How old would most Vietnam vets be today?

The average age of a Vietnam veteran today (early 2026) is around 71-73 years old, with a median age of about 71 according to a 2020 Census report, meaning they were likely in their late teens or early twenties during the conflict and are now in their 70s, reflecting the aging population of those who served.

What is the average age of a Vietnam veteran today?

EsƟmated 6.4M Vietnam Era Veterans. Ages range from 97 to 55 years old (born between 1918 and 1960). Median age is 68 years. An overwhelming majority of Vietnam Veterans are male (6.2M) while in the civilian populaƟon females (47.7M) outnumber males by 20.5M.

How old would the youngest Vietnam vet be today?

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 54 years old." So, if you're alive, served in Vietnam and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.

Why did VFW reject Vietnam vets?

The VFW rejected Vietnam veterans primarily because older members (WWII/Korea vets) didn't consider Vietnam a "real war," viewing it as an unpopular "police action," creating a climate where Vietnam vets felt unwelcome and were told they didn't belong, leading many to avoid joining due to the stigma, public opinion, and harsh treatment upon their return. 

Did Tom Selleck actually serve in Vietnam?

No, Tom Selleck did not serve in Vietnam; he served in the California Army National Guard during the Vietnam War era (1967-1973), enlisting after receiving draft papers to avoid deployment to Vietnam, and served six months of active duty, becoming a sergeant in the 160th Infantry Regiment.
 

How Old Are Vietnam War Vets? - Military History HQ

What was the average life expectancy of a US soldier in Vietnam?

There isn't a single "life expectancy" for a Vietnam soldier, as it varied wildly by role, but general stats show most US troops served 1-2 years, with a low overall death rate (around 2.14%), though specific high-risk roles like point men or RTOs had drastically short survival times in firefights, while the average age of death was around 23, and many survivors faced long-term health issues from Agent Orange.
 

Do Vietnam vets still get paid?

The VA pays disability compensation to Vietnam veterans with injuries or diseases that began in, or were aggravated by, their military service.

Did any 17 year old fight in Vietnam?

Yes, 17-year-olds did fight in Vietnam, though after 1965, the Pentagon tried to stop sending them and set a minimum age of 18 for duty in Vietnam due to public outcry over casualties, but some still served, often by falsifying their age to enlist, with several young teenagers listed among the war's casualties. 

How many Viet Cong died in the Vietnam War?

It is estimated that South Vietnam lost between 200,000 and 250,000 fighters. The Viet Cong lost around 1.1 million combatants. Around 2 million civilians were killed in the territories of North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Who served the most tours in Vietnam?

Robert Lewis Howard was a legend for his service in the Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Having deployed there five times, he's the most decorated soldier to have served in the conflict and is the only soldier to have been nominated three times for the Medal of Honor. Army 1st Lt.

What is the leading cause of death in Vietnam?

The leading causes of death in Vietnam are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) (like stroke and ischemic heart disease) and cancer, which together account for a large majority of fatalities, followed by chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health reports. Stroke, specifically, is often cited as the single biggest killer, leading to massive numbers of deaths annually, notes Stanford Medicine and Báo VietNamNet. 

How many 17 year old soldiers died in Vietnam?

At least 12 men killed in Vietnam were 17 years old. There are 120 persons who listed foreign countries as their home of record. At least 25,000 of those killed were 20 years old or younger. More than 17,000 of those killed were married.

How old was too old to be drafted in Vietnam?

The oldest age a man could be drafted during the Vietnam War was 26, as men were eligible from 18 to 26 years old, though local boards often called the oldest first (around 18.5-25) before the lottery system, with the lottery system focusing on birth years, but the maximum age remained 26 for liability.
 

Can you live on $1000 a month in Vietnam?

Yes, you can absolutely live in Vietnam on $1000 a month, often quite comfortably, especially by embracing local food and transport, and choosing smaller cities or suburbs over expensive central areas in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Your budget covers rent for a modest apartment, local meals for pennies, cheap transport (motorbike/Grab), and basic utilities, though Western comforts and frequent nightlife in big cities will stretch it thin. 

Who was the soldier found alive in Vietnam after 45 years?

The man, who claims to be Sgt John Hartley Robertson, a former Green Beret who was shot down over Laos in 1968, is unable to speak or understand English, does not know his date of birth or the names of his wife and two children he left behind in America.

Why didn't John Wayne serve in WWII?

John Wayne didn't serve in WWII due to a combination of age, family status (wife and four children) granting him an initial deferment (3-A), and later an occupational deferment (2-A) secured by Hollywood studios who argued his movie-making was vital for national morale and propaganda. He tried to enlist but faced obstacles, including family obligations, studio interference, and a genuine belief he could help more by making morale-boosting films, though he deeply regretted not serving and sought to atone for it later in life. 

What is the average pension in Vietnam?

Based on data from Việt Nam Social Security, Luật Khoa Magazine compiled the average monthly pension and number of recipients from 2021 to 2024, revealing a significant upward trend. The average pension increased by nearly 48%, rising from 4.2 million VND in 2021 to a high of 6.2 million VND in 2024.

At what age do most veterans receive pensions?

Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans age 65 or older who have limited or no income. Wartime veterans who are under 65 years of age are eligible if they are permanently and totally disabled for reasons not related to their military service and not of their own willful misconduct.

Do Vietnam vets get more social security?

That was true whether or not disability payments from VA were included in income. In general, Vietnam veterans received more money from Social Security and retirement plans than nonveterans; nonveterans had more earnings and more investment income.

Who was the youngest US soldier killed in Vietnam?

Dan Bullock (December 21, 1953 – June 7, 1969) was a United States Marine and the youngest U.S. serviceman killed in action during the Vietnam War, dying at the age of 15.

What was the lifespan of a helicopter gunner in Vietnam?

The average lifespan of a door gunner on a Huey in Vietnam was two weeks. Dustoff crews flew 24 hours a day to evacuate wounded soldiers. There was a one in three chance of being killed or wounded during a Dustoff tour.