Six Names Added to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

American Forces Press Service ^ | Ian Graham

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2010 – This week, the names of six American servicemembers will join the list of other departed or missing troops featured on the intersecting black-granite walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Expert stoneworker James Lee cleans the work after engraving the name of U.S. Army Lt. Col. Taylor to Panel 7W, Line 81 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 4, 2010. Taylor's name is one of six added to the memorial. The new names represent veterans who survived serious injury in the war, but were determined by Defense Department officials to have died as a result of wounds sustained in the combat zone. DoD photo by William D. Moss  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Army Lt. Col. William Taylor’s name was engraved at a ceremony today at the memorial on the National Mall here. The names of Marine Corps Lance Cpls. John Granville and Clayton Hough Jr., Marine Corps Cpl. Ronald Vivona, Army Capt. Edward Miles and Army Sgt. Michael Morehouse will be added later this week.

The new additions are veterans who survived serious injury in the war but were determined by Defense Department officials to have “died as a result of wounds [combat or hostile related] sustained in the combat zone” that required drastic measures, such as amputation.

“It’s an important honor to pay tribute to our nation’s veterans – of Vietnam, especially,” said J.C. Cummings, the architect of record for the memorial. The main part of the memorial was completed in 1982.

Cummings said a space on the wall allows Taylor’s name to fit the chronological scheme as if his name had been in the database of fallen soldiers when the wall was first built. Of the six names being added to the wall this week, three of them can be placed as such, he said.

“When these young men were over there, their units became a family, a military family,” Cummings said. “We’re lucky because we can put the name where it belongs, with their brothers and sisters in arms.”

Taylor’s nephew, Thomas Carpenter, was in attendance today, along with family members of the five other servicemembers whose names are being added to the wall. Photos of each man were shown as each family gave a small tribute to their lost relative.

“I’m humbled in front of this wall,” Carpenter said, “where they are forever young, strong and brave.”

James Lee, a stoneworker whose Colorado-based company has worked at the wall since 1987, said each name takes at least a few days to prepare. Multiple test stones are used to ensure the newly engraved names match the older ones in shape, size and depth.

“Every name that we add to the memorial further completes it,” he said.

The engravings for 11 other servicemembers, from the Army and Air Force, will be modified to reflect that they’re no longer considered missing in action.

The changes will bring the total number of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to 58,267 men and women who were killed or remain missing in action. The six new names will become official when they are read aloud during the annual Memorial Day ceremony May 31 at 1 p.m.

Related Sites:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Photo Essay

The name of William L. Taylor, who served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, is one of six names being added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 4, 2010. The new names represent veterans who survived serious injury in the war, but were determined by Defense Department officials to have died as a result of wounds sustained in the combat zone. DoD photo by William D. Moss   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[Professional Engineer]

The Wall ping

[al baby]

I rarely well up, after reading this post was one of those rare times

[SandRat]

[muawiyah]

Let me thank the stone carver James Lee for doing a perfect job.

[al baby]

Thanks

[Farmer Dean]

Sadly,there is no way to count all the men who came back and found that they couldn’t cope with their experiences in Vietnam.Like my friend William who killed himself about 10 years after coming home.

[al baby]

This is what did it “where they are forever young, strong and brave.”

[doc1019]

Not to mention those that have died or are dieing from the effects of Agent Orange.

[billorites]

It's hard not to be overwhelmed by the Memorial Wall.

I've visited it maybe 3-4 times in the past 15 years.

It's the single most powerful piece of public art our country produced in the 20th century. Perhaps the most significant piece in our history.

IMHO...

[bmwcyle]

Hand Salute....................two

[fatnotlazy]

I often think a good friend died young because of his experiences in ‘Nam. No Agent Orange; didn’t commit suicide, but I think his heart couldn’t take the stress. From what he told me, it was a horrible experience.

[centurion316]

I hate to be the naysayer on this, but I think that it needs to be said.

When I was a young 2d Lieutenant of Infantry, our instructors at Ft. Benning would frequently tell us that only 50% of Infantry Lieutenants would survive their first tour in Vietnam. There was some statistical truth to this scare tactic, but we all knew that we were not going to be among those poor bastards who made up the down side of the 50%.

Well, obviously, I survived. But, there were those standing to my left and right who did not. After the relief that rushed through my body for not being in their shoes, came the regret that they died and I lived. But, live I did and I lived to find love, to be married, to father a fine son who is today on his honeymoon. I have lived the good life and will likely live to a ripe old age. Should I die tomorrow of the effects of my wounds, my name does not deserve to be on the memorial.

Those who died before they could see their children grow into adulthood, and grow gracefully old with the woman they loved - their names deserve to be on the wall. We who survived should remember and honor them every day, our names are not important.

[mamelukesabre]

It’s not art. It just is. Calling it art seems like an insult to it...to me at least.

[Wpin]

I recently visited The Wall, the same day we protested the weekend they passed the health care bill. Cindy Sheehan and other scum of her ilk were also protesting that weekend.

As my son and I approached The Wall we noticed that at every walkway leading to the Memorial there were a small contingent of veterans standing stoically by their flags. I guessed why they were there but wanted my son to hear first hand so we approached one group of three men and I asked why they were there. They explained that they were there to defend The Wall and the honor of their fallen brothers. To be frank, I could not help but cry at their loyalty, courage, and goodness. These are great men and we are so lucky to have them in our nation. I think that I never have to worry about my son “joining the other side” now, he was very impressed as well. Later, we drove by the pigs who were protesting and I pointed out the garbage they left, compared to the cleanliness our Tea Party left. It was a good day.

The Wall is probably the most dramatic war memorial I have ever seen. I have been there twice now and it is impossible not to read names and wonder and cry for their sacrifice.

[Wpin]

“I hate to be the naysayer on this, but I think that it needs to be said.

When I was a young 2d Lieutenant of Infantry, our instructors at Ft. Benning would frequently tell us that only 50% of Infantry Lieutenants would survive their first tour in Vietnam. There was some statistical truth to this scare tactic, but we all knew that we were not going to be among those poor bastards who made up the down side of the 50%.

Well, obviously, I survived. But, there were those standing to my left and right who did not. After the relief that rushed through my body for not being in their shoes, came the regret that they died and I lived. But, live I did and I lived to find love, to be married, to father a fine son who is today on his honeymoon. I have lived the good life and will likely live to a ripe old age. Should I die tomorrow of the effects of my wounds, my name does not deserve to be on the memorial.

Those who died before they could see their children grow into adulthood, and grow gracefully old with the woman they loved - their names deserve to be on the wall. We who survived should remember and honor them every day, our names are not important.”

Wow, beautifully put. Bravo sir!

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

The AO/ETC. seems to be the problem,,,

I doubt the truth will ever come out...

[Doogle]

Thanks for the Post....
....For those who have not been there yet, please go when opportunity grants,see the scope,feel the reverence,let it embrace you.....it will.

[dragnet2]

You might want to rethink that.

Some came back and spent what was left of their lives with no legs, no arms, no eyes, severe brain injuries, and other extreme health problems and injuries...Years after the war, many of these guys never left the bed, until they finally succumbed to their injuries.

[beelzepug]

“Not to mention those that have died or are dieing from the effects of Agent Orange”

I had a friend who finally shot himself after enduring some 20 years of cancer surgeries and other operations due to agent orange. When he was told he needed yet another operation, he went home and pulled the trigger. Very sad.