I also was a Viet Nam Era vet, althuogh it is now refereed to as Viet Nam War. I was a Navy FT and was trained to operste a range finder for 5" guns. The destroyer I was on did shore bombardment in Viet Nam.I ,however was taken off the ship in the Phippines suffering from colitis(Navy food or nerves?). I was medevacted home with causlties that were in a lot worse shape then me and was very moved by that. Those that fought for our great country have my deepest resect.
I was later retired out . I also lost some hearing from so much gun fire and absolutly not prvided with protection. To top that off I had my head broke by a wayward heaveing line while tying up a can in Boston. 3 strikes and your out.
I have met many vets and every one of them whether they have seen combat or not u still served and u are a vet . U signed your life away for your country and u deserve what ever is allowed if wounded or hurt.
There are a lot of non combat causlties.
I was recently a poll bearer for my father in law. who served WWII and was with the 4th mnmarine div and made 3 landings including Iwo Jima and saw a lot of combat and he felt the same way.Don't matter if u were a desk clerk or SEAL u served was all that mattered.
As we were laying him to rest it was very moving the way the honer guard saluted the last salute and I felt the reverence that was eminating from those young marines and I felt very proud to be an American and to have had the honer to serve my country. No BS. Bob