Why were Vietnam War vets treated poorly

when they returned?

By History.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.05.21
Word Count 634
Level 890L

Vietnam veteran John L. Steer lost his right arm during the war in 1967. Here, he places a rose in between the panels of the Vietnam War
Memorial in observance of Veterans Day on November 11, 1986. Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images

Steven Wowwk arrived as a 21-year-old infantryman in Vietnam in January 1969. By June,

Wowwk had been wounded twice and was sent back to the United States for treatment.

Wowwk was excited to return home. However, he would not receive the warm welcome he was
expecting. Instead, Wowwk and other wounded servicemen were greeted by civilians openly
expressing their displeasure with the war.

The Vietnam War claimed the lives of more than 58,000 American service members and wounded
more than 150,000 others. For those who served in Vietnam, coming home was another battle.
Some had insults hurled their way. Others were physically attacked.

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No "Welcome Home" Parades For Vietnam Vets

The Vietnam War lasted from 1964 to 1973. Until the war in Afghanistan began in 2001, Vietnam
was the longest war in American history. Most soldiers came back from Vietnam by themselves.
For almost 10 years, as one person was shipped off to fight, another was returning.

"The collective emotion of the country was divided," Jerry Lembcke says. He is a Vietnam veteran
and sociologist. "For the family whose son is just coming back, you aren't going to have a public
welcoming home ceremony when someone's son down the road was just sent off to Vietnam."

As the war dragged on with no victory in sight, veterans came to represent defeat. "Vietnam was a
lost war, and it was the first major lost war abroad in American history," Lembcke says. "You don't
have parades for soldiers coming home from a war they lost."

GI Benefits Were Lacking

The government failed to fulfill its promises to

veterans. Veterans returning from Vietnam were met
with indifference and little support for their return to
society. Peter Langenus was a veteran returning from
Vietnam. He led his men on operations that lasted a
month or more in Vietnam's harshest conditions.
"None of that," he says, "prepared me for the
reception at home upon our return."

Langenus discovered the benefits available for

Vietnam veterans "were almost nonexistent." After
returning home, he developed symptoms of malaria, a tropical disease. Yet he was denied health
care by the Veterans Affairs Department because he did not have symptoms in Vietnam. After his
service, Langenus returned to law school to use his educational benefits. Those benefits did not
cover his tuition. After school, he faced discrimination from law firms that did not want to hire a
Vietnam veteran.

The economy after World War II was one of the strongest in American history. In contrast, during
and after Vietnam the nation experienced poor economic conditions. As the American public
began to learn about the horrors of the war, many viewed it in a negative way. This view of the war
also was reflected in some Americans' perceptions of Vietnam veterans.

The Gulf War Brought A Shift In Attitudes

It would take nearly 20 years after the end of the war for America to get right with its Vietnam
veterans. The dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982 began the process. Yet many
identify the Gulf War in Iraq from 1990 to 1991 as a turning point. For once, Langenus recalled,
veterans were "getting letters from school kids."

Since September 11, 2001, patriotic gestures have become common. However, some Vietnam
veterans view such acts skeptically.

"Deeds need to be done in addition to words," says Wowwk, who is disabled from his Vietnam
wounds. "I appreciate the respect of 'thank you' because that was something I never received when
I came home. It's better than nothing. But what are you doing in addition to saying 'thank you?'"
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.