Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

One of the most moving war memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – commonly known as "the Wall" – is a long black granite wall with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who perished during the Vietnam War emblazoned on its surface. Recent travelers have described their visits as heartbreaking yet thought-provoking and powerful, noting that even the toughest individuals will likely find it hard to not become emotional while reading the names on the wall. If you are searching for a specific person, remember that the soldiers' names are listed by the date they died, not alphabetically. Be sure to check out the attraction's name books and visit during the day for ample sunlight.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

On the eastern side of the Mall, venture to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. This privately funded site pays tribute to the 1.5 million who served in "The Forgotten War." It contains 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers in combat. In a triangular area known as the Field of Service, soldier statues march toward an American flag. Adjacent to the soldiers is a 164-foot-long granite wall that honors the unnamed troops who fought in the Korean War. Another highlight of the memorial is the Pool of Remembrance, a tranquil place for reflection. Note that the memorial lacks extensive signage, which may affect the understanding of younger visitors who did not live through the war.

Visiting Hours

Both memorials are free to explore 24 hours a day but are staffed by National Park Service rangers from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans memorials are just a short walk south on 23rd Street Southwest from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro stop (on the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines) by the Lincoln Memorial. For more information, visit the National Park Service's Vietnam Veterans Memorial page and Korean War Veterans Memorial page.