The names on the Vietnam Wall are arranged in the order of their death dates, starting from 1959 at the center of the wall and ending in 1975 at the edges. The names are listed chronologically, giving a timeline of the casualties of the war.
The Vietnam Wall, officially known as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is a powerful and poignant monument in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the men and women who served and died during the Vietnam War. It serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by approximately 58,320 military personnel who lost their lives in the conflict. The way the names are arranged on the Vietnam Wall holds deep significance and serves as a moving tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The names on the Vietnam Wall are meticulously arranged in chronological order according to the dates of death. They start at the center of the wall with the first casualties in 1959 and extend outwards towards the edges, ending with the last casualties in 1975. This arrangement allows visitors to trace a timeline, symbolically reliving the progression of the war and the increasing toll it took over the years.
Not only does the chronological arrangement of the names provide a historical context, but it also creates a sense of connection and remembrance, as the fallen soldiers are forever linked side by side, regardless of rank, position, or circumstance. This intentional design choice fosters a sense of unity and reinforces the idea that these brave men and women should be remembered and honored as equals.
John P. Murtha, a United States Marine Corps veteran and a famous politician, once eloquently described the significance of the Vietnam Wall and its arrangement of names. He said, “The Wall tells a story… it speaks of unwavering bravery, immense sacrifice, and profound loss. It symbolizes a nation’s gratitude and ensures that the memory of those who fell shall never fade away.”
Here are some interesting facts about the Vietnam Wall:
- The Vietnam Wall was designed by Maya Lin, an American architect. Her design was selected from a nationwide competition.
- The wall is made of black granite, polished to a mirror-like finish, allowing visitors to see their own reflections alongside the names.
- There are a total of 58,320 names engraved on the wall, arranged in 70 panels.
- The names are carved into the wall in the order in which they were reported as casualties, not necessarily the order in which they occurred.
- The names include both military personnel and civilians who lost their lives in the conflict.
Below is a table illustrating the number of casualties by year:
| Year | Number of Casualties |
|---|---|
| 1959 | 2 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1961 | 16 |
| 1962 | 53 |
| 1963 | 122 |
| 1964 | 216 |
| 1965 | 1,928 |
| 1966 | 6,350 |
| 1967 | 11,363 |
| 1968 | 16,899 |
| 1969 | 11,780 |
| 1970 | 6,173 |
| 1971 | 2,357 |
| 1972 | 1,426 |
| 1973 | 168 |
| 1974 | 45 |
| 1975 | 42 |
Visiting the Vietnam Wall often evokes a deep emotional response as visitors pay their respects, leave mementos, and find solace in the collective memory of those who gave their lives. The arrangement of names serves as a powerful testament to the human cost of war and provides a lasting tribute to the fallen heroes of the Vietnam War.
Response video to “How are the names arranged on the Vietnam Wall?”
This YouTube video provides a step-by-step guide on how to find a specific name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. It suggests using alphabetical order books or online search tools to locate names, and provides details on how to find the panel and line numbers once a name is found. The video also highlights the presence of volunteers who can assist with reaching high names or taking rubbings, and emphasizes the emotional significance of finding a loved one’s name on the memorial.
Other responses to your question
The veterans’ names are listed in chronological order by date of their death and begin and end at the center of the memorial where the two sections meet. Having the names begin and end at the center is meant to form a circle – a completion to the war.
The names are arranged chronologically by date of casualty. The first names appear at the center of the wall at the top of panel 1E. The panels are filled like pages of a journal listing the men and women’s names as they fell.
How are the names arranged on the wall? A Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund volunteer creates a rubbing of an etched name using charcoal. The rubbings are requested by those who can’t visit "the Wall." (VVMF/Twitter) The names are arranged chronologically by date of casualty. The first names appear at the center of the wall at the top of panel 1E.
How are the names organized on the memorial?
I’m sure you will be interested
Similarly, Are the names on the Vietnam wall in alphabetical order? Response to this: The names are not listed alphabetically, but rather chronologically by date of death or by date of missing in action, beginning and ending in the center where the two walls meet.
Also asked, Are all Vietnam veterans names on the wall? The reply will be: The names of over 58,000 servicemembers who gave their lives between 1957 and 1975 are listed on the wall in chronological order starting and ending at the center of the wall.
What does the W mean on the Vietnam wall?
The reply will be: 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. Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing.
Who is the first name on the Vietnam wall?
The panels come together to form a point, linking the first and last together in enduring tribute. The casual visitor might not immediately recognize that Buis’ name is the first. Nor did America recognize, on July 8, 1959—the day he was killed—that another long and bloody war lay in wait.
Also to know is, How many names are on the Vietnam Wall?
Answer will be: There are 58,267 names now listed on Vietnam 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 has been 36 years since the last casualties.
Considering this, How are the names arranged in the Vietnam monument?
The reply will be: The names are arranged according to the victim’s chronological date. First names appear in the middle of the wall above panel 1E. The panels were filled like pages of a magazine with the names of men and women as they fell. How can you choose the design of the Vietnam Monument?
What is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall? In reply to that: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, known simply as “ The Wall ” for men and women to find the written name of a loved one, lists the names of those who fell during the Vietnam War. The names are arranged first by date and then alphabetically.
Consequently, Who was the first person engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall? The response is: It is more notable, perhaps, only because his was the first name engraved into The Wall. The names of Army Master Sergeant Chester Ovnand and Major Dale Buis are inscribed on Panel 1E of the Vietnam War Memorial Wall. Their sacrifices were honored July 8, 2009, in Washington during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of their deaths.
Regarding this, How many names are inscribed on the Vietnam Wall?
Answer will be: Inscription at the beginning of The Wall. The 58,152 names of those who died in Vietnam are etched onto the two rising black marble slabs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The slabs meet at a vertex of 125 degrees, 10 feet above ground level to form the Wall.
What order are the names on the Vietnam Wall arranged in?
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, known simply as “ The Wall ” for men and women to find the written name of a loved one, lists the names of those who fell during the Vietnam War. The names are arranged first by date and then alphabetically.
Also asked, How are the names on the Vietnam Wall Memorial ordered?
Answer: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, known simply as “ The Wall ” for men and women to find the written name of a loved one, lists the names of those who fell during the Vietnam War. The names are arranged first by date and then alphabetically.
In this manner, How many women are on the Vietnam Wall? 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.