Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial – Facts

Honoring and Remembering
As we reflect on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, let us honor and pay our deepest respects to all those whose names are etched on the wall. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to their families, friends, and fellow veterans who served alongside them. May their sacrifices never be forgotten, and may their loved ones find healing and peace. We stand united in love and remembrance, forever grateful for their service and bravery.
~Cpl. Beddoe

Designer:
Maya Ying Lin, an undergraduate at Yale University, born in Athens, Ohio in 1959.
Her parents fled China in 1949 when Mao Tse-tung took control.
She acted as a consultant with the architectural firm of Cooper-Lecky Partnership on the construction of the Memorial.

Design Concept:
A park within a park – a quiet, protected place harmonious with Constitution Gardens.
Mirror-like surface (polished black granite) reflecting surrounding trees, lawns, monuments, and visitors.
Walls direct towards the Washington Monument (east) and the Lincoln Memorial (west), placing the Memorial in historical context.

Names on the Wall:
58,267 names listed, including those added in 2010.
Arranged by date of casualty and alphabetized within each date.
First known casualty: Richard B. Fitzgibbon, North Weymouth, Mass., killed on June 8, 1956.
His son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, killed on Sept. 7, 1965, is also listed.

Casualty Statistics:
39,996 were 22 or younger.
Largest age group: 8,283 were 19 years old.
3,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers were 17 years old.
Five soldiers were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock, was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
31 sets of parents lost two sons.
54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia.
Eight women are on the Wall, all nurses.

Medal of Honor:
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 are on the Wall.

Community Impact:
Beallsville, Ohio (population 475) lost six sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation, with 711 West Virginians on the Wall.

Notable Groups:
The Marines of Morenci: Nine graduates from Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps on Independence Day, 1966. They were known for leading some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams in the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (population 5,058). They enjoyed roaring beer busts and, in quieter moments, rode horses along the Coronado Trail and stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Tragically, only three returned home.

The Buddies of Midvale: LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, and Tom Gonzales were boyhood friends who lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah, on Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Avenues. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field and all went to Vietnam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three were killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later.

Additional Facts and Stories

Design and Construction:
The design was initially controversial due to its unconventional style and lack of traditional heroic elements. However, it has since become one of the most visited and revered memorials in the U.S.
The wall was dedicated on November 13, 1982, and has since become a place of healing for many veterans and their families.

Symbolism:
The V-shaped wall symbolizes a wound that is closed and healing, a reflection of the nation’s process of coming to terms with the Vietnam War.
The reflective surface allows visitors to see themselves alongside the names, connecting the past and present.

Additions and Changes:
In 1984, a statue called “The Three Soldiers” was added near the wall to complement the memorial and address some of the initial criticisms.
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, dedicated in 1993, honors the women who served, most of whom were nurses.

Personal Stories:
The Story of Jan Scruggs: Jan Scruggs, a Vietnam veteran, spearheaded the effort to build the memorial. He used his own money to start the project and faced significant challenges in gaining support and funding.
The Healing Power of the Wall: Many veterans have shared stories of how visiting the wall has helped them find closure and peace. The act of finding a name, making a rubbing, or leaving a memento has been a powerful experience for many.

Community and Legacy:
The wall has inspired similar memorials in other countries and for other conflicts, emphasizing the importance of remembering and honoring those who served.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund continues to educate the public about the impact of the Vietnam War and supports the maintenance of the memorial.