(Non-political) Vietnam War Stats

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Even more sobering is to think that for every name on that wall are 10 NVA dead that had families just like the US soldiers had. Somehow these are never accounted for. Granted, it's very tough to place yourself in the shoes of your enemy. What's forgotten often in these kinds of discussions is that there are never heroes in war, there are only casualties. War sucks.

The heroes are just the governments way to fool people into thinking it's cool to die for a politicians decision (and yes, it's not as simple as that but basically this is how it goes).

[Raven3]

Point is a bunch of US and allied soldiers, and SVN civilians died, which is terrible and sad. And a lot of NVN and Cambodian soldiers and civilians, and VC terrorists, which is slightly less terrible, but still sad. It was a war, and people die in war, you just hope less of your neighbors die.

What's disgusting is that some would try to use their deaths to make their point. Both sides believed in their causes, and both sides fought for what they believed. You can argue about who is right or wrong, but it doesn't make them any less dead, doesn't make their sacrifice any more or less meaningful, and doesn't change a thing.

Now get and stay off your high horses, and show some Golly-geen respect.

Eggggxactly!! Thank you. I will say no more.

[Wmaker]

And sir, your point is??

The huge difference between the military and civillian casualties and still the military casualties are being brought up way more often in western countries.

[GScholz]

That's understandable and normal. Everyone will consider their own losses more important than those of the enemy... civilian or not. I'm sure in Vietnam their own losses are brought up more often.

[MiloMorai]

Valour Road is a street in the West End of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was originally called Pine Street. In 1925, it was renamed as Valour Road in recognition of the courage of three young men who all lived on the 700 block of the street and all served in the First World War. Corporal Leo Clarke, Sergeant-Major Frederick William Hall, and Lieutenant Robert Shankland each received the Victoria Cross for acts of bravery during the war.

The inscription on the Victoria Cross is "For Valour".

[PJ_Godzilla]

The huge difference between the military and civillian casualties and still the military casualties are being brought up way more often in western countries.

Sure, and yet you only presented the civilian casualties attributable to American military action, yet we know that's only a subset of the picture -consider, for example, the horrendous level of military-on-civilian death in the years immediately following the war, both in South Vietnam, as the NVA exacted retribution on RVN officials and military ( which, btw, sparked a fairly serious refugee wave) and in Cambodia ( we all know what happened there).

Thus, while your statement above makes perfect sense to me, the data you presented supported only a very pointed view; unintentionally or not...

[-ammo-]

You and I both know this Finlander's intention.  You called it correctly.

[Puma44]

  Ranger!  Well intentioned and appreciated!

[Wmaker]

Sure, and yet you only presented the civilian casualties attributable to American military action,

Yes I did, intentionally, considering that American military was the only entity whose losses were being mentioned, once again. I wanted to point out that despite usually being the only losses mentioned, the casualties caused by them are far, far greater.

Over the years I've seen tens of threads like this and posted nothing. Thought it was a high time to mention it.

[TheCrazyOrange]

Yes I did, intentionally, considering that American military was the only entity whose losses were being mentioned, once again. I wanted to point out that despite usually being the only losses mentioned, the casualties caused by them are far, far greater.

Over the years I've seen tens of threads like this and posted nothing. Thought it was a high time to mention it.

Why would anyone make a monument to dead enemy combatants? Why would anyone build a monument to dead enemy civilians for that matter?

When Finland builds a monument to dead Soviet soldiers in the Winter War, you can criticize our recognition of casualties we've caused.

[Wmaker]

Why would anyone make a monument to dead enemy combatants? Why would anyone build a monument to dead enemy civilians for that matter?

Wasn't talking anything about building monuments.

When Finland builds a monument to dead Soviet soldiers in the Winter War, you can criticize our recognition of casualties we've caused.

There are monuments for Russian and Ukrainian casualties in Winter War in Finland and one common to all soldiers (Finnish, Russian, Ukranian) who died in the battles of Raateroad but that really wasn't my point.

[VuduVee]

  wmaker

[Masherbrum]

Why would anyone make a monument to dead enemy combatants? Why would anyone build a monument to dead enemy civilians for that matter?

When Finland builds a monument to dead Soviet soldiers in the Winter War, you can criticize our recognition of casualties we've caused.

Why are you taking the bait of a 33 year old?  

[USRanger]

1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam

This is the one that saddens me the most.  Imagine, it's your last day, your family is ready to welcome you home,etc. then *Bam* it's all over.  So sad.  I'd rather be killed on my first day, as long I got to go down fighting.

[Plawranc]

Soldiers are soldiers.

They fight for their country.

They die for it.

It takes bravery to even enlist let alone fight. Of course there are exceptions. But the fact is if you sign that form, it could very well be your death warrant. Being prepared to take that oath is something in itself.