Above and Beyond – The Vietnam War Memorial: 58,307 Hanging Dog Tags Created By Veterans

Above and Beyond comprises 58,307 dog tags. Each dog tag represents a person in the Vietnam War
and is arranged in date order of death.

 

And, each dog tag shows their name, casualty date, and military branch.

Above and Beyond was commissioned by the National Veterans Art Museum and created by artist Rick Steinbock, and veteran artists Ned Broderick, Joe Fornelli, and Mike Helbing.

It was originally installed at 1801 S. Indiana Ave. on May 26, 2001 to coincide with Chicago’s Memorial Day parade. 

Above and Beyond was created over a 2-year period as each dog tag was stamped by hand using a former military Graphotype machine.

Above and Beyond is the only memorial other than The Wall in Washington, D.C. to list all those killed in action during the Vietnam War.

Additionally, it includes one black dog tag.

This serves to remind us of those who died from conditions related to service during the Vietnam War.

Above and Beyond is part of the National Veterans Art Museum Collection, and is on extended exhibition at the Harold Washington Library Center–400 S. State St. Please check library hours for viewing.

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