Walter Dean Myers Fallen Angels

Connect to Your Life Approximately 58,000 Americans died and over 300,000 were wounded in the Vietnam War. [There were around 1.5 million Vietnamese killed.]

Commonly Accepted Facts From 1957 to 1973 the National Liberation Front assassinated 36,725 South Vietnamese and abducted 58,499. Death squads focused on leaders that included schoolteachers and minor officials. The number of North Vietnamese killed was approximately 500,000 to 600,000. Casualties: 15 million. One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. Although the percentage who died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. 75,000 Vietnam veterans are severely disabled.

58,148 Americans were killed and 304,000 wounded out of 2.59 million who served. The average age of those killed in Vietnam was years. 50,274 were enlisted, average age percent of Vietnam veterans say they are glad they served. 74 percent said they would serve again even knowing the outcome. 11,465 were less than 20 years old. Two-thirds of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers, two-thirds who served in World War II were draftees (Vietnam Facts, 2009).

Protests

Protests like these were common occurrences.

Students were frequent protestors.

The War A place to call home.

Troops being dropped into position. A medic providing medical attention to a soldier.

Life magazine cover from August of 1967.

Remembering Vietnam Memorial

Actual newspaper headline from April 1975.

Army Rankings- low to high Soldier(Enlisted) Squad Leader(Enlisted) Corporal(Enlisted) Sergeant(Enlisted) Lieutenant(Officer) Captain(Officer) Major(Officer)

Why Ranks? A system of rank reflects a person’s responsibilities and experience An organizational structure in which people know their responsibilities Military courtesies, customs, and traditions that serve to bond military professionals together.

Connect to the Literature Why do you think the Myers chose the Vietnam War as the focus of his novel? Do the characters struggle with more than the war? If so, what? What is the most important thing you learn from the characters? How does Fallen Angels apply to the world around you? What practical value do military rank, customs, and courtesies have to Soldiers in combat?

Courtesies and Customs Military courtesies are extended to a person or thing that is due recognition and honor. The most basic of military courtesies is the salute. A custom is a traditional social convention. Military rank, as a visible mark of responsibility and leadership, is due recognition and respect. The customary way of recognizing an officer of superior rank is by saluting him or her.

References “Vietnam Facts.” Copyright 2009 Philadelphia Website Design. Retrieved September 27, 2010, From _L01b_Army_Rank_Structure_Duties__Tradi tions.pdf