U.S. in Vietnam A Study of an American Experience

Facts and Myths  Many were drafted and served. –Between : 2,100,000 men and women served in Vietnam.  Made up 24% of the 8,444,000 people in the U.S. military. –Was 8% of the 26,000,000 men eligible for the draft.  Student deferments, teachers, fathers, job, etc.  Small number refused to register or went to Canada and Sweden.

 Many killed (most were young draftees). –58,179 total killed.  38,179 Army casualties (2.7 % of force).  14,836 Marine casualties (5% of force).  8 Women (11,000 served in country). –153,303 seriously wounded.  Army-1 in 10 wounded or KIA.  Marines-approximately 1 in 4. –80 % of casualties were privates.  91% For Marines.

–25 % of casualties were –70 % were under 21. –70% of KIA’s were volunteers.  Minorities made up a high proportion of those killed. –Blacks make up 12.5% of casualties.  Are 11% of total population.  Early in the war, they made up 20% of total.  Cut back to 11.5% by –70% of total casualties were Europeans from South and Mid-west. Youngest profile in U.S. history.

 Most soldiers and casualties were uneducated and poor. –Most were not college prospects at time of service.  Percentage of those who apply for G.I. Bill after service higher than after W.W. II or Korea. –Majority of casualties came from middle and working class.  Only 31 out of 100,000 came from the lowest class.  26 out of 100,000 came from highest class.

 Many soldiers/veterans were drug-addicted psycho-baby killers. –Fewer soldiers prosecuted for drugs than in W.W. II, with more soldiers serving. –Fewer soldiers prosecuted for “war crimes” also.  The media/politicians/military (take your pick) lost the war. –Actually a combination of all three, with some bearing a higher responsibility. –One group that can not be blamed are the combat soldiers.  General Westmoreland claimed the Vietnam soldier was the best trained and disciplined soldier in his three war experience.

China Burma Laos Thailand Cambodia North Vietnam South Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Gulf of Thailand South China Sea Hanoi 2.Saigon 3.Phnom Penh 4.Bangkok 5.Vientiane 6.Dien Bien Phu 7.Hue 8.Danang 9.Khe Sanh 10.Haiphong Ho Chi Minh Trail DMZ

Vietnam: geography and culture.

 Terrain: –127,242 square miles (slightly larger than New Mexico). –Largely mountainous with 3 major lowlands.  Red River Delta (North).  Mekong Delta (South).  Along the South China Sea. –16 % of land is used for farming (delta regions).  Rice (no.1) and rubber (no.2). –Remainder is forested and sparsely populated (tribal minorities).

 Climate: –Lies within the tropical temperate zone.  Greatest variation of temperature is in the North.  South has a uniform year-round 81 degrees. –Seasons clearly marked by precipitation. –April to October is the Summer Monsoon season (especially in the South).  Average 80 inches of rain (Ohio gets 38).

 People: –Around 60 million.  60% live in Mekong and Red River Deltas. –85% of people are ethnic Vietnamese.  5% are tribal minorities living in the highlands. –Tho (Tay), Thai, and Nung.  3% are Chinese.  7% others.

 Religion: –95% majority are Buddhists. –5% are a mixture other religions.  Chinese ancestor worship, Confucianism, Taoism, Hero worship, and Animists (tribal religions). –Catholics make up the largest minority (3-4%).  Significant of French influence.

–20 th Century sects (about 1% each) arise between World Wars.  Cao Dai (elements of many religions).  Hoa Hao-Buddhist reform sect.  Vietnam is an apparent paradox: –Abundant in natural resources yet one of the poorest nations in Asia. –Colonialism and war prevents economic growth and modernization.