25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII). Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.
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What percentage of blacks were drafted in Vietnam?
By the following year, Black soldiers made up 16.3% of those drafted and 23% of Vietnam combat troops, despite accounting for only roughly 11% of the civilian population. These new draftees often had little understanding of the war’s purpose and were increasingly disenchanted by their role in it.
How many people refused the draft in Vietnam?
According to peace studies scholar David Cortright, more than half of the 27 million men eligible for the draft during the Vietnam War were deferred, exempted, or disqualified.
Were all soldiers drafted in the Vietnam War?
The majority of those who served during the Vietnam War were volunteers – not draftees – even though our public recollection often tells us just the opposite. Public backlash from draft-eligible men is a primary reason cited by many as to why public sentiment turned against the war effort.
How many US soldiers fought in Vietnam?
Approximately 2,700,000 American men and women served in Vietnam. It was the first war in which the US failed to meet its objectives. It was also the first time America failed to welcome its veterans back as heroes. Many veterans were attacked personally by their fellow countrymen, who opposed the war.
How many Marines were drafted in Vietnam?
For Marines it had been a long and especially costly war. About 450,000 Leathernecks, mostly volunteers, served in Vietnam (42,600 were draftees). Some 13,000 were killed and 88,000 wounded (51,392 badly enough to be hospitalized).
What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam?
Activated in 1915, as the 173rd Infantry Brigade, the unit saw service in World War II but is best known for its actions during the Vietnam War.
What would happen if you dodged the draft?
All males who live in the United States are required to register for Selective Service, or the draft, within one month of their 18th birthday. Those who refuse to register can be charged with a felony and can receive fines, a prison sentence or other forms of punishment.
What happened to those who refused to fight in the Vietnam War?
Members of The Resistance publicly burned their draft cards or refused to register for the draft. Other members deposited their cards into boxes on selected dates and then mailed them to the government. They were then drafted, refused to be inducted, and fought their cases in the federal courts.
Why the Vietnam draft was unfair?
The draft for the Vietnam War brought with it anxiety and anger to many American households.The draft was viewed as unequal because the working class man’s only choice was to go to war, while the wealthy men would go to college or enlist in the National Guard.
How long did Vietnam draftees serve?
two years
The draft was far from ideal as a source of military manpower. Because draftees served only for two years, it was not worthwhile putting them through long training programs. The technical specialties had to be filled with volunteers.
What ages were drafted in Vietnam?
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. Local boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first.
What percentage of US soldiers in Vietnam were black?
African American troops were more likely to be assigned to combat units: 23% of such troops in Vietnam were African Americans. In some airborne units African Americans composed 45-60% of troops. Racism against African Americans was particularly pronounced in the Navy.
Did any American soldiers stay in Vietnam after the war?
It’s estimated that tens of thousands of veterans have returned to Vietnam since the 1990s, mostly for short visits to the places where they once served. Decades after the fall of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) many former soldiers still wonder why they were fighting.
What was the average lifespan of a soldier in Vietnam?
During the Vietnam War, the odds were tremendously stacked against radio operations — and that 5-second life expectancy was, for some, a grim reality. To make matters worse, you can’t really control the volume on those radios since the dial was on the wearer’s back.
How many female soldiers died in Vietnam?
8 American military women were killed the Vietnam War. 59 civilian women were killed the Vietnam War.
What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat?
Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam.
How long was a tour of duty in Vietnam for draftees Marines?
two years
Conscription legislation limited a draftee’s tour of duty to two years.
Did the Marine Corps draft during Vietnam?
Yes draftees could be sent to any of the branches, but the vast majority ended up in the US Army. And despite modern revisionist history by the Marine Corps, and popular culture, all branches and formations which deployed to SE Asia suffered from collapses in discipline, morale, and elan as the war dragged on.
What was the worst Battle of Vietnam?
The Battle of Khe Sanh (21 January – 9 July 1968) was conducted in the Khe Sanh area of northwestern Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), during the Vietnam War.
Who did the most tours in Vietnam?
He earned 38 military decorations during his career, and has been called the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War.
| Jorge Otero Barreto | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1959–1970 |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | 101st Airborne 25th Infantry 82nd Airborne 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War ( WIA ) |
