AFTER THE DEFEAT OF THE JAPANESE IN THE PACIFIC, AMERICA HAD TO FORMULATE POLICY FOR ASIA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. ALLIES WITH HO CHI MINH WHO FOUGHT THE JAPANESE, THE
UNITED STATES MADE A CHOICE TO HELP WHEN THE PLEA
WAS MADE BY SOUTH VIETNAM. THAT DECISION TURNED
INTO YEARS, LASTING FROM 1961 TO 1975.
THE UNITED STATES DIDN'T WIN. WE QUIT WHEN PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON ORDERED THE ARMED FORCES HOME.
SO MANY OF THE YOUNG SOLDIERS WHO DID RISK THEIR LIVES DAY AFTER DAY IN THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM CAME HOME BY FLAG-DRAPED CASKET, WHEEL CHAIR, CRUTCHES, OR WERE
LONG-TERM RESIDENTS OF A VETERANS HOSPITAL.
(SEE THE NEXT WEB PAGE "50,000 NAMES CARVED ON THE WALL.")
World War I (1917-1918)
Total servicemembers 4,734,991
Battle deaths 53,402
Nonmortal woundings 204,002
Living veterans fewer than 500
World War II (1940-1945)
Total servicemembers 16,112,566
Battle deaths 291,557
Nonmortal woundings 671,846
Korean War (1950-1953)
Total servicemembers 5,720,000
Serving in Korea 1,789,000
Battle deaths 33,741
Nonmortal woundings 103,284
Vietnam War (1964-1975)
Total servicemembers 8,744,000
Serving in Vietnam 3,403,000
Battle deaths 58,209
Nonmortal woundings 73,303
Severely disabled 80,000
Gulf War (1990-1991)
Total servicemembers 2,225,000
Serving in the Gulf 665,476
Battle deaths 147
Nonmortal woundings 467
