The Korea and Vietnam conflicts arose because the United States attempted to stem the tide of communism in Southeast Asia. While the Korean conflict, technically, a police action, ended in stalemate with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, the war in Vietnam ended with the United States’ unilateral withdrawal, resulting in both a military defeat and a national moral crisis.

Not since our failed military invasions into Canada in the War of 1812 had Americans found themselves questioning their nation’s leadership. To many, our military involvement in Vietnam came at too high a price with only the slightest offsetting possibilities of success. Tragically, Vietnam War veterans today suffer the highest rates of suicide among veterans and many suffer still with both physical pain and mental anguish.

In honor and remembrance of the courageous men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces during these two protracted military conflicts, the Wilson Historical Society proudly presents A Tribute to Wilson’s Korea-Vietnam Era Veterans, a collection of photos, submitted and researched bios, and four-hundred-sixty-six pages of archived Wilson Post Democrat newspaper articles detailing local events and newsworthy updates on our men and women serving our nation from January 1, 1950 to December 31, 1975. Join us in saluting your friends, neighbors, family members and fellow citizens for their brave service, noble sacrifice and unending patriotism. It is America’s great men and women of the United States military who stand ready to protect each of us and our nation against all threats.