Monument Monday - Vietnam Woman’s Memorial
Perhaps the most unrecognized heroes of the Vietnam War were the 256,000 women who served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force during the war years. Among them, 11,000, mostly nurses and medical specialists, served in-country and in or near combat zones.
Working mostly in military hospitals, aboard ships and with evacuation squadrons, these brave women provided care, comfort, and a warm human touch to soldiers who were wounded in action. About ten percent of them were air traffic controllers, communications specialists, intelligence officers, or clerks working for all the branches of the armed services.
The first American medical specialists arrived in Vietnam in 1950, and in 1956, the first three Army Nurse Corps (ANC) nurses landed in Saigon to train South Vietnamese nurses.
Virtually all the U.S. nurses were volunteers and most were in their early 20s when they arrived in the Republic of Vietnam. Sadly, when they returned home, many faced the same hostile treatment as many returning combat soldiers.
Dedicated the same year as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial is a tribute to women who serviced during the Vietnam War.
During the war, hundreds of these unarmed Army nurses were under fire, and were decorated for bravery and distinguished service. The names of eight women such women are inscribed in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall.
The sculpture of two nurses caring for a wounded GI was designed by Glenna M. Goodacre, who also designed the Sacagawea dollar coin that entered entered circulation in 2000 and replaced the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin.
Vietnam Woman’s Memorial
On the National Mall and part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Between Constitution Ave. and the Reflecting Pool, between 21st and 22nd St., NW.
Washington, DC (map it)
Dates and Times - open daily, 24-hours. National Park Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily.
Tickets - Admission is free.
Nearest Metro Subway Station - Foggy Bottom - Blue or Yellow line, then a 3/4 mile walk.
Parking - Metered street parking is available within a couple block of the memorial, but is at times limited, especially on weekends.
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