When was the actual 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War?

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration began with the Presidential inaugural event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, and concludes on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, by Presidential Proclamation. As the President stated, we, as a nation, will commemorate the 50th anniversary over a long period of time, as many Americans served and sacrificed over that long period of time.

For the purposes of this Commemoration, November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975 is the period being utilized to recognize the service and sacrifice of those who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V), and May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.

As additional background, U.S. involvement in Vietnam started slowly with an initial deployment of advisors in the early 1950s, grew incrementally through the early 1960s and expanded with the deployment of full combat units in July 1965. The last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam in April 1975.

Is the Commemoration honoring all veterans who served during the Vietnam War period, or just those veterans who served in the country of Vietnam?

The Commemoration honors all United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between November 1, 1955 to and May 15, 1975, regardless of location. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 7 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.

We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and the overwhelming majority of these veterans served honorably and admirably.

The objective of this special ceremony is simple:
TO THANK AND HONOR THE SERVICE, VALOR AND SACRIFICE OF VIETNAM VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Attendees at the ceremony include the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of Joint Chiefs, Senator Chuck Hagel (a Vietnam Veteran) as well as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary of the Interior and other cabinet officials. Emmy and Golden Globe award winning actor and Vietnam era Army Veteran, Tom Selleck, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. He will be joined by the Marine Band and the Army Chorus. In attendance will be General Barry R. McCaffrey and Jan Scruggs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and other veterans and their family members.

Invocation and reading of Rev. Dr. Billy Graham's Letter by Steven E. West, Lt. Col., USAF Deputy Joint Staff Chaplain

Reading of Presidential Proclamation by Brian M. Thacker, USA, Vietnam Veteran, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Welcoming Remarks by the Secretary of the Interior.

Wreath Laying

Vietnam Gold Star Mothers Laying their Wreath

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers remarks commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012.

Master of Ceremony Tom Selleck

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta at the Vietnam War Commemoration held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC Memorial Day 2012.

Introduction by The Honorable Chuck Hagel, Vietnam Veteran

Escorted by Army Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington, commander, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama arrive at the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012.

President Obama greeting Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient Brian M. Thacker, USA

The Joint Service Honor Guard present the colors during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America

MSgt Rob Wilkins, USAF, Ret.

President Barack Obama during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012.

Veterans, families of the Vietnam War, I know the wounds of war are slow to heal. You know that better than most. But today we take another step. The task of telling your story continues. The work of perfecting our Union goes on. And decades from now, I hope another young American will visit this place and reach out and touch a name. And she’ll learn the story of servicemembers -- people she never met, who fought a war she never knew -- and in that moment of understanding and of gratitude and of grace, your legacy will endure. For you are all true heroes and you will all be remembered.

Master of Ceremony Tom Selleck

Gold Star Mother Georgie Carter Krell whose son Bruce Wayne Carter, gave his life for his country in Vietnam in 1963. Vice President Spiro Agnew posthumously awarded Bruce the Medal of Honor in 1972.

Huey Flyover at the Vietnam War Commemoration held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC Memorial Day 2012.

President Obama can hear the incoming fly over plane.

Lockheed C-130 flyover at the Vietnam War Commemoration held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC Memorial Day 2012.

Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki ( center ).

Vietnam Womens Memorial founder Diane Carlson Evans, RN, Vietnam, 1968-69, Army Nurse Corps, 1966-72 prepares to lay a wreath on statue figure.

Vietnam Womens Memorial founder Diane Carlson Evans, RN, Vietnam, 1968-69, Army Nurse Corps, 1966-72