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What does it mean to be a Vietnam era veteran?

Author

Andrew Vasquez

Updated on February 17, 2026

What does it mean to be a Vietnam era veteran?

A “Vietnam Era” Veteran is defined as any Veteran who served during the official time frame of the Vietnam War anywhere in the world as defined by Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This letter amends the definition of the Vietnam era for certain veterans.

Also question is, what is the definition of a Vietnam era veteran?

Vietnam era veterans are those who served during the time of the Vietnam war but didn't set foot in the country of Vietnam.

Additionally, what years are considered Vietnam era veteran? Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.) Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

Also asked, what benefits do Vietnam era veterans receive?

VA Benefits for Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.

Is there a Vietnam era ribbon?

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) is a decoration of the U.S. military presented to personnel of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces who performed military service during the Vietnam War and meet specific qualifications laid out by the United States Department of Defense.

Did you have to serve in Vietnam to be a Vietnam veteran?

In association with (A) above, the Commemoration uses the term "Vietnam veteran" to describe those who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of duty location.

Can a Vietnam era veteran join the VFW?

You must be a veteran who has honorably served overseas in an area of foreign conflict in order to join the VFW. However, if you are not eligible for VFW membership but are the parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, child or grandchild of a qualifying veteran, you can apply for membership in the VFW Auxiliary.

What percentage of Vietnam veterans actually saw combat?

Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack. 7. 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam .

What are the requirements to be considered a Vietnam veteran?

(1) Veteran of the Vietnam era means an eligible veteran any part of whose active military, naval, or air service was during the Vietnam era. (ii) A person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

How do I find a Vietnam veteran?

Veterans Directories and Locators from other Organizations
  1. Interactive Vietnam War Memorial.
  2. Selected Veterans Service Organizations.
  3. Directory of Veterans Service Organizations.
  4. VetFriends.com (fee required for locator services)
  5. Military.com.
  6. Military Connections.

What is the difference between Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal?

The Vietnam Service Medal is a U.S. medal introduced during the War. It was authorized by an executive order in 1965. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal is what is known as a foreign award, a military decoration or medal that is awarded to American troops who aided that country in a conflict.

How long was a tour of duty in Vietnam?

' During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army used a personnel rotation policy that at first blush defies military logic. The Army rotated soldiers through Vietnam on one-year tours. Officers also spent a year in country, but only six of those months were in a troop command.

What qualifies you as a combat veteran?

A combat veteran is generally one who has a military record indicating they received Hostile Fire Pay, or were deployed to and served in a combat zone. That law gave combat veterans who served after November 11, 1988 the ability to sign up for VA healthcare services for five years following discharge.

Do Vietnam vets get more Social Security?

Many of our Vietnam era veterans are now nearing retirement age, or are already there. These extra earnings may help someone qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of the Social Security benefit.

Do veterans get more Social Security?

Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You'll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings. While you're in military service, you pay Social Security taxes, just as civilian employees do.

How much do Vietnam veterans make?

About 1.3 million Vietnam veterans, nearly 25 percent, collected disability compensation from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2018; their average annual payment was $18,100. Those payments boosted average income for all Vietnam veterans by $4,300.

Can you make too much money to qualify for VA benefits?

Income is not the only issue; net worth is also a consideration for enrollment based on means test. If your health care eligibility is based on financial need, your family net worth (over $80,000) can prevent you from qualifying for VA health care.

Does a dd214 make you a veteran?

The DD 256 and 257 are issued when the person has not met the active duty requirements to be considered a veteran by the DoD. But having a DD214 form doesn't automatically mean you are a veteran! What is truly bothersome is that people who have served but don't qualify as a veteran can request a DD214.

What is the average compensation for Agent Orange?

During its operation, the Settlement Fund distributed a total of $197 million in cash payments to members of the class in the United States. Of the 105,000 claims received by the Payment Program, approximately 52,000 Vietnam Veterans or their survivors received cash payments which averaged about $3,800 each.

What are the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange?

The diseases now on the VA's Agent Orange list are ischemic heart disease, lung and trachea cancers, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Parkinson's Disease, type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, AL amyloidosis, chronic B-cell leukemia, chloracne, early-onset peripheral

Who can wear the Vietnam Service Medal?

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) is awarded to any service member who served on temporary duty for more than 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations or attached to or

Who is eligible for Agent Orange benefits?

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam while on active duty are eligible for disability compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as long as they were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Are all Vietnam veterans considered combat veterans?

Generally, combat veterans are those that served in a combat zone during their military service. This can include service in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and certain areas of Iraq and Afghanistan, among other locations.

How long did a soldier have to serve in Vietnam?

The majority of service members deployed to South Vietnam were volunteers, even though hundreds of thousands of men opted to join the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard (for three or four year terms of enlistment) before they could be drafted, serve for two years, and have no choice over their military occupational

How old is the youngest Vietnam vet?

60 years old

What is a blue water Vietnam veteran?

“Blue Water” Veterans are those who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam, including 12-nautical miles seaward of a line commencing on the southwestern demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia and intersecting coordinates as described in the law.

What medals can a Vietnam veteran wear?

Several decorations (Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal) may be awarded for valor, or for merit.

What does the Vietnam Service Medal mean?

The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. Armed Forces provided they meet the award requirements.

How do you prove boots on the ground in Vietnam?

P.S. Many of our Marines and Special Forces units did have “boots on the ground” in Vietnam, but their service record shows they were stationed outside of Vietnam on ships or in other countries. The veteran can prove his or her presence in Vietnam by supplying an affidavit from a fellow service person.

What is Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star?

Personnel are authorized one bronze campaign star for each qualifying campaign with a silver star worn in lieu of five bronze stars. The design of the medal's suspension ribbon reflects that of the flag of the former South Vietnam -- yellow with three red stripes.

How many Vietnam era veterans are still alive?

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.

How many Bronze Stars awarded Vietnam?

There were 395,380 Bronze Stars awarded to World War II veterans; 30,359 for Korea; 170,626 for valor and 549,343 for achievement/service for Vietnam (the first time valor medals were tracked separately); and 2,459 for valor and 99,886 for achievement/service for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

What does the Bronze Star on a ribbon mean?

meritorious service

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