If you served in the Vietnam War, your age would depend on when you enlisted or were drafted. The conflict lasted from 1955 to 1975, so individuals could have been anywhere from their late teens to their early thirties during their service.
If you served in the Vietnam War, your age would depend on when you enlisted or were drafted. The conflict lasted from 1955 to 1975, so individuals could have been anywhere from their late teens to their early thirties during their service. The age range varied based on factors such as voluntary enlistment, draft requirements, and individual circumstances.
During the Vietnam War, the United States deployed around 2.7 million military personnel to Vietnam, while other countries like Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand also sent additional troops to support the South Vietnamese forces. The war left a deep impact on those who served, both physically and emotionally.
To gain further insight into the experiences of those who served in Vietnam, here is a quote from the highly regarded American author and Vietnam War veteran, Tim O’Brien: “A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done. If a story seems moral, do not believe it.”
Interesting facts on the topic of the Vietnam War include:
- Length of the war: The conflict lasted for over 19 years, making it one of the longest wars in American history.
- Controversial draft system: The selective service draft fueled public protests and political divisions, as the method of conscription was seen by many as unfair and led to resentment.
- Anti-war movement: The Vietnam War saw widespread opposition and protests from both within the military and on the home front. This opposition played a significant role in shaping public opinion and eventually influencing the end of the war.
- Guerrilla warfare: The Viet Cong, a communist guerrilla force based in South Vietnam, utilized guerilla tactics and underground tunnel systems to counter the military might of the United States and its allies.
- Agent Orange: The U.S. military employed a herbicide called Agent Orange to defoliate the dense jungle areas where the Viet Cong operated. However, its use resulted in serious health issues for both military personnel and civilians.
- POW/MIA issue: The Vietnam War left a legacy of missing soldiers. Even today, efforts continue to recover and identify the remains of those unaccounted for.
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial: The iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors the 58,279 Americans who died during the war. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the conflict.
Please find below a table illustrating the approximate age range of individuals who served in Vietnam based on the duration of the war:
| War Period | Approximate Age Range |
|---|---|
| 1955-1965 (early involvement) | Late teens to 30s |
| 1965-1973 (main conflict) | Late teens to 30s |
| 1973-1975 (withdrawal phase) | Late teens to 30s |
Please note that the ages provided in the table are approximate and can vary based on personal circumstances and individual enlistment or draft dates.
This video contains the answer to your query
The video explores the normalcy of horrifying experiences during the Vietnam War. It highlights the use of Agent Orange and its devastating consequences on both sides, as well as the mistreatment of children born to American soldiers and local women. The psychological warfare operations conducted by the US, such as the “Wandering Soul” campaign, are also discussed. Additionally, the video mentions the use of helicopters in warfare, specifically the Battle of Drang Valley, and the creation of the Tiger Force, a guerrilla unit infamous for their brutal methods. These examples demonstrate the complexity and brutality of the Vietnam War.
Some additional responses to your inquiry
How old would Vietnam vets be?Today, Vietnam Veterans range in age from 61 to 103 years old.
I’m sure you’ll be interested
Beside this, How old is the youngest Vietnam vet now? Answer: 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."
How old are Vietnam vets in 2023?
How old are the Vietnam War veterans today? Ages range between 55 and 97, but the median is 68 years old.
Consequently, Did 17 year olds serve in Vietnam? 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.
One may also ask, 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.
Correspondingly, What is the average age of an infantryman serving in Vietnam? Answer will be: 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.
Considering this, Could a 62 year old man have served in Vietnam? The Vietnam War was from 1955–1975. So, he would have had to have been 18yrs old in 1975… If you were born in 1975, then you’d be 46yrs old! Let’s add 46+18… That makes 64yrs old the YOUNGEST you could be, therefore, a 62yr old man could not have served in Vietnam.
How old are Vietnam vets?
Ages range from 97 to 55 years old (born between 1918 and 1960). Median age is 68 years. An overwhelming majority of Vietnam Veterans are male (6.2M) while in the civilian populaƟon females (47.7M) outnumber males by 20.5M. Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast? Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast?
Consequently, How old is a Vietnam War advisor?
There are also a few as much as 86-years-old who got there in the beginning as advisors to the South Vietnamese military during the Dwight Eisenhower Presidency. Remember: The Vietnam War began in 1955 (67 years ago) and ended in 1975 (47 years ago). That covers a 20 year period
What is the average age of a Vietnam veteran?
The average age of Vietnam veterans varies depending on the source and the definition of "Vietnam veteran." According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as of September 2020, the average age of living Vietnam veterans was64 yearsFormer Platoon Sergeant Vietnam at 101st Airborne Division Author has 230 answers and 127.9K answer views 1 y
Also Know, How long do veterans have to serve in Vietnam? Response to this: To be eligible service members must have completed 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days of service relating to direct support of ground operations or maritime service directly aiding military operations within specific regions of the Republic of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand between the dates of Why was Vietnam so hard on veterans?
Secondly, Are You at risk if you served in the Vietnam War?
Answer will be: If you served during the Vietnam War—anytime between November 1, 1965, and April 30, 1975—you may be at risk of certain health conditions. Learn about these conditions and what to do next to take care of your health. Vietnam War Veterans Health Issues | Veterans Affairs
What does ‘Vietnam-era veterans’ mean?
As an answer to this: However, the more common usage distinguishes between those who served "in-country" and those who did not serve in Vietnam by referring to the "in-country" veterans as "Vietnam veterans" and the others as "Vietnam-era veterans." Regardless, the U.S. government officially refers to all as "Vietnam-era veterans."