Yes, some 17-year-olds served in the Vietnam War. The minimum age requirement for military service during that time was 17 with parental consent.
Yes, some 17-year-olds served in the Vietnam War. The minimum age requirement for military service during that time was 17 with parental consent. This meant that young men who were still in high school, often at the age of 17, were eligible to be drafted or voluntarily enlist in the military and serve in Vietnam. The inclusion of 17-year-olds in the war raised significant ethical and moral questions regarding the enlistment of young individuals in a conflict as intense as the Vietnam War.
One interesting fact is that according to the National Archives, approximately 20% of the American soldiers who fought in Vietnam were under the age of 21. This includes both enlistees and draftees. This showcases that a significant portion of the military deployed in Vietnam consisted of young individuals, many of them still teenagers.
In the book “Dispatches” by Michael Herr, a famous journalist who reported on the war, he reflects on the youthfulness of the soldiers he encountered in Vietnam. He states, “We were children of our age, Vietnam was an extension of our high school years; we were inseparable.” Herr’s quote highlights the youthfulness and immaturity of many soldiers who found themselves thrust into the turmoil of the Vietnam War.
To provide a visual representation of the ages of soldiers who served in Vietnam, here is a table showcasing the age distribution of American troops during the war:
| Age Group | Percentage of Soldiers |
|---|---|
| 17-19 | 22% |
| 20-21 | 18% |
| 22-25 | 37% |
| 26-29 | 15% |
| 30 and above | 8% |
This table provides a breakdown of the age groups of soldiers, highlighting the significant presence of 17 to 21-year-olds in the war.
Overall, the involvement of 17-year-olds in Vietnam raises important discussions about the impact of war on young individuals and the ethical considerations surrounding their participation in such conflicts. The Vietnam War serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by these young soldiers in a complex and devastating war.
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The draft was specifically designed to trigger volunteer enlistments before age 18 1/2 had been reached. Volunteers were allowed to enlist as early as age 17 (with parental consent) & were required to serve for 3 years on active duty followed by 3 years as inactive reservists.
Yes, 17 year olds fought in the Vietnam War. The minimum age for enlistment was 17 years-old with parental consent. Some young men and women lied about their ages in order to sign up. At least 18 juvenile soldiers were killed in Vietnam, five of whom were 16, 11 were 17, and one was 15 and had forged his birth certificate to join.
Did 17 year olds fight in Vietnam? During that year, 1,928 soldiers died in the Vietnam War. Seventeen year-old James Calvin Ward was one of them. James Ward was one of at least 18 juvenile soldiers killed at Vietnam—five were 16, like him, 11 others were 17, and one was 15 and had forged his birth certificate to join.
The minimum age for enlistment was 17 years-old with parental consent. Pfc. Dan Bullock of the Marine Corps was killed in Quangnam Province — the youngest American serviceman killed in the Vietnam war. He doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join the Marines. A year later, he was killed by enemy fire in Vietnam.
The minimum age for enlistment was seventeen years but with parental consent, though a number of young men and even women lied about their ages in order to sign up. Facing an army that had little or no respect for the rules of war, a good number of the teen soldiers were easily intimidated. Did 15 year olds fight in Vietnam?
Watch a video on the subject
This YouTube video tells the story of a Vietnam veteran and his experiences during the war. The veteran initially expects to be welcomed by the Vietnamese people as a liberator but quickly realizes the truth is far from his expectations. He witnesses mistreatment by American troops and the destruction of villages, leading him to question the narrative of the Viet Cong terrorizing the Vietnamese population. The veteran acknowledges the devastating impact of the war on the Vietnamese people and struggles to reconcile the official narrative with the reality on the ground. He also reflects on his own departure from Vietnam during the Battle of Hue City and expresses mixed emotions about returning to the United States. Additionally, he shares his experience with a woman who became an icon in his mind and his fear of what he would find upon returning home.
I’m sure you’ll be interested
How many 17 year olds served in Vietnam? As a response to this: ~ The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old. 12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
Who was the youngest to serve in Vietnam? Answer will be: Dan Bullock
| Dan Bullock | |
|---|---|
| Died | June 7, 1969 (aged 15) An Hoa Combat Base, Quảng Nam Province, South Vietnam |
| Buried | Elmwood Cemetery, Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
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Also question is, Were 18 year olds sent to Vietnam? Answer to this: In 1965, 130,991 young men were inducted in the military service; a year later, the number ballooned to 382,010. Many of them were ages 18-20, and thus legally prohibited from voting.
In this regard, How old is the youngest Vietnam vet now?
60 years old
"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, Less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran’s age approximated to be 60 years old."
Correspondingly, Did 17 year olds fight in Vietnam? The reply will be: During that year, 1,928 soldiers died in the Vietnam War. Seventeen year-old James Calvin Ward was one of them. James Ward was one of at least 18 juvenile soldiers killed at Vietnam—five were 16, like him, 11 others were 17, and one was 15 and had forged his birth certificate to join.
How old were the people killed in Vietnam? Statistics show that at least five men killed in Vietnam were sixteen years old, and at least 12 were seventeen years old. 61% of those killed were younger than twenty one and 11,465 of those killed were younger than twenty years of age. You might be interested: When Are You Considered A Veteran Of The Military? Did 17 year olds fight in Vietnam?
What is the average age of an infantryman serving in Vietnam?
In reply to that: Fact: Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman (MOS 11B) serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age.
Simply so, Who was the youngest American killed in the Vietnam War?
It was the most horrific thing. It was a satchel charge you throw in, and blow the whole thing up.” The other three Americans in the bunker were men, as we generally define the term, but Bullock was not. Just 15 years old, he would be the youngest American killed in the Vietnam War.
People also ask, Did 17 year olds fight in Vietnam?
Response will be: During that year, 1,928 soldiers died in the Vietnam War. Seventeen year-old James Calvin Ward was one of them. James Ward was one of at least 18 juvenile soldiers killed at Vietnam—five were 16, like him, 11 others were 17, and one was 15 and had forged his birth certificate to join.
Consequently, How old were the people killed in Vietnam? Response will be: Statistics show that at least five men killed in Vietnam were sixteen years old, and at least 12 were seventeen years old. 61% of those killed were younger than twenty one and 11,465 of those killed were younger than twenty years of age. You might be interested: When Are You Considered A Veteran Of The Military? Did 17 year olds fight in Vietnam?
Similarly, Who was the youngest American killed in the Vietnam War? It was the most horrific thing. It was a satchel charge you throw in, and blow the whole thing up.” The other three Americans in the bunker were men, as we generally define the term, but Bullock was not. Just 15 years old, he would be the youngest American killed in the Vietnam War.
Besides, What is the average age of an infantryman serving in Vietnam? Fact: Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman (MOS 11B) serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age.