Canadian Participation In Vietnam

Canada's involvement in the Vietnam War

Read about Canada's involvement in the Vietnam War. Many Americans believe that Canada played not part in the Vietnam War; nothing could be further from the truth

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Many Americans believe that Canada played no part in the Vietnam War. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though the Canadian government tried its best to remain neutral, Canadians themselves became involved. It is believed that Canadian enlistment in the US Army during the Vietnam era far surpassed the 30,000 who fled as draft dodgers to Canada. Canadians serving in the US military is nothing new. This occurred as far back as the Civil War. Forty Canadians have won America’s highest military award – the Medal of Honor. When the US became involved in war with Vietnam, many Canadian men joined the US Armed Forces or allowed themselves to be drafted. Canadian Forces were being cut back and Vietnam allowed Canadian youth to join the US military where they would be taught skills that were not available in their own country. Helicopter flying and mechanics was the goal of many young Canadian men. Another reason to join was the fight against communism and still others joined for adventure or personal reasons. Larry Semeniuk of Windsor, Ontario, joined the US Army in January 1967. In December, he was deployed as a paratrooper of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th regiment, 101st Airborne Division to Vietnam. In January 1968, Semeniuk saved the life of an officer at the risk of his own. A few days later, he was killed in action. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. Gary Butt was born May 9, 1951 in Montreal, Quebec. He enlisted in the US military at Plattsburg, New York in 1968. Since Butt had superior skills in marksmanship, the US Army gave him the position of rifleman with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Butt volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served from July 1970, to April 1971. He was killed on April 3rd. At the time of his death, Butt held the position of sergeant with the 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Many other Canadians served in Vietnam and like Vietnam vets in the US, returned home to despicable treatment. This was especially noticeable in Toronto and Vancouver where US draft dodgers had settled. These large cities were often the sites of anti-war hostility. There were no Veterans Administration Centers in Canada to assist the returning men or the families of those who had died in Vietnam. The Royal Canadian Legion did not welcome these men as they did men from other wars. This began to change with the completion of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, DC. Canadian Vietnam Veterans began to form their own organizations in 1986. There are now groups in most major Canadian cities but it is a loose coalition. Canada also has six men who are not accounted for. They are listed as MIA’s, though it is believed that some of these men are POW’s. For almost thirty years, Canadian Vietnam Veterans fought to have a memorial dedicated to those who never returned from the jungles of a country half way around the world. They raised money and a portable wall, much like The Wall in Washington. The Vets traveled across the country educating their fellow countrymen on the Vietnam War. The horrors endured by these men where beyond imagination. Finally, the Canadian government listened to its Vietnam Vets. In 1995, the North Wall found a permanent home in Windsor, Ontario. It is a great tribute to those Canadians who served and sacrificed all for what they believed in. The North Wall is a beautiful memorial. If you are in the area, be sure to view the names on the North Wall and spend a moment remembering those whom never returned.