New leaders such as new 2nd Lieutenants or new (shake 'n bake) SGT's, as well as new common infantrymen (new men in country, privates, etc.) were easy marks for the enemy if they became careless. Such as using easily seen hand and arm signals where ANYONE could see them, wearing bright shining rank where ANYONE could see it, or talking too loud in places where we were supposed to be quiet, etc. Or lighting a cigarette or building a fire (to cook food) at night time, might attract gunfire (or a grenade), or a mortar attack. If a new man did those things, he was being careless. Then his life might be measured in days or weeks. Walking too quickly in unknown areas was not wise, walking down established trails, and driving vehicles down unknown dirt roads was not wise. One had to walk with caution in unfamiliar territory, and drive down dirt roads looking for anything that shouldn't be there, such as a discolored area on the road (signs that fresh earth had been moved). Or trash that wasn't there yesterday. Trash could be covering a detonator to a land mine. Using a radio was a sign of being a leader, that too brought the enemy's attention. Other than that, most GI's could be expected to finish their tours. Unless, it was a big battle, or "your number was just up."
This "phrase" is and was common in past wars. The truth of the matter is, unless it's a rare accident or incident (like being in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 when the A-Bomb was dropped; or being in Saigon on the morning of the TET offensive, etc.) if a GI survives his "FIRST Contact" (first firefight/first battle), then he's probably "good to go." Meaning, he'll most likely make it for the rest of his tour of duty.
Over 2 million men successfully completed their tours.
For Australians it was not too bad as a mater of fact it was more dangerous to cross the road in Australia.
Of the 2 1/2 million US servicemen in country, less than 1/2 million became casualties; consequently, over 2 million men survived their 12 month tour unscathed.
Their greatest fear was the B-52. On their pith helmets they would sometimes write, "Born in the North, Died in the South."
About a year or less...I really dempended on what postition the person played in the war.
ten percent
7 days
The life expectancy of a soldier landing in the streets of Normandy was about 3 seconds. Every three seconds a soldier would die.
Some may, but being a former Vietnam POW does not automatically mean that one has a shorter, or longer, than normal life expectancy.
AnswerIt depended on the position they had. An infantry platoon commander in combat had an average of 6 weeks life expectancy. Foot soldiers went by the grace of God, but had a better chance than the infantry platoon commander in combat. During the Vietnam war the helicopters that came in to transport soldiers were the hardest hit with mass casualties.AnswerIn Stalingrado the average life expectancy of a Russian soldier was 24 hours.
Approximately 3,403,100 US servicemen served in Southeast Asia (2,594,000 of those men served in country); nearly 60,000 didn't make it back. Those are your "life expectancy" figures.
Nearly 12,000 US helicopters & approximately 40,000 US helicopter pilots served in the Vietnam War. Over 5,000 US helicopters were destroyed and nearly 5,000 US helicopter crewmen were killed in Vietnam. Of those 5000 dead crewmen, about 2,000 were helicopter pilots.
The life expectancy of a soldier landing in the streets of Normandy was about 3 seconds. Every three seconds a soldier would die.
53
2.43 DAYS
5 minutes
Some may, but being a former Vietnam POW does not automatically mean that one has a shorter, or longer, than normal life expectancy.
That all depends on what war and what battle they were fighting in.....To the best of my knowledge the avg. life expectancy of a paratrooper in Vietnam was less than 20 sec!!
AnswerIt depended on the position they had. An infantry platoon commander in combat had an average of 6 weeks life expectancy. Foot soldiers went by the grace of God, but had a better chance than the infantry platoon commander in combat. During the Vietnam war the helicopters that came in to transport soldiers were the hardest hit with mass casualties.AnswerIn Stalingrado the average life expectancy of a Russian soldier was 24 hours.
Between the ages of 35 to 50 was what your life expectancy would have been. 60 would be the max if you were very healthy.
The life expectancy really depends on what branch of the military you are in and what platoon you are in... Let's say if you are a marine, your average life expectancy is 1.5-2.5 years... Yeah, I know, it's low. And the army isn't much higher, it is about 3-4.5 years... I myself am going to be an Army Ranger, their life expectancy is good, but not great, it's around 5-7.5 years.
US soldier? North Vietnamese soldier? South Vietnamese soldier? Be more specific. Are you talking about in combat, or over the course of a Norman lifetime?
Approximately 3,403,100 US servicemen served in Southeast Asia (2,594,000 of those men served in country); nearly 60,000 didn't make it back. Those are your "life expectancy" figures.
What was life expectancy in