He was one of the longest-held American prisoner of war in U.S. history that was returned or captured by troops, spending nearly nine years in captivity in the forests and mountains of South Vietnam and Laos, and in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
| Floyd James Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Did any American soldiers stay in Vietnam after the war?
It’s estimated that tens of thousands of veterans have returned to Vietnam since the 1990s, mostly for short visits to the places where they once served. Decades after the fall of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) many former soldiers still wonder why they were fighting.
Who was the most decorated soldier in the Vietnam War?
His name is Staff Sergeant Joe Ronnie Hooper, and not only was he a hero in the Vietnam War; he is also the most decorated soldier in American international combat, even eclipsing both York and Murphy. Joe Ronnie Hooper was born on August 8th, 1938 in Piedmont, South Carolina.
How many Vietnam veterans are still alive 2021?
despite their oral claim of service there. As of this date The American War Library estimates that approximately 610,000 Americans who served on land in Vietnam or in the air over Vietnam between 1954 and 1975 are alive today. And approximately 164,000 Americans who served at sea in Vietnam waters are alive today.
What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam?
# 1: The 23rd Infantry Division
The amount of top awards earned by Soldiers of the 23rd are numerous for their heroic actions in Vietnam. The Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division) was formed from elements of Task Force Oregon in Chu Lai, Southern First Corps, Republic of South Vietnam on 26 September 1967.
Are there still traps in Vietnam?
The Vietnamese did not put up well with the invasion, and did everything in their power to defend against the Americans. One strategy was booby traps, and there are still many tunnels and traps that have survived.
Has anyone won 2 medals of honor?
Perhaps the most notable two-time Medal of Honor recipients are Smedley Butler and Dan Daly, both Marines who began their careers in the late-19th century before serving in World War I. Butler received his first medal for guiding his men through a firefight during U.S. involvement in the Mexican Revolution in 1914.
Who did the most tours of duty in Vietnam?
He earned 38 military decorations during his career, and has been called the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War.
| Jorge Otero Barreto | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1959–1970 |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | 101st Airborne 25th Infantry 82nd Airborne 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War ( WIA ) |
How long was a tour of duty in Vietnam?
one year
A tour of duty in Vietnam for most ground forces lasted one year.
How old would a Vietnam vet be today?
EsƟmated 6.4M Vietnam Era Veterans. Ages range from 97 to 55 years old (born between 1918 and 1960). Median age is 68 years. An overwhelming majority of Vietnam Veterans are male (6.2M) while in the civilian populaƟon females (47.7M) outnumber males by 20.5M.
Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive?
List of the 4 Youngest Vietnam Veterans
- Oliver Stone. Age: 75. Born: 09/15/1946. Hometown: New York City.
- Tom Selleck. Age: 77. Born: 01/29/1945. Hometown: Detroit, Michigan.
- Bob Kerrey. Age: 78. Born: 08/27/1943. Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Jorge Otero Barreto. Age: 84. Born: 04/07/1937. Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
What are Vietnam veterans called?
The U.S. government officially refers to all as “Vietnam-era veterans“. In the English-speaking world, the term “Vietnam veteran” is not usually used in relation to members of the communist People’s Army of Vietnam or the Viet Cong (also known as the National Liberation Front).
What was the most elite unit in Vietnam?
MACV-SOG
MACV-SOG—Military Assistance Command, Vietnam—Special Operations Group (later renamed Studies and Observations Group)—was the elite military unit of the Vietnam War, so secret that its existence was denied by the U.S. government.
What was the toughest unit in Vietnam?
| Tiger Force | |
|---|---|
| Size | 45 |
| Part of | U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Campbell (1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade) |
| Engagements | Vietnam War |
Were there any combat jumps in Vietnam?
On 22 February 1967, the 173rd conducted Operation Junction City, the only combat parachute jump of the Vietnam War. The operation saw three brigades controlling eight battalions dropped by helicopters and US Air Force aircraft into War Zone C, in Tây Ninh Province.
Did they use snake pits in Vietnam?
Snake Pits
Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. Viet Cong guerrillas would often carried Bamboo Pit Vipers in their packs to (hopefully) kill anyone who searches through them. They would also tie the deadly snakes to bamboo and hide them throughout their tunnel complexes.
How many POWs are still in Vietnam?
Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War
| Vietnam | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Original Missing | 1,973 | 2,646 |
| Repatriated and Identified | 729 | 1,061[1] |
| Remaining Missing | 1,244 | 1,584 |
When was the last POW found in Vietnam?
Greensburg, Indiana, U.S. Often cited as the last verified American POW from the Vietnam War, Garwood was taken to North Vietnam in 1969, and reportedly was released in 1973 along with the other U.S. POWs as part of the Paris Peace Accords.
Has anyone refused the Medal of Honor?
Truman blocked an effort by the House of Representatives to award him the Presidential Medal of Honor in 1971. President Truman famously said he would rather get the Medal of Honor, a military honor, than be president. But in 1971, he blocked an attempt by the House of Representatives to give him the medal.
Who is the most decorated black soldier?
Vernon Baker
| Vernon Joseph Baker | |
|---|---|
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | C Company, 1st Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division 11th Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Italian Campaign ( WIA ) Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart War Cross for Military Valor |
Who is the highest decorated soldier ever?
Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy (1924–1971) was the most decorated soldier in US history, winning 24 medals from the Congressional Medal of Honor down. His exploits were the subject of To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), in which he starred as himself.
