The data presented in the above reports comes from the Combat Area Casualty File (CACF1193). This was a text file in which the data fields were often represented by ambiguous codes that were often used to save file space and which did not lend themselves for easy understandability. For example:
Reason Field - P = Stroke, T = Accidental Homicide
Race - L = Malayan, N = Negro
The original text list was converted into a relational database and the 58,169 records were modified so that the data fields were made more understandable. I did all of the work myself and within the limitations of the accuracy of the original data I finally had the tools to correctly analyze the casualty data in the database.
Additions and corrections to the CACF1193 came to light over the years and the government in 2008 made available the Vietnam Conflict Extract Data File (
DCAS.VN.EXT08 ) which then had 58,220 records. A similar process was used to create my own relational database and the original CACFF1193 file was scrubbed against the newer
DCAS.VN.EXT08 file for discrepancies. A laborious process then was undertaken to reconcile the differences, and upon completion the database was used as the basis for the above reports which were created using Crystal Reports report writer.
No database this large can be 100% accurate, but I feel the work was all worthwhile and the casualties suffered in Vietnam can be understood more accurately.
Brian N. Bagnall - Webmaster |