The design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was the work of Maya Ying Lin of Athens, Ohio, at that time a 21-year-old senior at Yale University. In August of 1981, the Memorial Fund selected a building company and architecture firm to develop the plans and build Lin's design. Lin became a design consultant to the architect of record.

The design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was the work of Maya Ying Lin of Athens, Ohio, at that time a 21-year-old senior at Yale University. In August of 1981, the Memorial Fund selected a building company and architecture firm to develop the plans and build Lin's design. Lin became a design consultant to the architect of record.