I think the shrapnel stuff is true. My dad was friends with a guy who served in Nam and was medically discharge after being hit with shrapnel from NVA mortar fire. Said even to this day periodically a piece will make its way out. IMO Vietnam vets are just some all around badass motherfuckers, especially the ones who were in the shit. I remember we had a get together and I told my dads buddy that I thought it would be cool to be part of a tank crew. He just took one long drag from his cigarette, exhaled and said "No, no you don't..."