Some of the juror comments included: There are over 58,000 names inscribed in the memorial, all representing either confirmed deaths or those who are still missing. It depicts three uniformed women with a wounded soldier and serves as a reminder of the important support and caregiving roles that women played in the war as nurses, air traffic controllers, communication specialists, etc. To Heal a Nation, a book written by Jan Scruggs and Joel Swerdlow about the creation of the Memorial, provides a vivid sketch of the scene: I have heard your arguments, said General Price. Among other duties, Healy was the member of Mathias staff who handled memorials and worked as the liaison with the U.S. Department of the Interior. I think I even spilled my coffee. But, her presence made a difference. The design aroused a great deal of controversy, reflecting the lack of resolution of the national conflicts over the war as well as the lack of consensus over what constituted an appropriate memorial at the end of the 20th century. The domino fell but did not take down any of those around it. WebThe memorial, located near the western end of the Mall, is a black granite V-shaped wall inscribed with the names of the approximately 58,000 men and women who were killed or missing in action. American involvement began to escalate under President John F. Kennedys administration (January 1961November 1963). As a senior at Yale University, Lin entered a nationwide competition sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and her design was selected from the more than 1,400 submissions that were received. The Civil Rights Movement had produced significant victories, but many blacks had come to describe Vietnam as a white mans war, a black mans fight. Between 1961 and 1966, black males accounted for about 13 percent of the U.S. population and less than 10 percent of military personnel but almost 20 percent of all combat-related deaths. It ended with communist victory in April 1975. I just kept thinking to myself how quiet it was, and yet there was an immense feeling of community. The battle was suddenly over.. Scruggs added: Make this place look like an airstrike was called in, he instructed. One person even left behind a motorcycle. A memorial made perfect sense to him. Some 80,000 Vietnamese from the south had moved to the north after the Geneva Agreements were signed. Medals, toys, flowers, photographsanything and everything is left at The Wall as family and friends seek to remember their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. In the fall of 1980, VVMF announced the national design competition open to any U.S. citizen, who was over 18 years old. Maya Lin was called as a witness to defend her design in front of Congress, and as a compromise measure an American flag and a more conventional bronze statue, The Three Soldiers (sometimes called The Three Servicemen) were added to the Memorial site. The selected design then had to go through Federal agency approval and development into finished plans. It ultimately chose entry number 1026, which it found to be an eloquent place where the simple meeting of earth, sky and remembered names contains messages for all.. History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. In 1973 a third Vietnam war begana continuation, actuallybetween North and South Vietnam but without significant U.S. involvement. It Doesn't Take A Hero. Over 1 million wounded, 50,000 plus civilian The Vietnam Wall, as it's commonly known, stands as a tribute to the war's veterans, who consider it a tangible symbol that the American people recognized and An author, teacher, and lecturer, Spreiregen had written the authoritative book on design competitions. "I wanted to mark the collective loss but also the individual loss that one by one by one created this tally.". The first fundraising letter was signed by Bob Hope. He was in Vietnam, serving in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Vietnam, however, was divided at the 17th parallel. It's also influenced later designs like the World Trade Center Memorial, which also features the names of the dead etched into black stone. The administration was caught by surprise, however, when Diem was murdered during the coup, which was led by General Duong Van Minh. Holding a competition is like launching a rocket. The veterans were asking me, What do you think people are going to do when they first come here? Lin recalls. With the introduction of legislation, the VVMF leaders realized that it was time to transition from a volunteer committee and to open a staffed office. As soon as ground was broken for The Wall in March 1982, planning for its dedication ceremonies began. Jan was a great spokesperson. There were so many people helping to get the legislation [passed], remembered Healy. More than 1,400 submissions for the project were judged anonymously by a panel of eight artists and designers. But the war news was hopeful. How did people react to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial? %%EOF Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Were all the result of our upbringing. From the very beginning I often wondered, if it had not been an anonymous entry 1026 but rather an entry by Maya Lin, would I have been selected? she later wrote. The series of events began on Wednesday, November 10, 1982, and culminated with a service at the National Cathedral on Sunday, November14. This lends a sense of personal intimacy in a public space which helps create a sense of connection to the memorial. Never in the history of the United States had a national memorial been conceived, approved, built and dedicated in that short an amount of time. Ike may not have seen the message, but at any rate he was focused on establishing NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as a wall against additional communist advances in Europe and was intent on securing Frances participation in NATO. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! An ad hoc group of veterans had scheduled a meeting to try to use Vietnam Veterans Week to generate publicity for veterans need, and Scruggs thought that would be a good time to announce his plans. The memorial was similarly controversial at first. Vietnam Veterans Memorial The memorial was completed in late October 1982 and dedicated in November 1982. Lin knew it was critical to maintain the simplicity of the design throughout the design development and construction process. In November, a coup deposed Diem, with the blessing of Kennedys administration, which had quietly assured South Vietnams military leaders it was not adverse to a change in leadership and military aid would continue. Analyzes how the division in the united states during the vietnam war is astonishing as it symbolizes a country set at odds. Financial costs had risen to $30 billion a year. America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial: from Controversy to Healing, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Jan C. Scruggs, a wounded Vietnam War vet, studied what is now called post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return to the United States. All of these items are stored in a museum-quality facility in Landover, Maryland. That same month, Kennedy himself was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Compare Augustus of Prima Porta and Self-Portrait with Jewish Identity Card. For this reason, in Vietnam today it is known as the American War. Each submittal had to be hung at eye level for review by the jury. I had calculated that it was possible to see all of them in a minimum of 3 1/2 hours. Some public officials voiced their displeasure, calling the wall a black gash of shame. What they did need, however, was an acceptable location for the Memorial and enough support to push the idea through various governmental committees and agencies. On February 7, 1965, the U.S. Air Force began bombing selected sites in North Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh led a communist government in the north (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) with its capital at Hanoi, and a new Republic of South Vietnam was established under President Ngo Dinh Diem, with its capital at Saigon. VVMFagreed to the statue compromise, as well as to adding a flag and to reviewing the inscription on the Memorial, but they did not want to wait untila statue was designed before breaking ground. The communist takeover of China and subsequent war in Korea (1950-53) against North Korean and Chinese troops had focused a great deal of attention on Southeast Asia as a place to take a strong stand against the spread of communism. In order to be added, a deceased soldier must meet specific U.S. Department of Defense criteria. The Vietnam Memorial is not a place to get excited about American military might; it is a place for quiet mediation. Vietnam is a very important war in the story of Americas history. It was a direct result of the First Indochina War (19461954) between France, which claimed Vietnam as a colony, and the communist forces then known as Viet Minh. My background was relatively modest, he said. Two nights later, Maddox and the destroyer USS Turner Joy were on patrol in the Gulf and reported they were under attack. When Lin asked how many Smiths would be on The Wall, the team realized how important the chronological listing was to the design. By 1979, the country was beginning to have more positive feelings toward Vietnam veterans. And if they themselves didnt know how to help, they knew someone who did. On April 30, their tanks entered Saigon. On January 21, 1970, Jan Scruggs was having his morning cup of coffee, but he was far from his kitchen table at home. Charles Mac Mathias, a Navy veteran of World War II, had been opposed to the war in Vietnam, but he had always respected those who served in it. 170,000220,000 military Some in the military saw the somber tone of the memorial as anti-war. Waiting meant they would never reach their dedication deadline of November 11, 1982. Lins minimal plan was in sharp contrast to the traditional format for a memorial, which usually included figurative heroic sculpture. Healing meant many things to many people. Photo by William Bill Lecky. By years end, 2,573 individuals and teams had registered almost 3,800 people in total. Im the News & Social Editor at HistoryNet and a World War II researcher with an unparalleled affinity for Sir Winston Churchill, Spitfires, and Michigan football. Moreover, could it accomplish all of that while listing the approximately 58,000 names in an artistic, meaningful way? The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. As the owner of her own New York City architectural studio, she designs a wide variety of structures from houses to museums to chapels. It was surreal.. At that time, they just ignored you and wished you would go away. Analyzes how the Corruption and instability in South Vietnams government did not instill confidence in its people, or in the Americans working with it. However, polls consistently showed the majority of Americans supported the war. If it sounds somber, it is. Scruggs envisioned a Vietnam War memorial that would focus attention on the lives that were lost, thus transcending divisive debates about why the war was fought. Many pushed friends in wheelchairs. The first American fatality was Air Force Technical Sergeant Richard B. Fitzgibbon, Jr., killed June 8, 1956. Mathias and Warner continually stressed that their objective was to provide the country with a symbol for reconciliation. When they returned home from serving their country, there was no national show of gratitude. To achieve this effect she chose polished black granite for the walls. Laos, South Vietnam: 850,000 Early Protests Vietnamese monk protesting with self Because the U.S. failed to achieve a military victory and the Republic of South Vietnam was ultimately taken over by North Vietnam, the Vietnam experience became The American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) made sure their members knew that veterans were going to be honored and welcomed that week on the National Mall. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Wearing well-worn uniforms, their bronze weapons seem heavy to them. Lin and VVMF eventually selectedthe Cooper-Lecky Partnership as the architect-of-record, with Lin as the projects design consultant. 5/1981 - 3/1982. Everyone wanted to join the effort. It just resonated, he explained. Cambodia The veterans themselves began the project, not the government. So then why do so many come to see it? Scruggs and Doubek met with Mathias to outline their plans. According to Lin, her intention was to create an opening or a wound in the earth to symbolize the pain caused by the war and its many casualties. General Westmoreland had been promoted to Army Chief of Staff and replaced in Vietnam by Gen. Creighton Abrams. Or, people would tell me, Well why did you let him go? Of course, what choice do you have?. Mathias and Warner continued to rally support and ferry the legislation. Maya Lin, has gone on to become a respected architect and artist, with a studio in New York City. Its army lacked reserves, while the NVA was growing. Scruggs and Doubek began having regular meetings with John P. Wheeler, a graduate of West Point and Harvard Business School. North and South Vietnam were combined into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976. When the time came, however, Diem resisted the elections; the more populous north would certainly win. Every 15 minutes, there was a pause for prayer. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. No government funds would be necessary. Vietnam veteran Tom Cathcart was among those objecting to the memorials black hue, which he said was the universal color of shame and sorrow and degradation. Other critics thought Lins V-shaped design was a subliminal anti-war message that imitated the two-finger peace sign flashed by Vietnam War protestors. Letters came from moms, dads, grandparents, sons and daughters with heartfelt notes accompanied by checks and dollar bills. CHECK OUT: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Infographic. Movies were dealing more realistically with their issues. Nine years later, yet another sculpture was added showing three women caring for an injured soldier. I remember The Washington Post had pages and pages of stories in the A section. Vietnam veterans were, at long last, receiving the recognition they deserved. Only a few, such as the St. Louis Gateway Arch, part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, had been the result of open competitions. WebThe Vietnam war memorial is significant and an historic reminder of how many men were lost and how the vietnam war was a dividing point in american history. From the very beginning I often wondered, if it had not been an anonymous entry 1026 but rather an entry by Maya Lin, would I have been selected? she would later write. Vietnam has a long history of being ruled by foreign powers, and this led many Vietnamese to see the United States involvement in their country as neo-colonialism. They needed to secure a plot of land, raise funds and public awareness, design the Memorial, coordinate construction, and organize the dedication ceremonies. They set their sights in support of the clear, simple vision Scruggs outlined:to honor the warrior and not the war. Since July 3, 1863, there have been many calls for Confederate flags to be returned to their home states, and in particular, for the 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment flag return to Virginia. That afternoon, the winning design was selected, said Spreiregen. In the end, the panel passed over every professional architect in favor of 21-year-old Yale University student Maya Lin, who had created her design for a class. The jury included: architects Pietro Belluschi and Harry Weese; landscape architects Hideo Sasaki and Garrett Eckbo; sculptors Costantino Nivola, Richard Hunt, and James Rosati; and Grady Clay, a journalist and editor of Landscape Architecture magazine. For weeks, he obsessed about the idea of building a memorial. WebUpon first glance the Vietnam Memorial, also called the Black Gash of Shame, doesnt look like much. The priorities were to launch fund raising and achieve passage of the authorizing legislation. American intelligence knew an attack was coming, though the Army had downplayed a New York Times report of large communist troop movements heading south. We are all equal in combat. After three-and-a-half years of nonstop effort and work, with all that you have to do to accomplish what we did, it was beautiful. His successor, Lyndon Baines Johnson, inherited the Vietnam situation. ", 3: The Political Controversy, Timing is everything, and enough time had passed. In July 1959, North Vietnams leaders passed an ordinance called for continued socialist revolution in the north and a simultaneous revolution in South Vietnam. Post-war, the French tried to re-establish control but faced organized opposition from the Viet Minh (short for Viet Nam Doc Lap Dong Minh Hoi, or League for the Independence of Vietnam), led by Ho Chi Minh and Giap. Not even three years after the memorial opened, the New York Times reported it was something of a surprise is how quickly America has overcome the divisions caused by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.. I mean, we won: The Century-Long Battle Over This Confederate Flag. As the war escalated and increasing numbers of Americans were wounded and killed in combat, the opposition grew. In March of 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson sent the first U.S. combat troops into South Vietnam to fight the spread of Communism from North. Lin, the designer, admits the wall doesn't glorify the war, which many Americans considered unworthy of the sacrifice it required. And if they were bitter, who could blame them? Jesse Greenspan is a Bay Area-based freelance journalist who writes about history and the environment. In the early 20th century, Vietnamese nationalism began to rise, clashing with the French colonial rulers. Why is the Vietnam Memorial black instead of white? The Vietnam War is the commonly used name for the Second Indochina War, 19541975. I had my ear to the ground, Mathias recalled. The ceasefire allowed Nixon to declare peace with honor, but no provisions existed for enforcing the terms of the accords. When the winning Vietnam Veterans Memorial design was dedicated on November 13, 1982, a storm of controversy followed. Woods remembered, I was like the kid at FAO Schwartz. Over 500,000 wounded, Explore articles from the HistoryNet archives about Vietnam War. Rangers from the National Park Service collect these items every day and, with the exception of unaltered U.S. flags and perishables, send them to a storage facility in Maryland. Bob Hope and other celebrities lent a hand with fundraising, and by 1981 some 275,000 Americans, along with corporations, foundations, veterans groups, civic organizations and labor unions, had given $8.4 million to the project. A few of the most vocal opponents, including James Webb and H. Ross Perot, had previously been strong supporters of a memorial. Since all submissions were anonymous, the eight-member jury made its selection based solely on the quality of the designs. . . Im sure I looked like a deer in the headlights, I was so nervous, Scruggs recalled. It claimed,In one day of ferocious fighting we had eliminated from the field of battle a total of 919 American troops, had knocked out 22 enemy vehicles and 13 helicopters, and had captured one M-14 rifle. Marine losses actually were 45 dead, 203 wounded, and a few vehicles damaged. 16 The Vietnam War had divided the American nation. Some critics even resorted to racially insulting Lin, the daughter of Chinese immigrants. One of the lingering legacies of the Vietnam War is the widespread belief in America that the media cost us the war in Vietnam. Images such as the burning monk; South Vietnamese Police Chief Lt. Col. Nguyen Ngoc Loan about to pull the trigger of a pistol pointed at the head of a bound VC prisoner; of a naked young girl running crying down a road after an American napalm strike that left her badly burnedthese images and others became seared into the minds of Americans on the homefront, and in those of civilians in allied nations such as Australia. The guidelines stipulated that the memorial should contain the names of every American who died in Vietnam or remained missing in action, make no political statement about the war, be in harmony with its surroundings and be contemplative in character. The VC and NVA dragged off as many of their dead and wounded as possible, sometimes impressing villagers into performing this task during battles, so determining their casualties was guesswork based on such things as the number of blood trails. Though a congressional investigative committee the previous year had warned that America could find itself slipping into in a morass that would require more and more military participation in Vietnam, Johnson began a steady escalation of the war, hoping to bring it to a quick conclusion. What were some of Maya Lins ideas for this memorial? In April 1995, Vietnams communist government said 1.1 million combatants had died between 1954 and 1975, and another 600,000 wounded. Unlike previous wars, where only still images or short movie newsreels were available for conveying images, this was Americas first television war. Maya Lin was practically a kid when her design was selected to become the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Vietnam Womens Memorial was established to honor the women who risked their lives to serve their country. The veterans themselves began the project , not the government . Success was measured in body count. It was to be a war of attrition and statistics, a policy that suited Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, who distrusted the military and often bypassed the Joint Chiefs of Staff in issuing directives. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The memorial is designed like a gash to represent the gash in U.S.A.'s society. Jan came to our headquarters to see if we had any room to help them get started, Cupp remembered. The flag-waving crowds even cheered., Over the four days there were also workshops, parties, events, and reunions. Those memories were fresh in the mind of the daughter of Chinese immigrants senior year when, as part of an assignment in her funereal architecture seminar, she designed a walled monument to veterans of the Vietnam War that was etched with the names of those who gave their lives. North Vietnam spent two years rebuilding its military; South Vietnam was hamstrung in its responses by a fear the U.S. Congress would cut off all aid if it took military action against communist buildup. Initially, however, homefront support for the war effort grew, but by March Americans, perceiving no change in strategy that would bring the war to a conclusion, became increasingly disillusioned. Discover the story of how an unknown 21-year-old architecture student designed one of the most moving monuments in the nations capital. Postwar casualties not eligible for inscription on the wall are honored instead with an onsite plaque. EIN: 52-1149668, Copyright 2023 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, History of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The U.S. suffered over 47,000 killed in action plus another 11,000 non-combat deaths; over 150,000 were wounded and 10,000 missing. Why was Maya Lins Vietnam War Memorial initially controversial? Scruggs took two weeks off from his job at the Department of Labor to develop the idea further. Color should mean nothing now., Sideys piece continued: At the end of five hours and much shouting, General Mike Davison, retired, who led the Cambodian incursion in 1970, proposed a compromise: add the figure of a soldier in front of the long granite walls that will bear the 57,709 names of those who died or are missing and the tribute to all who served. Wheeler had the idea to bypass the traditional site selection route and have Congress pass legislation to award a specific area for a memorial site. It would have power for individual veterans, but collectively, they would have even greater power to show the enormity of the sacrifices that were made.. WebThe memorial, located near the western end of the Mall, is a black granite V-shaped wall inscribed with the names of the approximately 58,000 men and women who were killed or missing in action. Over several tense weeks, more debate followed, until the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) gave their approval for a statue and flag in concept, pending suitable placement of those elements. But instead of enthusiasm, he received skepticism. But if the challenges seemed insurmountable, no one expressed any fears. Throwback Thursday: 5 Long-Slide Pistols I Can't Live Without, Full Feature: Anderson Manufacturing Kiger 9C Pro 9mm, The History Fixed and Adjustable Iron Sights, Throwback Thursday: All About Bullet Grain, Rifle Hack: Sighting for 100 Yards at a Distance of 25 Yards. They were either ignored or shouted at and called vicious names. Kennedy saw American efforts in Southeast Asia almost as a crusade and believed increasing the military advisor program, coupled with political reform in South Vietnam, would strengthen the south and bring peace. What are the three things being represented by the Vietnam womens memorial? hb````f{a`CC They complained about the walls being black. The competition garnered more than 1,400 submissions, so many that an Air Force hangar was called into service to display all the entries for the judging. WebIt was built to honor those soldiers who died or were declared missing during ---- Vietnam War (1959-1975) for 16 years The memorial was designed by a --- student of architecture, ----- 21 year old, Maya Ying Lin The memorial shaped liked a V, and it is made of ---- black granite The walls are inscribed with over ---- names of soldiers 58,000 I am always incredibly moved and heartened, especially when a veteran tells me that The Wall has helped them in some wayit could not mean more to me. The added component of military security made the location even more attractive, since it would ensure no interference with the designs or the judging. One section of wall points to the Washington Monument, the other towards the Lincoln Memorial. Their military experience meant they had contacts far and wide, at all levels of all professions, within government and the private sector. Yet, she believes that it succeeds in glorifying the human lives lost in battle. I am tired of hearing it called such by you. On January 27, 1973, peace accords were signed between North Vietnam and the U.S. People felt it was too different from traditional war monuments. Two U.S. helicopter units arrived in Saigon in 1961. The photo was published worldwide under the title The Ultimate Protest, raising (or in some cases reinforcing) doubts about the government that the democratic United States was supporting. The women soldiers the nurses suffered too. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As Vietnamization began in the early 1970s and American involvement tapered off, the wall also tapers off and the flood of names slows to a trickle, then stops. The U.S. suffered over 47,000 killed in action, Kennedy himself was assassinated in Dallas, VC and NVA units launched a massive attack, CBS evening news anchor Walter Cronkite returned to Vietnam, https://www.historynet.com/the-vietnam-war-a-history-of-americas-controversial-war/, Jerrie Mock: Record-Breaking American Female Pilot, Day One at Chancellorsville Hookers Big Mistake, Why?