Vietnam War Fact Checking...

[eeboater]

As I get older, I'm learning that my former step-dad had the tendency to stretch the truth a bit.

Something he always said was that he was a Vietnam vet, and that he served at the end of the war. He stated that he was someone who hang out the side of helo's with the big gun and their primary duty was to pick up/rescue troops off the tops of buildings in vietnam.

If he was born in March of '57, time-wise, is it possible that he did this? Being born in '79 the war ended way before I was born -- so its difficult to get the facts straight. All research I performed stated that the war ended in '75. But I also read that Nixon announced a 72000 troop withdrawl in '72. He would have been 15 then.

The thing that makes me question it... is that any record or physical piece of info showing that he served is missing. He always said his ex-wife took it in a divorce.

Thanks

 

[Mike722]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

I was born in 1968, but I believe the American involement was over after the fall of Saigon in April of 1975. He would have been 18 only one month at that point. I do not believe he could have been trained and in Vietnam in such a short time. Older members maybe able to correct me if I am wrong and maybe unofficial units were still there after 1975.

It maybe none of our business, but I wonder why it is important to know if a former Step-dad stories are true.

And to all the members of the Military past and present, Thank You for keeping this country the greatest place to live on Earth.

Mike

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

there are several websites for finding missing military friends and certain parts of service records are public materiel. most will require the hunted persons social security number.
the Ex should not have his DD214 and most any employer will ask for a copy of it.
my DD214 is about the only document I have that I know exactly where it is anytime .
seems military service is a lot like big fish caught in ones youth. as time goes by it gets bigger
however in april of 1975 there was a massive series of airlifts from the US embassy and some surrounding areas by the US from siagon.
I have a cousin who was in the jungle before he was 17, at age 17 one can and could volunteer with parental permission.
cousin lied
another cousin was in the jungle at 18, he was 17 when he actually joined, the judge had given him a choice. 3 years in a state correctional facility or 3 years in the US military. he chose the military and lo and behold there happened to be a US army recuiter in the courtroom.
he did 17 years before he quit.
was a good deal for him.
however now you have to sign a document stating your not joining due to any civil or crimminal judgements or words to that effect.
google : finding ex military members .
hunt to your hearts content.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

War ended in 1973, Americans were evacuated in 1975. Born in 1957, would have been in high school in April 1975 unless he dropped out or graduated early. The 1st Rambo hit theaters in 1983.

 

[JB]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

What JTex said.

Theoretically possible by the time of evacuation in 1975, but only if he enlisted as soon as he was 17 and was part of the evacuation but not the shooting part of the war.

Does it matter? Lots of people enhance their history to cover guilt or feelings of inadequacy. I don't think exposing him would do anyone any good.

Let it lie.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

Not really planning on exposing him on anything. It's more for my knowledge.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

Never can be sure. Actually remember a kid in boot camp turns out was 15. When the corp found out they sent him home. You could join wiht parental permission or if you had been emancipated at 17 but cut it pretty close. Not sure many new troops shipped to southeast asia in the closing months.

As JB said probably no grace in exposing him. Those who served were issued a DD 214 when they discharged along with their discharge papers.

 

[treedancer]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...





Find out what his MOS was, I do believe that stands for military occupational specialty , if he was in the ARMY it should be 100B, the average age of the door gunners that I ran into was about nineteen, to twenty. Most of them were very experienced. Of course I could be wrong on the MOS, my cousin was shot down in Quang Nam Province he was a door gunner. If step dad say that he forgot his MOS he could be a little windy. You never forget you first MOS mine was 0811.artillery gunner. USMC.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

Troop deployment to Nam ended before 72...My point is with JB.. A Nam vet can in a couple of minutes of talking to another can usually tell if one has been there..
I have met many who profess they were there when they were not..

He may have been involved with the evac in 75 but i think it would have been those who were already there..

Sounds like he was a gunner with the helios.. I was the corpsman that they dropped into the fire fight to drag out the wounded and it was those gunners that protected me during a Med vac..

Just hard to believe he could have been there..Harder still to understand why one would talk about it when most of us are still trying to forget..

Good luck..The guys at the wall are frowning on him if it isn't true.

 

[Blackgang]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

I was there until '73, and I'm pretty sure there were no personel in country after 4/75. I remember seeing the evacuation of Saigon on tv, and the helos being pushed overboard on the carriers. Every serviceman has access to his DD-214. This document will show duty stations, as well as awards, medals, and ribbons. Look for the combat action ribbon to be listed on that document. Treedancer, your cousin was in one of the hottest provinces the entire war. Hope it turned out ok for him.
When the experts panic...
They call the Fire Dept.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

I enlisted in 1973 at the age of 18 (born 1955) The Viet Nam conflict was over. We withdrew out last people in 1975. As far as I know no units were actively deployed in 74 and on.

I am what is considered to be a Viet Nam Era veteran due to my dates of service but not a Viet Nam Veteran. That piece of info was (past tense) important to employers.

Treedancer - the grunts were MOS 11B (infantryman) in the army.

Copies of a DD214 can be obtained by writing to:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd
St Loius, MO 63132-5100

 

[eeboater]

Re: Vietnam War Fact Checking...

Thanks for the info everyone.