The+Vietnam+Soldier

Notes: -Things are extremely dangerous in Vietnam -If you get a wound bad enough (million dollar wound) you can be sent back to the US -The fighting experience in Vietnam was much different than those of other wars- the fighting in Vietnam seemed unreal -Their thoughts always included when they could go home and surviving just so they could return home -"grunts" was the name given to US army foot soldiers in Vietnam- these soldiers were mostly white and came from rural or small-town America -When Americans arrived to their stations, they were treated well- air conditioned jets- but when they got off, they were overwhelmed with they smells and sights -"The sights, sounds, and smells of this Asian country hit like a brick." -Their packs included water, food, cooking utensils, books, extra socks, salt tablets, rope, playing cards, letters, and photos. They weighed between 35 and 70 pounds!! -a platoon, a group of soldiers, had a mixture of personalities -walking close to these soldiers was dangerous -Platoon officers led search and destroy missions, and used "aggressive patrolling"