Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

Vietnam War Commemoration Presents DHA Director with Commemorative Flag

Image of U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ron Place, Defense Health Agency director, receives a commemorative Vietnam War flag from Army Maj. Gen. (Retired) Peter Aylward, The United States of America Vietnam Commemoration director. (Photo: Sonia Clark, MHS Communications) . U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ron Place, Defense Health Agency director, receives a commemorative Vietnam War flag from Army Maj. Gen. (Retired) Peter Aylward, The United States of America Vietnam Commemoration director. (Photo: Sonia Clark, MHS Communications)

Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ron Place, Defense Health Agency director, was presented with a Vietnam War commemorative flag at the Pentagon to observe the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Peter Aylward, who now serves as the director of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, presented the flag to Place on April 14. The Vietnam War Commemoration is a national effort authorized by Congress to honor Vietnam veterans and their families.

"I am honored to be included in this year's Vietnam War Commemoration efforts," Place said after the ceremony. "Many aspects of military service and military medicine in particular have changed in the past 50 years, yet we continue to honor the service and sacrifice of the veterans who served during that conflict."

The brief ceremony was held at the Pentagon's Vietnam War exhibit, located along the building's A-Ring on the 3rd floor. The exhibit opened in 2016 and serves as a special place for Pentagon employees who are Vietnam veterans.

Place is one of several senior military officers selected by the commemoration office to serve as "commemorative ambassadors," said Aylward. "His unique purview as director, DHA, allows him to resonate our primary objective – thanking and honoring Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice," Aylward continued.

"We chose to present our commemorative flag to Lt. Gen. Place in the award-winning Pentagon Vietnam War exhibit as our team led the planning, design and installation of this exhibit, which helps tell the story of the Vietnam veteran," Aylward explained.

"This exhibit has become a cherished location of reflection and remembrance by Vietnam veterans serving in the Pentagon today, as well as visitors," he added.

Aylward noted that the traditional definition of a Vietnam War veteran includes those who served on active duty any time between Nov. 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, regardless of location.

You also may be interested in...

Video
Jul 23, 2024

The History of the Purple Heart

The History of the Purple Heart

Purple Heart Day is celebrated annually on August 7th to honor and remember U.S. military members who were wounded or killed in action while serving their country.

Video
Jun 5, 2024

D-Day Medic Waverly B. Woodson, Jr.

DDay Medic Waverly Woodson

World War II medic Waverly B. Woodson, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest U.S. military honor, for saving countless lives during the Allied Invasion of Normandy of World War II. Waverly was only 21-years-old, serving in the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, when he was deployed to France. He spent over 30 ...

Video
May 24, 2024

The Nurses of Normandy

The Nurses of Normandy

Military nurses were saved many lives during WW2. 1LT Marian Charlotte Jones and 1LT Edna Nina Statman both served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War 2. They share their stories of caring for our military men after D-Day in Normandy, France. Watch their full interviews via the Library of Congress: Jones: https://www.loc.gov/collections ...

Video
May 22, 2024

Nurses of Vietnam - Liberty's Rosary Beads

Nurses of Vietnam - Liberty's Rosary Beads

Lt Col Frances Liberty, with the US Army Nurses Corps, recounts the heartwarming story of a soldier she cared for during the Vietnam War, the lasting impression they made on each other, and the keepsake he recieved from her, an item which he still holds dear to this day. Interviews courtesy of the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item ...

Video
May 22, 2024

Nurses of Vietnam - The Women of Vietnam

Nurses of Vietnam - The Women of Vietnam

Three nurses recount their experiences during the Vietnam War, stationed both on land and sea. From deployment to the lasting bonds they created, these women tell a story of heroism, perservierence, and lifelong friendship. Interview Courtesy of the Library of Congress: Lt Col Frances Liberty: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.02548/ LCDR ...

Video
Feb 7, 2024

Military Medical Research Milestones

Military Medical Research Milestones

American military medicine has been the cornerstone of medical accomplishments since the founding of the United States. The efforts and innovations of the military medical research community has advanced the treatments, logistics, procedures, and medications often taken for granted in today’s civilian medical settings. From emergency response to ...

Video
Dec 19, 2023

The Chosin Few: Recounting the Battle of Chosin Reservoir

The Chosin Few: Recounting the Battle of Chosin Reservoir

General Raymond G Davis and Billy Gene Devasher recount their experiences at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War that occurred from November 26-December 13, 1950. Read more about how military medics saved the "Chosin Frozen" at health.mil/chosin.

Video
Dec 6, 2023

Navy Medic Recounts the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Navy Medic Recounts the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Lynn "Doc" Munger was a 23-year-old pharmacist's mate during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When Munger was 98 years old, he told his story of serving as a Navy medic and caring for those injured from the devastating attack. You can watch his full interview via the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. https://www.loc ...

Video
Nov 8, 2023

Military Health System Honors WWII Veterans

Military Health System Honors WWII Veterans

This Veterans Day 2023, the Military Health System honors military medical personnel who went above and beyond the call of duty by sharing their stories of valor. Two veterans are remembered, U.S. Navy Hospital Apprentice First Class Fred Faulkner Lester and U.S. Army Nurse Corps 2nd Lt. Regina Benson. Learn more about their stories and more at ...

Video
Nov 8, 2023

MHS Honors U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser

MHS Honors U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser

This Veterans Day, the Military Health System remembers U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser who received a Medal of Honor for his courageous service during the Vietnam War. Learn more at health.mil/MedalofHonor You can watch the full interview via the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001 ...

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: July 11, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery