Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire, New Mexico

This Vietnam Veterans Memorial was the first memorial to be constructed in the United States. It was built by Dr. Victor Westphall to honor his son, 1st Lt. David Westphal, who died in combat in a 1968 ambush in Vietnam.

The site received wide attention in the 1970s and helped inspire the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. In 1987, Congress also recognized the Memorial in Angel Fire as a Memorial of National Significance. Angel Fire is a special and emotional place for America's Vietnam Veterans to feel the "Welcome Home" so often heard at the Memorial.

Ninety-eight pairs of empty combat boots bear silent witness to the 173rd Airborne's casualties from the Battle for Hill 875.

A North Vietnamese Army rocket explodes an ammunition dump at the U.S. Marines base at Khe Sanh in early 1968.

Field Desk

Used in Saigon in 1962 during project "Pipe Stem." Pipe Stem was a small special operation of two RF 101 (Voodoo) aircraft operating out of Pam American Airlines hangars in support of aerial mapping and reconnaissance requirements. Pipe Stem was declared in violation of the French/Vietnamese truce agreement and was disbanded. It was reconstituted in Thailand as project "Able Mabel." This field desk was part of the operation in Thailand during 1962-63. When permanent facilities were established the desk was moved to Shaw AFB as part of the 22nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron's mobility deployment package.

Huey Helicopter



The Huey helicopter on display served with the 121st AHC, where it was known as Viking Surprise and was one of the first smokeships in Vietnam. In 1967, it was damaged so badly during a rescue operation that a total of 135 bullet holes were counted in it. It was repaired and assigned to the 118th AHC to serve a second tour. In 1999, it came to the Memorial grounds courtesy of the New Mexico National Guard.

Dear Mom & Dad



On Memorial Day 2003, Taos artist Doug Scott dedicated his interpretation of a soldier writing home from war. This life-sized statute depicts an American infantryman in the field trying his best to keep in touch with folks back home.

Birth control glasses is a nickname given to the glasses because service members believe that while wearing BCGs, it is impossible to attract the opposite sex because of their unflattering appearance.

Ho Chi Minh Sandals



In the face of equipment shortages the Vietnamese turned to using old truck tires as footwear. American infantrymen suffered from "trench foot" which resulted from wearing boots in humid climate.

Jungle Boots

The upper was made of cotton canvas duck with leather for the toe and heel. Water drains were added near the sole to quickly drain water from the inside of the boot. After numerous incidents of foot injuries caused by punji stake traps, Jungle Boots were fitted with a stainless steel plate inside the sole to protect the wearer.