Buis was in Vietnam by his own volition. Colleen Pontes, whose father Kevin Joyce was added in 2003, remembered the rush of emotions she felt as she and her brother watched their dads name being inscribed in the granite. Sad to say, many of these recruitment promises were fudged in one way or another, and many of these young men found themselves shipped directly to Vietnam after basic training. As we have pointed out earlier, more than 80 percent of our casualties were Army and Marine enlisted men with an average age of 19- to 20-years. Protestants were 64.4 percent (37,483), Catholics were 28.9 percent (16,806). We were being fired upon by anti-aircraft guns. Several hundred such designation changes have been made since the Wall was built in 1982. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall USA website is dedicated to honoring those who died in the Vietnam War. I looked at the record to determine whether mortal wounds were sustained, Doubek said of the men whose names were listed by the Army, but not by DoD. Early on President Johnson, his advisers and especially the Congress, realized that if the draft was to be truly equitable and had included combat assignments in Vietnam for the sons of the educationally advantaged and influential Americans from the professional and managerial classes, then the resulting uproar would have shut down the war. All classes were drafted or volunteered and all served and died equally, although it must be noted that most blacks died separately. We honor and remember their sacrifice.". Some have tried for years before receiving approval from DoD. And they often show a heartbreakingly wry sense of humor with the same sensibilities as their college-bound peers. Hed volunteered to join a small U.S. military advisory team attached to the South Vietnamese army, and hed been in the village of Bien Hoa for only two days. the reader loses composure. The DOD database listed precise religious preferences for the 58,152 Vietnam casualties. For information regarding official military unit histories, contact: Air ForceU.S. In this study we will refer to casualties as the 58,152 who died in Vietnam, but it should be emphasized that there were 153,303 who were wounded seriously enough to be hospitalized. These files are lists of the names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, listed in chronological order of the casualty date and then alphabetical by last name within a given date. person reads for 20 minutes, (270 names) this will require 216 volunteer name Nursing the wounded. Army Major Dale Buis' name is etched into the granite half an inch tall, no bigger or smaller than any of the others. Together, we can make sure our heroes will get the reverence they deserve and the stories and sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten. Though the memorial continues to grow and evolve, the last name on the wall still belongs to Air Force Second Lieutenant Richard Vandegeer, a pilot who died after his helicopter crashed on May 15, 1975, during the wars final combat action. The Marine Corps losses were skewed even more to the lower ranks, 91 percent were privates or corporals. It would also enable veterans to find groups of friends who died during the same incident. Lins intention from the beginning was to have the names appear chronologically, beginning and ending at the apex. United States. However, in 1980, President James E. Carter resumed Selective Service registration in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Inscribed dots in the margins of every other panel mark every 10 lines to aid in counting. Doubek was tasked with identifying all of the names to be included on the Wall. This is the genius of Mayas design, said Scruggs. Look for discharge papers, pictures, medals,etc. Be the first to learn about news, service member stories and fundraising updates from USO. As Maya Ling Lin, the architect of the Wall, has said: It was as if the black-brown earth were polished and made into an interface between the sunny world and the quiet dark world beyond that we cannot enter. The VC had commandeered Air America Hueys, and they were flying them around, which simply made for a very interesting chess game. More Info At www.themovingwall.org Visit site The panel number is a number/letter combination, such as 10W or 35E. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. It is not surprising, for instance, that West Virginia, Montana, and Oklahoma had a casualty rate almost twice that of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. They did not, in most cases, carry the burdens of wife or children. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Fully 50 percent were in the 17- to 24-year age group, and astonishingly, there were 764 Army officer casualties who were 21 or younger. The draft policy at the time of the Vietnam War was called the Universal Military Training and Service Act. columns per page. A(1780 names - 239023 bytes) B(5502 names - 737972 bytes) C(4363 names - 586584 bytes) D(2790 names - 374290 bytes) E(1082 names - 144866 bytes) F(1979 names - 265759 bytes) G(3036 names - 407075 bytes) H(4463 names - 598834 bytes) I(218 names - 29278 bytes) J(1845 names - 247563 bytes) K(2039 names - 273818 bytes) L(2594 names - 347007 bytes) During and after the Vietnam War, the Department of Defense (DoD) compiled a list of combat zone casualties according to criteria in a 1965 Presidential Executive Order. Download our app to find events, locations and programs near you. This video can help you find the name of someone you'd like to honor. Those designated by a plus sign were considered to be missing in action when the war ended. One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old. name within a given date. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund | 3033 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300 | Arlington VA 22201 | 202.393.0090 Many of the 17- and 18-year olds were simply late in maturing. But there is a beginning. 39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger. Although valuable, this study was almost certainly misinterpreted by its authors when they said that their data showed that most privileged and influential segments of American society were not insulated from the perils of Vietnam conflict. Together, we can make sure our heroes will get the reverence they deserve and the stories and sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten. If each In high school, he joined ROTC and kept his fathers medals pinned next to his own awards on a piece of crimson cloth. Please say a prayer for our fallen heroes, their family members, and our hero Vietnam War Veterans during your visit. The shining surface is intended to reflect the sun, the ground and those who stand before it. The Wall of Faces allows family and friends to share memories, post pictures and connect with each other. Learn more about featured topics of the Vietnam War and Vietnam Era. Honoring the men and women who served in the controversial Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country. Every one of the names on the Wall has a story worth telling, as do all who served in our nation's Armed Forces during that time. The Classification History (SSS Form 102) may contain: name; date of birth; classification and date of mailing notice; date of appeal to the board; date and results of armed forces physical examination; entry into active duty or civilian work in lieu of induction (may include date, branch of service entered and mode of entry, such as enlisted or ordered); date of separation from active duty or civilian work; and general remarks. Coast Guard Historians OfficeCommandant (CG-09224)U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters 2100 Second Street SW Washington, D.C. 20593. The Army refused him, for medical reasons, both times. Twenty years passed before Vandegeers remains were identified and another five passed before his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. Those who could have qualified for college probably did not have the funds or motivation. This makeup, they say, was the very antithesis of what we stand for as a democracy a shameful corruption of our values and our historical sense of fairness and social justice. The vision of VVMF is to ensure a society in which all who have served and sacrificed in our nation's Armed Forces are properly honored and receive the recognition they justly deserve. The essence of the Wall is the names and the reaction of the visitor to seeing his or her reflection in this sea of remembrance. They refer to older or younger siblings who are either in or on their way to college. This memorial was built with private contributions from the American people. Charles Holley; chief editor, Robert J. Martin, 4th Infantry Division. As we search for proper bookends to encapsulate the story of a generation at war, perhaps the best we can do is look at what is written in stone. There are the still-grieving family members who come to pay respects as they would at a cemetery, to leave mementos and make chalk renderings of a loved ones name. Since then, 379 names have been added, for a total of 58,318 (as of Memorial Day 2017). It may come as a surprise to some that 63.3 percent of all Vietnam enlisted casualties were not draftees but volunteers. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on November 10, 1982, with 57,939 names. What happens to items left at the memorial? for all 58,228 names to be read aloud. Kurt became the man of the house, even as a boy. This is the most accurate database online. All would be represented equally, with generals listed alongside infantrymen. One additional factor, often overlooked, that influenced volunteer enlistment was military tradition the influence of fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles and others who had served in previous 20th century wars. They lived only a few yards apart. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America's honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. Please be patient I.. J.. K.. L.. M. N.. O.. P.. Q.. R.. S.. T.. U.. V.. W.. X.. Y.. Z . AGE 17 TO 21 PREFERRED ARMY AND MARINE COMBAT MATERIAL. As the Vietnam War dragged on, Kurt tried twice to enlist. Of course, the Marine, Navy, and Air Force enlisted casualties were all volunteers, but as it turned out, almost 50 percent of Army enlisted casualties were also volunteers. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. These casualties came largely from the Northeast and North Central regions of the United States, many from the traditionally patriotic, Catholic working class neighborhoods. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice. However, if officer casualties are added to the total, then this overrepresentation is reduced to 12.5 percent of all casualties. 3rd Battalion. Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons. The Vietnam Wall at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park features the names of local fallen soldiers. It called for the registration of all 18 to 26-year old males, with induction to take place at 18 1/2 if so ordered by the local draft board. Written requests should be mailed to: National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. The numbers on the wall ascend from the center out toward the left and right extremes. The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us. National Mall and Memorial Parks , Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. World War II had been, for the most part, a perfect war, clear of purpose, the forces of democracy and freedom lined up against the forces of fascism and tyranny. These officer casualties came more from the South and West regions, 4.1 deaths per 100,000, in contrast to 3.5 from the Northeast and Midwest regions. since it was dedicated because additional casualty records were found and Scholars debate about when the war really began and in many ways it has never ended. 997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam. The names are listed chronologically by date of death, the first to last. Military Reunions, Screensavers, Rubbings, Personal Guestbook for all Names. Most of the young American enlisted men who served in Vietnam were not college prospects at the time they entered the service. I respect the process, but it can be hard to prove something thats in your heart., Thats what makes it so special when you see the name going up, she added. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. There is no question that all segments of American society were represented. This is close to, but not exactly in the same order Though blessed with talent, his life wasnt without struggles. The USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD). EIN: 52-1149668, Copyright 2023 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, Look up the name in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. At some The Moving Wall sites, the sponsor makes arrangements The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. In 2004, the total is 58,241 names. The numbers on the wall ascend from the center out toward the left and right extremes. Its been more than 20 years since Forrest Gump debuted on the silver screen and nearly a generation later, its characters still resonate with todays service members. And there are the Vietnam veterans, who come to recognize the sacrifice of their fellow warriors, wondering why their own names are not there, too. . The casualty date is the date the person was killed or wounded in combat or injured during an accident; for the missing, the date is when the person was reported missing. Only 3 returned home. To put a circle around the symbol beside their names would not provide the correct historical context related to their situation. Army Center of Military History103 3rd AvenueFort Lesley J. McNair, DC 20319-5058Telephone: (202) 685-4042, NavyU.S. On the other end of that phone call was an former Air Force officer who had served in Vietnam. John Kennedy, discussing military assignments, said that, life is unfair. For more information on this index on, Records relating to American prisoners of war and missing in action from the Vietnam War, including lists and descriptions of the record groups covering the Vietnam War that are held by the National Archives are also found in the FS Library US/CAN Book. In the military it can be somewhat more deadly. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. They drew on every segment of American society. information is available on this web site: These files are lists of the names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, listed U.S. Army Personnel and Dependent Casualties, 1961-1981 85% of the records in this database are related to the Vietnam Conflict. peruse. All were nurses, all were single and all but one were in their 20s. Certainly, some who died did come from poor and broken homes in the urban ghettos and barrios, or were from dirt-poor farm homes in the South and Midwest. The Air Force lost 2,580 or l percent. The officer corps has always drawn heavily on English/Scottish/Welsh, German, Irish and Scandinavian-American ancestries from middle-class white collar homes, with other large percentages from ambitious working class blue collar and, of course, career military families. Records of U.S. Military Casualties, Missing in Action, and Prisoners of War from the Era of the Vietnam War are available through the National Archives. The USO relies on your support to help service members and their families. Once a master list was compiled, the names were checked manually for errors. Doubek contacted the National Personnel Records Center, Archives and Records Service, in St. Louis, Mo. This page was last edited on 12 December 2022, at 18:28. 5th Marines were killed in . while they download, thank you. I could tell you about how real the fear was that I felt, since from the time we crossed the Delta and made the run into Saigon, we were over enemy territory. For families who have worked to have their loved ones name added, the journey can be long and exhausting. If you Your donation to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will help expand our mission to honor, educate and heal. It specified the geographic areas of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and surrounding coastal areas as combat zones. It forces us to the conclusion that many of those names on the wall were kids who just couldnt quite get it together in high school, a little late in maturing intellectually, and didnt have the resources or the guile to get out of the way when the war came. Buis died, as did Army Master Sergeant Chester Ovnand, whose name is second on the wall.