Fortunate Sons and the Hidden Truth Behind the Vietnam War
Throughout the Vietnam War, a phrase known as the 'Fortunate Sons' was frequently used to describe the social dynamics of who served in the war. While the song 'Fortunate Son' by Creedence Clearwater Revival shed light on this issue, it also ignited debates about the true complexity of the draft system.
The Myth and Reality of College Deferment
It is a commonplace belief that the Vietnam War was predominantly fought by young men from the lower social sectors of American society. The college deferment, which lasted until December 1969, allowed individuals to delay being drafted for an extended period if they were enrolled in college. Notable examples like Bill Clinton and Joe Biden availed themselves of this deferment, enabling them to avoid the draft entirely. This status as a ‘Fortunate Son’ allowed them to side-step the war and its horrors.
The Use of Medical Exemptions
Furthermore, the draft system was not without other loopholes. For instance, those who could afford it often obtained a doctor’s letter declaring a physical disability, thus exempting themselves from the draft – a practice popularly known as a "University Diploma and a Pulled Artery". Donald Trump’s father, for example, procured a doctor’s letter stating that Trump had bone spurs on his heel. While Trump himself admitted he did not want to "die in some rice paddy," it was his father's influence that provided him with this exemption.
The National Guard and Reckless Service
Another popular strategy to avoid the war was to join the National Guard, which required only a few weeks a month of service in exchange for exemption. This was particularly popular among prominent figures like George H.W. Bush, who went through the motions, learning to fly and effectively protecting Alabama skies from the Viet Cong and NVA.
Who Really Fought the War?
The reality was that the weight of the war was predominantly borne by those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The 'Unfortunate Sons' – Hispanic boys, Native Americans, farm boys, blue-collar whites, and those from the ghettos – made the heaviest sacrifices and faced the most pain. This was exemplified by the youngest American soldier killed in Vietnam, Dan Bullock, who was only 15 years old at the time of his death.
Oliver Stone’s Witness to the War
Filmmaker Oliver Stone, a former Yale dropout who fought in Vietnam, provided a firsthand account of this social inequality. He was wounded twice in the war and later received the Bronze Star for his service. Stone’s photographs taken during the war appear to support the argument that the war was fought by men from humble backgrounds.
Lyrics of 'Fortunate Son'
The song 'Fortunate Son' by Creedence Clearwater Revival encapsulates these sentiments. Its lyrics poignantly highlight the disparity:
Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Yeah they're red white and blue And when the band plays
It ain't me, it ain't me.
I ain't no senator's son.
It ain't me, it ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one no no.Some folks are born with silver spoons in hand.
Lord, don't they help themselves, Lord,
But when the taxman comes to the door,
Lord, the house lookin' like a rummage sale.It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no millionaire's son no no.
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one no no.Yeah-yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes.
Hoo they send you down to war, Lord.
And when you ask 'em
It ain't me, it ain't me
I just ain't no military son, forever and a day.
It ain't me, it ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one no no no.It ain't me, it ain't me.
I ain't no fortunate one no no no.
I ain't me it ain't me.
Conclusion
The Vietnam War was a complex and often controversial chapter in American history. The concept of the 'Fortunate Son' reveals not just the draft system's flaws, but also the deep-seated social inequalities that influenced who fought and who did not. As Oliver Stone’s contributions to the narrative of the Vietnam War remind us, the true story of the conflict is one of inequality and hardship.