In 1963, there were 16,000 American military personnel in South Vietnam. A “rolling” draft was in place from around 1948 until 1973, but ramped up in seriousness during 1964-65 in order to supply more men.

This memo from Major General Krulak to Joint Chiefs of Staff Maxwell Taylor issued in July of 1963 concludes with the optimistic assessment that “General Harkins indicated he felt that we could win in a year…”

Meaning the unnamed bespectacled copywriter could be safe for another year or so. Even if he did get sent over, 61% of the men killed were 21 or younger so the odds are on his side.

• footnote - by Natasha Simons

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