An act of Congress honoring Vietnam veterans with a day of recognition was signed into law by President Trump on March 29, 2017. As a result, March 29 is now designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day by the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. In addition, the U.S. flag is to be flown in commemoration of those who served in Vietnam.
For that matter, many are not aware of the meaning of this day or much of the history of the Vietnam War. Did you know…
The United States became involved in Vietnam because policy-makers believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia.
Vietnam War Facts
The U.S. Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961, and in 1965, ground combat troops were sent into Vietnam.
9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975.
Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.
After many years of combat, all U.S. troops were withdrawn from Vietnam on March 30, 1973, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam.
More than 58,148 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives, 75,000 were severely disabled, 23,214 were 100% disabled, 5,283 lost limbs, 1,081 sustained multiple amputations, and more than 300,000 were wounded in Vietnam.
The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis in 1961. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.
Of those killed, the average age was 23.1. 61% were younger than 21. 11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old. Of those killed, 17,539 were married, five were only 16 years old, and the oldest killed was 62.
Two hundred forty men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
74% of Vietnam Veterans say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.
As of September 16, 2019: 1,588 Americans are “unaccounted for” in Southeast Asia:
1,588 Americans are “unaccounted for” in Southeast Asia:
Vietnam: 1,246
Laos: 286
Cambodia: 48
China (territorial waters): 7
Reach Out and Thank a Vietnam Vet
When the soldiers came home from Vietnam, there were no parades, no celebrations. So they built the Vietnam Memorial for themselves.
William Westmoreland
Our Vietnam Veteran Service Medal paracord bracelet is on sale on March 29. So why not procure one for a Vietnam Vet that you know, or wear one in honor of the 58,148 that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Reaching out and thanking those who served in Vietnam, many who never received the heroes’ welcome they earned, can easily make a veterans day.
