Reply #40: I was draft age during the Viet Nam war [View All]

[RedEarth]

and the comment I made pertained more to the later years of the war instead of 1968. By the time I was re-classified 1-A in 1970, support for the war had tumbled among all age groups. By 1970 it seemed the war had been going on forever and there appeared to be no end in sight....somewhat similar to today. Whether or not the draft played a part in publics support or lack of support or the war, I really don't know. Perhaps I jumped the gun saying a draft would make a difference now. I do know when the public at large had friends and family killed or maimed in the war Viet Nam, it did seem to affect their views...at least it did for some people I knew.

Bottom line, I think the public grew weary(just like today) of the quagmire we had gotten into in Viet Nam. Consequently, their support faded.

Below is a link to a page that shows support for the Viet Nam war in all age groups.

Support for War in Vietnam, by Age
Under 30 30-49 Over 49
May 1965 61 59 43
August 1965 76 64 51
November 1965 75 68 57
March 1966 71 63 48
May 1966 62 54 39
September 1966 53 56 39
November 1966 66 55 41
May 1967 60 53 42
July 1967 62 52 37
October 1967 50 50 35
Early February 1968 51 44 36
March 1968 50 46 35
April 1968 54 44 31
August 1968 45 39 27
Early October 1968 52 41 26
February 1969 47 43 31
September 1969 36 37 25
January 1970 41 37 25
March 1970 48 41 26
April 1970 43 40 25
January 1971 41 38 20
May 1971 34 30 23

http://www.seanet.com/~jimxc/Politics/Mistakes/Vietnam_support.html