Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
A little history most people will never know. Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010. The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth , Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall. 39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger. 8,283 were just 19 years old. The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old. 12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old. 5 soldiers on the Wall 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 of their sons.
54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia .I wonder why so many from one school.
8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons. West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
The Marines of Morenci – They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci’s mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale – LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F Kennedy’s assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 – 2,415 casualties were incurred.
For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created.
We are, until we too pass away, haunted.
I am now 76 years old. I was there January 9 1968 – January 9 1969. Vietnam is NOT on my do-over list.
I have a lot of my brothers on that wall,it haunts me everyday,to think I survived and that didn’t…have been living with it for 58yrs…
Hey Tiny, I’m still glad you made it home. The rest of us love you
Me too God had a different plan You and me. Welcome Home Brother.
I am a daughter of a black Vietnam soldier by the name of Cornelius Jones but that’s all I know I am unable to find anything on him? Why is there anyone that can help me?
contact the Vietnam Veterans of America. They could put his name in their Vietnam Mag to help you.
You can go to the National Archive and get his complete Military files. All free. As family , not a problem. Each record requires a seperate request…such as medical vs personnel file. You will need either SSNumber or service number for the forms. Any other data is helpful, birthday, death date. etc. Most times it only takes about 8 to 12 weeks to get answer. There was a fire that destroyed some records, be prepared for no info.
Sorry for your loss, it must have been more than tough growing up without him. My heart feels for you…
Here is the link
https://www.archives.gov/veterans
For this Memorial Day, the town asked me to be the keynote speaker after the parade. Here is my speech.
Memorial Day Speech, 2025
Jamie Boss
“Good morning,
I am honored that the committee invited me to discuss Vietnam this morning. Today we remember all those who gave their life in the service of our country. This year marks half a century since the last American troops left Vietnam. 58,220 American men and women died in that conflict. 33,103 of them were 18 years old or younger.
Imagine you have just graduated from high school. You are 18 years old. It is unlikely you can grow a beard. Perhaps you were lucky enough to have received your driver’s license. You are still three years away from being able to vote and drink alcohol legally. You are drafted into the Army and spend 8 weeks learning how to kill with a rifle and a pistol, a machine gun, a grenade, and a bayonet. For bayonet practice, we used a dummy stuffed with straw with the face of Ho Chi Minh. According to the Army, he was the ultimate bad guy. We believed what the army told us. He was the communist mastermind behind the backwards, tiny country of North Vietnam. In basic training, the bywords of the day were “Kill VC. Kill Viet Cong.” We hated Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Cong without knowing anything about them.
Over ten years, 2,700,000 American men and women were embroiled in that conflict. The war was made up of thousands of unique personal experiences. I went to Vietnam in 1968. 57 years ago. I spent 365 days repairing tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery for the First Infantry Division. We did not win that war. We all knew we would be in Vietnam for precisely 365 days—no more, no less. As a result, our thoughts and motivations were always about getting on that civilian Boeing 707 and flying home on day number 365. Over time, the reasons we ended up in Vietnam have been muddied by politics and lies, but make no mistake. Every young man and woman who went to Vietnam performed brilliantly. They did their job and did it well. They did what their country asked them to do. Many died living up to that request. Unfortunately, they didn’t fully understand why we were there fighting. In truth, from the soldier’s point of view, we were fighting for 365 days of staying alive and then returning home to our families. I never heard anyone talk about winning, just doing their job and getting the hell out of there. Winning was an obvious bridge too far.
No one was safe in Vietnam. We lived in large base camps surrounded by barbed wire. There were over 90 large base camps in Vietnam. At any moment, the Viet Cong could hurl large 122 mm rockets at us from the jungle. As they set the rockets off, they would melt into the jungle and disappear. The roads were dirt, making it easy to bury mines big enough to disable a tank. Trucks carrying personnel never had a chance.
The news generally described Vietnam as a tiny, backward Southeast Asian country. In 1968, Vietnam’s coastline was 40 miles longer than our coastline from Maine to the Florida Keys. Vietnam’s population today is 100 million. Vietnam has existed for thousands of years. It is the third oldest country and was organized in 2879 BC. Vietnam is 809 years older than China.
By the 1850s, the French had begun to colonize Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. By 1887, all three countries were under French control and were now known as French Indochina. Using the population as slaves, the French enriched themselves with rice, rubber, minerals, and opium. Their treatment of the Vietnamese was brutal. Villagers were slaves on French plantations. Ho Chi Minh had been fighting for Vietnam’s independence since 1919. He spent 30 years traveling around the world on ships and freighters, as the French exiled him for speaking out about French colonialism. He worked as a cook, cook’s helper, pastry chef, dishwasher, and artist in New York City, Paris, France, London, England, Russia, and China. He spoke seven languages fluently. During those 30 years, he searched for ideas to free his country from French rule. His primary goal was complete independence from France.
For every soldier in combat in Vietnam, eight soldiers were behind the lines supporting the men in the field. There were at least 90 base camps in Vietnam. The largest, Long Binh, had over 60,000 personnel, 3,500 buildings, and covered an area larger than the city of Cleveland. It had night clubs, massage parlors, golf courses, leather crafts, college courses, photo labs, swimming pools, shopping areas, a wood shop, tennis courts, basketball courts, post offices, and a branch of the Chase Manhattan bank. It incorporated 180 miles of roads. The result was great enmity between those behind the lines and those in the field. That enmity exists to this day. For many, the war never ended. PTSD, effects of Agent Orange, broken marriages, and disabilities from combat still haunt veterans. It is estimated that 271,000 Vietnam veterans continue to experience significant PTSD symptoms. Estimates of Vietnam veterans having committed suicide range from 50,000 to 150,000. No one knows for sure.
It took me over 50 years to thoroughly understand the Vietnam conflict. I now realize how important it is for any government to be transparent in its actions, honorable in its intentions, and consider all possibilities before committing young men and women to combat. Character, integrity, wisdom, humility, and sound judgment are critical requirements for any of our leaders who would put young American men and women in harm’s way.
Thank you.”
Wow- what a great insight, experience and ability to describe it all! What a research and truth behind your observations! The greatest thing of all :” YOU SURVIVED!”-
We can all be proud of you! Your family, comrades and fellow human beings! I am not American but admire your strength and courage…. What a great speech! Congratulations!
go to the Wall Of Faces Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. click on Advanced Search put the first and last name, the city, county and state who you’re looking for.
Glad you made it home
rest in Peace Joe. I know you passed shortly after writing this on July 1. 2023
Some of us survived by acts of God Tet 68 Jan.31st. some with Green Cards. and Canadians.
I served 1967 68 wounded during that time semper Fi
need a list of names on the wall of soldiers .
https://www.virtualwall.org/iAlpha.htm
I’m 78 and served in Viet Nam in 1966-67. Agent Orange damage has rewarded me with quintuple bypass surgery, gallbladder removal, and prostate cancer. Luckily, I’m collecting 100% VA benefits, but I often wonder about the Vietnamese people and how they fared with agent orange. I would guess that the war is still trying to kill us. Agent orange use was a terrible idea. Probably no research done on side effects on humans before it’s use. Sad.
You guys were the research
when they stopped agent orange, we had higher sniper kia. so we had guys,drive d8 dozers clear land next to roads – 59th land clearing
Hello
I’m searching for any of my family members who are black Names Agustus Bradley,
O’Dell Bradley who Served.
You can go to the National Archive and get his complete Military files. All free. As family , not a problem. Each record requires a seperate request…such as medical vs personnel file. You will need either SSNumber or service number for the forms. Any other data is helpful, birthday, death date. etc. Most times it only takes about 8 to 12 weeks to get answer. There was a fire that destroyed some records, be prepared for no info.
Vietnam Vets are some heavy duty people thats for sure,
They have my utmost respect.
The Marines are like “if you ain’t throwin UP.”
“Ye ain’t throwin DOWN” kinda dudes. ❗️????
Where can I obtain an entire list of those memorialized on the Viet Nam wall?
Get online, type in Vietnam Wall by State. You can click on a state then go to city, click on name. you will see their picture rank and Awards. You can click on status and it will tell you all about the person.
Vietnam War
https://www.virtualwall.org/iAlpha.htm
https://www.virtualwall.org/iAlpha.htm
Karl J De Rooy
Iam now 81 years old
I was there 1968-1969
I have visited the wall
God bless them
I was lucky I came home
so did I
how many guys were killed on Hamburger Hill?
my father, Chuck Thetford served and received the purple heart, career 22 yr vet and my mother, Joyce Reed Thetford also served(era-vietnam vet) both were in the Army. I was always so proud to stand up and acknowledge that both my parents were willing to serve. 18 years later, two weeks after I turned 17 I had my parents sign so that I too could be sworn in to the Army also.
To this day, I am still proud to stand up and acknowledge both parents service, each are buried in veteran marked graves. my dad in Arlington and my mother in the state of Arizonia. God Bless America, always!!
I was there 12/21/67-12/21-68,
First Cav, 8th Engr. Went through TET and went to Khe Shan. RIP to those brave men and women who have all…welcome home to all who made it back
Whatever the actual numbers, the loss is staggering as was my personal loss. However, some numbers reported in this article cannot be true. According to the article, 39,996 who died were 22 or younger, and a total of 41,404 were 19 or younger. Both numbers can’t be true. The number of 19 or younger year deaths must be lower — not higher — than the number of 22 or younger deaths because the number of 22 or younger deaths would include all 19 or younger deaths.
I was 5 years to young to be served and I respect all of you and your service Dave
Why do you keep publishing 38,000 18 year olds being killed?
Someone please help me with the math. If 33,103 were 18, and 8,283 were 19, how can 39,996 be under 22?
I was there July 70-June 71 with 11th Marines and FO with M/3/1. Three guys went in the Marines from my town of 1200. I’m the only one who came back alive. I’m still looking for LLA. This is JPM.
You state that 1448 were killed on their last day in VietNam. Not do diminish anyone’s contribution, but over 58,000 died on their last day in VietNam.
I think this was intended to mean their last day *scheduled to be* in Vietnam. They were due to go home. My brother is on the wall, and I knew he wasn’t included in that number.
However, 2.5% seems like an awfully high figure for that. Many of those must have had their terms extended past their original date of departure.
I became a marine February, 1974, I did not serve in Vietnam. However while in a hanger on KMCAS, as I reached midway up a stairwell I saw a picture of a young marine. I thought to myself, I wonder what he had done? As a marine, knowing marine history, they do not put your picture on a wall for nothing! That picture haunted me for fifty years. I recently found out, that young marine was Dan Bullock, the youngest marine killed in Vietnam. Age 15 years.
Past Sunday, before memorial day 2024, our Philadelphia mayor Parker allowed the placement of George Floyd photographs to encircle city hall.
Ms Parker, George Floyd was a criminal, NOT A VETERAN. This is an American problem which has to be stopped. like many veterans I served in Marines Corps during Vietnam.
I’m offended by this display of George Floyd AROUND MEMORIAL DAY.
I’d like to know why on that Sunday you’re all memorializing Floyd whose never served except JAIL TIME. (8x, + 4 years in pen)
Of all the veterans to look up to, Floyd is not a person I’d want my son or daughter to look up to.
So, Ms Parker, you were wrong to allow this to happen at a time when we celebrate the ultimate sacrifice by our brave men and women in uniform.
Memorial Day is for VETERANS not CRIMINALS.
*************
Semper Fi to Marines and
God bless ALL military families who made sacrifices and service for USA. May God be with us who now suffer from Agent Orange, used in Vietnam.
Thanks for all your services.
Perfectly said!! USMC Vietnam veteran 1967
How can I learn how many Americans were KIA in Vietnam on July 24, 1969?
Your answer is 22. Find their names here: https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/search/results/?firstName=&lastName=&homeCity=&homeCounty=&homeState=&birthDateMonth=&birthDateDay=&birthDateYear=&serviceBranch=&serviceRank=&casualtyDateMonth=7&casualtyDateDay=24&casualtyDateYear=1969&casualtyProvince=
Geno Quiroz-
Numbers listed are inconsistent:
8283 (19 y/o) + 33103 (18 y/o) = 41386
You indicate 39996 under age 23.
Accurate information, please.
This is very hard for me, because I am going to do a movie project film of my dad best friend who he knows and I know his last name is McDonalds but I’m not sure if his first name is Joe or John McDonalds plus my dad also told me he had a nick name and it is: Toto the prince of fools.
But my dad was going to call me Toto Francise McGuire. But my mom won’t allow it and instead he calls me Thomas F McGuire Jr.
But in 2025 I’m going to change my name to Dame Thomas Franhise and why? Because I am against cock sucker Donald J Trump and I support the United Kingdom against the United States and I will disrespect the American flag of the nation anthem while I take a seat in the MLB NBA, NFL, NHL Games and I will not stand for the national anthem!!!
Your Truly
Dame Thomas Franchise
move out of america
Isn’t ironic that you are woefully putting aside, and deliberately disgracing the bloodshed and infinite other sacrifices made by all service members who have fought to fly that glorious flag over our great nation, so that you can eschew the elected, by popular vote and electoral college, President with your TDS tantrum.
How sad.
I’ll pray for you and God Bless America.
Please remove the hateful post above.
Bill H Believe I served the longest continuous tour in Vietnam from Aug 69 to Apr 30, 1975.
On my 5th and final day 60 miles off the coast of North Viet Nam I lost 134 shipmates on the USS Forrestal. I survived 4 1000lb bombs on the flight deck. I was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for removing a Sidewinder missile from a burning F-4 Phantom.
Is there a database either online or available for download that researchers can do the numbers themselves? E.g., one page gives the 100 top surnames, but in alphabetical, not numerical order.
Birthdates would also be helpful. I took the deadliest day, in January 1968, and determined that about 3/5 of the ca. 250 men were born on or after Jan 1, 1946. That took a *lot* of work, by hand.
Hi there you all,
I am Flip, I am Dutch but have a US Vietnam veteran father whom I don’t know, I am not Vietnamese in anyway, and was not adopted.
I relive the Vietnam war en the experiences of my biological father so now and the but i suppress it with weed, so It won’t go on for to long.
This experiences come now because there was a nuclear contamination block in my brain for 38 years.
My mother is called Rika or Margaretha or Henderika and lived in 1971 in Amsterdam Netherlands
Hi there you all,
I am Flip, I am Dutch but have a US Vietnam veteran father whom I don’t know, I am not Vietnamese in anyway, and was not adopted.
I relive the Vietnam war en the experiences of my biological father so now and the but i suppress it with weed, so It won’t go on for to long.
This experiences come now because there was a nuclear contamination block in my brain for 38 years.
My mother is called Rika or Margaretha or Henderika and lived in 1971 in Amsterdam Netherlands
Michel et Richard Morin sont des amis d’enfance depuis le Vietnam aucune nouvelle même pas un adresse.
Où puis-je trouver une liste de tous ceux disparus. En espérant avoir un espoir
Lise Sarrazin
charalise@videotron.ca