American Troop Deployment: Vietnam, Iraq, And Afghanistan Compared

The Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan have all had a significant impact on the United States, with thousands of American service members having served and sacrificed in these conflicts. From 1965 to 1972, America was engaged in a conventional and counterinsurgency campaign in Vietnam, involving intense jungle warfare and high casualty rates. In comparison, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which began in 2003 and 2001 respectively, have involved counterinsurgency efforts, urban combat, and a focus on nation-building. While the number of American fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan is significantly lower than in Vietnam, the number of wounded per death is higher, with a substantial number requiring amputations. These conflicts have also taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of veterans and their families.

Number of wounded US soldiers

The Vietnam War lasted from 1955 to 1975, with the US officially involved from 1965 to 1973. During this time, 58,148 US soldiers were killed, and 304,000 were wounded. This means that around 30-35% of US soldiers died of their wounds.

The Iraq War began in 2003 and ended in 2010. During this conflict, 31,454 US soldiers were wounded, and 3,482 were killed.

The War in Afghanistan lasted from 2001 to 2021. In this time, 3,372 US soldiers were wounded, and 2,459 were killed.

The number of wounded soldiers in the Vietnam War was significantly higher than in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. However, the number of deaths in the latter two wars was relatively higher than in other wars fought by the US in the last couple of decades. The number of wounded soldiers per death in Iraq and Afghanistan was also much higher than in all other principal US wars.

In addition to the physical wounds suffered by US soldiers in these wars, many also experienced psychological wounds, such as PTSD, which led to high rates of suicide.

Number of amputations

Amputations in the Vietnam War vs. the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

Amputation is one of the most severe types of injuries sustained by soldiers in war. It often results in higher mortality rates and longer hospital stays, presenting challenges for both long- and short-term care.

Vietnam War

In the Vietnam War, the US saw 1 amputation for every 29 wounded soldiers. This was the worst record for amputations compared to other wars.

Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have resulted in a higher number of wounded soldiers per death than other wars in US history. The rate of blast injuries causing traumatic limb amputation among US forces has increased since the surge of troops in Afghanistan.

From 2001 to 2010, more than 1,300 American service members suffered full or partial amputation of an arm or leg due to injuries sustained while fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Between mid-2008 and 2010, the rate of blast injuries resulting in traumatic limb amputation in US Forces in Afghanistan consistently exceeded those occurring in Iraq. By 2010, blast injuries to US Forces in Iraq declined to near zero, while a significant increase was seen in Afghanistan.

A study published in 2012 compared Vietnam War veterans with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who had suffered bilateral transfemoral limb loss. The study found that:

• Bilateral transfemoral limb loss was more common among Vietnam veterans (7.7%) than Iraq/Afghanistan veterans (3.5%).
• 17% of Vietnam veterans used advanced 'electronic' prostheses, compared to 60% of the Iraq/Afghanistan group.
• 65.3% of Vietnam veterans reported that they couldn't walk with prostheses, while this proportion was 30% for the Iraq/Afghanistan group.
• The employment rate of Vietnam veterans was 77.3%, while for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans it was 60%.
• 68% of Vietnam veterans reported being married or living with a partner, compared to 60% of the Iraq/Afghanistan group.
• 41% of the Vietnam group rated their health as 'very good to excellent', while 80% of the Iraq/Afghanistan group did so.

The number of amputations in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has been higher than in the Vietnam War, with a greater proportion of soldiers requiring multiple amputations. The increase in amputations is likely due to the surge in troops and the use of counter-insurgency tactics that expose troops to a greater risk of blast injuries from IEDs and landmines.

Psychological impact on veterans

The Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan have all had profound psychological impacts on veterans. The nature of warfare has changed since the Vietnam War, with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars involving counterinsurgency campaigns and urban combat. These differences have resulted in distinct psychological impacts on veterans.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War had a significant psychological impact on veterans, with many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mental health issues. A 1983 study mandated by Congress found that approximately 15% of the 2.7 million Americans who served in the Vietnam War had PTSD. The lifetime incidence of PTSD among Vietnam veterans is much higher, with approximately 30% of men and 27% of women developing some form of partial PTSD at some point in their lives.

The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (NVVLS) reported in 2015 that approximately 271,000 Vietnam veterans still suffer from PTSD and other major depressive disorders, indicating a continued need for mental health services. The NVVLS also found that the psychological impacts of the war were more severe for minority veterans, with Black and Hispanic veterans reporting greater levels of PTSD, depression, and psychological distress than their White counterparts.

The Vietnam War also had intergenerational impacts, with children of veterans experiencing psychological and physical issues such as increased rates of suicide, drug abuse, and depression.

Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have resulted in high rates of PTSD, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health issues among veterans. A 2008 report estimated that more than 26% of troops returning from these wars may experience mental health issues. PTSD is particularly prevalent, with approximately 275,000 service members affected.

The nature of warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan, including urban combat and the threat of improvised explosive devices, has resulted in unique psychological challenges for veterans. These challenges can manifest in various ways, such as driving and traffic jams becoming problematic triggers for some veterans.

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have also had a significant impact on military families, with higher rates of divorce, child abuse, and child neglect compared to the general population. The frequent deployments and shorter periods at home have made these wars particularly difficult for military families.

Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars also face physical health issues, with a high number of wounded per death and a high rate of amputation among those wounded.

Impact on military families

The Vietnam War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have all taken a toll on military families. The impact of these wars on families is multifaceted and far-reaching, affecting spouses, parents, children, and friends of service members.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a highly controversial conflict that led to increased physical and psychological deterioration among American soldiers. This deterioration included drug use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mutinies, and attacks on officers and non-commissioned officers. The public became increasingly aware of how badly the war was going, and anti-war sentiment grew. As a result, soldiers returning from Vietnam faced a difficult transition back to civilian life, with many experiencing long-term mental and physical health issues. Studies have shown that soldiers' experiences of combat in Vietnam correlated with substantially higher rates of marital breakups. The war also disrupted the lives of children, who had to deal with the absence of a parent and, in some cases, the social alienation that came with having a parent serving in a controversial war.

Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in approximately 5,000 American fatalities and even higher numbers of wounded, with over 31,000 wounded in Iraq and 3,300 in Afghanistan. These wars have been particularly challenging for military families due to more frequent deployments and shorter periods at home. The impact on families includes spouses coping with their loved ones' absence, mourning their deaths, or adjusting to the changed person who returns. Studies have found that combat duty in Iraq is significantly associated with decreased marital satisfaction, increased intention to divorce, and increased spouse abuse. Military spouses often rely on primary care for mental health services and experience similar rates of depression as their spouses. Children of deployed parents may struggle with completing homework assignments, adjusting to new schools, and dealing with the emotional distress of their parents' deployment.

Overall, the Vietnam War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had profound impacts on military families, with long-lasting consequences for the physical and mental health, familial relationships, and social dynamics of those affected.

Comparison of weapons used

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was fought between the US, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), and the Viet Cong (VC) guerrillas. The VC and NVA forces were equipped with weapons from all over the world, including artillery, jets, handguns, and hand grenades.

The US infantry was armed with the M16 rifle, which was capable of firing in both semi and full automatic mode with an effective range of 300 meters and a rate of fire of 700-900 rpm. The M16 replaced the M14 rifle in 1964, which was heavy and unwieldy.

Due to the lack of conventional warfare, tanks were rarely used in Vietnam. Instead, the US Army utilized military helicopters as part of its air cavalry. The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, nicknamed "Huey", was one of the most recognized helicopters used for transporting troops, evacuating wounded soldiers, and providing close air fire-power.

The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong's weapons and equipment came from the Soviet Union and China. The AK-47, officially used by the Soviet Armed Forces, became the primary infantry weapon of the NVA and the Viet Cong. It was sturdy, compact, reliable, and extraordinarily durable.

Iraq War

The Iraq War was fought between the US-led coalition forces and Iraq. The US infantry was armed with the M16 rifle, which was also used during the Vietnam War. The M16 rifle was capable of firing 5.56mm bullets at a rate of 750-900 rounds per minute on automatic setting.

The US also deployed the M1A1 HA Abrams Heavy Armor tank, which was capable of rotating its 90mm turret-mounted main gun in any direction. The M1A1 HA Abrams was also used during the Gulf War.

The Iraqis were known to have an extensive chemical weapons program, which was later destroyed by the United Nations. However, there were reports of the use of chemical weapons, such as sarin gas, during the Iraq War.

War in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan was fought between the US-led coalition forces and the Taliban. The US left behind billions of dollars' worth of military equipment in Afghanistan, including M4s, M16s, and other US-made arms and ammunition.

The US provided the Afghan National Army (ANA) with M16 rifles as part of a modernization effort. The ANA also received M4s, which were sold as part of a 2006 Foreign Military Sales package.

The Taliban had access to US-made weapons, such as M4s and M16s, which they seized from fleeing Afghan forces or through the black market. These weapons were then used against US-led NATO forces or sold to other militant groups.

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