West Point and the Vietnam War
Scroll down to explore articles, podcasts, videos, and other media documenting the stories of graduates who served during this significant time. Learn how to share your story.
Read Their Stories
Gone, But Never Forgotten
By Keith J. Hamel | Summer 2022 edition of West Point magazine
On October 21, 1957, Captain Harry G. Cramer ’46 was the first West Point graduate to be killed in what would become the Vietnam War. By the end of the United States’ involvement in the war, a total of 333 graduates were killed in action, went missing in action, or suffered non-battle deaths while serving in Vietnam.
West Point and the Vietnam War
By LTC (R) David Siry ’94, | Spring 2023 edition of West Point magazine
Spanning the classes of 1941 to 1970, 333 West Point graduates died during the Vietnam War, which lasted from the formation of MAAG Vietnam (Military Assistance Advisory Group) on November 1, 1955 to the withdrawal of the last American combat troops on March 29, 1973… The story of the Military Academy and its graduates is intertwined with the story of American involvement in Vietnam.
Hear Their Stories
Still from “West Point Class of 1966 Legacy”
In Memory of Our Fallen Brothers
West Point Class of 1966 Legacy
The United States Military Academy Class of 1966 lost the highest number of classmates in the Vietnam War. The West Point Association of Graduates and the United States Corps of Cadets extend their profound gratitude to the Class of 1966 for its generous gift endowment, ensuring that the Class Ring Memorial Program will continue in perpetuity for future generations of the Long Gray Line. This significant legacy endowment, created in Memory of the Fallen Brothers of the Class of 1966, honors their service, sacrifice, and valor.
Remembering & Honoring the Vietnam War 50 Years Later
Featuring COL (R) Berry Morton M.D. ’66 and LTC (R) Alan Nason ’66 | WPAOG Podcast
In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, COL (R) Morton and LTC (R) Nason talk about their memories of attending West Point, their experiences serving in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the continued legacy of the Long Gray Line.
Still from West Point COH interview with Bob Edwards
Interviews on the Vietnam War
The West Point Center for Oral History
The mission of the West Point Center for Oral History (COH) is to record, preserve, and present the stories of Soldiers, statesmen, and others who have influenced the profession of arms, in order to inspire, educate, and develop cadets, enhance the public’s understanding of the experience of the Soldier, and create new primary source material for scholars.
Truth and Myths About The Vietnam War
Written and directed by David Naglieri
West Point graduate Jim Balkcom ’67 helped showcase a documentary called “Truths and Myths About the Vietnam War” to honor those who served in the Vietnam War.
*WPAOG does not endorse the contents of this video.
Share Your Stories
WPAOG encourages all graduates to share stories of their service, and/or their classmates’ service, during this war. Please submit stories to editor@wpaog.org.