Mark Lane's book on alleged atrocities in Vietnam, "Conversations with Americans", was panned by James Reston and Neil Sheehan, neither of whom were war boosters. Sheehan demonstrated that many of Lane's "eyewitnesses" either had not served in Vietnam, or had not been there in the roles claimed. When Senator Mark Hatfield inserted the Winter Soldier testimony into the Congressional Record, he had the commandant of the Marine Corps attempt an investigation. Those they spoke to largely refused cooperation, or, when cooperating, failed to provide details helpful to investigators. Also, some of the grisliest reports had come from men who were found to be imposters.
As for other matters alleged of vets:
86% of those who died in Vietnam were white and 12.5% black, when blacks of the right age made up 13.1% of the population.
2/3rds if those who served in Vietnam were volunteers, and volunteers accounted for 77% of combat deaths.
The suicide rate for vets is no higher than for non- veterans. The same is true for rates of drug abuse, homelessness, and incarceration. More vets showed signs of post- traumatic stress syndrom after WWII than the Vietnam War.
A comprehensive survey from 1980 reported that 91% of those who had seen combat in Vietnam were "glad they had served their country"; 80% disagreed with the statement that the "US took advantage of me"; and nearly two out of three would go again, even knowing how the war would turn out. |
