Joseph Hughes
Private First Class
B CO, 3RD BN, 47TH INFANTRY,
9TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Salem, Ohio
August 01, 1943 - Died on May 02, 1968
WILLIAM J HUGHES is on the Wall at Panel 54E Line 009
***
Charles Joseph TurriPrivate First Class
566TH TRANS CO,
ARMY SPT CMD CAM RANH BAY,
1ST LOG CMD, USARV
Army of the United States
Salem, Ohio
Born on December 05, 1947 - Died on March 12, 1969
CHARLES J TURRI is on the Wall at Panel 29W Line 026
***
Robert Berg Labbe
Private First Class
F CO, 2ND BN, 7TH MARINES,
1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Salem, Ohio
Born on November 23, 1946 - Died on March 04, 1966
ROBERT B LABBE is on the Wall at Panel 05E Line 106
******
Duty Called - Greg Wilson
Separation Of Fact From Fiction
It is NOT TRUE that Most Vietnam veterans were drafted. 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. (Gen, Westmoreland).
Approximately 70% of those killed were volunteers. (Gen. McCaffrey).
Many men volunteered for the draft so even some of the draftees were actually volunteers.
It is NOT TRUE that disproportionate number of black soldiers were killed in the Vietnam War. 86% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasians, 12.5% were black, 1.2% were other races. (The Combat Area Casualty File and Gen. Westmoreland). The percentage of of black troops in Vietnam was 12.9%.
Sociologists Charles C. Moskos and John Sibley Butler, in their book "All That We Can Be," said they analyzed the claim that blacks were used like cannon fodder during Vietnam "and can report definitely that this charge is untrue. Black fatalities amounted to 12 percent of all Americans killed in Southeast Asia - a figure proportional to the number of blacks in the U.S. population at the time and slightly lower than the proportion of blacks in the Army at the close of the war." - "All That We Can Be".
Isolated atrocities committed by a few American soldiers produced torrents of outrage from antiwar critics and the news media while Communist atrocities were so common that they received hardly any attention at all. The United States sought to minimize and prevent attacks on civilians while North Vietnam made attacks on civilians a centerpiece of its strategy. Americans who deliberately killed civilians received prison sentences while Communists who did so received commendations.
From 1957 to 1973, the National Liberation Front assassinated 36,725 South Vietnamese and abducted another 58,499. The death squads focused on leaders at the village level and on anyone who improved the lives of the peasants such as medical personnel, social workers, and schoolteachers.
General William C. Westmoreland said that there was no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non veterans of the same age group (from a Veterans Administration study) and that Vietnam Veterans were less likely to be in prison - only 1/2 of one percent of Vietnam Veterans had been jailed for crimes.
According to Lt. Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, 85% of the Vietnam Veterans made a successful transition to civilian life, and that the Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent. He also asserted that in the same age group, Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than our non-veterans. In 1993, Gen. McCaffrey asserted that 87% of the American people held the Vietnam Vets in high esteem.
It is NOT TRUE as the media has reported that suicides among Vietnam veterans range from 50,000 to 100,000 - 6 to 11 times the non-Vietnam veteran population. Mortality studies show that 9,000 is a better estimate. "The CDC Vietnam Experience Study Mortality Assessment showed that during the first 5 years after discharge, deaths from suicide were 1.7 times more likely among Vietnam veterans than non-Vietnam veterans. After that initial post-service period, Vietnam veterans were no more likely to die from suicide than non-Vietnam veterans. In fact, after the 5-year post-service period, the rate of suicides is less in the Vietnam veterans' group." - Dr. Vernon N. Houk.
97% of Vietnam Veterans were discharged under honorable conditions. This was the same percentage of honorable discharges as ten years prior to the Vietnam War (Gen. Westmoreland).
It is NOT TRUE that the Vietnam War was fought largely by the poor and uneducated Americans. Lt. Gen. McCaffrey said that Vietnam Veterans were the best educated forces our nation had ever sent into combat. and that 79% of the troops had a high school education or better.
Servicemen who went to Vietnam from well-to-do areas had a slightly elevated risk of dying because they were more likely to be pilots or infantry officers.
The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter.
One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. 58,169 were killed and 304,000 wounded out of 2.59 million who served. Although the percent who died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. 75,000 Vietnam veterans are severely disabled.(Lt. Gen. McCaffrey)
MEDEVAC helicopters flew nearly 500,000 missions. Over 900,000 patients were airlifted (nearly half were American). The average time lapse between wounding to hospitalization was less than one hour. As a result, less than one percent of all Americans wounded who survived the first 24 hours died. (VHPA 1993)
Information Sources:
Combat Area Casualty File, November 1993. (The CACF is the basis for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, i.e. The Wall), Center for Electronic Records, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"All That We Can Be" by Charles C. Moskos and John Sibley Butler
(Gen. Westmoreland) - Speech by General William C. Westmoreland before the Third Annual Reunion of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) at the Washington, DC Hilton Hotel on July 5th, 1986 (reproduced in a Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Historical Reference Directory Volume 2A)
(Gen. McCaffrey) - Speech by Lt. Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, (reproduced in the Pentagram, June 4, 1993) assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Vietnam veterans and visitors gathered at "The Wall", Memorial Day 1993.
Testimony by Dr. Vernon N. Houk, Oversight on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 14 July 1988 page 17, Hearing before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs United States Senate one hundredth Congress second session. Also "Estimating the Number of Suicides Among Vietnam Veterans" (Am J Psychiatry 147, 6 June 1990 pages 772-776)
"Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation was Robbed of its Heroes and its History" by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley, Verity Press, Inc., Dallas, TX, 1998. Book review.
