Hi Rich, 
Wow!  That is a tough one. I served after the Vietnam Era.  I did grow up on Air Force Bases and remember well the "I'm moving off base because my dad got killed in Vietnam."  It was common from the middle 60 thru the early 70s.  It seems pretty crazy now but, we all accepted it then.  My dad had two tours in Vietnam.  He also served in WW2 and Korea.  These guys are very modest and don't talk about their service much. 

The project is going to be costly. He (the owner) may be best served by donating it to a Vet organization that might pay for the restoration and then sell it through an auction, lottery or what ever.  The owner should be able to take a tax deduction for the donation to a non-taxable non-profit organization. 

I would love to just write a check for what ever he wants for the car.  I can't.  Good luck and be kind but, don't get yourself in over your head.

You might want to connect with: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-topic/1283294-viet-nam-vets.html  and see what they might suggest.

Best Regards,
Keith

I am glad you brought up that song when I first read this thats all that when through my head I could not remember the title. Didnt we do a vets poll on this site way back.