| National Guard: 6,140 served, 101 died. Total draftees (1965-1973) 1,728,344. Actuall served in Vietnam 38% Marine Corps drafted: 42,633. Last draftee: June 30, 1973. RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND 88.4% of those who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian. 10.6% were black. 1% belonged to other races. 86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasion (includes Hispanics). 12.5% (7,241) were black. 1.2% belonged to other races. 170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there. 70% of enlisted men killed were of Northwest European descent. 86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were Caucasion. 12.1% (5,711) were black. 1.1% belonged to other races. 14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks. 34% of blacks that enlisted, volunteered for the combat arms. Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population. RELIGION OF DEAD Protestant-64.4% Catholic-28.9% Other/none-6.7% SOCIETY-ECONOMIC STATUS 76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle and working class backgrounds. 3/4ths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds. Some 23% of Vietnam Vets had fathers with professional, managerial or technical occupations. 79% who served had a high school education or better, 63% of Korean War and only 45% of WWII Vets had completed high school upon seperation. DEATHS BY REGION PER 100,00 OF POPULATION South-31 West-29 Midwest-28.4 Northeast-23.5 WINNING AND LOSING 82% of vets who saw combat strongly believe the war was lost because of lack of political will. Nearly 75% of the public agrees it was a failure of political will, not arms. HONORABLE SERVICE 97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged. 91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country. 66% of Vietnam Vets say they would serve again if called upon. 87% of the public now holds Vietnam Veterans in high esteem. |
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