Why aren't all veterans that servered during the Vietnam War called Vietnam Vets, why just the in country Vet

Answer 1

There is a distinction in the military between the different types of Veterans. Anyone who has served at least 180 days of continuous service and discharged under honorable conditions is considered a Veteran. A WW1, WW2, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War Veteran is considered a Combat Veteran, someone who has actually seen combat. The name of the conflict usually precedes the word Veteran (IE. Vietnam Veteran).

Answer 2

That's a very good explaination in the first answer. Not all of the soldiers who served during the time of the Vietnam conflict actually went to Vietnam.