Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who served during the **Vietnam War**, especially the **more than 58,000 who lost their lives** or remain missing in action.

It is one of the most visited and emotionally powerful memorials in the United States.

Location and Layout

• Situated on the National Mall, near the Lincoln Memorial
• Composed of three parts:

 1. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
 2. The Three Servicemen Statue
 3. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial

The Memorial Wall

• Designed by Maya Lin, then a 21-year-old Yale architecture student
• Completed in 1982
• Made of black granite and inscribed with the names of 58,281 service members
• Walls form a V-shape, sunken into the earth and gradually rising
• Names are listed in chronological order of death or disappearance

Symbolism and Design Intent

• The polished surface reflects the viewer, blending the living and the fallen
• No political statements — intended to heal and unify
• The minimalist design was controversial at first but has become widely respected

The Three Servicemen Statue

• Added in 1984, sculpted by Frederick Hart
• Depicts three soldiers — one African American, one Hispanic, one Caucasian — symbolizing unity

Vietnam Women’s Memorial

• Dedicated in 1993
• Honors the over 265,000 women who served, many as nurses and medical support

Visitor Experience

• Visitors often leave personal mementos, letters, and photographs
• Rangers and volunteers assist with finding specific names
• Name rubbings are a common way families memorialize loved ones

Fun Facts

• Maya Lin’s design won out of 1,421 entries in a national competition
• Items left at the wall are collected and preserved by the National Park Service
• The wall has become a symbol of healing and reconciliation

See Also

• Vietnam War
• Armed Forces of the United States
• Lincoln Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Veterans Day