Tales of Texas Heroes – Part 5 – “Post-Vietnam Conflicts” By Charles Murray

A major event happened on January 27, 1973:  Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird announced the end of the military draft.  This change resulted in both good and bad consequences.  On the good side, individuals who do not want to serve are not forced to give up two years of their lives.  This is not just beneficial to the individuals.  I served in 1970-1972, and I can assure you that the Army would have been better off without some of the people who were drafted with me.  

The military has functioned these past 52 years without the draft.  Since the draft ended, the military academies have provided well-trained leaders as well as a quality college degree.  ROTC programs in both high schools and colleges are another excellent source of volunteers.  Some young people enlist to carry on family traditions of service.  Military service provides training and discipline, qualities that employers value.  Defending our country and society is both an honor and rewarding for personal esteem.  

On the negative side, the military might need more people than those who volunteer.  During World War II (1941-1945), 38.8% (6,332,000) of U.S. servicemen and ALL servicewomen were volunteers, but 61.2% (11,535,000) were draftees.  In addition to the active-duty and reserve units in the United States, we have standing armies in Japan (54,000) and South Korea (25,400), we have NATO commitments (about 100,000), and we have military personnel in “civilian” jobs around the world.  

We should be truly grateful for the men and women who volunteer in today’s military.  Since the draft ended, more than 600 Texans died in combat.  Many additional deaths occurred due to suicides and accidents.  We must remember that the men and women who serve in today’s military risk their lives for our nation.  They do this voluntarily, and they are truly heroes.

We have had many combat missions since Vietnam (we prefer noble-sounding names rather than calling them “wars”): Just Cause (Panama, 1989-1990); Persian Gulf War (Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, 1990-1992); Restore Hope (Somalia, 1992-1993); Vigilant Warrior (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, 1995); Vigilant Sentinel (Kuwait, 1995-1996); Operation Infinite Reach (Sudan and Afghanistan, 1998); War on Terror, also known as the Global War on Terrorism (Multiple operations starting in 2001; see following); War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, 2001-2014); Operation Enduring Freedom (Philippines, formerly Operation Freedom Eagle, 2002-2015); Iraq War (Iraq, 2003-2011); Iraqi Civil War, (Iraq, 2014-Present); Operation Freedom's Sentinel (Afghanistan, 2014-2021); Operation Inherent Resolve, (Syria and Iraq, 2014-Present).  In addition to these combat missions, the US military has been involved in at least five “humanitarian missions” and 13 “peacekeeping or peacemaking” missions.  Many of these missions never make the news.  Have you ever heard of Operation Active Endeavour?  It’s an ongoing NATO Naval operation to protect shipping from terrorism in the Mediterranean that started in 2001.  How about the Recon and Intel mission called Cameroon Intervention that started in 2015?  I am certain that my list is not complete.

The Texas Heroes Museum is planning a special memorial for our post-Vietnam warriors.  We are looking for stories and artifacts from this time period.

Our museum’s DBA name is Texas Heroes Museum.  Our non-profit, tax-exempt corporation name is Texans in War Museum Association, TIN 46-4084521.  Your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Our Officers and Board of Directors are all volunteers.  We have no paid staff.