Which Washington, D.C., memorial opened in 1982 to honor U.S. service members who fought in the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial opened in 1982 to honor U.S. service members who fought in the Vietnam War.

The memorial’s central feature is a long, V-shaped wall of polished black granite inscribed with the names of service members who died or remain missing from the war. Its reflective surface allows visitors to see themselves alongside the names, creating an intentionally personal experience.

Architect Maya Lin’s design was selected through a national competition while she was an undergraduate student at Yale University. The memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982, in Washington, D.C.

The site also includes the Three Soldiers statue and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. It is often confused with the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which honors personnel who served in the Korean War and was dedicated in 1995.