On 30 March, 2011 Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced a resolution to honor veterans who served in Vietnam by designating March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
Our soldiers served honorably and bravely in Vietnam. Unfortunately, they arrived home to a country in political turmoil, and never received the recognition they deserve. By setting March 30th aside as a day to focus on our Vietnam veterans, we can show our unified gratitude for their service and the sacrifices that these veterans made on our behalf.
Why March 30th? March 30th marks the anniversary of the historic withdrawal of United States troops, combat and combat support units, completely from South Vietnam on March 30, 1973.
Many are not aware of the meaning of this day, or much of the history of the Vietnam War for that matter. Did you know…
Vietnam War Facts
- 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.
- The US 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- After many years of combat, all US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam on March 30, 1973, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.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, 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, 5 were only 16 years old and the oldest killed was 62.
- 240 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 March 15, 2017 1,614 Americans are “unaccounted for” in Southeast Asia:
- Vietnam: 1,260
- Laos: 298
- Cambodia: 49
- China (territorial waters): 7
You can view the status and progress on the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency website.
Reach Out and Thank a Vietnam Vet
Our Vietnam Veteran Service Medal paracord bracelet is on sale thru Friday. Why not procure one for a Vietnam Vet you know or just wear one in honor of the 58,148 that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Reach out and thank those who served in Vietnam; many who were neglected the hero’s welcome they fought for and earned.
What did you do for your country today?
At *your* service,
