I was in the Armed Forces from 1968 to 1972 during the Viet-Nam war. I voluntiered for world wide overseas duty and I was sent to Thule Greenland for a year. (That's another story) The only hats that I can find that involve Viet-Nan Says "Viet-Nam Veteran" and it has the ribbons that a service man would receive for serving in Viet-Nam. Is it appropriate for me to be able to wear this hat even though I never saw Viet-Nam and am just considered a Viet-Nam era Veteran? It would be very embaracing for me if a true Viet-Nam veteran saw me wearing this hat and as we start talking about Viet-Nam, he asked me where I was stationed in Viet-Nam? Ahhhhhhh, I never saw Viet-Nam, but I was in the service between 68 and 72 and considered a Viet-Nam era Veteran.
Is it proper for me to be able to wear this type of hat?
2007-11-06 17:25:47 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
As for myself: Vietnam Vet may/could/would/should/can be somewhat discerned as either being active duty during the (chess game stalemate) as either just that - being on active duty but not serving this Nation's Flag with the soles of our boots in-country of Vietnam. See, Vietnam-era Vet or In-country Vietnam Vet... ?
If the DD-214 doesn't mention the Vietnam Campaign Medal (with the date bar) or Vietnam Service Medal (with campaign stars). No, personally I wouldn't wear the baseball cap.
Am I being self-righteous... or picky?
USN, 68-74
Naval Support Activity, Danang - 69
Naval Forces, Vietnam, Saigon - 70
* What's with this gedunk Cold War medal?
Dane
2007-11-07 11:49:31 · answer #1 · answered by Dane 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
From a Viet-Nam era Veteran?
I was in the Armed Forces from 1968 to 1972 during the Viet-Nam war. I voluntiered for world wide overseas duty and I was sent to Thule Greenland for a year. (That's another story) The only hats that I can find that involve Viet-Nan Says "Viet-Nam Veteran" and it has the ribbons...
2015-08-07 05:57:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish there was a "Viet Nam Era" ribbon of some sort to honor service during that time and the shared bond. But there isn't. Sometimes we feel disowned by the combat veterans as we were disowned by our society at the time. But the desire to say, "Hey, I was a part of that too" isn't enough to justify wearing awards that we didn't earn.
2014-08-06 12:27:48 · answer #3 · answered by Pat 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was in the Gulf War as a civilian contractor. It kind of leaves a bitter taste to see veterans of the military that served during war time but not in the Gulf get added benefits as such when I was there as a civilian and not even considered in the same like. Absolutely no respect for civilian contractors in the war zones. I spent 8 months there on vessels of the Maritime Preposition Ships, been all in the Persian Gulf, Suez Canal, Al Jubail Saudi Arabia, Daharan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Gulf of Oman all in theatre. I am also former military during 82-85. No war going on then aside Lebanon or Grenada. (I wasn't there.) Personally, I think I should be able to put PERSIAN GULF WAR on my license plates but I can't because it's only for U.S. military that was in the Gulf. I was right there with them supporting them with the Maritime Preposition Forces. I can't even join the VFW nor do I have any of those benefits as a war time era veteran. A stateside veteran during the Gulf War gets more attention, respect than a contractor that was IN COUNTRY taking scuds and whiffing up burning oil. Veterans that served during the Persian Gulf War and were not in country can wear Persian Gulf War license plates as well as Vietnam Veterans, and WWII veterans. I was there and I can't put Persian Gulf War plates on my car.
2014-10-10 02:49:41 · answer #4 · answered by Specialized 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I would be offended.
Normal wear of that headgear would be by someone who served in the 'Nam. We see a lot of "Nam wannabes", those proclaiming about serving there in some "heroic" operation. Some even wearing unauthorized ribbons.
I seriously believe that sooner or later you would be "challenged" by a Nam vet and suffer some emarrassment. Heck, get a branch of the military hat and wear it proudly!
I do, however, appreciate the fact you served our country. We who did fight there could not have done so without the support of vets like you.
Especially if you survived Thule. Flew in and out of there a few times. AAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHH.
2007-11-07 01:32:04 · answer #5 · answered by Too Old For Idol 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are "Vietnam Era Veterans" caps available with the National Defense Ribbon embroidered on them. Just do a Google search.
2015-02-27 08:09:44 · answer #6 · answered by Eddie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I volunteered in 74 but Nam peace accord was sign meet a lot of friends who came back
and shared their stories . With that in mind I wear my Army hat proudly but will not wear Vietnam
2015-02-22 03:06:55 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was blue water sailor 73-76 southeast asia combat store ship does that make me nam era never stepped foot in country
2014-10-11 08:05:18 · answer #8 · answered by Gary 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, that does pose a quandary, although...technically your wouldn't be considered a vietnam vet, I'd say wear it, but take the stiching out for the ribbons.
When awards are given they are usually given for an entire theater for actions performed by units and commands. Wearing the hat due to no commercial alternative but taking off the ribbons would show a certain respect for those that did end up there.
2007-11-06 17:37:10 · answer #9 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Personally, I wouldn't wear it if i were you. Just like I won't wear an OIF hat with the Iraqi service medal on it; I've been to Kuwait, but not Iraq.
Isn't there a way to order one of those hats with your ribbons emobroidered on the patch? Do you know anyone stationed in Korea? If you do they can have one made for you in a day down in Songtan...
2007-11-06 17:33:34 · answer #10 · answered by Greenman 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋