How old would a Vietnam vet be right now?

Today, Vietnam Veterans range in age from 61 to 103 years old. Nearly ten million Veterans are age 65 or older, but within the next five years, around 700,000 more Vietnam Veterans will reach retirement age.

How old are Vietnam vets 2022?

The median age of Vietnam War era Veterans is approximately 73 years old.

How old is the average Vietnam War veteran?

Simply put, the "welcome home" wasn't always welcoming due to opposition toward the war. Nearly nine million Americans served during the Vietnam War Era, and as of the 2020 Census, they are the largest cohort of veterans in America, with an estimated 6.4 million living vets at a median age of 71.

Do Vietnam vets still get paid?

VA Benefits for Vietnam Veterans

VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.

Are there any Vietnam veterans still alive?

Today, there are fewer than 850,000 living Vietnam War veterans, many of whom who are eligible for VA benefits.

Best buddies during Vietnam War reunite after 53 years

What was the cut off age for 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 was the deadliest job in Vietnam?

Overall, the U.S. military used nearly 12,000 helicopters in Vietnam, of which more than 5,000 were destroyed. To be a helicopter pilot or crew member was among the most dangerous jobs in the war.

How old is the oldest vet?

A photo of Lawrence Brooks from his time in the military at his home in New Orleans on Sept. 8, 2021. Lawrence Brooks, 112, waves to the drive-by parade. He is the oldest living World War II veteran in the United States.

How fast are Vietnam veterans dying?

Considering the kind of information available about the death rate of WWII and Korean War Veterans, publicized information indicates that in the last 14 years Vietnam veterans are dying at the rate of 390 deaths each day.

What percentage of Vietnam vets are still alive?

After extensive research of various mortality indexes and sources The American War Library estimates that approximately one-third of those who did serve in Vietnam (approximately 850,000) are alive today [18 Aug 2007].

When did the last Vietnam vet retire?

His story is the story of America in the last four decades. Sgt. Maj. Michael Jarnevic, who shipped out for Vietnam fresh off his Marine Corps boot camp graduation in 1973, will retire on July 8 as probably the last active-duty servicemember to have participated in the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps Times reported.

How many Vietnam vets are still homeless?

Abstract. Of 10,524 homeless veterans assessed in a 43-site VA program, 50 percent served during the Vietnam War era, compared to only 29 percent of all veterans in the general population. This reflects the greater risk of homelessness among men aged 30-44 rather than the impact of Vietnam Era service.

How old is the youngest veteran?

September 27, 2022: Calvin Leon Graham. Navy Veteran Calvin Leon Graham became the youngest World War II soldier at the age of 12, and the youngest recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. During World War II, it was not unusual for American boys to lie about their age in order to enlist.

What is the divorce rate for Vietnam vets?

Related to impaired relationship functioning, a high rate of separation and divorce exists in the veteran population (those with PTSD and those without PTSD). Approximately 38% of Vietnam veteran marriages failed within six months of the veteran's return from Southeast Asia.

What was the most feared unit in the Vietnam War?

Tiger Force (Recon) 1-327th was a highly decorated small unit in Vietnam, and paid for its reputation with heavy casualties. In October 1968, Tiger Force's parent battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Lyndon B.

Who was the most badass soldier in Vietnam?

Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez of the 1st Special Forces was credited with single-handedly saving the lives of eight men during six hours of non-stop battle.

What is the oldest you can be drafted?

All men 18 years and older had to register with the Selective Service. All men between the ages of 18 to 25 were eligible to be drafted for a service requirement of 21 months.

Can I join the military at 45 years old?

The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. It's possible to receive an age waiver if you retire with 20 years of military service by age 55.

What birthdays were picked for the Vietnam draft?

On December 1, 1969, the Selective Service System of the United States conducted two lotteries to determine the order of call to military service in the Vietnam War in the year 1970, for men born from January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1950.

How much money do Vietnam veterans get?

For veterans who received VA's disability payments in addition to their other income, the average annual payment was $18,100. Those disability payments made their income higher than other veterans' income, on average.

What is the average payout for Agent Orange?

Of the 105,000 claims received by the Payment Program, approximately 52,000 Vietnam Veterans or their survivors received cash payments which averaged about $3,800 each.

Why were Vietnam vets called baby killers?

Etymology. The Vietnam War veteran usage stems from the My Lai massacre, in which several civilians, including infants, were massacred.