Approximately 3,403,100 US servicemen served in Southeast Asia (2,594,000 of those men served in country); nearly 60,000 didn't make it back. Those are your "life expectancy" figures.
Over 170,000 Hispanic GI's served in the Vietnam War; approximately 3,070 Hispanics died there.
GI's were authorized 30 days a year as general issue (during the Vietnam War).
The same as the rest of the GI's. The work was mostly scary; snakes, spiders, darkness, etc.
The US Civil War (1861-1865) and the Vietnam War (1961-1975) are the only wars in which US citizens experienced a military defeat. In both wars the NORTH defeated the SOUTH. In both wars the Southerners/GI's fighting for South Vietnam were treated harshly (called and treated as "losers") by their fellow US Citizens. Even though the US Civil War was a victorious United States victory, the Confederates (Southerners) were still Americans. Secondly, the Vietnam War was our longest war, outlasting the American Revolutionary War by several years.
This was the era of the civil rights movement: Black Panthers, Martin Luther King Jr., Marches, and Riots. In South Vietnam, while in the field...all GI's were brothers...once in the rear areas of major base camps they separated into their own "clicks." Those were dangerous times; the effects of the aforementioned groups/organizations heavily influenced the GI's in the rear areas, with no enemy to fight in the rear...GI's became their own worst enemy.
US Infantrymen were alittle more at risk at becoming a casualty, than their WW2 fore fathers; by virtue of the helicopter...which caused the Vietnam War GI to fight more battles in a smaller amount of time than a WW2 serviceman...who had no RAPID DEPLOYMENT CAPABILITIES (the helicopter). Example(s): A WW2 GI might fight one battle in 2 days; whereas a Vietnam GI might fight 2 battles in 2 days. Other than that; each GI in Vietnam was expected to complete his 12 month tour of duty in country.
Over 170,000 Hispanic GI's served in the Vietnam War; approximately 3,070 Hispanics died there.
During WW1, WW2, Korea...it was "Yanks" and "GI's"; during the Vietnam War it was mainly, just "GI's."
No, the first GI Joe action figures were released at the height of the Vietnam Conflict (1964).
Patriots or supporters of the war would get the same treatment as the GI's did from the anti-war protesters.
In Vietnam, War Dogs, officially named "military working dogs" alerted GI's of intruders when guarding airbases or riverine patrol boat bases. War dogs alerted GI's of enemy presence during patrols. Approximately 4,000 US war dogs served in the Vietnam War. 43 war dogs and 73 dog handlers were killed in Vietnam.
What is a "blood related nickname?" Some GI or US public nicknames for the Vietnam/or the war were; "The Nam", "Indochina", or "Southeast Asia."
Alex, what is GI Joe?
It was obvious North Vietnam wasn't going to quit; so the US declared victory and went home (from the GI's perspective).
GI's were authorized 30 days a year as general issue (during the Vietnam War).
GI (Government Issue) issue only. Everything was issued, including cigarettes.
The same as the rest of the GI's. The work was mostly scary; snakes, spiders, darkness, etc.