Question:
Are Navy personnel who served on ships and drew combat pay during parts of deployments, but didn’t serve “in-country Vietnam, considered ‘Vietnam Veterans’ or ‘Vietnam Era Veterans’? This seems to be a bone of contention among some folks. (CV-64)...70-74, 9 & 11 month deployments. Thanks
Jim's Reply:
If combat pay were drawn, then the status of being called a Vietnam vet seems legit. However, Navy veterans who didn't set foot in country aren't eligible for agent orange benefits as are vets who served in country. Otherwise, if the veteran didn't serve in the country of Vietnam, he or she is a Vietnam era veteran. Only veterans who served with boots on the ground in the country of the Republic of Vietnam are eligible for agent orange presumptive diseases. I served in Germany 1967 to 1970 and I call myself a Vietnam era veteran. I' don't understand the "bone of contention"? What's that all about?