How many Vietnam Veterans Die Each Day?
The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths for both American and Vietnamese personnel. Despite the war ended over 45 years ago, the effects of the conflict continue to be felt today. One of the most emotional and challenging aspects of war is the loss of young lives, and the tragedy of the Vietnam War’s impact on American veterans should not be forgotten.
To answer the question, how many Vietnam veterans die each day, we should first consider the total number of Vietnam War veterans remaining today. According to official records, there were an estimated 2.3 million American veterans of the Vietnam War. However, this number has been subject to some debate and scrutiny over the years.
Some estimates suggest that the average life expectancy of a 20-year-old maleVietnam veteran in 1980 was 64-65 years. This represents a significant decline in lifespans compared to the early 1960s prior to the war. These statistics highlight the devastating affects of war on the individual and their loved ones.
While the total number of Veterans remaining today is difficult to determine, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officially recognizes over 1,500 Vietnam-era veterans whose deaths are reported each week. This number translates into approximately 40-43 Vietnam veterans dying each and every day.
Please note that these numbers pertain only to Vietnam Service Medal recipients and do not account for veterans who later died from non-service-linked causes.
$The Vietnam War’s toll on American veterans
Physical scars
- Over 53,000 American service men and women were killed in action during the Vietnam War.[1]
- An additional 303,704 Vietnamese civilians and 250,000 North Vietnamese soldiers met their demise.[2][3]
- The high number of fatalities, which included over 10 percent of all US military suicides, had a profound effects on the surviving veterans (Source: <https:/www.pbs.org/show/american-experience/beyond-war/>).
Some of the most common injury types suffered by Vietnam warriors include:
• Explosive-related injuries such as shrapnel scars, hearing loss, chronic pain, and PTSD disorders.
• Fractures and amputation due to gunfire, motor vehicle accidents, and traumatic injuries.
• Respiratory problems linked to military service, such as dust-related lung damage and pneumonia.
Mental suffering
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other psychosomatic conditions have profoundly impacted Vietnam veterans.
The American Psychological Association believes that approximately 30 percentage of Vietnam veterans suffer at least one diagnosible mental health condition.(Source: <https:www.apa.orgnews/press-releases%202014/vietnamposttraumatic)
The VA’s National Center for PTSD estimates PTSD prevalence rates as follows:
| PTSDprevalence rates | Error |
|---|---|
| >30% | Vietnamese veterans | “20% |
