Vietnam War Veterans
1964-1975
8,744,000
Served
58,220
Deaths
303,644
Wounded
5,900,000
Still Alive (2024)
543,482
Peak Deployed
0.67%
Death Rate
1,584
Missing/POW
77
Median Age (2024)
📋 Additional Data
🎖️ 2,215,000 were drafted
🏃 570,000 evaded the draft
☠️ 2,600,000 exposed to Agent Orange
🧠 PTSD & Mental Health
30% of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD (830,000 people). PTSD was first formally defined in 1980 partly due to Vietnam veterans' advocacy. 9,000 Vietnam veterans died by suicide in the first 5 years after returning.
🏥 Veterans Benefits
Agent Orange Act (1991) finally acknowledged exposure. VA spent $80B+ on Agent Orange-related care.