Vietnam War Memorial

The Vietnam War Memorial presents the campaign ribbon awarded to those who served with the armed forces in Vietnam and summarizes the scale of service and loss across the U.S. military. For the U.S. Army, MACV served in Vietnam from 2/62 to 3/73 with infantry, mechanized, airborne, special forces, and armored divisions and units; 4,368,000 soldiers served, 96,802 were wounded, 38,189 were lost, and Chicopee lost 10. Women in the armed forces numbered 265,000 during 1964-73, with 8-9000 in Vietnam; it gives statistics on women wounded, in combat areas, awarded the Purple Heart, and held as P.O.W.s, and says over 6750 U.S. military nurses cared for more than 350,000 casualties while 8 nurses were lost. The U.S. Marine Corps served through major aviation, infantry, artillery, armor, reconnaissance, medical, police, motor, and service units; 794,000 Marines served, 51,392 were wounded, 14,837 were lost, and Chicopee lost 3. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet operated from Japan to Southeast Asia from 1961-1973 in logistical support, coastal, river patrol, SEAL, and riverine assault missions; 1,842,000 sailors served, 2,562 were lost, and Chicopee lost 1. The U.S. Air Force served through air divisions, fighter wings, bombers, special operations, airlift, and transport commands from 1962-1973; 1,740,000 served, 931 were wounded, 2,582 were lost, and Chicopee lost 2. The U.S. Coast Guard served in Southeast Asia from 1965-75 along 1200 miles of coastline with ships, patrol boats, cutters, pilots, and support units; 8000 served, 60 were wounded, and 7 were lost. Military chaplains served on land, at sea, and in the air, giving comfort and moral support; 16 died and 3 received the Medal of Honor. The dedication thanks the committee, citizens, and businesses whose donations made the monument possible and identifies Richard J. Kos as mayor at its dedication on 04-30-2000. A quotation attributed to President Richard Nixon calls the Vietnam War the most misunderstood event in American history and says the consequences of that misunderstanding were tragic.

Chicopee, Massachusetts · United States