Veterans Remembrance
NCA's remembrance pages honor Veterans that have received a military award or decoration, been a part of a specific conflict or event, or demonstrated noteworthy service. These remembrance pages include the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, POW/MIA Vietnam Veterans and 9/11 remembrance as well as the USS Cole attack, the U.S. Flying Aces of the Korean War, World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima, Tuskegee Airmen and more. All remembrance pages provide links to individual Veteran memorial pages on the Veterans Legacy Memorial.
VA's Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) is the nation's largest digital platform dedicated to the memory of more than 10 million Veterans and servicemembers, and makes it easy to share, remember, and connect. Family, friends, and the public can search for Veterans, leave tributes, and preserve memories for future generations.
NCA invites you to remember the Veterans featured on these remembrance pages and visit their memorial pages to celebrate the legacy, military service and sacrifice to our nation of these heroes. You can also post tributes, upload images, and share biographical information and historical documents.
Medal of Honor
The greatest commendation our nation can confer is the Medal of Honor, reserved for those who have shown "gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."
There are 435 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national and grant-funded cemeteries.
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military decoration, created during the American Revolution by General George Washington.
Today, the Purple Heart remains a respected military decoration given to servicemembers for wounds sustained during service.
POW/MIA Vietnam Veterans at St. Albans National Cemetery
National POW/MIA Recognition Day falls on the third Friday of September, a day to honor and recognize the sacrifices of those Americans who have been prisoners of war and to remind the nation of those who are still missing in action.
There are 21 such "Unaccounted For" Vietnam War Veterans interred at St. Albans National Cemetery.
9/11 Remembrance
On September 11, 2001, terrorists flew commercial airliners into the World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon, and downed Flight 93 in a field in Pennsylvania.
Forty-one Veterans and six family members of Veterans were laid to rest in national cemeteries.
Sailors of the USS Cole Attack
On October 12, 2000, while refueling at port in Yemen, two terrorists detonated a bomb alongside Cole, killing 17 Sailors and wounding 37 shipmates.
After the attack, the crew worked to minimize damage to the ship and administer first aid, exemplifying the U.S. Navy's values of honor, courage, and commitment.
U.S. Flying Aces of the Korean War
The Korean War was the first conflict with widespread use of jet-engine powered fighter aircraft by both sides.
The United States mainly flew the F-86 Sabre fighter plane.
Over the three years of the Korean War, 41 U.S. pilots achieved ace status, meaning each pilot achieved at least 5 aerial victories.
World War II (1939–1945)
In the early days of World War II, the United States remained on the sidelines as conflict engulfed Europe, Africa, and Asia.
However, the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 brought the United States fully into the struggle.
The Allied victory in 1945 was an effort that drew upon the courage of people from around the world.
Battle of Iwo Jima
During World War II, more than 5,900 Marines and Sailors were killed in action or died of wounds in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
By seizing Iwo Jima, U.S. military aircraft were able to land on the island instead of ditching into the Pacific Ocean, saving the lives of approximately 24,000 U.S. servicemembers.
Tuskegee Airmen
During World War II, Tuskegee Airmen served as pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers, quartermasters, warrant officers, medical personnel, and instructors.
Their achievements advanced integration practices and civil rights in American society and military policy.
Native American Veterans
Native Americans served in the military as early as the 19th century, informally during the days of westward expansion, and formally in the Civil War as Indian Scouts of the U.S. Army.
Notably, Native Americans served as Code Talkers in World War II, ultimately ensuring the U.S. victory in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Houston Riot of 1917
The 24th Infantry's 3rd Battalion were embroiled in the Houston Riot of 1917, one of the largest race riots where only Black soldiers were condemned in a miscarriage of justice.
Of the 19 African American soldiers executed for their role, 17 are interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, TX.
Revolutionary War Veterans at VA national cemeteries
August 2nd 2026 was the 250th anniversary of the day when most delegates actually signed the Declaration of Independence.
VA held ceremonies to honor 49 Veterans of the Revolutionary War who are interred or memorialized in VA national cemeteries or VA-administered soldiers' lots within private cemeteries.
