The controversy over the youngest soldier killed in world. Why were american soldiers in the vietnam war so young. The youngest vietnam war us marine was just 14 years old. American soldier presumed dead 44 years ago found living. At least 25,000 soldiers who died in vietnam war were 20 years old or younger. He is a member of c company, 2nd battalion, 173rd airborne brigade. Gilbert zamora, who at was the youngest soldier in the army since the civil war, retired in special ceremonies here friday. Dan bullock december 21, 1953 june 7, 1969 was a united states marine and the youngest u. Dwaine mcgriff, the oldest person was honored on the wall, died at 63 years old. If you just add 1 year to 71 years to each year the war lasted for, well then you have your answer for each youngest military veteran. A year later, he was killed by enemy fire in vietnam. Though relatively little official data exists about female.
He was stationed at an hoa combat base in quang nam province. Sobering statistics concerning vietnam vets as of april 2016. The brooklyn teen, after using a doctored birth certificate to enlist, became. How old would the youngest us vietnam veteran be today in. The 19 thing is an often quoted statistic, its not far from true. The last american soldier killed in the vietnam war was kelton rena turner, an 18year old marine. A year later he was killed in battle, cut down by the enemys fire. Less than one month later he was dead, at 15 years old.
Dan bullock, a boy from brooklyn, was the youngest american killed in the war. And why that was the beginning of a life of suffering. Based on the brutal vietnam jungle during the conflict with american troops just a handful of decades ago. As the war in afghanistan continues to rage on after 14. He was tall and huge for his age and used this to his advantage. Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican. In other words, no soldiers born in 1959 and after served in vietnam. Vietcong soldiers, strapped into beds, would kick, curse and spit at the. The youngest vietnam kia is believed to be dan bullock at 15 years old. A new exhibit of photos made by young soldiers in war zones features poignant images of daily life in a distant, and dangerous, land.
Marine, youngest american killed in vietnam, honored by. Dan bullock is believed as the youngest vietnam kia at 15 years old. Asked in war and military history how old was the youngest soldier in. This means he is the youngest soldier to perish in world war i. Marine, youngest american killed in vietnam, honored by hometown. Less than one month later he was dead, at 15 years old making him the youngest service member killed during that war. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order.
Private first class dan bullock december 21, 1953 june 7, 1969 was the youngest american serviceman killed in action during the vietnam war. How a 12yearold conned his way into the us navy during world war ii. How young soldiers saw life in wartime vietnam the new. Jan 12, 2018 how a 12yearold conned his way into the us navy during world war ii. The youngest soldier to be killed in vietnam was us marine dan bullock, who had lied about his age and signed up. Asked in war and military history how old was the youngest soldier in the civil war. Abbott from figures obtained shortly after the construction of the vietnam war memorial click here to continue this series other vietnam war websites. Franklin mcarthur said that it is about time that dan is recognized for what he did during the war, and that he was so young when he took part in the action. Remembering and researching vietnamera veterans ancestry blog. Solomon belew, a union soldier in the civil war who wrote one of the. Dan bullock joined the us marines so that he could join the fight against the viet cong during the vietnam war.
Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join the marines. On memorial day, remembering 15yearold marine pfc dan bullock in memoriam dan bullock was 14 when he signed up with the marines using doctored documentsand 15 when he died in vietnam. It is believed that terry mcintosh is the youngest soldier to serve with the green berets on an a team and earn the coveted combat badge. But many others were poor or workingclass teenagers who enlisted or were drafted into the military right out of high school. Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican marine continue and. American soldier presumed dead 44 years ago found living in remote vietnam village he was captured and tortured but survived and went on to build a new life, according to a. Friends recall only nurse killed by hostile fire in vietnam. The controversy over the youngest soldier killed in world war i by patrick lynch world war i was the bloodiest conflict in history up until that time, but soldiers initially had a. But in the case of private dan bullock pictured, he became a casualty of the vietnam war, becoming the youngest american serviceman killed in. An article on the front page of the new york times in 1969 explained. The minimum age for enlistment was 17 yearsold with parental consent. He arrived in vietnam on may 18, 1969 and was assigned as a rifleman in 2nd squad, 2nd platoon, fox company, 2nd battalion, 5th marines, 1st marine division.
An elderly man found living in southcentral vietnam has claimed to be a u. He had doctored his birth certificate to join the u. He was killed in action on may 15, 1975, two weeks after the evacuation of saigon, in what became known as the mayaguez incident. Apr 30, 20 american soldier presumed dead 44 years ago found living in remote vietnam village he was captured and tortured but survived and went on to build a new life, according to a startling documentary. Bullock was killed by a surprise attack by the north vietnamese army. American soldier presumed dead 44 years ago found living in. Edward was born on may 30 in 1853, making him just 8 years old when he joined the union army on july 24, 1861 as a drummer boy for the 21st indiana volunteers. He doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join the marines. Buis and master sergeant chester charles ovnand who were killed on july 8, 1959. Disproportionate numbers of vietnam veterans serve in congress, for instance. During the vietnam war era draft era to be precise blacks of military age made up. In the beginning of the war in august 1914, austrohungarian soldiers have killed his parents and seven of his siblings in a raid that burned his village to the. So, if youre alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the. A vietnam veteran and bronze star recipient who volunteered to return to the army and serve in afghanistan became the oldest u.
How a 12yearold conned his way into the us navy during. The story follows as the title suggests the youngest green beret in a company of elite soldiers. Army veteran is found living in vietnam village 44. Dan bullock, 15, the youngest vietnam war casualty newsone. Sep 12, 2017 documentary on the tragic and complex story of pfc dan bullock the youngest american killed in the vietnam war. At age 15, many young boys are going to school, worrying about acne and perhaps dreaming of becoming a superstar sports figure. Nov 11, 2014 private dan bullock was the youngest american serviceman killed in the line of duty. In all wars there must be a first death and a last death. Just 15 years old, he would be the youngest american killed in the vietnam war. This is his story about the transition from boy to man in the jungles of vietnam where he met himself for the first time with a sense of shame and honor.
First american soldier killed in american phase of vietnam war lt. In fact, vietnam veterans are as successful or more successful than men their own age who did not go to war. The first american soldier killed in the vietnam war was air force tsgt. Calvin leon graham april 3, 1930 november 6, 1992 was the youngest u. There may have been soldiers younger than 16 who served in vietnam but he is the youngest soldier to have served in vietnam. Dan bullock is a name everyone should know, but many do not. Dec 16, 2011 the youngest union soldier and the youngest soldier to fight in the civil war was a boy named edward black. The oldest soldier to be killed in iraq fought in vietnam and decided to reenlist at the age of 59 after the 911 terrorist attacks and the death of his wife, according to his brother. Youngest vietnam war us marine was 14 years old, he was. The controversy over the youngest soldier killed in world war i. An article on the front page of the new york times in 1969. Condon was born in waterford and enlisted in the royal irish regiments 3rd battalion in 19.
Sobering statistics concerning vietnam vets as of april 2016 in case you havent been paying attention these past few decades after you returned from vietnam, the clock has been ticking. The story the youngest green beret was a beautifully written piece about the struggles of war. On memorial day, remembering 15yearold marine pfc dan bullock. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in. The youngest american killed in the vietnam war pfc.
The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a huge sense of pride. Hutchison, oldest soldier killed in iraq team force, an army team created to train border guards in iraq, lost their leader, maj. How old was the youngest soldier in vietnam answers. But more troubling than his young age at the time of his service is the reaction of the military and the denial of. Nov 10, 2014 remembering and researching vietnam era veterans posted by ancestry team on november 10, 2014 in collections, research this is a post by guest blogger jeanne larzalere bloom, cg sm. After the usual brief training, he and hundreds other child soldiers were shipped off to vietnam. The brooklyn teen, after using a doctored birth certificate to enlist, became the youngest u. He arrived in vietnam on may 8, 1969 and was stationed at an hoa combat. As a member of platoon 3039 in parris island, he graduated from boot camp on december 10, 1968. The youngest authenticated british soldier in world war i was the twelveyearold sidney lewis who fought at the battle of the somme in 1916.
Momcilo gavric was the youngest soldier in the first world war. First american soldier killed in american phase of vietnam. They have little experience of the world, let alone war, death, and killing. Meet two brave young american soldiers of the vietnam war. Because of the draft, a young man had to go to college or enlist after h. He enlisted at 14, went to vietnam at 15 and died a month later. Marine dan bullock had to give for his country lasted just 15 years, five months and 17 days. Not only does it have some battle scenes, it also shows very well the internal battles of the soldiers in choosing whether to defend his love or to defend his honour. Women in the vietnam war served as soldiers, health workers, and in newsgathering capacities. Army officer with the office of strategic services oss in vietnam, is shot and killed in saigon.
Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican marine continue and are highlighted in this. The other three americans in the bunker were men, as we generally define the term, but bullock was not. At least 5 men killed in vietnam were 16 years old. Vice president al gore is a vietnam veteran, as is enormously popular colin powell. The youngest soldier in wwi was a serbian boy, aged 8. A young paratrooper with a mudsmeared face stares into the jungle in vietnam on july 14, 1966, after fire fight with viet cong patrol in the morning. He was 16 years old, had permission from his parents to join the marines. He said that of all the books he had read regarding what transpired during the war in vietnam, this was the most accurate from his perspective of having served there. He was born in may 1st, in 1906 in a village near the town of loznica in western serbia, as the eighth child of eleven. The teen was just 15 years old when he was killed in action in the quang nam province of vietnam on june 7, 1969, making him the youngest american casualty of the vietnam war. Dan bullock of the marine corps was killed in quangnam province last saturday the youngest american serviceman killed in the vietnam war. Most who join the military and go to war are young 18, 19 years oldand many have never been away from home. However, it wasnt uncovered until years later that he changed his own birth certificate so that the marines recruiters would believe that he was older than he was.
Marines, were killed in a rocket attack one day before the fall of saigon charles mcmahon, 11 days short of his 22nd birthday, was a corporal from woburn, massachusetts. Dan bullock of the marine corps was killed in quangnam province the youngest american serviceman killed in the vietnam war. He enlisted at 14, went to vietnam at 15 and died a month. Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican marine continue and are highlighted in this military times documentary. In world war i, a number of young boys joined up to serve as soldiers before they were eighteen, the legal age to serve in the army. I was in the marines and met only a couple of draftees. But in the case of private dan bullock pictured, he became a casualty of the vietnam war, becoming the youngest american serviceman killed in the line of duty. Youngest british soldiers in world war i wikipedia. Jun 07, 2019 just 15 years old, he would be the youngest american killed in the vietnam war. This special memorial day edition of defense news tv profiles the incredible story of pfc.
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