I, too, for the most part, had good line officers and Senior NCO's in the 101st. Ran into a couple of assholes in the rear, though. At Bragg ran into a few more; mostly ones that didn't have CIB's. I think a case of inferiority complex with their EIB's.
We were the best educated to go to war up to that time. We weren't neccesarily the poorest, either. Plus, contrary to popular belief, most of us were volunteers.
* 76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower-middle/working class background.
* Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.
* Some 23% of Vietnam Vets had fathers with professional, managerial, or technical occupations.
* 79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service. 63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school.
* 25% [648,500] of total forces in country were draftees. 66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII.
* Draftees accounted for 30.4% [17,725] of combat deaths in Vietnam.
* Reservists killed: 5,977.
* National Guard: 6,140 served, 101 died.
* Total draftees [1965-73]: 1,728,344.
* Actually served in Vietnam: 38%.
* Marine Corps draft: 42,633.
* Last man drafted: 30JUN73.
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Tom
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