The last american soldier killed in the vietnam war was kelton rena turner, an 18year old marine. Jun 07, 2017 marine, youngest american killed in vietnam, honored by hometown. 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. At least 5 men killed in vietnam were 16 years old. Meet two brave young american soldiers of the vietnam war. Less than one month later he was dead, at 15 years old. 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. This means he is the youngest soldier to perish in world war i. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join. 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. 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.
He is a member of c company, 2nd battalion, 173rd airborne brigade. Though relatively little official data exists about female. Women in the vietnam war served as soldiers, health workers, and in newsgathering capacities. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a huge sense of pride. 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. How a 12yearold conned his way into the us navy during world war ii. The first american soldier killed in the vietnam war was air force tsgt. Jan 12, 2018 how a 12yearold conned his way into the us navy during world war ii. Vice president al gore is a vietnam veteran, as is enormously popular colin powell. Buis and master sergeant chester charles ovnand who were killed on july 8, 1959.
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. 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. The youngest soldier in wwi was a serbian boy, aged 8. 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. 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. 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. Asked in war and military history how old was the youngest soldier in the civil war.
Asked in war and military history how old was the youngest soldier in. 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. A vietnam veteran and bronze star recipient who volunteered to return to the army and serve in afghanistan became the oldest u. He enlisted at 14, went to vietnam at 15 and died a month later. 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. Vietcong soldiers, strapped into beds, would kick, curse and spit at the. Less than one month later he was dead, at 15 years old making him the youngest service member killed during that war. As the war in afghanistan continues to rage on after 14.
The brooklyn teen, after using a doctored birth certificate to enlist, became. I was in the marines and met only a couple of draftees. Because of the draft, a young man had to go to college or enlist after h. First american soldier killed in american phase of vietnam war lt. Solomon belew, a union soldier in the civil war who wrote one of the. The story follows as the title suggests the youngest green beret in a company of elite soldiers.
The youngest vietnam war us marine was just 14 years old. 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. Youngest vietnam war us marine was 14 years old, he was. How a 12yearold conned his way into the us navy during. A new exhibit of photos made by young soldiers in war zones features poignant images of daily life in a distant, and dangerous, land. In fact, vietnam veterans are as successful or more successful than men their own age who did not go to war. Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican. But many others were poor or workingclass teenagers who enlisted or were drafted into the military right out of high school.
Dec 16, 2011 the youngest union soldier and the youngest soldier to fight in the civil war was a boy named edward black. Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican marine continue and are highlighted in this. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in. The youngest american killed in the vietnam war pfc. Disproportionate numbers of vietnam veterans serve in congress, for instance. Marine dan bullock had to give for his country lasted just 15 years, five months and 17 days. He was killed in action on may 15, 1975, two weeks after the evacuation of saigon, in what became known as the mayaguez incident. Dan bullock, 15, the youngest vietnam war casualty newsone. An article on the front page of the new york times in 1969 explained. Sep 12, 2017 documentary on the tragic and complex story of pfc dan bullock the youngest american killed in the vietnam war.
Nov 11, 2014 private dan bullock was the youngest american serviceman killed in the line of duty. Vietnam war casualties from north carolina click or tap on name to find a personal memorial page of a casualty from this state. 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 elderly man found living in southcentral vietnam has claimed to be a u. The controversy over the youngest soldier killed in world war i. 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.
He doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join the marines. Charles mcmahon may 10, 1953 april 29, 1975 and darwin lee judge february 16, 1956 april 29, 1975 were the last two united states servicemen killed in vietnam during the vietnam war. Why were american soldiers in the vietnam war so young. The relationships of the two soldiers are very convincing and the two couple all have great chemistry with each other. Marine, youngest american killed in vietnam, honored by. Sobering statistics concerning vietnam vets as of april 2016. He arrived in vietnam on may 8, 1969 and was stationed at an hoa combat. Hutchison, oldest soldier killed in iraq team force, an army team created to train border guards in iraq, lost their leader, maj. 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. Army veteran is found living in vietnam village 44. Army officer with the office of strategic services oss in vietnam, is shot and killed in saigon.
In all wars there must be a first death and a last death. At least 25,000 soldiers who died in vietnam war were 20 years old or younger. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order. This special memorial day edition of defense news tv profiles the incredible story of pfc.
The story the youngest green beret was a beautifully written piece about the struggles of war. Dan bullock of the marine corps was killed in quangnam province last saturday the youngest american serviceman killed in the vietnam war. Gilbert zamora, who at was the youngest soldier in the army since the civil war, retired in special ceremonies here friday. 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. Private first class dan bullock december 21, 1953 june 7, 1969 was the youngest american serviceman killed in action during the vietnam war. In other words, no soldiers born in 1959 and after served in vietnam.
The brooklyn teen, after using a doctored birth certificate to enlist, became the youngest u. The 19 thing is an often quoted statistic, its not far from true. A year later he was killed in battle, cut down by the enemys fire. The youngest authenticated british soldier in world war i was the twelveyearold sidney lewis who fought at the battle of the somme in 1916. Dan bullock is a name everyone should know, but many do not. And why that was the beginning of a life of suffering. 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. First american soldier killed in american phase of vietnam. Momcilo gavric was the youngest soldier in the first world war.
The other three americans in the bunker were men, as we generally define the term, but bullock was not. He was tall and huge for his age and used this to his advantage. How young soldiers saw life in wartime vietnam the new. 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. They have little experience of the world, let alone war, death, and killing. Friends recall only nurse killed by hostile fire in vietnam. The truth the number of black us soldiers lost in vietnam. He was 16 years old, had permission from his parents to join the marines. He enlisted at 14, went to vietnam at 15 and died a month.
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. Marine, youngest american killed in vietnam, honored by hometown. Based on the brutal vietnam jungle during the conflict with american troops just a handful of decades ago. There is some dispute as to his real age, but the tombstone of the boy from waterford, ireland says he died at the age of 14 at the second battle of the ypres in 1915. At age 15, many young boys are going to school, worrying about acne and perhaps dreaming of becoming a superstar sports figure.
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. The youngest soldier to be killed in vietnam was us marine dan bullock, who had lied about his age and signed up. Dan bullock is believed as the youngest vietnam kia at 15 years old. So, if youre alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the. Dan bullock doctored his birth certificate at age 14 in order to join the marines. Abbott from figures obtained shortly after the construction of the vietnam war memorial click here to continue this series other vietnam war websites.
A year later, he was killed by enemy fire in vietnam. Dan bullock died at age 15 in 1969 and efforts to recognize the young africanamerican marine continue and. 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. Dan bullock of the marine corps was killed in quangnam province the youngest american serviceman killed in the vietnam war.
Youngest british soldiers in world war i wikipedia. The youngest vietnam kia is believed to be dan bullock at 15 years old. The controversy over the youngest soldier killed in world. On memorial day, remembering 15yearold marine pfc dan. After the usual brief training, he and hundreds other child soldiers were shipped off to vietnam. 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. During the vietnam war era draft era to be precise blacks of military age made up.
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. Bullock was killed by a surprise attack by the north vietnamese army. American soldier presumed dead 44 years ago found living in. Calvin leon graham april 3, 1930 november 6, 1992 was the youngest u. Condon was born in waterford and enlisted in the royal irish regiments 3rd battalion in 19. Dan bullock december 21, 1953 june 7, 1969 was a united states marine and the youngest u. An article on the front page of the new york times in 1969. Dan bullock joined the us marines so that he could join the fight against the viet cong during 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.
The minimum age for enlistment was 17 yearsold with parental consent. Just 15 years old, he would be the youngest american killed in the vietnam war. He was stationed at an hoa combat base in quang nam province. How old would the youngest us vietnam veteran be today in. Dan bullock, a boy from brooklyn, was the youngest american killed in the war. 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. Remembering and researching vietnamera veterans ancestry blog. Jul, 2017 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. Unfortunately he was kia in the vietnam war died at the age of 15 years old, today if he was alive he would be only 65 years old. He had doctored his birth certificate to join the u. American soldier presumed dead 44 years ago found living. 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. Jun 07, 2019 just 15 years old, he would be the youngest american killed in the vietnam war. As a member of platoon 3039 in parris island, he graduated from boot camp on december 10, 1968.
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