Existing comment:
Vietnam
Of the 42,000 American Indians who served in the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam conflict (1964–75), 90 percent were volunteers. Approximately one of every four eligible Native people served, compared with one of twelve in the general population. Of those, 226 died in action and five received the Medal of Honor.
Like many other Vietnam veterans, American Indians were often deeply traumatized by what they experienced. Some noticed similarities between the Native and Vietnamese colonial experiences. As one veteran observed, "We went into their country and killed them and took land that wasn't ours. Just like the whites did to us. We shouldn't have done that. Browns against browns. That screwed me up, you know."
When the veterans returned, many found solace and healing in their communities' ceremonies and honors. Many also joined political organizations, such as the American Indian Movement and the National Indian Youth Council, to work for social justice and change. |