Memorial Story
The Wall
On July 7, 1988, the design submitted by Hien Nguyen, a refugee who left South Vietnam thirteen years earlier, was unveiled. Hien’s design contains a 200-foot diameter open-air pavilion, inside of which are 366 black granite panels.
Biography Project: Wall of Faces
One of the NJVVMM’s most important projects is collecting biographical information on the men and women whose names are listed on the Memorial.
Memorial History
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and the Vietnam Museum & Educational Center are companion projects that complement one another. The Memorial honors the sacrifices made by New Jersey residents who gave their lives while serving in Southeast Asia …
The Last Patrol
It all began with an idea about honor, remembrance, and coming home. In May 1989, sixteen Vietnam Veterans from New Jersey, calling themselves The Last Patrol, embarked on a powerful journey to bring their fallen brothers and sister home.
Starting at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., these veterans made rubbings of all 1,552 known New Jerseyans—at that time—etched on the black granite wall. (The number has since grown to 1,566.) The names were placed in a wooden box and secured to the wheelchair of fellow veteran Henry Rossi. That box symbolized their mission—to return home carrying the memory of those who never made it back.
Over the course of 15 days, The Last Patrol walked 237 miles to the future site of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel. They averaged 19 to 23 miles per day, stopping in towns along the way to pay tribute at local memorials. Along the journey, they were welcomed with meals at VFW posts and found rest in local hotels. Among these sixteen men were 24 Purple Hearts—testament to the sacrifices they had made in service.
Their dedication and unwavering resolve raised both awareness and the necessary support to make the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial a reality. On May 7, 1995, the Memorial was officially dedicated—forever honoring those from New Jersey who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On May 7, 2025, we marked the 30th anniversary of that dedication. The Memorial now stands as a living testament to the courage, brotherhood, and patriotism of The Last Patrol—whose extraordinary journey brought not just names, but memories, stories, and honor home.
Their inspiration and devotion are forever etched into the heart of this place.
Members of the Last Patrol:
Louis Vlahakes, Gene Timmons, Henry Rossi, Anthony Nicorvo, Joe Leo, Richard Gough, Paul Buckelew, Jerome Anderson, Tom Downes, Bob Varga, William Starrett, Lawrence Pepper, Jim Leon, Bob Greer, Tony Dellanno, and Jack Bronson.
Architect of the Memorial
Hien Nguyen, a native of Vietnam, is the designer of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. He came to the United States as a college student in the last days of the war. He fled his homeland in 1975, days before the city of Saigon fell to the Communist forces from the North. His family was separated in the last frantic days, but was later reunited in the United States. Today Nguyen, a naturalized citizen, lives in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
After completing his education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1980, Hguyen became an architect. His design for the open-air memorial was selected from over 400 submitted for consideration. The only requirements given to the architects for the memorial was that it must include the names of all those killed in action or listed as missing in action from New Jersey.
A quiet man who shies away from the limelight created the Memorial, Nguyen is committed to the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives for his homeland.
When Nguyen was awarded $5,000 from the selection of his design, he designated that the money be used to help the National League of POW-MIA Families and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation for Amerasian children.
Sculptor of the Memorial
Nationally known for his portraits and figures in bronze, Thomas Jay Warren of Trenton was selected from among many artists to create the three bronze statues that stand at the center of the Memorial.
Warren, a native of Mississippi, was schooled in fine arts and sculpture at Mississippi State College. He later studied at Johnson Atelier Sculpture Institute in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. He was an instructor at Johnson Atelier, teaching portrait and figure modeling.
His sculptures range from life-size to monumental. Warren has created statues of such well known men as Martin Luther King, Jr., for the Newark City Hall and Medgar Evers for a memorial to the slain civil rights leader in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as a marble relief piece of George Washington at Washington’s Crossing, New Jersey.
Warren was commissioned to design three over-sized statues for the Memorial. Cast in bronze, they represent the soldiers who were wounded or killed in Southeast Asia, the women who served and all those who eventually came home.
Other Memorials
In Memory Program
In Memory is a unique program that honors New Jersey men and women who served…
Vietnamese American Memorial
In April 2016, the Vietnamese American Monument was dedicated adjacent to the Vietnam Museum &…
Purple Heart Memorial
In 2010, the Military Order of the Purple Heart from Jersey City, NJ presented the…
Women Veterans Meditation Garden
On Veterans Day 2001, the Women Veterans Meditation Garden was dedicated adjacent to the Vietnam…
US War Dogs Memorial
Since World War I, tens of thousands of dogs have served in the United States…
NJ Gold Star Family Memorial
In September 2015, the NJ Gold Star Family Monument was dedicated adjacent to the Vietnam…
