<p>USNA69…why does it matter one iota? Facts are the facts and the fact is that a graduate of West Point has an exponentially greater chance of being killed in combat or on a mission than a graduate of the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy. Does that matter? Absolutely it matters. Do you think that it is a secret at West Point that there is a higher chance for combat related death at West Point compared to the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy? Do you think the parents of West Point cadets don’t know what the mortality rates are? Do you think that knowledge comes into consideration when making a decision as to which service acadmey a high school senior and a recruited athlete will attend? It sure as hell does enter into the decision making process. I am not saying that the Navy, the Marines and the Air Force are not doing a great job serving their country. They are. All of the services have a role to play and they do it well. But facts are facts.</p>
<p>Speaking of facts, according to statistics complied by the American War Library there were 58,152 military deaths in Vietnam. Of those deaths, 38,179 served in the Army, 2,556 served in the Navy, 14,836 served in the Marines and 2,580 served in the Navy. I hardly see where those statistics confirm your statement that Naval Academy Grads were taking the brunt of that war.</p>