The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a black granite wall in Washington, D.C. that lists the names of 58,307 service members who died in the Vietnam War

The memorial sits on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It was dedicated on November 13, 1982. The wall is made of polished black granite and is V-shaped, with the names of the dead carved into both sides. The wall is 246 feet long at its longest point and rises to a height of 10 feet 1 inch at the center.

The names are arranged by the date of death or disappearance, not alphabetically. This means you cannot find someone by scanning the wall the way you would scan a phone book. The National Park Service maintains a database and printed directories at the site to help visitors locate specific names.

Key Takeaways

  • The memorial lists 58,307 names of service members who died in the Vietnam War, arranged by date of death rather than alphabetically.
  • The wall is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no entrance fee.
  • The National Park Service provides name directories and a searchable database to help you locate a specific person on the wall.
  • Rubbings of names can be made using paper and pencil, and the memorial has a visitor center with restrooms, water, and information about the war and the memorial itself.

How to Find a Name on the Wall

The easiest way to find a name is to use the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund database, which is searchable online at vvmf.org. You can search by last name, first name, or home state. The database will tell you the panel number and line number where the name appears on the wall.

If you are at the memorial, printed directories are available at the visitor center. Park rangers and volunteers are also stationed near the wall and can help you locate a name. You can also call the National Park Service at 202-426-6841 to ask for help finding someone before you visit.

Once you have the panel and line number, you can walk to that section of the wall. The panels are numbered, and volunteers can point you to the right location if you are unsure.

Making a Rubbing of a Name

Many visitors make a rubbing of a loved one's name as a keepsake. To do this, you will need a piece of paper and a pencil or crayon. Hold the paper against the wall over the name and rub the pencil or crayon across the paper until the name appears. The rubbing captures the carved letters in relief.

You can bring your own paper and pencil, or the visitor center sells rubbing kits that include paper and pencil for a small fee. The process takes only a few minutes and creates a permanent record you can take home.

Visiting Hours and What to Expect

The memorial is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and there is no entrance fee. The visitor center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except Christmas Day. The visitor center has restrooms, water fountains, and information about the Vietnam War and the memorial.

The site can be crowded, especially during the day and on weekends. Early morning or late evening visits tend to be quieter. The wall is lit at night, so you can visit and view names after dark. The surrounding area is part of the National Mall, so you can combine a visit to the memorial with visits to other nearby landmarks and museums.

What the Names Represent

The 58,307 names on the wall represent service members from all branches of the U.S. military who died in the Vietnam War between 1956 and 1975. This includes those who died in combat, from wounds, from disease, and those who were missing in action and later confirmed dead. The names include both officers and enlisted personnel.

The wall does not distinguish between rank, branch of service, or cause of death. Every name is treated equally, which was an intentional design choice by the memorial's architect, Maya Lin. The wall has become a place where families and friends come to remember and mourn those who died.

Additional Memorials Nearby

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is part of a larger complex that includes the Vietnam Women's Memorial, dedicated in 1993, and the Three Soldiers statue, dedicated in 1984. Both are located near the main wall and are also open to the public at no cost.

The Vietnam Women's Memorial honors the women who served in Vietnam, both military and civilian. The Three Soldiers statue depicts three soldiers in combat gear and is one of the most photographed statues on the National Mall. Together, these three monuments tell a more complete story of the Vietnam War and those who served.

Planning Your Visit

If you are planning to visit, allow at least 30 minutes to an hour. If you are looking for a specific name, add extra time to locate it and make a rubbing if you wish. The site is wheelchair accessible, and there is limited parking nearby, though the National Mall has several parking garages within walking distance.

The memorial is located at 5 Henry Bacon Drive NW, Washington, D.C. 20024. You can reach it by Metro using the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station or the Lincoln Memorial Station. The National Park Service website has more information about directions, accessibility, and nearby facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave flowers or other items at the wall?

Yes. Visitors often leave flowers, wreaths, photographs, and letters at the base of the wall. The National Park Service collects these items regularly and stores them in a climate-controlled archive. You can view some of these items at the visitor center or online through the memorial's collection database.

Is there a fee to visit the memorial?

No. The memorial and visitor center are free to visit. The National Park Service maintains the site with federal funding. Rubbing kits sold at the visitor center cost a small amount, but bringing your own paper and pencil is free.

What if I cannot find the name I am looking for?

Contact the National Park Service at 202-426-6841 or visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website at vvmf.org. Staff can help you verify the spelling of a name or search for variations. Some names may be listed under a different spelling or middle initial than you expect.

Can I bring children to the memorial?

Yes. The memorial is appropriate for visitors of all ages. The visitor center has educational materials and rangers can explain the wall's history and significance. Many families visit together to teach children about the Vietnam War and honor those who served.

Are dogs allowed at the memorial?

Service animals are allowed on the National Mall and at the memorial. Pets are not permitted, except in designated pet areas of the National Mall. Check the National Park Service website for current pet policies before your visit.