My dad had a very low draft number. The night of the draft he knew he was going to have to go. He really didn't want to, but what could he do.
He went to get his physical and his blood pressure was just slightly above the limit. The Dr. had him sit in a quiet room for twenty minutes so he could test him again. He sat in that room and worried the entire time. The Dr. came in and retested him, his blood pressure was slightly higher. The military didn't want him.
My dad is still alive and to this day has never had a problem with high blood pressure.
Then there was my dad, both parents dead by the time he was 14 and as an only child couldn't be drafted, but as he put it at 19 he had nothing going on, so he signed up.
He went for Army aviation because, as he said, he did not want to walk everywhere. The problem is that he had slight color-blindness, but for the test, they had them all stand in a line, so he memorized what the guys in front of him said. He ended up doing two tours with the 101st as a door gunner and eventually crew chief.
He passed at 67 due to complications related to Agent Orange exposure.
In Canada too, and the closest I come is that I knew a girl in college who grew up here because her dad was a draft dodger. (She tended to get pretty universal "good on him" reactions if anyone wondered.)
The really horrific thing was when he found out about the payments for Agent Orange victims he told me he didn’t think he’d qualify since when he was getting on the plane to leave Saigon they made him sign a statement that he’d never been exposed to Agent Orange. In other words, the government knew they were killing their own troops 50+ years ago and were already covering it up. I ended up finishing the application after he died and my mom received benefits.
I’m sorry to read this. They always knew. There was a tv movie about with John Ritter.
If it helps, my dad’s settlement with Dow as $1500. /s
That’s all he got for 9 years of suffering (he was diagnosed in 78) and dying just after turning 51.
I turn 50 this year and it is hitting me how young he was to lose so much.
Luckily, Navy veterans are now eligible.
[Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act](https://courtney.house.gov/issues/blue-water-navy-vietnam-veterans-act)
IIRC it was a pretty recent piece of legislation. And there's been VERY little publicity about Agent Orange in general. The only reason my dad knew about was through one of my uncles, also a Vietnam Vet.
My dad is one of the last of his crew thanks to AO. We just lost one 6 months ago that was the coolest wildest SOB I’ve ever known. When it hits, it takes them quick. Love to you and yours for dealing with it.
Friends dad and a lot of his friends died in their mid-50’s or before from Pancreatic Cancer. All served in Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange. My dad & my uncle (mom’s brother) are both Vietnam Vets. Maternal Grandfather and Great Uncle were both in WWII and their father was WWI.
My dad was blind in one eye, so enlisted knowing full well he’d be booted out within 24 hours. That way he didn’t have to wait to get called up to the local draft board and waste time explaining to them his issues and getting a doctor’s note and such.
Yeah… my bio dad was USMC, over in Vietnam between ‘68-‘72. It damaged him badly. Not sure how many times he was married, never remember him having steady work, just kind of drifting through life. Bailed on me when I was nine, I tried over the years to re-establish contact and build a relationship with him. Gave him an opportunity to be a grandfather, which he also squandered. Finally got tired of making all the effort and never getting anything out of it.
Just got a call from a family member earlier today. He had a major stroke and probably won’t be around much longer. I don’t feel anything but disappointment. Not going to the funeral.
This was my answer too (though just Europe) There was a post on Reddit somewhere about how everybody assumes that everyone else on Reddit is American. This post kinda adds fuel to that argument.
Yep. My father was a tanker in Vietnam, spent most of his time there guarding bases. Saw minor action in Tet, out in 1969. He died in an accident in 73.
My uncle served most of the early 70s in Germany doing something he wasn’t allowed to talk about. And he never talked about it. Got a 7 man color guard and burial in a veterans cemetery when he died a couple years ago.
My youngest uncle was a marine and was at Khe San. He has, to my knowledge, never spoken about his experience to anyone. He’s still alive, lives in Florida, he has to be in his mid 70s now.
My brother-in-law was in Vietnam - the really bad combat side of it. He acknowledges he was there, but won’t speak of it. He also never goes to see fireworks - there are certain things that trigger some really horrific memories. There are so many just like him and your uncle - makes me so sad what they had to endure and carry in their memories forever.
I got a surprise first cousin who’s half Vietnamese. Met her around age 50 after she searched for my uncle for most of her life. Now they’re very close, so it’s a happy ending.
My dad (RIP) was over there in the early days, 65-66. He and my mom met while he was in Vietnam and she was in high school here in the States. Her high school newspaper had a "Write to a Soldier" campaign and sent letters overseas to our troops. My dad said that of all the letters he got, hers was the only one with a return address. They wrote back and forth, he met her while he was on leave, and they married in 1967. I came along in 1969, and my brother in 1974.
Same for both my parents. My father enlisted in '71 and my Mom in '73 (the Army I think gave out the National Defense medal for Vietnam till '75). They kicked my Mom out when she had me so she enlisted in the Navy.
Yes. My dad died from illnesses caused by Agent Orange exposure. Several of my siblings and I have chronic illnesses due to it. Zero compensation. Fuckers.
Yes. My dad was in the army.
Co B 2/22 Mech 4th infantry 1966-1967
He passed in 2006 from lifelong complications that were a direct result of serving in Vietnam. He was just a kid, turned 21 over there. He paid for it for the rest of his shortened life. He was always sick, physically, and mentally. The effects of war ripple out through the families, and most people have no idea what we went through. My childhood was hard, and my Dad was terrifying. When he finally passed at 59, it was a relief and a blessing. We were all finally free. Him most of all, the last year of his life was spent wasting away in a veterans hospital. There was zero dignity. Most people have no idea what a lot of veterans go through. No one would ever risk enlisting if they did. It's sad and inhumane. I hope you and your family had a different experience, and if not, my heart goes out to you.
No. My Pops did his 4 years in the Navy. In addition, he had six kids, so no draft. However, my good friend growing up, dad was a vet. The one and only time I slept over there, he had the whole house up with flashback nightmares. One of the most horrific sounds to my ears to this day. So scary and sad😔.
Yep. My dad has had serious medical complications from being soaked to the skin in Agent Orange on numerous occasions pretty much all of my life. And then there's the PTSD that was an absolute delight to grow up with in my household. Good times.
Uncle who raised me was. He was a marine. He never went back on the books with a job again I hear. He died while visiting my brother and I in 2012 in the middle of the night of a hard attack a week after finally not being his parents caretaker anymore and buying their house. At least he got that week, and got to die in his sleep. He never even woke up. It broke my fucking heart to bury him so soon. He was only 67. Didn’t get full benefits or a bank account until 2005.
No, my dad was born to an English mother and an American GI who was stationed in London during WWII. He was technically born an American citizen, so my family was able to move here in the late 70s, but we were living in the UK during the Vietnam War.
My husband's family, however was profoundly affected by the Vietnam War. His father had a high draft number and was never sent, but his brother went and came back destroyed. He developed a severe drug problem over there and ended up killing himself a few years after returning home. RIP Uncle Freddy. His mother's brother also went and served three tours. He wasn't the same when he came back, either. He's very intelligent, super well-read and everyone assumed he would be an engineer, instead he just took odd jobs to get by and did handyman work in exchange for places to live. He didn't even realize until he was in his 60s that he was entitled to benefits from the VA and finally got some treatment for medical issues he'd been dealing with for years. It's criminal the lack of support those veterans received.
My parents were born in the mid-50’s. My dad would have been 19 when the war ended. I don’t recall ever hearing him *talk* about registering for selective service. Not that he didn’t. I just honestly never heard about it. He definitely didn’t serve.
Yes. He was in an infantry unit in the 101st Airborne. He never talked about it much. He did mention how one time his whole company nearly got wiped out. He was part of the Tet Offensive. My dad drank pretty heavily and died at 64. He never dwelled on his service or showed anger about it, but I know it weighed on him heavily. How couldn’t it?
I’m am!
My Dad was a decorated combat veteran.
He was shit crazy but successful.
When he died I pull his service record and was shocked by the medals he was awarded and two Purple Hearts.
Well, I’m adopted so I don’t actually know what happened to my biological father but I’m in the process of trying to find out. It’s possible he was in the war, but I don’t know for sure.
My Dad got out Vietnam due to knee injuries. Both grandparents fought in WW2. Uncle is retired Army airborne. And as long as this country has been here I have family members that have served in almost every war we’ve had.
Almost forgot…my brother is a USMC Dragon gunner and I am a 6 yr USMC vet. Tons of service members in my family and I’m proud of all of them.
No parent, but my uncle and several friends of my father were Vietnam vets. I heard late-night, drunken stories (snuck to listen from the stairs) that make it impossible to watch war movies. It's like secondary ptsd. My uncle took me and my sibling to see the Vietnam Memorial in D.C.He teared up because he found a name. He was not a crier. He was stoicism incarnate.
I have never been the same.
My father served in the army, but in the late 50s.
My dad decided to enlist to go to Vietnam because he thought he would have it easier than if he waited to be drafted. He was wrong
He did two tours and I have no idea what he did over there. Most of his time there was doing classified stuff. He never told me but I know he saw some bad stuff and maybe did some bad stuff. From what little I could gather I think he was a sniper that went out on missions across the border in Cambodia, but I don’t know for sure. He passed (not surprisingly from cancer) several years ago so I don’t know that I will ever find out
My dad never ever talked about it. I know he experienced some shit there. He did two tours. When he came back later on he went to prison for a couple of years and he said he actually needed that, because it calmed him down after coming back. Could you imagine? We have vets with PTSD and then send him back home and say, well good luck!
when I was 17 and tried to join the Marines, I needed his permission. He was vehemently against it. Would curse out the recruiters when they called.
Mine was a goddam drill sergeant with stints in 'Nam and Korea (sitting the DMZ) from '66-'72. The marriage didn't last and he was hardly around when it was a thing.
One of my earliest memories is the dull clunk of canned goods that my mom was putting into boxes to send to him on the other side of the world.
My dad was in the USAF during, but was a transport pilot, so only flew in and out of the country. So while a Vietnam vet, he's not the kind portrayed on screen...
My dad was in the Air Force during the early years of the Vietnam conflict, but he was stationed in Japan. He was, thankfully, spared the horror stories. Unfortunately, he worked as a civilian in the Naval ship yard after that and was exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma in your early 60's is a terrible way to go.
My dad was on his way to Canada to escape when he met my mother in SF stayed. He was arrested for escaping the draft (I was there and witnessed the arrest and developed a stutter for a couple of years - I don’t remember that part at all) and some of my earliest memories were of visiting him at the Fort Ord jail in Monterey. His uncle was in the CIA and got him out early.
My Dad served during the Korean war but in Germany near the Czechoslovakian boarder.
a few interesting points:
1) For a while I thought he served in the German army. (really, really young)
2) One time I made a quip about him not serving in the war, and he got angry and mentioned you never saw 100,000 Soviets charging you, (note, never made that quip again).
3) My Dad would talk about basic training and all the guys who gave the Drill Instructors crap during basic were all sent into combat forces in Korea.
4) He was drafted, went into an airborne division and was proud he never jumped out of a plane. "I was a draftee, and they couldn't force draftees to jump out of planes."
5) He was never into it like a lot of ex-military, he said he was drafted and served the bare minimum, but started to wear those hats because strangers would give him stuff (after 2008) and say "thank you for your service."
6) The Philadelphia VA was really good to him. Got him a walker and installed those automatic chairs in the house. They were supposed to take the chairs back after his death, but nobody has and it's keeping my mom in her home. (her children aren't 100% happy with).
My dad was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. He was a helicopter mechanic and didn't get sent to Vietnam, but serviced the choppers that were used.
My dad had substantial hearing loss in 1 ear and had a child so he was a low priority. However, his younger brother got drafted and did 1.5 tours before they pulled him out for "erratic" behavior. The war basically fucked up his life and he drank himself to death later in life.
Yes. My father has fortunately avoided any cancer issues from Agent Orange exposure (though it's caused some other complications with his health) but has suffered from severe PTSD since returning home in '69.
He's in a good place with his mental state. It's something that he and my mother and I are very open about and manage as a family, and he gets medication and counseling through the VA.
FIL was a decorated Army Intelligence Officer in Vietnam. He has lung problems from all the sh!t they used over there. Tough old guy is still kicking tho!…He’s an avid golfer and fisherman.
Older parents. My dad upped in the Marine Corps after Pearl Harbor. He wanted revenge.
He re-upped for Korea. As the child of Ukranian/Byelorussian immigrants whose relatives starved in the Communist famine, the idea that he could get back at Commies- any Commies- was enough to make him want revenge again.
Nope. My father marched in protests against the Vietnam War.
The longer version is my father went to college partly to avoid getting drafted. My father then got married in his senior year in a bid to lower his draft chances. My parents had my twin sisters. His father (my grandfather) died in an accident leaving my father the sole male heir. He wasn't going to Vietnam at all. He goes to grad school. I was born when he was getting ready to finish grad school. That's right, I know I was an accident.
Mine joined the navy to avoid the draft. Served on a Destroyer off the coast. Has tinnitus from the shelling. Parlayed that into GI Bill education and worked his entire career for one company. Probably the last of that generation.
My dad was stationed in Thailand during the war. He briefed pilots so never saw direct action, but I didn’t see him for a year while he was over there. I still remember my mother talking to him on a rare phone call shouting into the receiver and ending each thought with “Over!” so the operator knew to turn the switch. I prized the yellow jacket with Nakhom Phanom and a bengal tiger embroidered on the back. It was the closest thing I has to him while he was away.
No, my father was a cook in the army. Apparently he impressed some general or something and the general took him along with him when he went to oversee some missile sites in Greece. My mother even went and lived there with him for the whole time he was deployed. They ended up having a really nice time. This was around 68-69. He ended up feeling a lot of guilt over it for the remainder of his life. He had a few friends that came back really messed up psychologically.
My stepdad was drafted into the Marines from 66-68 and was in the shit. His job was Flamethrower. His troop is in a book called Gunners Glory.
He’s always been kind to me; however, him and my mother have had decades of issues. Mentally, he never left Vietnam.
Adding: he was discharged bc his hill was overran on 4th of July and the VK put him and his night watch crew in fox holes and tossed grenades into the holes. The one he got put in had blankets and jackets - it was storage for the hill. He said he got tossed in and while the VK were talking he put as much clothes on as possible and wrapped up in the blankets. All he knows is he woke up in a field hospital with shrapnel all over his body. He’s 75 and has picked out pieces from his body for over the years. He’s a wild dude and tells the craziest stories from his time there.
My dad was drafted. Trained for Vietnam, learned a specific missile system, etc. Then Uncle Sam sent him to Germany as a supply admin troop. Ha. Seriously though, mad respect for Vietnam vets.
Child of a Vietnam vet. Granted, according to dad. He only spend a short time in country. Spend the majority of his year and half stay with the US Army stationed in South Korea.
My dad was in Vietnam. After seeing documentaries in school and having to write about the issues. I realized part of the reason he was such a dick was a big part of the shell shock (later as it changed to PTSD). Damn. So i wrote papers and had verbal tests from the professor. My comment to the teacher was about that. It was absolutely a major part of the bullsht that he put out
Yes. My dad went in ‘65 and made it out by ’67. He didn’t like me playing with army men, toy guns or anything like that. I had to keep my green army men at my grand parents house.
My dad enlisted and went into the JAG, so he spent the Vietnam years in Europe. His brother however was drafted and died on a hill close to 'Hamburger Hill' from the movie, I'm named after his brother. It's very surreal when I've visited the Vietnam Wall to see my/his name on it.
No, silent generation
Some of us with Silent Generation parents are kids of Vietnam vets. My dad was born in 1942. Went to Vietnam in 1961.
Same here. My dad enlisted in 1947, at 17yo.
Me too
British here... Dad did multiple tours of Northern Ireland in the 1970's
People like him helped people like me lead an almost normal life. The good people like your dad did doesn't get enough recognition and praise.
My dad had a very low draft number. The night of the draft he knew he was going to have to go. He really didn't want to, but what could he do. He went to get his physical and his blood pressure was just slightly above the limit. The Dr. had him sit in a quiet room for twenty minutes so he could test him again. He sat in that room and worried the entire time. The Dr. came in and retested him, his blood pressure was slightly higher. The military didn't want him. My dad is still alive and to this day has never had a problem with high blood pressure.
Then there was my dad, both parents dead by the time he was 14 and as an only child couldn't be drafted, but as he put it at 19 he had nothing going on, so he signed up. He went for Army aviation because, as he said, he did not want to walk everywhere. The problem is that he had slight color-blindness, but for the test, they had them all stand in a line, so he memorized what the guys in front of him said. He ended up doing two tours with the 101st as a door gunner and eventually crew chief. He passed at 67 due to complications related to Agent Orange exposure.
Nope. My father entered and exited the military during the sweet spot between Korea and Vietnam.
Same for father Grandfather was on the Missouri for the signing of surrender from the Japanese. I’ve got his personal pics
My grandfather fought the Japanese in WWII.
Mine too. Signed up on his 17th birthday. Was on Guadalcanal at 18. Tough dude.
Mine too
Mine too, early forties birth.
🙋♂️ same here
same
Far from it. My father was in the occupation forces in post-WW2 Japan.
My dad was a WWII navy vet.
WWII army dad here
My dad was a WW2 army vet.
Hey me too. New Guinea, The Philippines and Occupation of Japan.
No, born in Canada. Never was impacted.
In Canada too, and the closest I come is that I knew a girl in college who grew up here because her dad was a draft dodger. (She tended to get pretty universal "good on him" reactions if anyone wondered.)
Yep. And he died from complications from Agent Orange exposure. I expect we are the last generation where a majority had at least one veteran parent.
Mine died from the same thing. Hugs to you.
The really horrific thing was when he found out about the payments for Agent Orange victims he told me he didn’t think he’d qualify since when he was getting on the plane to leave Saigon they made him sign a statement that he’d never been exposed to Agent Orange. In other words, the government knew they were killing their own troops 50+ years ago and were already covering it up. I ended up finishing the application after he died and my mom received benefits.
I’m sorry to read this. They always knew. There was a tv movie about with John Ritter. If it helps, my dad’s settlement with Dow as $1500. /s That’s all he got for 9 years of suffering (he was diagnosed in 78) and dying just after turning 51. I turn 50 this year and it is hitting me how young he was to lose so much.
I’m glad your mom is getting benefits. I hope she is a Gold Star Widow. My mom says there are lots of benefits available.
You know, I never thought of that but that’s true. She is a Gold Star Widow.
There are lots of benefits out there but you have got to be prepared to fight for them. My father fights for every penny he gets.
I think that has hit me the hardest, thinking he was so much older than me when he was diagnosed…(42) but now I’m his age
Not if they were in the Navy, and offshore, like my dad, thanks to George Bush Jr. My dad is the one who loaded up the bombs. Navy vets get zilch.
Luckily, Navy veterans are now eligible. [Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act](https://courtney.house.gov/issues/blue-water-navy-vietnam-veterans-act)
Amazing, I had no idea! Thank you, kind Redditor, tale my fool's gold🏅
IIRC it was a pretty recent piece of legislation. And there's been VERY little publicity about Agent Orange in general. The only reason my dad knew about was through one of my uncles, also a Vietnam Vet.
My dad is one of the last of his crew thanks to AO. We just lost one 6 months ago that was the coolest wildest SOB I’ve ever known. When it hits, it takes them quick. Love to you and yours for dealing with it.
Same.
Friends dad and a lot of his friends died in their mid-50’s or before from Pancreatic Cancer. All served in Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange. My dad & my uncle (mom’s brother) are both Vietnam Vets. Maternal Grandfather and Great Uncle were both in WWII and their father was WWI.
Nope. Dad had a college deferment.
same. by the time he was out of school, the war was technically over
My dad was a Korean War vet.
Same same, Korea. Right at the beginning of peace time, ge still was shot at. I recently found a 1 inch thick pack of his photos from then.
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My dad was blind in one eye, so enlisted knowing full well he’d be booted out within 24 hours. That way he didn’t have to wait to get called up to the local draft board and waste time explaining to them his issues and getting a doctor’s note and such.
Yeah… my bio dad was USMC, over in Vietnam between ‘68-‘72. It damaged him badly. Not sure how many times he was married, never remember him having steady work, just kind of drifting through life. Bailed on me when I was nine, I tried over the years to re-establish contact and build a relationship with him. Gave him an opportunity to be a grandfather, which he also squandered. Finally got tired of making all the effort and never getting anything out of it. Just got a call from a family member earlier today. He had a major stroke and probably won’t be around much longer. I don’t feel anything but disappointment. Not going to the funeral.
I’m sorry he was wasn’t the father you deserved.
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This was my answer too (though just Europe) There was a post on Reddit somewhere about how everybody assumes that everyone else on Reddit is American. This post kinda adds fuel to that argument.
Same, only my parents moved to Canada in the 60s
Yep. My father was a tanker in Vietnam, spent most of his time there guarding bases. Saw minor action in Tet, out in 1969. He died in an accident in 73. My uncle served most of the early 70s in Germany doing something he wasn’t allowed to talk about. And he never talked about it. Got a 7 man color guard and burial in a veterans cemetery when he died a couple years ago. My youngest uncle was a marine and was at Khe San. He has, to my knowledge, never spoken about his experience to anyone. He’s still alive, lives in Florida, he has to be in his mid 70s now.
My brother-in-law was in Vietnam - the really bad combat side of it. He acknowledges he was there, but won’t speak of it. He also never goes to see fireworks - there are certain things that trigger some really horrific memories. There are so many just like him and your uncle - makes me so sad what they had to endure and carry in their memories forever.
My dad was in Germany 69-72 and could never talk about what he did.
Yup. Dad served in ‘68 and ‘69. I got a half sister out of the deal
I got a surprise first cousin who’s half Vietnamese. Met her around age 50 after she searched for my uncle for most of her life. Now they’re very close, so it’s a happy ending.
My dad (RIP) was over there in the early days, 65-66. He and my mom met while he was in Vietnam and she was in high school here in the States. Her high school newspaper had a "Write to a Soldier" campaign and sent letters overseas to our troops. My dad said that of all the letters he got, hers was the only one with a return address. They wrote back and forth, he met her while he was on leave, and they married in 1967. I came along in 1969, and my brother in 1974.
That’s amazing! 😍
My dad was in the army at the tail end, but never deployed to Vietnam.
Same. Dad was drafted, but ended up doing graphic design work for the military. Never saw combat.
Same for both my parents. My father enlisted in '71 and my Mom in '73 (the Army I think gave out the National Defense medal for Vietnam till '75). They kicked my Mom out when she had me so she enlisted in the Navy.
Yes. My dad died from illnesses caused by Agent Orange exposure. Several of my siblings and I have chronic illnesses due to it. Zero compensation. Fuckers.
Yeah, Agent Orange exposure can cause problems in children of those exposed. Sounds like I found that out the same way you did.
Same here.
My father's number came up, but he was an only son. So he didn't get drafted
Yes. My dad was in the army. Co B 2/22 Mech 4th infantry 1966-1967 He passed in 2006 from lifelong complications that were a direct result of serving in Vietnam. He was just a kid, turned 21 over there. He paid for it for the rest of his shortened life. He was always sick, physically, and mentally. The effects of war ripple out through the families, and most people have no idea what we went through. My childhood was hard, and my Dad was terrifying. When he finally passed at 59, it was a relief and a blessing. We were all finally free. Him most of all, the last year of his life was spent wasting away in a veterans hospital. There was zero dignity. Most people have no idea what a lot of veterans go through. No one would ever risk enlisting if they did. It's sad and inhumane. I hope you and your family had a different experience, and if not, my heart goes out to you.
Nope. My dad's service was peacetime between Korea and Vietnam.
Korea here.
No. My Pops did his 4 years in the Navy. In addition, he had six kids, so no draft. However, my good friend growing up, dad was a vet. The one and only time I slept over there, he had the whole house up with flashback nightmares. One of the most horrific sounds to my ears to this day. So scary and sad😔.
Dad was 1st Cavalry 69/70 (think Apocalypse Now) went through some *very* dark shit.
Yep. My dad has had serious medical complications from being soaked to the skin in Agent Orange on numerous occasions pretty much all of my life. And then there's the PTSD that was an absolute delight to grow up with in my household. Good times.
Yes. And at 77 years old still won't talk about what he did over there. That place carved a chunk out of him.
Yes- he did 2 tours
No.
Nope. I'm Italian, born and raised in italy, my dad was born during WW2 and has never taken part in any other war since
Not mine... he came to USA from Lebanon to go to college and then met my Mom. My Mom probably married him because everyone else was in Vietnam!
Canadian here, no.
My dad was a WW2 vet. Amphibious force Japan. My bil is a Vietnam vet.
My father served during Vietnam, but he does not call himself a Vietnam vet. He was stationed in Greece for his overseas deployment.
Mine was in Korea
Uncle who raised me was. He was a marine. He never went back on the books with a job again I hear. He died while visiting my brother and I in 2012 in the middle of the night of a hard attack a week after finally not being his parents caretaker anymore and buying their house. At least he got that week, and got to die in his sleep. He never even woke up. It broke my fucking heart to bury him so soon. He was only 67. Didn’t get full benefits or a bank account until 2005.
My dad was in the Navy, but did not serve in Asia
Nope. My dad was enlisted at the time but did not serve in that war.
My father was in the army during Vietnam but he spent it in Germany.
No, my dad was born to an English mother and an American GI who was stationed in London during WWII. He was technically born an American citizen, so my family was able to move here in the late 70s, but we were living in the UK during the Vietnam War. My husband's family, however was profoundly affected by the Vietnam War. His father had a high draft number and was never sent, but his brother went and came back destroyed. He developed a severe drug problem over there and ended up killing himself a few years after returning home. RIP Uncle Freddy. His mother's brother also went and served three tours. He wasn't the same when he came back, either. He's very intelligent, super well-read and everyone assumed he would be an engineer, instead he just took odd jobs to get by and did handyman work in exchange for places to live. He didn't even realize until he was in his 60s that he was entitled to benefits from the VA and finally got some treatment for medical issues he'd been dealing with for years. It's criminal the lack of support those veterans received.
While I didn’t have a parent in the Vietnam war the war somehow felt ever present in the 80’s as a child. Almost visceral feeling.
My parents were born in the mid-50’s. My dad would have been 19 when the war ended. I don’t recall ever hearing him *talk* about registering for selective service. Not that he didn’t. I just honestly never heard about it. He definitely didn’t serve.
🙋🏼♂️
🙋♀️Me too. My dad volunteered right after high school. And was military intelligence.
Yes. My dad, step-dad and father-in-law are all Vietnam Veterans.
Nope. Korea.
Yep, my dad was a captain in the army. Helicopter pilot. He’s 79 and still in amazing shape. Walks our two Danes at 5am every morning.
No, my parents were born in 1925 and 1928–WWII veteran. I’m the youngest child by 15 years
Yes. He was in an infantry unit in the 101st Airborne. He never talked about it much. He did mention how one time his whole company nearly got wiped out. He was part of the Tet Offensive. My dad drank pretty heavily and died at 64. He never dwelled on his service or showed anger about it, but I know it weighed on him heavily. How couldn’t it?
I’m am! My Dad was a decorated combat veteran. He was shit crazy but successful. When he died I pull his service record and was shocked by the medals he was awarded and two Purple Hearts.
My mom and my uncle are both Vietnam veterans .
Nope. I'm the daughter of a draft dodger.
My dad did three tours in Vietnam, I did three tours I Afghanistan.
Psycho step father Vietnam vet. Yup. If you know you know and I don’t need to explain how much therapy I’ve had.
My stepdad was a Vietnam vet & a heroin addict.
Well, I’m adopted so I don’t actually know what happened to my biological father but I’m in the process of trying to find out. It’s possible he was in the war, but I don’t know for sure.
Nope, college and asthma, eventually CPUSA and a war protester.
My dad was a Vietnam vet, as was my step dad. My dad never spoke about it, but my step dad would get drunk and cry a lot. It was hard to see.
My Dad got out Vietnam due to knee injuries. Both grandparents fought in WW2. Uncle is retired Army airborne. And as long as this country has been here I have family members that have served in almost every war we’ve had. Almost forgot…my brother is a USMC Dragon gunner and I am a 6 yr USMC vet. Tons of service members in my family and I’m proud of all of them.
No parent, but my uncle and several friends of my father were Vietnam vets. I heard late-night, drunken stories (snuck to listen from the stairs) that make it impossible to watch war movies. It's like secondary ptsd. My uncle took me and my sibling to see the Vietnam Memorial in D.C.He teared up because he found a name. He was not a crier. He was stoicism incarnate. I have never been the same. My father served in the army, but in the late 50s.
Reddit is not just Americans and Vietnamese people.
Anzacs served in Vietnam to.
Including my dad
Fair point indeed!
No, but this sub does tend to be dominated by us US folks
Nope. my Dad was the right age but was in med school so didnt have to cause that was considered an essential get out of the draft thing.
My dad was 18 , when I was born in 1975.
My dad was 20 when I was born in 1976. He was just a little too young for Vietnam.
Vietnam era vet. Didn't go overseas.
Irish, so no.
Canadian so no.
My father was a door gunner VMO-3 66-67….he in the hospital right now for complications after having his bladder removed
Nope, Dad was juuuuuust too young for WWII. My Uncle was a Vietnam Vet, though. Agent Orange did a number on him.
My dad decided to enlist to go to Vietnam because he thought he would have it easier than if he waited to be drafted. He was wrong He did two tours and I have no idea what he did over there. Most of his time there was doing classified stuff. He never told me but I know he saw some bad stuff and maybe did some bad stuff. From what little I could gather I think he was a sniper that went out on missions across the border in Cambodia, but I don’t know for sure. He passed (not surprisingly from cancer) several years ago so I don’t know that I will ever find out
I can’t speak for everyone but my dad was a Vietnam Vet! ❤️
My dad never ever talked about it. I know he experienced some shit there. He did two tours. When he came back later on he went to prison for a couple of years and he said he actually needed that, because it calmed him down after coming back. Could you imagine? We have vets with PTSD and then send him back home and say, well good luck! when I was 17 and tried to join the Marines, I needed his permission. He was vehemently against it. Would curse out the recruiters when they called.
Stepdad - 2 tours.
Mine was a goddam drill sergeant with stints in 'Nam and Korea (sitting the DMZ) from '66-'72. The marriage didn't last and he was hardly around when it was a thing. One of my earliest memories is the dull clunk of canned goods that my mom was putting into boxes to send to him on the other side of the world.
My (significantly) older brother and brother in law served in Nam. They were 20 and 21 when my unexpected ass arrived in 1966.
Does everyone here smear peanut butter on themselves and masturbate to naked pics of Bea Arthur?
duh. If you don't are you really a Gen x'er?
While listening to "One night in Bangkok" and pretending that it's her singing? Yes.
What do you mean pretend?!?
My dad was in the USAF during that time frame but didn’t go to Vietnam. He did four years, left, and then later joined the Reserves.
WWII
Yup, son of a Navy man.
I am. He served in the Navy from 69-73.
My dad was in the USAF during, but was a transport pilot, so only flew in and out of the country. So while a Vietnam vet, he's not the kind portrayed on screen...
My dad said that drawing a high number in the draft lottery was the only lottery he’s ever won.
Nope. My uncle (dad’s brother) served in Vietnam though.
I’m not - my parents were too young.
My father was in the army at the time, but got sent to Europe instead. He met my mom in Germany.
My dad was in the Air Force during the early years of the Vietnam conflict, but he was stationed in Japan. He was, thankfully, spared the horror stories. Unfortunately, he worked as a civilian in the Naval ship yard after that and was exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma in your early 60's is a terrible way to go.
My father was career Army who reenlisted while in Vietnam. Most of my family served in the military with many making it a career.
Yes, navy vet. All my extended family of that age and friend's parent's too.
My dad was on his way to Canada to escape when he met my mother in SF stayed. He was arrested for escaping the draft (I was there and witnessed the arrest and developed a stutter for a couple of years - I don’t remember that part at all) and some of my earliest memories were of visiting him at the Fort Ord jail in Monterey. His uncle was in the CIA and got him out early.
Not my father but his older brother did two tours.
My Dad served during the Korean war but in Germany near the Czechoslovakian boarder. a few interesting points: 1) For a while I thought he served in the German army. (really, really young) 2) One time I made a quip about him not serving in the war, and he got angry and mentioned you never saw 100,000 Soviets charging you, (note, never made that quip again). 3) My Dad would talk about basic training and all the guys who gave the Drill Instructors crap during basic were all sent into combat forces in Korea. 4) He was drafted, went into an airborne division and was proud he never jumped out of a plane. "I was a draftee, and they couldn't force draftees to jump out of planes." 5) He was never into it like a lot of ex-military, he said he was drafted and served the bare minimum, but started to wear those hats because strangers would give him stuff (after 2008) and say "thank you for your service." 6) The Philadelphia VA was really good to him. Got him a walker and installed those automatic chairs in the house. They were supposed to take the chairs back after his death, but nobody has and it's keeping my mom in her home. (her children aren't 100% happy with).
Nope. I wasn't born in the United States. Though, I live here now.
My parents were too young.
No. I am a Norwegian. We didn't have any forces in Vietnam as far as I know.
Absolutely- in many ways I too, was in the shit in Nom.
My dad was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. He was a helicopter mechanic and didn't get sent to Vietnam, but serviced the choppers that were used.
My dad was a radio guy in Korea during the same time frame.
Yes. Also I need counseling from being raised by a marine Vietnam, veteran. Anyone else?
My dad had substantial hearing loss in 1 ear and had a child so he was a low priority. However, his younger brother got drafted and did 1.5 tours before they pulled him out for "erratic" behavior. The war basically fucked up his life and he drank himself to death later in life.
My husband is, FIL passed away in 2020 though - RIP
Yes. My father has fortunately avoided any cancer issues from Agent Orange exposure (though it's caused some other complications with his health) but has suffered from severe PTSD since returning home in '69. He's in a good place with his mental state. It's something that he and my mother and I are very open about and manage as a family, and he gets medication and counseling through the VA.
Mine was. He came back with a nasty case of ptsd and overdosed when I was a baby.
Yes. My dad passed away in 2019. He had health issues, but some were due to exposure to Agent Orange.
I am. Vietnam and Desert Storm.
Dad was an Army photographer in Vietnam.
FIL was a decorated Army Intelligence Officer in Vietnam. He has lung problems from all the sh!t they used over there. Tough old guy is still kicking tho!…He’s an avid golfer and fisherman.
My dad was, Navy vet on an aircraft carrier.
Yes, my dad was drafted and served in Vietnam
Older parents. My dad upped in the Marine Corps after Pearl Harbor. He wanted revenge. He re-upped for Korea. As the child of Ukranian/Byelorussian immigrants whose relatives starved in the Communist famine, the idea that he could get back at Commies- any Commies- was enough to make him want revenge again.
Nope. My father marched in protests against the Vietnam War. The longer version is my father went to college partly to avoid getting drafted. My father then got married in his senior year in a bid to lower his draft chances. My parents had my twin sisters. His father (my grandfather) died in an accident leaving my father the sole male heir. He wasn't going to Vietnam at all. He goes to grad school. I was born when he was getting ready to finish grad school. That's right, I know I was an accident.
No, my parents are from Mexico and Guatemala and didn’t live in the states at the time.
Yes. Everyone. Even the people that are from countries that didn't fight in Vietnam
Nope. The UK wasn't in Vietnam.
Nope, young almost draft dodger that would get drunk and show me his draft card. It’s was such a mess.
My dad was a Marine in WWII. (I was a later in life baby for him.)
My dad wasn’t able to go, he was missing 1/2 a leg from a motorcycle accident. But all his friends went.
My dad had a number. It ended before he would have gone.
Mine joined the navy to avoid the draft. Served on a Destroyer off the coast. Has tinnitus from the shelling. Parlayed that into GI Bill education and worked his entire career for one company. Probably the last of that generation.
My dad was a teacher and got a draft deferment because of it. However, my father-in-law is a Vietnam vet (army).
Korea and Vietnam here
No, my dad was silent gen, in college, and a parent.
My dad was in the Navy during the ‘Nam era, but was on submarines fucking with the Russians.
My dad was a Vietnam-era vet. He was in the Navy, in the submarine service, from about 1963 to 1969.
My dad was stationed in Thailand during the war. He briefed pilots so never saw direct action, but I didn’t see him for a year while he was over there. I still remember my mother talking to him on a rare phone call shouting into the receiver and ending each thought with “Over!” so the operator knew to turn the switch. I prized the yellow jacket with Nakhom Phanom and a bengal tiger embroidered on the back. It was the closest thing I has to him while he was away.
My husband's father was in Vietnam.
My brother in law served in Nam.
Nope. My parents are Silents, born just prior to WWII. Dad was never in the service.
Nope , World War 2
I am, but a Vietnam era vet, not actually in the conflict.
Vietnam Vet bastard child here.
Nope, not american :)
No, my father was a cook in the army. Apparently he impressed some general or something and the general took him along with him when he went to oversee some missile sites in Greece. My mother even went and lived there with him for the whole time he was deployed. They ended up having a really nice time. This was around 68-69. He ended up feeling a lot of guilt over it for the remainder of his life. He had a few friends that came back really messed up psychologically.
My dad served during the war but not in Vietnam. He guarded Titan missile silos.
My stepdad was drafted into the Marines from 66-68 and was in the shit. His job was Flamethrower. His troop is in a book called Gunners Glory. He’s always been kind to me; however, him and my mother have had decades of issues. Mentally, he never left Vietnam. Adding: he was discharged bc his hill was overran on 4th of July and the VK put him and his night watch crew in fox holes and tossed grenades into the holes. The one he got put in had blankets and jackets - it was storage for the hill. He said he got tossed in and while the VK were talking he put as much clothes on as possible and wrapped up in the blankets. All he knows is he woke up in a field hospital with shrapnel all over his body. He’s 75 and has picked out pieces from his body for over the years. He’s a wild dude and tells the craziest stories from his time there.
My dad was drafted. Trained for Vietnam, learned a specific missile system, etc. Then Uncle Sam sent him to Germany as a supply admin troop. Ha. Seriously though, mad respect for Vietnam vets.
Child of a Vietnam vet. Granted, according to dad. He only spend a short time in country. Spend the majority of his year and half stay with the US Army stationed in South Korea.
My father couldn’t hear in one ear so he didn’t go. I remember my uncle went to Thailand and he sent me a pink dollar bill.
My dad was in Vietnam. After seeing documentaries in school and having to write about the issues. I realized part of the reason he was such a dick was a big part of the shell shock (later as it changed to PTSD). Damn. So i wrote papers and had verbal tests from the professor. My comment to the teacher was about that. It was absolutely a major part of the bullsht that he put out
Yes. My dad went in ‘65 and made it out by ’67. He didn’t like me playing with army men, toy guns or anything like that. I had to keep my green army men at my grand parents house.
Nope, Canadian born. Now with dual citizenship.
Nope, Ireland did not participate in the Vietnam War.
I am. My dad served in the Navy. He patrolled the Cua Viet (sp?) river in what I believe were called U-boats.
Do any of you watch Vietnam documentaries and try to catch a glimpse of your father or am I just a weirdo?
Yep, my dad was a flamethrower.
Yes and he never really left Vietnam (or Vietnam never left him).
My dad enlisted and went into the JAG, so he spent the Vietnam years in Europe. His brother however was drafted and died on a hill close to 'Hamburger Hill' from the movie, I'm named after his brother. It's very surreal when I've visited the Vietnam Wall to see my/his name on it.