Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and Crewmember Monument and Memorial Tree

Section 35 

Dedicated in 2015, this monument and memorial tree honor the helicopter pilots and crew members who died while serving in Southeast Asia from 1961 to 1975.

Vietnam has been called America’s “Helicopter War” because helicopters provided mobility throughout the war zone, facilitating rapid troop transport, close air support, resupply, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and search and rescue capabilities. In addition, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of helicopter crews whose remains were recovered many years after the end of the Vietnam Warance, and search and rescue capabilities. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) estimates that over 100,000 helicopter pilots and crew members served during the Vietnam War. Over 4,800 helicopter pilots and crew members were killed in action, and more than 300 are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of helicopter crews whose remains were recovered many years after the end of the Vietnam War.

UH-1N Iroquois helicopters flew over Memorial Amphitheater and the memorial tree during the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Living Tree Memorial dedication ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on August 28, 2015. The memorial tree, planted earlier, was dedicated to honor those helicopter pilots and crew members who were killed during the Vietnam War. It is a red maple (Acer rubrum) native to the United States. 

 • Pilots buried or memorialized at ANC (as identified by VHPA)

 •  Crew members buried or memorialized at ANC (as identified by VHPA)