Vietnam+Soldier

Soldiers in the Vietnam War faced many obstacles. They were exposed to enemy fire, booby traps, and large snakes hidden in the tall grasses. Some soldiers were were wounded so badly that they had to be sent back home. This was called a million-dollar wound. Most US soldiers were 21-22 years old and 10-12 percent of them were African American. The African Americans made up 20 percent of the deaths. A grunt carried a bag that you put socks, water, food, rope, and weapons in. They were 35-70 pounds. A platoon was a mixture of personalities and a blend of veterans and newly-arrived cherries, or newbys. Older more experienced soldier tried their best to stay away from these inexperienced soldiers. A platoon measured its progress by "clicks" one click equaled 1,000 meters, about 11 football fields. A platoon would try and cover 6,000 meters or 6 clicks per day. Each morning and afternoon an officer or sergeant(NCO) would yell saddle up and the men would put on their sacks and off they humped. An easy hump was called a skate. A hump of three clicks might take an entire morning. Each hump was met with new dangers and problems. Vietnam always had heat, humididty, and tropical rains. Although many avoided dehydration there was no gurantee that several on a hump would not pass out. Animals were problems too. Tigers and even elephants occasionally were seen. However, snakes were the greates danger. Grunts had to watch out for snakes on the ground or hanging in trees. There were tunnels, which the soldiers went in. “Tunnel rats” were for people who scouted out and destroyed the tunnels. They used grenades or flame throwers. Ambushes were bad but booby traps were worse. There were hidden mines and other explosive and poisonous devices. They assigned a “cherry” to walk out on point just incase there was a booby trap. No short-timer dared to walk even close to him on a hump. Jungle warfare was brutal. Taking territory in Vietnam was not as vital as destroying the enemy. They would kill any enemy they saw. They kept a “war score” because of how many “body bags” they had to use. Grunts spent days chasing Charlie with fighting heat and dehydration. Terms:
 * AO- area of operation
 * DMZ- demilitarized zone
 * Huey-helicopter
 * Hot LZ- landing zone under enemy fire
 * S and D- search and destroy
 * someone to lead the way-point man
 * from a spider hole- Viet Cong snipper
 * States-the world
 * Humping the boonies- Preparing to go out
 * ARVN- Army of the Republic of Vietnam.