Why are Vietnam veterans so unappreciated compared to World War 2 vets and Korean vets?

Answer 1

At the time that Vietnam became well known, which was the 1960's, the average WWII vet was 40'ish years old. Every US male from actors Jimmy Stewart & Clark Gable to Rowen & Martin's "Laugh In" were WWII veterans. From Bob Hope to Jerry Lewis, all participated in WWII, to some extent or another. When Vietnam came around, all these WWII men were wondering what the big deal was; "how come today's "fighting man" (during the 1960's) couldn't "whip" (defeat) these VC guerillas!?" As far as the the WWII vet was concerned, they had fought the "Big Leagues!" Against Battleships and Tiger Tanks! It was mostly personal (and group) pride...mixed in with some facts: For example WWII was the big leagues; but for the US it only lasted 3 1/2 years and used the Atomic Bomb. Vietnam lasted well over 10 years and could NOT use the atomic bomb. The US Military advertised the Axis (Germany/Japan) men as evil; In Vietnam the military either didn't try, or was ineffective in advertising against the communist enemy in Vietnam. Which came back to haunt the military when men began saying "What are we fighting for?" All the Army had to say was "to stop the Commies!" The military (Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, etc.) either didn't want to say anything (those words, "to stop the commies, or something similiar"), or they were stopped (ordered) from saying anything, or they were afraid, or...they just didn't think it was important. For whatever reason(s) the US military paid a price for not defending themselves, by simply saying a few words on their own behalf. WWII men, generally speaking, held a low regard for Viet vets, not even allowing them to join veteran organizations such as the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). And not being a declared war didn't hold any water! The US Civil War was NOT a declared war either (kinda hard to declare war on yourself). WWII men led the 1960's generation into Vietnam and onto the Vietnam battlefields. It was WWII men (veterans) that were the senior officers and NCO's in Vietnam...such as General Paul Harkins, General William Westmoreland, and General Creighton Abrams (the name sake of today's M1 ABRAMS Main Battle tank). The men of the 60's fought a war under the orders and supervision of men from the 1940's.