10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About The Vietnam War

7. Only A Third Of Vietnam Veterans Were Drafted... Not The Majority As Many People Think

As has already been mentioned, the likes of Muhammad Ali and other famous figures being called to be conscripted into the armed forces during the Vietnam War makes it appear as though the majority of servicemen were draft picks - and not volunteers. However, two-thirds of the servicemen were actually volunteers - and 70% of those who died were those who had joined up of their own free will. Less than 33% of the US Armed Forces during the Vietnam War was made up of draft picks. What's more, in World War II conscription forced double the proportion of volunteers to serve than the Vietnam War did - with more than 66% of the US Armed Forces between 1941 and 1945 made up of draft picks.