What was the life expectancy of communication soldier in Vietnam?

Answer 1

Life ExpectancyStatistics show that when the action was at its highest, a total of 500,000 Americans were in Vietnam. Each year approximately 10,000 were killed. The average likelihood of 10,000/500,000= 2% of not returning alive from Vietnam in the 1st year of duty and 4% if it were to last 2 years.

Another opinion:

• Total American deaths in Vietnam for all services (including accidents and illness as well as combat) were around 52,000 spread out for the most part over a ten year period. The fact is though that life expectancy varied by service and assignment. An Air Force Supply Clerk assigned to Ton San Nhut Air Base probably had an almost miniscule chance of being killed whereas a Marine officer leading a platoon fighting in Hue City in 1968 probably had a much higher chance of being killed or wounded.

• I served in Viet Nam in 1967-1968. For the people asking about average age or life span instead of life expectancy: I think the average age of the troops who served was in their early 20's. I was only 21 years old when I was sent over. Most of the men were drafted right after high school, as if you weren't in college, you were eligible for service. Over 55 thousand US troops did not come home from Vietnam.

Answer 2

New leaders such as new 2nd Lieutenants or new (shake 'n bake) SGT's, as well as new common infantrymen (new men in country, privates, etc.) were easy marks for the enemy if they became careless. Such as using easily seen hand and arm signals where ANYONE could see them, wearing bright shining rank where ANYONE could see it, or talking too loud in places where we were supposed to be quiet, etc. Or lighting a cigarette or building a fire (to cook food) at night time, might attract gunfire (or a grenade), or a mortar attack. If a new man did those things, he was being careless. Then his life might be measured in days or weeks. Walking too quickly in unknown areas was not wise, walking down established trails, and driving vehicles down unknown dirt roads was not wise. One had to walk with caution in unfamiliar territory, and drive down dirt roads looking for anything that shouldn't be there, such as a discolored area on the road (signs that fresh earth had been moved). Or trash that wasn't there yesterday. Trash could be covering a detonator to a land mine. Using a radio was a sign of being a leader, that too brought the enemy's attention. Other than that, most GI's could be expected to finish their tours. Unless, it was a big battle, or "your number was just up."

Answer 3

This "phrase" is and was common in past wars. The truth of the matter is, unless it's a rare accident or incident (like being in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 when the A-Bomb was dropped; or being in Saigon on the morning of the TET offensive, etc.) if a GI survives his "FIRST Contact" (first firefight/first battle), then he's probably "good to go." Meaning, he'll most likely make it for the rest of his tour of duty.

Answer 4

Over 2 million men successfully completed their tours.

Answer 5

For Australians it was not too bad as a mater of fact it was more dangerous to cross the road in Australia.

Answer 6

Of the 2 1/2 million US servicemen in country, less than 1/2 million became casualties; consequently, over 2 million men survived their 12 month tour unscathed.

Answer 7

Their greatest fear was the B-52. On their pith helmets they would sometimes write, "Born in the North, Died in the South."

Answer 8

About a year or less...I really dempended on what postition the person played in the war.

Answer 9

ten percent

Answer 10

7 days