Jim Vickers
Patriots Point honors Vietnam Veterans Day. Special Guest Speaker MOH recipient Gen. James Livingston
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, home to the historic ships USS Yorktown and USS Laffey, has partnered with the University of South Carolina Libraries to present a special screening of rare combat footage from the Vietnam War on Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29.
The footage, much of which has never been seen by the public, comes from a United States Marine Corps film collection spanning from World War I through the 1980s. The collection has been stewarded by the University of South Carolina since 2015. Representatives from the university’s libraries will be aboard the Yorktown from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to discuss the footage and provide information on how the entire collection can be accessed online.
“The collection of combat footage that the University of South Carolina received from the United States Marine Corps is incredible,” said Patriots Point Executive Director Allison Hunt. “We are honored to partner with the university to share this material and to showcase it on such a significant day aboard the Yorktown, which earned five battle stars during the Vietnam War.”
The University of South Carolina will also display photographs, letters, and other artifacts from their collection that illustrate the experiences of South Carolinians during the Vietnam War.
Vietnam Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony
At 11 a.m. on March 29, a memorial ceremony will be held inside the Vietnam Experience Exhibit, honoring the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans through special remarks and moments of recognition. Vietnam veterans in attendance will receive an official Department of Defense Vietnam War Veteran lapel pin—a meaningful token of recognition for their service.
New Addition to the Patriots Point Digital Collection
In addition to the film screening and memorial ceremony, Patriots Point will launch a new digital collection on its website, www.patriotspoint.org, that tells the story of James “Doc” Pueschel, a Navy corpsman who served with the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, Mike Company during the Vietnam War. Pueschel played a critical role, providing lifesaving medical aid under fire. Mike Company sustained 100% casualties during the war, with Pueschel himself wounded four times while assisting fellow service members. The physical artifacts from Pueschel’s service and medical equipment used during the war are currently on display in the Vietnam Experience at Patriots Point.
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum will offer complimentary admission to Vietnam Veterans and their families on March 29. The day marks the 51st anniversary of the 1973 withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Vietnam. For more information about activities on Vietnam Veterans Day, visit www.patriotspoint.org. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.