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During the
Vietnam War the national debt increased by $146 billion (1967-1973).
Adjusted for inflation, the debt in 1992 dollars was $500 billion.
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6,598 were
officers, average age 28.43.
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91 percent of
Vietnam veterans say they are glad they served.
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74 percent
said they would serve again even knowing the outcome.
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One out of
every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. Although the
percentage who died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling
wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. 75,000 Vietnam
veterans are severely disabled.
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Two-thirds of
the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers, two-thirds who served
in World War II were draftees.
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Vietnam
Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.
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The suicide
rate of Vietnam veterans has always been well within the 1.7% norm of
the general population.
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Missing in
action: 2,338
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Men under the
age of 21 killed: 61%
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240 men were
awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam era.
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POWs: 766 (114
died in captivity).
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Married men
killed: 17,539
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Five men
killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.
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The oldest man
killed was 62 years old.
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Total draftees
(1965-1973): 1,728,344
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97% of Vietnam
veterans were honorably discharged
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91% of actual
Vietnam War era veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are
proud to have served their country
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66% of Vietnam
veterans say they would serve again if called upon