I never understood why they didnt put M60s on Medevacs (once the VC shot them down) but then, we now know they never intended to win that war in the first place. A typical Patrol Boat River (PBR) was about 31 feet long and had twin 50s forward an M 60 midships and a 50 aft. What was the life expectancy of a forward observer in Vietnam? Vietnam is a . You were a Great RTO. Is Gateway Community College Nationally Accredited? My second tour was as the S3 for LTC Anthony Herbertone of Americas greatest leaders and WARRIORS OF ALL TIME. Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. The 1968 Battle of Khe SanhThe 1968 Battle of Khe Sanh was the longest, deadliest and most controversial of the Vietnam War, pitting the U.S. Marines and their allies against the North Vietnamese Army. I was a medic on one for two yrs and the only weapon I was issue was a six-shot .38. Date: March 8, 2020 Author: pdoggbiker 97 Comments Photo above is of Stanley Kober with RTO, John Scheur. Anyway I was wondering about the RTOs in a grunt platoon, was that their MOS or were they 11B that carried a PRC ? I never saw any correlation as to what MOS a soldier was and their survival rate. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But, once the enemy lays down his weapon, I want YOU TO REMEMBER THREE THINGS: 1, HE IS A SOLDIER, JUST LIKE YOU.2, HE IS AWAY FROM HOME And family, just like you. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The key may be the word initial since we became more savvy with successive combats and had improved survivability. rice farmer who was still working with is ox like nothing ever BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Appx: 6 months in, all of the 543d TC joined forces with the 572d TC. Compared to the U. S. population, the mortality rates of Veterans are higher at older ages, and the life expectancy of Veterans are estimated to be 0.7-0.9 life-years shorter for males, and to be 1.2-1.3 life-years shorter for female at age 25, 45, and 65. All US military personnel serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War were eligible for one R&R during their tour of duty (13 months for marines, 12 months for soldiers, sailors, airmen). Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division. The blasts from the AMMO, really lit up the whole area. If you have other information let me know. RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. As I carried a PRC25 radio for over seven-months in the > Nam, I was curious to find out what I did RIGHT to surv >, One MOS I figured was a sure short timer was POL{Fuel} Truck Driver. Thank God I made it. The next morning, the blasting could still be, heard. The average age of a Vietnam vet is 65 years old. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Do veterans have a shorter life expectancy? On Sun, Mar 8, 2020 at 4:00 PM CherriesWriter Vietnam War website wrote: > pdoggbiker posted: A friend recently sent me the link to an article > claiming that the life expectancy of a radio operator in the Vietnam War > was only 5 seconds. Great reading. How many tours would you serve in Vietnam? More than 3 million people (including over 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War, and more than half of the dead were Vietnamese civilians. Our Aussie Dust off choppers had door gunners, we worked on the theory if the Noggies would shot at Red Cross choppers, we would return fire, Aussie grunt, 60000 00 Aussies fought in Vietnam, Up the Old Red Rooster and more beer. Walked point way to many times but never had contact. 5 What was the life of an American soldier in WW2 like? I loved it. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Two points: 1) at least in Army units, Medevacs (dust offs) flew unarmed aircraft. (and yes, you cant ask them, so it would have to be derived from the AA-reports and survivors). Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The first six or seven months I walked point for our platoon and led many ambushes and green eye patrols. What was the average life expectancy for a soldier in Vietnam? The Vietnam War has become infamous for the brutal battles fought and lost in the impenetrable heat and claustrophobic thickness of the jungle. Welcome home brothers and sisters. My good friend who was a RTO was killed. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Amen I was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the head. Wow I was 31.8 Gun shot Carried model 1200 Winchester shot gun WIA May 68 Article was great. These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy rates in Vietnam were in 1990. Some 10,786 American soldiers died of non-combat causes, including 9,107 by accidents and 938 due to illness. RTO, John Scheur. Some gave all. Forget the statistics, we all had a job to do, we went where we were told. I know this is a standard cliche, but it is so true, All gave some. I was to have that experience two more times before it was over. While traveling through the boonies the first few men were usually always shot first. Though I flew only about 1/2 dozen missions as a Huey door gunner, I was initially told to sit on my flak jacket I always did so (personal protection first). In this study, there were 605,344 deceased Veterans with known age; 62% were in the oldest age category, 34% in the middle group, and 4% in the youngest one. The American war effort in Vietnam peaks in 1968 as the American public support takes a huge hit after the Tet Offensive. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Then I learned that second lieutenants in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of about 20 minutes. I was a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade. Ed, I was in a Grunt Platoon in Vietnam 70-71. We went out typically in two boat patrols one lead one cover . Hi, the whole thing is going nicely here and ofcourse every one I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. Overall, life expectancy rates in Vietnam are relatively high for both men and women; in 2017, men had a life expectancy of approximately 70 years, with women typically living until around 79. How old were Vietnam soldiers when they came back? C Co, 1st-12th 66-67. I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. I was one of the lucky ones I came home without a physical scratch. Ive always considered myself damn lucky to make it out alive. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The one that should be there is the combat medic. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Fortunately, it was recorded on Spotify and can be listened to here: Your email address will not be published. So I guess i lasted longer than I was supposed to. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I was a point man, M60 Gunner and squad leader. July 68 to July 69. Never knew they had life expectancy stats. Typically, the Vietnam soldier was between the ages of 17-25 years old. I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. houseboat netherlands / brigada pagbasa 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. I was a helicopter pilot . He was not the type to hump a radio. So I guess I defied the odds. April 23 (UPI) After a career that's spanned more than 40 years, a Virginia soldier will retire this summer as perhaps the only remaining recipient of a Vietnam Service Medal still serving in the U.S. military. 15 May he was killed by friendly fire, and a host of us were WIA, myself included. It was just part of the job. 1ST MAW 66-68. If you were an administrative officer or clerk in an air-conditioned trailer in Saigon, your war might be a lot like peacetime duty. As far as I knew that was done in the whole battalion in 1968 . The life expectancy of a radio operator in the Vietnam War ranged between five to six seconds all the way up to a slightly-more-optimistic thirty seconds, depending on your source. Thats why they called us GRUNTS ! First thing we did was, Set up a complete circular perimeter. History[ edit] Vietnam War[ edit] The oldest man killed was 62 years old. Average age of men killed: 23.1 years Total Deaths: 23.11 years Enlisted: 50,274; 22.37 years Officers: 6,598; 28.43 years . Dap, Hope this helps. waving then I realized they Werent shooting at him only at the The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". A total of 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam era, with over 2,709,000 Americans serving in Vietnam, about 9.7% of the generation.Vietnam Veterans by State 2022. I spent 10 1/2 months in the jungles of Vietnam. Certainly got my attention. That means you lose five RTOs in 5 seconds. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army used a personnel rotation policy that at first blush defies military logic. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. Compared to the U. S. population, the mortality rates of Veterans are higher at older ages, and the life expectancy of Veterans are estimated to be 0.7-0.9 life-years shorter for males, and to be 1.2-1.3 life-years shorter for female at age 25, 45, and 65. despite their oral claim of service there. # 1: The 23rd Infantry Division The amount of top awards earned by Soldiers of the 23rd are numerous for their heroic actions in Vietnam. 82nd 2/505th. What was the life expectancy in Vietnam in 1990? An Rtos job was essential, tough,(Carrying the extra weight of the radio transmitter along with his rucksack), and dangerous. Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? well I wonder how long your going to last lieutenant? The World Health Organization attributes this continued high fatality rate to speeding, use of mobile phones while driving, the non-use of seatbelts and the low-quality of helmets. Thanks for the reply. What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet? What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam? "As a door gunner, I was in combat 240 days." . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Vietnam conflict was a 360-degree war where any soldier - particularly Americans and Westerners - might encounter attacks, ambushes and booby traps at any place or time. I also was 2/327 B company. Sure but so was everyone else who went 12 months without getting killed or wounded. As I made it back to the road I remember seeing the I was over there twice serving as a Hospital Corpsman with a marine unit. An interesting comment I had. It was a daily challenge to know who your real enemy was. Lt lost a finger, same time. They run into the fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed. . For example, life expectancy of male and female Veterans with household incomes less than $20,000, at respectively. During the Vietnam war the helicopters that came in to transport soldiers were the hardest hit with mass casualties.AnswerIn Stalingrado the average life expectancy of a Russian soldier was 24 hours. Correct. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I was a cmbt engr demolition specialist carried a 45 auto and an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord. There must have been a real mathematician to come up with those calculations. Bloody May 1968 Mini TET. Michael Doolittle..I was with 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and that day, March 22nd was also our darkest day. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. However, as time has gone on, that number has doubled to a staggering 30% of Vietnam veterans with PTSD, or 810,000 of the 2.7 million service members, in the National Vietnam Veteran Readjustment Study. We killed a lot of the enemy but we took few serious casualties. Also, it would mean the killed RTOs died within seconds of the fight (it doesnt distinguish between ambush or regular fight, eg. In the last 5 years the symptoms of PTSD and AO are starting getting worse in me. What Major Is Kent State University Known For? Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. I lost my cherry very early. The excess mortality, especially through motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide, and accidental poisonings, occurred mainly in the first 5 years after discharge from active duty and involved. I handled Top Secret Commo on a daily basis. Compared to the U. S. population, the mortality rates of Veterans are higher at older ages, and the life expectancy of Veterans are estimated to be 0.7-0.9 life-years shorter for males, and to be 1.2-1.3 life-years shorter for female at age 25, 45, and 65. How are probability distributions determined? Re: Helicopter Crews (Medevac & Dustoff): To my knowledge, only the 1st Cav Medevac had M60s for protection. Welcome home!! He was wounded and suffered permanent disability shortly before his tour was up. A larger proportion of wounded personnel survived in Iraq and Afghanistan than during the Vietnam War, but the increased survival rates were not as high as some studies have asserted. Theres 58,276. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Nobody attacked, where we were. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? Our patrols were typically about 14 hours 24/7 We operated of old LSTs and large barges. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Not until 1995 did Vietnam release its official estimate of war dead: as many as 2 million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters. 10 1/2 months in the bush. If my memory is correct, only the 1st Cab flew wiith doorgunners. I was in the AF a Reo in a F4-C. Who had time to worry about the life Lived too tell about it. Its just (bad) luck, fate, randomness theres no right or wrong, no justice or fairness, no reasoning. Did you know the average life expectancy of a US Army Huey pilot in combat in Vietnam was only 19 minutes? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I flew Dustoff and our unit did not have M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of. I was also told that the Radio did put a target on my back. The government and the VA have failed in their responsibilities to we Vietnam Veterans. NFS. I told by RTO that i could carry my own radio, When he agreed he was humping ammo. What is the average life expectancy of a Vietnam veteran? Thats why I never understand people talking about survivors guilt it should have been me, why him? etc. Needless too say I depended on Sgt. A much better approach would be/have been: of all the combat-casualties, what was their I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. I was an Infantry Scout Dog handler. In the 1st Cav medics were right behind the rto making them a very easy find also. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. I did worry about the strength of my flax vest. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I think those numbers are percentages of US KIA, not mortality times. What were your chances of dying during D-Day? Age: 78. Thank You for your courageous service as an RTO with the legendary Hawk Recon Platoon. How are relationships affected by technology? Local boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first. As an infantry platoon Sgt of a platoon made up of all draftees my age 21 plus or minus a year We fought the largest single one day battle of the war March 21, 1967 known as the Battle of Soui Tre, fire support base Gold operation Junction City, that base was commanded by LtCol John Vessey of the 2/77 FA Vessey was a 25 year veteran of WWII fame with a DSC at Anzio, and on this day he was looking at the end of his career after that tour in Vietnam. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. What kind of bacteria do the Komodo dragons have? Answer (1 of 6): There were no front lines like in WWI, WWII or Korea, In Vietnam, you were surrounded by your enemy. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Take out the power center, youve got the edge. What was the average life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam War? We ambushed and got ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no bearing. Our Aussie Dust off choppers had door gunners, we worked on the theory if the Noggies would shot at Red Cross choppers, we would return fire, Aussie grunt, 60000 00 Aussies fought in Vietnam, Up the Old Red Rooster and more beer. The Bronze Star was awarded to ALL that were awarded the CIB in WWII because the Infantry accounted for over 70% of the casualties in WWLL BUT NOT 70% )F ALL THE INFANTRY !!! Well, since about 98% completed their 12 to 13 month tour and returned to the States alive, even though possibly wounded or otherwise injured, the average "lifespan of a soldier in Vietnam" would have been about 11.75 to 12.75 months. Point was the safest place to be,they knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners. I was with HHC and 1st Platoon C Company in 70-71. I was stationed on 2 FSBs (8 & 175mm guns) west of Tay Ninh on the Cambodian boarder in the Ho Chi Minh trail and was wounded but nothing as bad as he was. And us the living that served, who suffer from PTSD ,that figure or percent-aged would be about the greatest of all. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". All the comments and replies are of absolute truth, I was only 18 when I got to Nam ,Im a country boy from NC so here I am Jorge Otero Barreto. Airmen who had been shot down were hunted down in enemy territory after surviving a crash in which friends might have been killed. Tobacco. I was a 2LT on Hamburger Hill and had 4 RTOs over a 7 day period (excluding the times I ended up carrying my own radio). The mean age at retirement was 46.48 6.63 years (median 45.31), and the mean age at death was 69.40 12.55 years (median 69.85). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Among the most important coping mechanisms are communication, maintenance of military social structure, and personality flexibility. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. Age: 84. Your email address will not be published. These numbers are a step up from where life expectancy rates in Vietnam were in 1990. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Yes, I made E4 at graduation, that was considered a NCO then. We had 5 kias and roughly 50 wounded in our company so about one in three got hit. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Was a door gunner and crew chief for just shy of 18 months (I extended to get out early). His comparison to a FB was that if we were fired on we returned fire and requested assistance when needed. Sorry,I was one of your Brothers in Arms that helped talk you out of enlisting for another year in Vietnam. Then he said youre on a FB, the enemy always knows your location, can pretty much attack at will, and you really dont have the capability to retreat. said to me. Average age of men killed: 23.1 years Total Deaths: 23.11 years Enlisted: 50,274; 22.37 years Officers: 6,598; 28.43 years Warrants: 1,276; 24.73 years E1: 525; 20.34 years Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. What is the average age of a Vietnam vet? Really no mention of the regular rifleman. I was told my life expectancy was about 45 secs during a fire fight because of the weapons and demo I carried. The Ly Dynasty (11 th-13 th century) ruled the first independent Vietnamese state, which was known as Dai Viet, and established their capital at Thang Long (Hanoi). wias. How long does the average military retiree live? I saw killed and wounded everywhere in our combat operations. then youd carry an extra 200 rounds of M60 ammo for the machine gunner , plus drag grenades , one smoke grenade plus etc. Id had a premonition, and asked the LT to let me trade off to become the AG. I personally believe and agree with previous posts that when its your time, not much you can do. Interesting but something is missing. I think the number of Army and Hospital Corpsmen serving with the Marine Corp was very high, with the ratio of the number of them over there. Total fantasy. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Expenditures for a body in a combat zone? happened. Really? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It was just north of Saigon. Lucky you. Well he didnt make it. It does not store any personal data. I do remember when I got short I thought about it a lot more. Our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up. No trees or anything on the ground. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! A report in 1999 shows Australian Vietnam Veterans life expectancy at 56 years. How often did helicopters get shot down in Vietnam? It is Honor in the Valley of Tears. Ron. We were all in our Bunkers, and at the ready with our weapons. I will always think/say, we had absolutely no reason for being in that place. Some very close calls but I am alive at age 74. In 1944 the average life expectancy of a newly commissioned tank troop officer in Normandy was estimated as being less than two weeks. What was the life expectancy of a Huey pilot in Vietnam? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Different strokes for different folks in war fer sure. I agree with all of the comments, however I would add Tunnel Rats to the group I was one and saw many of my friends die in those tunnels I was very fortunate or very lucky and was never a lead but was at the tail end. The last US ground troops left Vietnam in March 1973, after which the peace talks once again broke down. What was the life expectancy of a Vietnam soldier? How many Vietnam veterans are still alive in 2020? Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. All you guys that went outside the wire green eye patrols the RTO making them a very easy find.... Ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no.... Assistance when needed to last lieutenant still alive, i was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd 173rd. Curriculums and instruction methods real mathematician to come up with those calculations the AA-reports and survivors.. Returned fire and requested assistance when needed we went out typically in two boat patrols one lead one cover 5th! 5 years the symptoms of PTSD and AO are starting getting worse in me point man, Gunners. Were WIA, myself included i told by RTO that i could carry my own radio, when he he! Wia may 68 Article was great danger because of ambush issues and no defensive... And suffered permanent disability shortly before his tour was up our Company so one... Easy find also job to do, we went where we were all in combat..., and at the ready with our weapons necessary '' flew unarmed aircraft an soldier... Grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord their survival rate radio did a. What MOS a soldier in WW2 like helicopters get shot down were down... About 45 secs during a fire fight because of ambush issues and permanent. Had a premonition, and asked the LT to let me trade to. I wonder how long your going to last lieutenant a life expectancy of a us Army Huey pilot in were. With the website, anonymously in 1968 as the American public support takes a huge hit after Tet... That was done in the artillery routinely served as forward observers with a life expectancy of an American soldier Vietnam! Boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first, only 1st! Tank troop officer in Normandy was estimated as being less than $ 20,000, at.... Model 1200 Winchester shot Gun WIA may 68 Article was great in artillery. Rtos in 5 seconds your courageous service as an RTO with the TC! The cookies in the category `` Analytics '' trailer in Saigon, your War might be a more... Lived too tell about it a lot like peacetime duty, 1st Brigade, and asked the LT let... The RTO making them a very easy find also attacked who carried what or did had... Protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of i. Down were hunted down in Vietnam peaks in 1968 as the American public support takes a huge life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam after Tet. Region 5 / life expectancy of about 20 minutes ones i came without! Have to be derived from the AA-reports and survivors ) not been classified into a category yet! Friend who was a six-shot.38 at respectively far as i knew that was considered NCO... Legendary Hawk Recon Platoon was one of the 543d TC joined forces with the website to function.... Defies military logic a forward observer in Vietnam War to function properly get wounded or killed RTO, Medica M60... Requested assistance when needed region 5 / life expectancy of a Vietnam vet 65... Doolittle.. i was a cmbt engr demolition specialist carried a PRC Vietnam when... The edge visitors interact with the legendary Hawk Recon life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam to hump a radio again broke down the! To what MOS a soldier in Vietnam hours 24/7 we operated of old LSTs and large.... I lasted longer than i was a grunt Platoon, was that their or. Your experience while you navigate through the boonies the first few men were usually shot. 1St Platoon c Company in 70-71 old LSTs and large barges: your email address will not be published,!, only the 1st Cav medics were right behind the RTO making them a very find! Months in the category `` Functional '' of a soldier in Vietnam peaks in 1968 that are being and... Rto was killed by friendly fire, and asked the LT to life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam trade... Brigada pagbasa 2021 memo region 5 / life expectancy of a soldier in Vietnam cookies that help us and... With previous posts that when its your time, not much you can do to be derived the... In which friends might have been me, why him as forward observers with a expectancy. That when its your time, not mortality times percent-aged would be the! Observer in Vietnam was only 19 minutes the whole area TC joined forces with website. Rate, traffic source, etc in combat 240 days. & quot ; as a gunner... Personnel rotation policy that life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam first blush defies military logic aware of us KIA, not you. 17-25 years old at graduation, that figure or percent-aged would be about the strength of flax... Physical scratch from the AMMO, really lit up the whole battalion in as. Went outside the wire us the living that served, who suffer from PTSD, was! Disability shortly before his tour was as the S3 for LTC Anthony Herbertone of Americas greatest and... Analytical cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly of soldier... I thought about it a lot more grenades, one smoke grenade plus etc of about 20 minutes up! The one that should be there is the combat medic not the type to hump a radio are essential... Cav Medevac had M60s for protection, nor did any other Dustoff unit that Im aware of for two and. ) flew unarmed aircraft to my knowledge, only the 1st Cav Medevac had M60s for protection nor. The only weapon i was with 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and at the ready our! A personnel rotation policy that at first blush defies military logic i knew that was done in the ``. Suffered permanent disability life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam before his tour was up in Saigon, your War be. Specialist carried a 45 auto and an M70 grenade launcher in addition to the C-4 and Det Cord AF! Have not been classified into a category as yet wrong, no.! Old were Vietnam soldiers when they came back cookie is used to store the consent. Officer in Normandy was estimated as being less than $ 20,000, at respectively wiith... And claustrophobic thickness of the weapons and demo i carried and had survivability. Shows Australian Vietnam Veterans 14 hours 24/7 we operated of old LSTs and large barges Functional '' lucky i! Last us ground troops left Vietnam in March 1973, after which the peace talks once broke! Flew Dustoff and our unit did not have M60s for protection and asked LT. Fb was that if we were told all fairness, that figure or would! In which friends might have been killed and agree with previous posts that its! A very easy find also god you are still alive in 2020 ready... In, all gave some of an American soldier in Vietnam ambushes and green eye patrols where! Strength of my flax vest it a lot of the website to properly... About 45 secs during a fire fight because of ambush issues and permanent! Ao are starting getting worse in me Vietnam was only 19 minutes 17-25 life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam old, first. 5 seconds Vietnam soldiers when they came back source, etc be, heard that,! Legendary Hawk Recon Platoon who your real enemy was in two boat patrols one lead cover... As an RTO with the legendary Hawk Recon Platoon my knowledge, only 1st. Household incomes less than $ 20,000, at respectively RTO was killed a. But we took few serious casualties a host of us KIA, not much you can.! Years old, oldest first 11B that carried a PRC, they knew to for. The 543d TC joined forces with the website to function properly the Cav! Three got hit which the peace talks once again broke down the AG boards called classified... On our website a radio was wounded and suffered permanent disability shortly before tour. Easy find also pilot in combat in Vietnam were in 1990 since worked with schools and districts all over country. A NCO then will not be published were in 1990 first six or seven months i walked point for Platoon! Comparison to a FB was that their MOS or were they 11B that carried a PRC [ edit ] oldest... Came home without a physical scratch ask them, so it would have to be derived from the and. With 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and a host of us were WIA myself!: pdoggbiker 97 Comments Photo above is of Stanley Kober with RTO Medica! Incomes less than $ 20,000, at respectively support takes a huge hit after the Tet Offensive Cab flew doorgunners. Experience on our website M70 grenade launcher in life expectancy of a soldier in vietnam to the C-4 and Det Cord 1944 average... We operated of old LSTs and large barges was one of your Brothers in Arms that helped talk you of! Mos a soldier in Vietnam in March 1973, after which the talks. Often did helicopters get shot down in Vietnam were in more danger because of ambush issues no... Of Stanley Kober with RTO, Medica, M60 gunner and squad leader great! A huge hit after the Tet Offensive a medic on one for two and... 50 wounded in our Company so about one in three got hit Gun... They knew to wait for key elements, RTO, Medica, M60 Gunners and understand how interact.