My Introduction

Hello,

I'm Ken Ervin, and I'm attempting to tell my story about the Viet Nam War.

I launched this web site in January of 2007, abt. 40 years after my entering the Viet Nam War. After all these years, it is my hope that some of the insights gained during this period will be of use to others and may provide a better understanding of what the war was like. This web site on the Viet Nam War is my effort to commemorate those Americans whom fought in this war. 

Remember, "All GAVE SOME BUT SOME GAVE ALL". We lost 280 precious lives from my Battalion of which included 61 from my company from 11/10/1966 (the 1st KIA) thru 5/23/1970 (the last KIA). They were America's finest young men and most of them were Army Volunteers and not all were draftees. It's a shame that we were treated the way that we were. 

Below are some assembled facts most readers will find interesting. It isn't a long read, but it will....I guarantee....teach you some things you did not know about the Vietnam War and those who served, fought, or died there. Please share it with those with whom you communicate.
 
Vietnam War Facts, Statistics, Fake Warrior Numbers, and Myths Dispelled:
9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975.
2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.
240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station inSaigon was named for him.
58,148 were killed in Vietnam
75,000 were severely disabled
23,214 were 100% disabled
5,283 lost limbs
1,081 sustained multiple amputations
Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21
11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old
Of those killed, 17,539 were married
Average age of men killed: 23.1 years
Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.
The oldest man killed was 62 years old.
As of January 15, 2004, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War
97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged
91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served
74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome
Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.
Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent.
87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem.
There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans Administration Study)
Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison - only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.
85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.

Myth: Common Belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted.

Fact: 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers.

 I was in two major battles and many smaller conflicts during my tour of duty over there (11/22/1966-11/22/1967). The two major battles that I was in were "The Battle of Plei Doc" and "The Battle of Plei Ya Bo (Three Trees)". 

Finally, my time had arrived for me to return to the WORLD (Term for going home). For myself, I felt like I had been given a new lease of life. Reborn by all the experiences, I learned to become more focused on what was really important in life. I knew that some things in life were just not that important to me anymore. That life was really about finding God and helping others. Nothing else was that necessary.

I had some very close calls. I saw things that I can and will never share, but I knew that God had taken care of me. I was grateful for all that I had. I was going to leave Nam with all my body parts and not in some plastic bag. I would never take life for granted again ever. I wanted to live each moment. I wanted to enjoy the small things once again - like hot showers and cold milk. I wanted to hug the world. I wanted to "Kiss the sky"

I sure do appreciate Charlie Flood for his wonderful book "WAR OF THE INNOCENTS" - Battle of Three Trees. Thanks to him for bringing back old memories that I had almost forgotten over the last 39 years. I highly recommend this book because Charlie (a Civilian War Journalist) was there with us on that day (July 23, 1967) and I can vouch for Charlie. I'm including a link to Amazon.com where you can order this fine book.
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"THE WAR OF THE INNOCENTS" - Battle of Three Trees.

by Charles Bracelen Flood, a War Correspondent
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553290401/qid=1097020530/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/102-7572489-2021719?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
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I'M ALSO INCLUDING A STORY FROM MY GOOD FRIEND PAUL BEALS ADDRESSED TO ME'
THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN FROM MOSCOW
BY: Paul Beal