Average US KHA soldier age in VN

hansenjim
Member
Posts: 12
(6/14/01 5:42:09 pm)
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Perhaps we ought to limit the BS we give to youngsters visiting here who are legimiately trying to learn the truth.

Here are statistics from the Combat Area Casualty File (CACF) as of November 1993. The CACF is the basis for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall):

Average age of 58,148 killed in Vietnam was 23.11 years. (Although 58,169 names are in the Nov. 93 database, only 58,148 have both event date and birth date. Event date is used instead of declared dead date for some of those who were listed as missing in action) [CACF]

Deaths Average Age

Total 58,148 23.11 years

Enlisted 50,274 22.37 years

Officers 6,598 28.43 years

Warrants 1,276 24.73 years

E1 525 20.34 years

11B MOS 18,465 22.55 years

Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. [CACF]

The oldest man killed was 62 years old. [CACF]

11,465 KIAs were less than 20 years old. [CACF]


Myth: The average age of an infantryman fighting in Vietnam was 19.

Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman (MOS 11B) serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. [CACF]

The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age. [Westmoreland]

Statistics or not, this appear to be the truth as taken from individual military records.

P.S. These statistics include the 10,000 or so (of the 58,000) who died but NOT as a result of hostile action.



hansenjim
Member
Posts: 13
(6/14/01 5:47:35 pm)
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Here's the actual nunmbers for anyone that is interested:

CACCF Record Counts by Age at Time of Death or Declaration of Death (as of 12/98 ) Age at Time of Death/Declaration of Death Number of Records
17 12
18 3,103
19 8,283
20 14,095
21 9,705
22 4,798
23 3,495
24 2,650
25 2,018
26 1,414
27 917
28 768
29 710
30-39 4,927
40-49 1,156
50-59 121
60-62 4
Unknown, Not Reported 17
Total 58,193


See: www.nara.gov/nara/electronic/vnstat.html


homer4
Moderator
Posts: 902
(6/15/01 5:45:53 pm)
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I don't see it as BS hansenjim...some statistics can be posted that aren't correct as sonme of the stories that have been retrieved by other sources and then posted...but I don't see it as an attempt to BS anyone...but simply innocent error.Accuracy should be paramount...sometimes accuracy is conveyed sometimes not but those here I don't believe for a minute knowingly set out to decieve others. I don't in fact believe that you are saying it's intentional on anyones part...the usage of BS is the reason for my reply.

As facts have come to light...I see quite often quick retractions and apologies.Opinions however , I feel are anyone's right even to our disagreeing as I'm sure you feel as well.

With out offence hansenjim nor rebuke.
...and two hard boiled eggs.

Edited by: homer4 at: 6/15/01 11:37:15 pm

hansenjim
Member
Posts: 15
(6/18/01 2:44:32 am)
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Homer -

You're right. I didn't mean that it was intentional. Just sloppy perhaps. I apologize if anyone took it that way.

Jim

homer4
Moderator
Posts: 920
(6/18/01 3:45:09 pm)
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Figured that you meant nothing by it Jim...stats and facts have been flying about like debris in a cyclone with the Nam. I finally came to the place I'll pick and chose but rely on my experience best.

...and two hard boiled eggs.