tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565991877252095454.post3969505649775016113..comments2022-02-18T14:11:51.537-08:00Comments on Understanding Veterans: Friendly Fire DeathsAcebasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835278059694900970noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565991877252095454.post-70896982525485286242014-11-28T12:52:45.019-08:002014-11-28T12:52:45.019-08:00Hello.
In 1967 my uncle who was my moms youngest ...Hello. <br />In 1967 my uncle who was my moms youngest brother was killed in south Vietnam. <br />He was in the army, a foot soldier fighting in the jungle. <br />In 1967 I was a small child only 4 years old but I still remember the day that my family got word of my uncle being killed in action.<br />My Uncle name was Francis Duffy. At the time of his death he was only 20 years old. He was white, roman catholic and his home town was Montebello California. <br />He was killed by friendly fire/misadventure. <br />Recently I began researching the circumstances surrounding his death.<br />The statistics show that most of the deaths in Vietnam were white guys, who enlisted in the army, roman catholic and from California. <br />It seems that my uncle didn't stand a chance of ever returning home. <br />His death, even though was caused by small arm friendly fire, is listed under the category "hostile" and "killed in action".<br />I could find no statistics of exactly how many of those type death were caused by the enemy. <br />It seems that they dont break down the numbers to show how many were caused by our side as opposed to being caused by their side. <br />I've done my own research, and its not a complete tally by far,but so far it appears to me that the number of friendly fire incidents could be as many as 1/3 of the deaths considered as hostile. What I mean is that a third of all the guys killed in action may have been killed by friendly fire. <br />Those numbers are alarming. <br />I cant imagine the horror those young men felt. And I can only imagine that in the darkness of the Vietnam jungle it was pitch dark so chaos was abound. <br />But I really am finding it difficult to grasp how it could happen time and time again that so many of our army troops were killed outright by friendly fire. And small arm fire especially. <br />I cant help but ask. what was really going on??<br />My uncle was killed while alone guarding the perimeter at night. He was killed out right by a gun shot to his heart by friendly fire.<br />Not by a boobytrap, granade or bomb but by a gun shot.<br />In the letter sent this parents that notified them of his death its explained as he was mistaken for the enemy, killed out right by one bullet to his heart. By friendly fire. <br />How could this be?? Mistaken for the enemy? Why did this happen? <br />How could this have happened.<br />The right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing and vise versa.<br />All of this happened many many years ago. But I for one need a better explanation. <br /><br />I appreciate your insight. I respect your views and I appreciate the opportunity and the privilege of being allowed to write this reply. <br />Thank you.<br />Sincerely Eileentiltiedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04264796032604947488noreply@blogger.com