vietnam war experiences of soldiers

Marijuana was grown all over Vietnam, and many soldiers had their first experiences smoking it overseas. "I didn't have any political views either way. The average age of a U.S. soldier dropped from 26 in World War II to just 19, not even old enough to vote at the time. Some of these men were career military officers. Although the war in Vietnam caused a lot of grief and unrest in our nation and the war left lasting effects on its veterans, not all were affected negatively; many were able to grow from their experiences in Vietnam, learning about themselves and gaining a new respect for … Photo by Brandi Redd Few American military conflicts of the 20th century were as controversial as the Vietnam War. I had never really been to Vietnam the country. By 1971, 10-15% of lower-ranking troops were returning home as addicts, and over 1,000 were returning as criminals, having been charged with heroin-related crimes. “Bill” Ehrhart joined the U.S. Marines when he was 17. When he told his parents, they were livid, not for any ideological reasons, but because of concern that he'd be hurt or lose his life. Although the official goal of the war was to prevent communism from spreading into South Vietnam, American soldiers felt they had reason to mistrust everyone, North and South Vietnamese alike. During the Vietnam War, many black and white soldiers formed close friendships. They used Agent Orange to raze the tropical foliage, destroying the environment that the Vietnamese were using against them. Somewhat pejoratively called REMFs ("Rear Echelon Mother F*ckers") these soldiers had a comparatively cushy experience in Vietnam. Retired Trenton ironworker Carl Dileo, 69, was 18 when he was drafted in 1966. He had been to that very same battle [at Huế﾿]. Regardless of race, some men chose to enlist in the Vietnam War before their numbers came up, knowing they would be assigned better details if they went voluntarily. We weren't soldiers: growing up with Vietnam War stories on screen. He was treated on the field and continued to fight. In a war where morale was already weakened by unclear objectives and uncertain outcomes, unfriendly encounters with the Vietnamese civilians they were ostensibly liberating only made matters worse. They had their own jobs to do. American troops, with their vastly superior firepower, had the upper hand face to face, but the Viet Cong deliberately avoided large-scale conflicts where they could be outgunned. The veterans had returned. the Vietnam War, historians have found varying answers to questions about the war. Vietnam was the first major U.S. war in which black and white soldiers were fully integrated, but fully integrated did not mean fully equal. "I wanted to go to Vietnam, but for my own reason," he said. I also traveled with a long bamboo pole. Below are comments from three local American veterans of the battle of Huế﾿. By 1969, more than half a million Americans were stationed in Vietnam. The Americans fought back with bombing campaigns that laid waste to villages, and sprayed napalm that burned the skin off fighters and civilians alike. "Not bad for a 17-year-old," Ehrhart said, laughing. Learn the stories of the brave soldiers whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Upper-class men could afford to stay enrolled in university or get a doctor's note from a hometown physician to obtain a get-out-jail-free card that poorer men couldn't access. The American Soldier in VietnamMore than 2.5 million American men served in Vietnam during the war. This page contains the first-hand experiences of Vietnam War Veterans Albert French - He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963 after graduating from high school. When the grunts weren't walking or being shot at or eyeing the locals with suspicion, they were waiting around for something to happen. Soldier's Stories. B: John William Baber War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Air Forces/Corps Service Location: European Theater Theme: First, Serve: Athletes in Uniform Joe Baca War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch: Army Service Location: United States; Vietnam Theme: Patriotism Theme: Voices of War John Philip Baca War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch: Army Service Location: Phuoc Long Province, Vietnam The roll contains information from the Service records of more than 60,000 military members who served during the Vietnam War. According to James Fallows, these loopholes "were designed to allot American talent in productive way," but resulted in "the starkest class division in American military service since the days of purchased draft deferments in the Civil War.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Although our military has better military conditions than many other countries, it would be entirely incorrect to say that our soldiers didn't have it … For Cohasset, Mass., 1969 held the worst eight months of the Vietnam War, when 5 of the town’s soldiers were killed in action. The other agony is much like the 9/11 survivors experience. Even the front lines were punctuated with periods of inaction. " he said. Nathalie Huynh Chau Nguyen’s new book, South Vietnamese Soldiers: Memories of the Vietnam War and After, is a contribution to this process. On the ground, American soldiers and diplomats confront the same moral quandary: whether to obey White House orders to evacuate U.S. citizens only–or to risk treason and save the lives of as many South Vietnamese citizens … We weren't soldiers: growing up with Vietnam War stories on screen. ", He met a former North Vietnamese soldier. But that's the only way you had a hot meal.". That’s a lot of people and a lot of heartache. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate in asking or come over to r/AskHistorians , which is … Troops were supplied with so-called "pep pills," their nickname for Dexedrine, an amphetamine that was double the strength of the stimulants the military had prescribed in previous wars. During the war in Vietnam, soldiers faced intensely extreme conditions, including hunger, disease, and of course, having to see close friends and other soldiers die. Black soldiers complained they were unfairly assigned worse details and that they received more frequent punishments and fewer promotions than their white counterparts. Our focus is on friendly, helpful advice and great service for every customer. The refugees had reached Australia. Most crucially, they carried mosquito repellent and dry socks. Now, 40 years later, we must try to understand. The New York Times described heroin addiction as "the Army's last great tragedy in Vietnam." Jan C. Scruggs. "I quit high school at 16, and on my birthday in 1966, I enlisted. The taste, however, left a lot to be desired. These Vietnam War photos are a key part of understanding soldiers' experiences during the conflict and provide insight into operational specifics that were unknown to the press. We look forward to meeting you. On the military's dime, soldiers could fly to any number of exotic locales in search of beaches, bars, and a good time. Three Vietnam War Veterans Share Their Stories W.D. At first, there were C-rations, ready-made wet meals served in cans, but those proved to be too heavy for special operations that required long treks on foot. These Vietnam War photos are a key part of understanding soldiers' experiences during the conflict and provide insight into operational specifics that were unknown to the press. Today, he is surprised at his sophisticated response. 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