INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Historical Society is bringing the voices of Hoosiers who served in Vietnam to life with an exhibit that runs through January 2027.
Included in the exhibit is a wall engraved with the names of all 1,525 Indiana men and women who were killed or reported missing in action.
The names were engraved on a piece of wood and will be saved for a future display after the exhibit closes.
Claudia Vinsi, exhibit director at the Historical Society, said the idea came about in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.
“We wanted to honor some commemoration of that event,” she said. “Rather than tackle just the war because it was so huge and complex, we narrowed it down to the Hoosiers’ experience and focus on the Vietnam veteran.”
Vinsi said the project included interviews with veterans; the 10 featured are from all branches of the military, with various roles and years of service.
“The focus was on different kinds of people and the jobs they were doing in Vietnam,” she said. “It was important to us to feature their words. In the exhibit, you can watch their interviews.”
Vinsi said as many as 80 people expressed interest in being interviewed for the project. It was difficult, she said, to narrow down to 10 veterans.
“Everyone has an amazing story and different experiences in the war,” she said. “There was only one woman that agreed; she was an Army nurse and provided a unique perspective.”
Vinsi said she interviewed 10 of the veterans, calling it “a huge learning experience.”
“I was nervous going into the interviews,” she said. “They were all so generous and willing to share, even if it was hard. I learned a lot in the experience. I did interview the Army nurse to see the young picture of her during her time there.”
Each of the 10 veterans who were interviewed relate their experiences, including their reactions to being drafted, serving in Vietnam and their experiences while serving.
The exhibit includes veterans from the Marines, Air Force, Navy and Army and the USO and American Red Cross.
Included is a mention of the demonstrations that took place in Indiana during the Vietnam War. There are letters sent home by the veterans during their experience, offering a glimpse of daily life in Vietnam.
“There is no one story of the Vietnam War,” said Jody Blankenship, president of the Historical Society. “Each person’s experience was shaped by so many factors – where they were stationed, the battles they fought, the people they served alongside.”
Veterans and their families will be admitted free to the exhibit.