My father was seriously wounded in Korea, but recovered and was allowed to continue his military career, after a year of rehab. The Vietnam war was winding down when I started college and my father had just come back from 3 consecutive tours. His last year was leading part of the pacification program as the US prepared to pull out. And, yes, he did bring back some interesting war trophies - they weren't all weapons, either.
He supported his local Vietnamese interpreter for the rest of his life, because the man was not allowed to work in communist Vietnam. But, having learned English, that man's family thrived in the new modern world.
I got my draft number in college - no deferment option. It was a very high number printed on computer paper like a telegram. I never got an actual "draft card'.
Dad presented my Ensign bars when I did take a commission in the Navy. I was an Aviator and strangely, never boarded a US Navy ship.
The only active duty Navy ship I have ever boarded was a British ship HMS Coventry, after the Falkland Island war (1892). It's sister ship, the HMS Sheffield, was destroyed by a french Exocet cruise missile fired from a French Super Etendard jet. I noted that many of the British sailors on duty shared the same "after shave" (rum breath). It's true !! They got their daily ration of grog (Pusser's Rum from the Virgin Islands).
My only ribbon is for marksmanship - I used a Colt Trooper with a 6" bbl to qualify. Shooting was not emphasized or encouraged.
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