Changing of the Guard: Seasonal Schedule

From Oct. 1 through March 31, the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier takes place once an hour, on the hour. Guard changes at 30-minute intervals will resume in April. 

Published on: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 read more ...

Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and Crewmember Monument and Memorial Tree

Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and Crewmember Monument

Section 35

This monument (dedicated on April 18, 2018) and memorial tree (dedicated on August 28, 2015) 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.

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. 

See also: 

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

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