Am I a Vietnam Veteran even if I did not put feet on the ground in Vietnam? And is it wrong for me to wear a Vietnam Veteran's cap?

SGT Krisandra Daniels — Sun, 12 May 2024 04:58:52 -0400

In 1973 I entered college at age 19 and i enlisted in the Army ROTC program with a 6 year contract for when I graduated. Then in 1975 the United States withdrew from Vietnam and began down sizing the armed forces and that included the Oficer corp and those in the ROTC training program. I was one of those released from mi contract and i did receive a DD214 at that time. I did not thimk of myself as a veteran at that time. Then in 1980 I again enlisted in the Army only this time as an enlisted soldier ant not as an Officer. I did my 6 years and got out as my spouce objected to me reenlisting. Fast track to 2021 when I receive a letter from the American Legion HQ with a membership card and when checking their website , I see they have me listed as a Vietnam Veteran. My question is : I am
i a Vietnam veteran even if I did not put feet on the ground in "Nam? And is it wrong for me to wear a Vietnam Veterans cap?

Response by COL Randall C. made May 12 at 2024 9:28 AM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 12 May 2024 09:28:31 -0400

I wonder about the "I received a DD-214 for enrolling in ROTC" statement, but assuming your information is correct, by the legal definition*, you are not.

However, you are a "Vietnam-era Veteran" as you served on active duty (even if it was during training) between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975 (for those that weren't "in country").
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* https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1831#2

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Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2024 6:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2024 18:08:03 -0400

SGT Krisandra Daniels Your rank was SPC instead of Cadet PVT so the link below can be used to aid in correcting your profile information.

Being a Vietnam Veteran has been a hard road for many of us. When I see a veteran wearing a Vietnam Veteran cap, I will ask them their branch, where they were in-country and the time period. I do this to see if we humped some of the same ground. I am happy to hear that you will wear a different cap.

https://rallypoint.my.site.com/Support/s/article/how-to-change-branch-of-service-2020-03-13-10-21-35

RallyPoint Support Center

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2024 7:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2024 19:17:00 -0400

I think most would draw the line if you were awarded the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon or not on your DD214.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 13 at 2024 9:09 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 13 May 2024 21:09:04 -0400

Look whatever you are. I enlisted just before the war ended, my actual SVN Vet brothers call me a SVN Era Vet, which I am perfectly happy with. The only patch from SVN I wear is to commemorate the 3 cousins I lost in 68 there. Fortunately, they came home for burial, 1 homeboy went down in 66, still MIA and I wear his bracelet to this day.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 14 at 2024 12:21 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 14 May 2024 12:21:09 -0400

Ok, This is easy to clear up. American Legion eligibility criteria was updated with the passing of the Legion Act in 2019. It widens the eligibility window to what we see now. They now view two periods. WWI era and then the current window which is 1941 to present day.

Prior to 2019 the Legion offered membership to those who served during periods of War to include the Vietnam War. So yes you were in during Vietnam. Not in Vietnam.

But the question of if you are a Vietnam Vet the most conventional definition of that is whether you were in country in direct support off shore or in the air. From what you said above that would be a no. But you certainly served during that era.

Regardless with the passing of the Legion Act you are eligible for the American Legion.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 15 at 2024 4:48 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Wed, 15 May 2024 04:48:04 -0400

Sergeant, my answer would be did you ever go to Vietnam. If the answer is no, the as COL Cudworth said, you are a vietnam era veteran. If I were you there is no way I would wear a Vietnam Veteran hat, but may I suggest a COLD WAR VETERAN Hat?

Response by LT Jonah Bowles made May 22 at 2024 6:39 PM

LT Jonah Bowles — Wed, 22 May 2024 18:39:47 -0400

There's a difference between Vietnam Veteran and Vietnam Era Veteran. I wear the Vietnam Vet hat because I did have boots on the ground, or boats on the rivers. Anytime I see another Vietnam Vet wearing a hat, I welcome him home because we never got that greeting. It would be wrong for me to welcome you home. Don't wear the hat - it means too much to a lot of us.

Response by SP5 John Hien made May 22 at 2024 7:05 PM

SP5 John Hien — Wed, 22 May 2024 19:05:20 -0400

You are a Vietnam-era veteran. If you didn’t have Vietnam dirt on your boots, you’re not a Vietnam veteran. Also, I read your remarks and I’ll tell you what I see. For someone who attended college, your spelling doesn’t reflect it (Officer, not Oficer, my, not mi, spouse, not spouce). I’ve also had contact with the American Legion. The American Legion will do anything to get members. You could probably tell them you won the MOH, and they’d believe you without asking for proof.

Response by PO1 David Reid made May 22 at 2024 7:38 PM

PO1 David Reid — Wed, 22 May 2024 19:38:45 -0400

As to putting feet on the ground, there were exceptions - Navy personnel assigned to ships supporting and actively involved in the war from the Gulf of Tonkin were included, as were the air crews who flew B-52's from Guam, and military personnel supporting USAF aircraft based in Thailand. Coast Guard personnel on buoy tenders and cutters in and around the ports and rivers were also included. As was mentioned, if you received the Vietnam Service Medal, you're a Vietnam Veteran. If not you're a Vietnam-era veteran. Misrepresenting oneself is called Stolen Valor, and is not a place one wants to go, it can end with criminal charges, public embarrassment, and possible loss of veterans benefits.
Wearing a Vietnam Veterans hat is misrepresenting yourself. Better to wear a hat from whatever unit you were in during your enlistment, or a generic hat for your service.

Response by Cpl Robert Laquerre made May 22 at 2024 8:39 PM

Cpl Robert Laquerre — Wed, 22 May 2024 20:39:17 -0400

I say yes........I enlisted in the Marine Corps, in 1970 was assigned to 2nd tank battalion (logistics)
served with Nam vets, came home on my first leave was called a baby killer, murderer and rapist in my own home town streets. I felt the guilt of my service, was never recoginized by my fellow veterans who served in country. Yet, I continued on....I never had been given the opportunity to serve one day in country.....Yet I was discraced by my own country men and veterans!!
Yes, you served. You deserve to be defined as a veitnam error veteran.
Why does this only apply to vietnam is my question!!? Do we hear of this talk pertaining to ww1 or ww2, korea, ??? What the heck!

Response by SP5 Laura Medina made May 23 at 2024 6:08 AM

SP5 Laura Medina — Thu, 23 May 2024 06:08:24 -0400

Not Vietnam Vet, did not serve in country which is the criteria for being a Vietnam Vet. I served from 74-77 but was never there, making me a Vietnam ERA Vet. I never refer to myself as a Vietnam Vet, I would feel I was engaging in stolen valor. Those who were in country deserve that respect.

Response by SSgt Ernie Basener made May 23 at 2024 6:36 AM

SSgt Ernie Basener — Thu, 23 May 2024 06:36:05 -0400

If you were nor awarded a Vietmam service medal, I would not wear it. There are hats that Identify you as vietnam era vet that would be appropriate.

Response by SCPO Paul Yost made May 23 at 2024 8:06 AM

SCPO Paul Yost — Thu, 23 May 2024 08:06:30 -0400

I served int the USCG for 1973-1994 I am a Vietnam War Era Veteran ( as classified by VA) . I am not a Vietnam War Veteran since I never served in country. I would never wear a Vietnam Veterans cap but there is a Vietnam War Era pin issued for the 50 year commence. I believe the pin was handed out through the VA.

Response by SP5 Ralph Nickerson made May 23 at 2024 12:59 PM

SP5 Ralph Nickerson — Thu, 23 May 2024 12:59:15 -0400

I have a hat that says, Vietnam Era Veteran that my children bought me. I was in the Army during Vietnam but sent to Fort Polk instead. Is it appropriate that I wear this hat considering that a lot of people think I was in Vietnam?

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made May 23 at 2024 9:06 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Thu, 23 May 2024 21:06:14 -0400

If You Have The Balls To Wear a Hat With The Words Emblazoned "VIETNAM VET",
When You've Never Fought In Vietnam., I Hope A REAL Vietnam Vet, Grabs It Off Your Head,
And Beats Youraz Too A Bloody Pulp, ~ THIS Is NOT "In My Humble Opinion"~ Yer Really Pissing Me Off ~

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made May 24 at 2024 10:44 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Fri, 24 May 2024 10:44:50 -0400

Hard one however I would have to think if you never served in country did not receive any medals and most importantly what does your DD214 say if it say viet nam you were the hat if it’s not on the form you should not.

Response by MCPO Paul Sherbino made May 24 at 2024 10:22 PM

MCPO Paul Sherbino — Fri, 24 May 2024 22:22:30 -0400

I SERVED IN THE NY NATIONAL GUARD FROM 1954 TO 1956, THEN US NAVY FROM 1956 T0 1987. I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR ORDERS TO KOREA AND VIETNAM BUT NEVER WAS SELECTED TO GO. I BELIEVE I AM A KOREAN AND VIETNAM "ERA" VETERAN. I WEAR A US NAVY RETIRED CAP AND KOREA/VIETNAM ERA RIBBONS ON MY UNIFORM AS I DID NOT SERVE IN COUNTRY.

Response by CWO3 Charles Vaughan made May 28 at 2024 5:20 PM

CWO3 Charles Vaughan — Tue, 28 May 2024 17:20:21 -0400

In your heart of hearts you know you are not a “Vietnam” veteran. I had three tours totaling 43 months and others had more. I spent my time on in the ground, in the bush, getting sprinkled with Agent Orange, in the grunts and recon. We are fighting still today for benefits from VA whose people are waiting for us to die off so they don’t have to pay us benefits while Biden is taking VA funds to take care of illegal aliens who he hopes will vote for him. It took me almost 35 years to get VA to pay me for PTSD and then then only after I got my own doctors and lawyers.
Trust me, if you didn’t have Vietnam mud on your boots or spray from the South China Sea in your face, you are not a Vietnam Veteran no matter how they want to paint it.
Pretty soon they will be saying the folks who went to Canada to escape the draft were Vietnam Veterans because they had to leave home.
I hope if you wear a Vietnam Veteran you get locked up or someone sticks it where the sun don’t shine

Response by SGT Krisandra Daniels made May 29 at 2024 3:17 AM

SGT Krisandra Daniels — Wed, 29 May 2024 03:17:14 -0400

In response the all those who are EXTREMELY negative in their responses, I say thank you for letting me know where i was wrong. I came here and asked the question when I heard about "Stolen Valor". I expected some recrimination but the vitriol and anger because I wanted clarification and to respect those who DID put boots on the ground. I received flack just like you did every day in college while in the ROTC Program and even had to leave that college when i received my discharge from the program. Yes, I did receive a DD 214 at that time. It was not safe. I enlisted in the Reserves years later because I felt the need to complete the commitment I had made in 1973. I swore the same "Oath" that you did, voluntarily, and i respect the fact that most did not get to offer your, lives but were required to put their lives on the line. Again, I am not being given any respect for asking so as not to over step but I am getting the same "flack", if not worst treatment as to when I was trying to serve in the ROTC. Thank you my Brother Veterains for being so kind.