Are thailand veteran's considered veitnam veterans?

Answer 1

Yes, we are. Many in-country veterans do not think we are. I was in Thailand in 1975, NKP RTAFB. Being there after the “official” withdrawal in 1973, we are really then orphans of the Vietnam War, which did not officially ended until May 7, 1975, by an Act of Congress. The last battle did not occur. until 15 May, 1975, with the USS Mayaquez Incident. In this action 10 Marines were killed (3-were left behind and killed later by the Khmer Rouge, 2 Navy Corpsman, 2 Air Force crew members, not to mention the 18 Security Policemen, and 5 crew members ( call sign Knife-13). These Air Force personnel were originally responding to the to the Mayaquez incident some “Real Vietnam Veteran” sites cite only approximately 3-5000 Air Force personnel were in Thailand/Guam and were never exposed to any danger. They have little regard for the veterans who served in a position to directly support their action in country. In 1975, there were 27,000 USAF personnel in Thailand still supporting the S. Vietnam, to include assisting in the evacuation of Phnom Pen and S. Vietnam. US personnel were in Thailand for 10 years, so closed to 300,000 served there, not just 3-5000. also, according to DCAS-Vietnam Conflict Extract File, dated April 29, 2008, the following is an official accounting of the number of US personnel killed in the Vietnam theater of war: 728 in Laos; 523 in Cambodia; 10 in China; 1,120 in N. Vietnam; 178 in Thailand; 55,661 in Vietnam, total 58,220. again, according to the “Real Vietnam Veteran” sites those who served any where but in Vietnam proper did not face any danger, say from anti-aircraft fire Over enemy territory, attacks on airbases in Thailand, being fired upon while conducting rescue missions in Lsod, Cambodia, N. Vietnam and yes S.Vietnam. All members who served in South East Asia are Vietnam veterans! in fact by an act of Congress, in respective of where on served during the Vietnam War, we are all Vietnam Era veterans.

Answer 2

This will probably annoy many "Boots On Ground" advocates, however I believe Thailand Veterans are "Vietnam Veterans". During the Vietnam war our bases in Thailand were attacked five times by Vietnam Sappers. Also tactical herbicides was used on the perimeters of every base in Thailand. Our Thailand Veterans, loaded weapons on the planes to fulfill the missions in Vietnam and protect the "Boots On Ground" troops. Air Force Personnel volunteered to man secret radar sites in Laos to guide bomb strikes, etc. in Vietnam and many lost their lives when those sites were over run. Some want to call Thai Veterans "Vietnam Era Veterans" the same designation someone that served in Germany during the war might be called. I honor those that did serve in Germany and all other areas during the Vietnam War but to refer to those who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia as anything other than Vietnam Veterans is an insult to the service they performed in the defense of bases in Thailand and the support of the troops on the ground in Vietnam. I believe those that died in Laos and in at least one bunker explosion at a Thai base are listed on the wall. We shared the same experience as other Vietnam Vets on our return in 69 and 70 from the public, we share the same health issues from Agent Orange as our brothers who served in-country. Air Force Security Police, Thailand 69-70.

Answer 3

yes, technically, because there were wars in Thailand due to the vietnam war, so the person even though did not fight in Vietnam, was involved in the vietnam war and should be considered a vietnam war veteran

Answer 4

I was stationed at Tan Son Nhut AB, Saigon from 68-69. A friend of mine was in Thailand roughly the same time. He has Vietnam Veteran stickers on his truck. It bugged me at first, but as I thought about it, his base was attacked a number of times, Agent Orange was used to control foliage around the perimeter and the mission of his base was fighter support, etc. So yeah, I think the term "Vietnam Vets" is all inclusive of Thailand and Vietnam. US Navy sailors have Vietnam War status, even though the ships were a good distance in the S. China sea. I'm not sure where you draw the line.

At 75, I can't get too excited about this.

CMSgt Bob Powell, USAF(ret) 1965-2000

Answer 5

NOT "considered" but.......ARE

Vietnam Veterans! I have a Vietnam Medal to prove it. I was stationed in Thailand for fifteen months.

Answer 6

Thailand sent men to fight in Vietnam; they are Vietnam veterans.