Hero does get tossed around a lot. I too served, so did three of four of my brothers during Vietnam (volunteered not drafted) , my father and his brothers during WW2. Though I never saw combat or served in Vietnam proper, I don't go around claiming to be a Vietnam vet and being a hero. As many do.
Out of the 9 Million plus who served during Vietnam over 2.7 million were actually in Vietnam. In Minnesota, we have three times as many Vietnam veteran license plates on cars and trucks then those that actually served in Vietnam. Thus those with license plates stating they are Vietnam veterans are using them as bragging rights. I know many I would call Vietnam veterans, none of them have the Veteran license plates....
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Those who served during the era are rightfully called 'Vietnam era' vets. That they didn't serve in country--or above in my case, was the luck of the draw. They took their chances. Those of us who served in SEA are Vietnam Vets. You could say we got the short straw, I suppose. Not only don't I regret it, I'm proud of my service. Many of us received decorations for valor. Were we heroes? Perhaps and perhaps not. I like to think I did my job just a bit better than what was required. The guy who got the AFC or MoH is another story. He is a hero with no discussion. Marching in parades with newly bought jungle fatigues or boony hats and/or having a VNV license plate is a whole other issue. So is stolen valor--and the law that was up before the SC. Of the 2.7 million who were in SEA, a very small minority saw combat. But that is true of all of our wars. I guess if someone whose opinion you respect says you're a hero, you are. Maybe that is the best definition.
