Vietnam War Memorial, Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, Triangle, VA, USA
N 38° 32.623 W 077° 20.470
18S E 295965 N 4268742
A broken wing memorial to the HMM-362 Ugly Angels who lost their lives during the Vietnam War stands at the Marine Corps Heritage Center.
Waymark Code: WM8ZD5
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 06/04/2010
Views: 10
A broken-off half wing memorial in honor of the members of the Ugly Angels who lost their lives in Vietnam stands in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park in Triangle, VA. The Ugly Angels squadron flew the Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse helicopters in the war. The park is part of the Marine Corps Heritage Center which also includes the
National Museum of the Marine Corps
.
The wing shape is modeled after the aviator and airman insignias and the broken-off design represents 33 men whose lives were cut short in the Vietnam War. It is made of polished dark green granite with silver flecks and rests at an angle. Across the middle, it reads:
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
HMM-362 UGLY ANGELS VIETNAM 1962-1969
In memory of those who paid the ultimate price for freedom
God Bless - Semper Fi
Down the right side are the insignias for the Marine Corps, aircrew wings, the Ugly Angel, and naval aviator wings. The rank, name, and date of loss of the Ugly Angels who lost their lives are inscribed at the top and bottom in a staggered fashion to represent the feathered characteristics of a wing.
The Ugly Angel memorial was originally dedicated and installed near the Quantico base headquarters in July 2000, but was moved to its present location in late 2007. It is along a walk lined with paved memorial bricks that runs between the Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel and a circular overlook. Directly across from the Ugly Angel wing is a dedicated bench to sit and reflect.
The Semper Fidelis Memorial Park is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission to all attractions at the Heritage Center is free.
References: