New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial

American military memorial monument

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel Township, New Jersey is a monument honoring New Jersey natives who served in the Vietnam War, especially the 1,562 men and one woman who lost their lives or went missing in action. Dedicated in 1995, the Memorial is located on the grounds of the PNC Bank Arts Center. It is adjacent to the Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center.

On January 21, 1986, New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean signed legislation appropriating $25,000 to administer a statewide competition for the design of a Vietnam veterans' memorial. The legislation also created the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Committee, which was tasked with selecting the location for the memorial, raising funds for its construction, and holding a competition for the design of the memorial. The Holmdel site was selected in 1986 and dedicated in 1987. From 1987 to 1988, a design contest was held; more than 400 entries were submitted. Gov. Kean held groundbreaking ceremonies at the site on May 7, 1989. In May 1991, three statues to be included in the memorial were unveiled in Trenton; they were sculpted by Thomas Jay Warren. Construction on the memorial began on November 19, 1991. The May 7, 1995 date was chosen because it was the 20th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The facility had a construction budget of $3.5 million; it was intended to provide a balanced view of the controversial war. When opened it was the only museum of its kind in the United States.