The youngest Vietnam veteran was Dan Bullock, who enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 14 by falsifying his birth certificate. He was killed in action at the age of 15 during the Vietnam War.
Dan Bullock holds the distinction of being the youngest Vietnam veteran. Born on December 21, 1953, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Bullock enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the incredibly young age of 14. To circumvent the age restriction, he falsified his birth certificate, claiming to be 18 years old. Tragically, his youth caught up with him in the midst of the Vietnam War.
Bullock’s service in Vietnam was short-lived but undeniably significant. On June 7, 1969, during an intense battle in An Hoa, Quang Nam Province, Dan Bullock lost his life at the age of 15. He was serving as a rifleman with the 5th Marine Regiment. His bravery and dedication to his country at such a tender age are remarkable and representative of the sacrifices made by many young individuals during the Vietnam War.
To highlight the significance of Bullock’s story, civil rights activist Julian Bond stated, “He represents an enormous number of young people who were swept up in the patriotic fervor of the time and whose lives were wasted.”
Interesting facts about the topic of the youngest Vietnam veteran:
- Dan Bullock’s true age was discovered following his death, leading to changes in military enlistment rules and increased scrutiny on verifying the age of recruits.
- Despite his youth, Bullock successfully completed Marine Corps training and was deployed to Vietnam.
- Bullock’s tombstone initially listed his birth year as 1949, further perpetuating the incorrect information surrounding his age. It was later corrected to reflect his actual birth year of 1953.
- He was one of the 58,220 names engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., honoring those who lost their lives in the war.
- The story of Dan Bullock serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by young soldiers.
Here is a table highlighting the details of Dan Bullock’s life:
| Name | Dan Bullock |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | December 21, 1953 |
| Enlistment Age | 14 years old |
| Date of Death | June 7, 1969 |
| Location | An Hoa, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam |
| Service | United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Rifleman (Private) |
| Notable Fact | Falsified birth certificate to enlist |
Dan Bullock’s story serves as a somber reminder of the toll of war on young individuals and the importance of verifying the age of enlistees to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Other options for answering your question
Dan Bullock ( – 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.
Dan Bullock was the youngest U.S. serviceman killed in action during the Vietnam War. He died at the age of 15. Christian is the youngest and most decorated Vietnam veteran and is now part of the National Military Officers Hall of Fame.
Dan Bullock ( – 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.
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.
See a video about 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.
I am sure you will be interested in this
How old are most Vietnam vets now?
Today, Vietnam Veterans range in age from 61 to 103 years old.
Did 17 year olds serve in Vietnam?
Response will be: 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.
Who was the most famous Vietnam vet?
Response: His name is Staff Sergeant Joe Ronnie Hooper, and not only was he a hero in the Vietnam War; he is also the most decorated soldier in American international combat, even eclipsing both York and Murphy. Joe Ronnie Hooper was born on August 8th, 1938 in Piedmont, South Carolina.
How many Vietnam vets are still alive today?
The reply will be: The era ended May 7, 1975, by order of President Gerald Ford. During the 11-year campaign, approximately 2.7 million American men and woman served; of those, 58,220 died and 153,000 were wounded. Today, there are fewer than 850,000 living Vietnam War veterans, many of whom who are eligible for VA benefits.
Who is the youngest surviving Vietnam War veteran?
Response: 1. Oliver Stone Oliver Stone is one of the youngest surviving Vietnam war veterans. Oliver Stone is an acclaimed film director, producer, and screenwriter. He’s won an Academy Award for Midnight Express and is the mind behind the operatic and iconic gangster film, Scarface.
How old are Vietnam vets?
Response: 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?
How long did the average Vietnam veteran fought?
In reply to that: "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.
What does ‘Vietnam-era veterans’ mean?
Response: 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."