The youngest Vietnam vet was typically 17 years old as the minimum age for military service during the Vietnam War was 17 with parental consent.
During the Vietnam War, the minimum age for military service was 17 with proper parental consent. Consequently, the youngest Vietnam vet was typically 17 years old. This meant that many young men were thrust into the intense and dangerous environment of war at a very early stage in their lives.
One famous quote related to the youth involvement in the Vietnam War comes from journalist and author David Halberstam, who wrote the book “The Best and the Brightest” about the American policy makers during the war. He said, “The Vietnam War was the first war in which young men could watch it live on television at home and then go out and fight it themselves.”
Here are some interesting facts about the youngest Vietnam vets:
Some underage soldiers falsified their age to join the military without parental consent.
The youngest known combat fatality in the Vietnam War was Dan Bullock, who enlisted at the age of 14 and was killed in action at 15.
The Vietnam War had a substantial number of young draftees, with approximately 61% of those who served being 21 years old or younger.
Many young soldiers faced significant psychological and emotional challenges due to their age and the traumatic experiences they witnessed in Vietnam.
The youthfulness of the soldiers led to widespread protests and demonstrations against the war on college campuses and across the United States.
To provide a more detailed overview, here’s a table summarizing the ages of Vietnam veterans based on available information:
Age Group
Percentage of Vietnam Veterans
17 and below
Unknown
18-20
Approximately 53%
21 and above
Approximately 47%
Please note that the table provided is for illustrative purposes only and the exact distribution of ages may vary.
How old would the youngest Vietnam vet be now? “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.”
"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."
Watch a video on the subject
The video discusses the life and sacrifice of Dan Bullock, the youngest American killed in the Vietnam War. Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Bullock joined the military at the age of 14 by altering his birth certificate. Despite facing difficulties and animosity from other soldiers, Bullock remained determined and tried his best in the Marine Corps. He was eventually deployed to Vietnam, where he was tragically killed at the age of 15 during an enemy attack. The video also highlights the efforts made by a former Marine to honor Bullock’s memory by searching for his family and providing a headstone and monument for him. The speaker reflects on the significance of Bullock’s grave and the importance of telling his story to honor his sacrifice and recognize his place in American history as one of the greatest patriots.
More interesting on the topic
What is the youngest age of a Vietnam vet?
Response: Dan Bullock (December 21, 1953 – June 7, 1969) was a United States Marine and the youngest U.S. serviceman killed in action during the Vietnam War, dying at the age of 15. Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S. Elmwood Cemetery, Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, U.S.
Similar
How old are most Vietnam vets now?
As a response to this: Today, Vietnam Veterans range in age from 61 to 103 years old.
What was the youngest age to be drafted 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. Local boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first.
What year were the youngest Vietnam vets born?
Answer: List of the 4 Youngest Vietnam Veterans
Oliver Stone. Age: 75. Born: 09/15/1946. Hometown: New York City.
Tom Selleck. Age: 77. Born: 01/29/1945. Hometown: Detroit, Michigan.
Bob Kerrey. Age: 78. Born: 08/27/1943. Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska.
Answer (1 of 19): It’s possible that the youngest living Vietnam Veteran may be 61 years old. Here’s a fact: Jeffery Lynn Scheller, USN, born July 31, 1954 was Killed In Action on October 1, 1972. He was 18 years, 2 months and 1 day old. He arrived on Yankee Station, Vietnam in early May, 1972 w…
What is the average age of a veteran?
The second-largest cohort of living veterans served during peacetime only (4.0 million). The median age of veterans in 2018 was65. By service period, Post-9/11 veterans were the youngest with a median age of about 37; Vietnam Era veterans had a median age of about 71; and World War II veterans were the oldest with a median age of about 93.
How long did the average Vietnam veteran fought?
The answer is: "The average man in World War II fought 40 days, the average infantryman in Vietnam fought 240 days." Christian is the youngest and most decorated Vietnam veteran and is now part of the National Military Officers Hall of Fame. He is being inducted Tuesday.
How many Vietnam veterans are still alive?
Answer: It is projected that number will jump to 17% by 2040. The largest cohort of veterans alive in 2018 served during the Vietnam Era (6.4 million), which lasted from 1964 to 1975. The second-largest cohort of living veterans served during peacetime only (4.0 million).
How old is the youngest living Vietnam veteran?
In reply to that: Answer (1 of 19): It’s possible that the youngest living Vietnam Veteran may be 61 years old. Here’s a fact: Jeffery Lynn Scheller, USN, born July 31, 1954 was Killed In Action on October 1, 1972. He was 18 years, 2 months and 1 day old. He arrived on Yankee Station, Vietnam in early May, 1972 w…
What is the average age of a veteran?
Answer to this: The second-largest cohort of living veterans served during peacetime only (4.0 million). The median age of veterans in 2018 was65. By service period, Post-9/11 veterans were the youngest with a median age of about 37; Vietnam Era veterans had a median age of about 71; and World War II veterans were the oldest with a median age of about 93.
How many Vietnam veterans are still alive today?
Response will be: By 2040, that number is projected to rise to 17 percent. The largest cohort of veterans alive today served during the Vietnam Era (6.4 million), which lasted from 1964 to 1975. The second largest cohort of veterans served during peacetime only (4.0 million). The median age of veterans today is 65 years.
How long did the average Vietnam veteran fought?
As an answer to this: "The average man in World War II fought 40 days, the average infantryman in Vietnam fought 240 days." Christian is the youngest and most decorated Vietnam veteran and is now part of the National Military Officers Hall of Fame. He is being inducted Tuesday.
