Were Vietnam Vets really spat on?

Question

I'd like to hear from a Vietnam Vet's relative or someone that knows one to see whether this is true or not. My dad's a Vietnam War Vet and he told me that all the troops he was with were spat on. He was honorably discharged in 1968. I need some back-up support here because some f'd up lunatic is trying to say my dad's lying (although he's not).

I didn't mean to say only Vietnam Vets or relatives but I thought that saying this would avoid a kook from saying another lie. However, I do thank those, either serving now or before or had a relative in Vietnam or met any Viet Vets, for giving their opinions and, up to now, all the answers are very well described.

Answer 1

I am a former Viet Nam veteran. When I returned home, I can't say that I was actually spit upon. A lot of other things occured though. I was advised not to wear my uniform home, which was good advice. No vets I know wanted to fight after we got home. I learned quickly not to even let anyone know where I had been. More than once when dating a girl, I was told to stay away from their daughter after the parents found out. Even though they liked me before some one told them. More than once I was turned down for a job because of it. When in college, I said nothing because I saw the trouble other vets had, except for once in a political science class. The instructor was opposed to the war and in those days that meant against the troops also. I did get removed from his class. The irony is that I was against the war also. But I was for the troops. The list goes on and on. Thanks a lot to the American people. Sure we had a "Welcome Home Parade" a few years later, but as far as I'm concerned, it was way to late. I cringe everytime a non-veteran today says'Welcome Home". I'm still trying my best to forgive the American people, but it's not that easy after what I went through. I was only 19 and a few months when I returned and as far as I'm concerned, the people responsible for sending me there are the voters at that time. The same ones that held it against me. Help me fiqure that one out ! Don't get me wrong, I am very patriotic and I love my country.To actually answer your question, not all of us were litterally "spat" upon, but we have all had to endure many other forms of predjudice and mistreatment. I hope this gives you some insight as to what actually happened. Americans could not seperat the politics form the military. (Like I really wanted to sit in the mud and get shot at !) Believe your father.

Answer 2

you will in all probability discover that maximum Vietnam vets do not examine Y/A, why you even project to contradict what has been recorded on action picture and newsreels of the day is previous me, as for the opposite spin a Vietnam vet spat at a reporter it might desire to have befell. yet, for sure you're actually not finding n the the terrific option Press documents. What replace into the area of reporting a spitting incident to the Police, that they had extra advantageous issues for doing, no possibility lower back then of linking the spittle to a definite human as their replace into no DNA testing!! I heavily doubt that spitting on an American traitor like Jane Fonda is against the regulation, the only reason she did not dance on the tip of a rope replace into because of the fact of her father's (Henry Fonda) money & connections.

Answer 3

Yes. My Neighbor was spat on and harrassed in 1970... he was a US Navy Patrol squadron pilot and was attending San Jose State to complete his Bachelor's Degree (he'd entered the Navy in 1962 under the Naval Aviation Cadet Program). One day he wore his uniform to class because he had work after school and WAS spat upon, screamed at, and had food thrown at him.

This delightful behavior wasn't restricted to Vietnam veterans, nor the late 60's early 70's:

My brother was attending UC Berkeley as a NROTC student during the 1985-1989 period... in 1985, the ROTC building was burned to the ground in an act of arson by an anti-military group. Each year, NROTC students were assaulted by protestors... riot-police were required to be on-call each year at graduation parades.

One thing I DID love was the parade held in San Diego in 1992 following the Gulf War... we marched, we were cheered, and we pulled Vietnam Vets out of the crowd to march WITH US.

Answer 4

The vets that returned from Vietnam were treated in horrible fashion. If you were spat on that was a good day. I have friends that were beaten by multiple individuals at one time. My grandfather was even shot due to his serving in Vietnam. Yes your father is very much telling you the truth. Take the history he shares with you and treasure it forever.

Answer 5

Veterans returning from Vietnam were treated poorly because of the political turmoil of the time . Yes some were spat on , called horrible things , and treated as if they caused the war .

Answer 6

Yes, my father returned after three years in Vietnam and was spat on at the airport upon returning to the states.

Answer 7

I was in the Army during that time, and heard of things worse than spit being used on returning vets. However, personally, I never saw that happen. One thing I remember, though, is the anti-military feelings at the time. My buddies and I found out, the hard way, that it was best NOT to wear a uniform in public, especially if we were close to a college campus. I still remember when several of us, in uniform, were visiting a large American city and hearing the insults and degrading names hurled at us by young people of our own age group.

Answer 8

i'd like to say that i've met plenty of Vietnam vets on a blog i frequent and the stories they'd tell would curt your hair. i would have zero reason to doubt their stories.

especially after seeing a video of a woman whose son died in Iraq who went to a cindy sheehan protest/speaking engagement to tell the other side be spat on by cindy's supporters, while they screamed at her that her son got what he had coming to him and he was a baby killer. if that could happen in this day and age i hate to think what happened then.

my uncle fought in Vietnam, but i've never spoken to him. he moved away when i was 3 and never came back. he refuses to talk to any of us.

anyway, i'm sorry that happened to your dad. that is beyond F'd up IMO.

Answer 9

Yes, they urged not to go fight and when they returned they were treated like the war was their fault. It was a terrible time for our country. People were not in favor of the war, much like today. I only hope we never place the blame on our troops today as we did then, the blame lies with the leaders, not the troops.

Answer 10

no your father is not wrong unfortunately. i am not a Vietnam vet but i WAS around when all that happened. Vietnam Vietnam vets was greeted back cruelly. they was sent there to do impossible jobs with the jap congs using the village people to do their work for them so our brave men didn't know who to trust or not. when they returned home they was not spat upon but cursed, turned away from things they was trying to provide for their families & just ridiculed unmercilessly.