« Back to Blog

Vietnam Veterans Portrayed in Hit War Movie To Be Featured in Patriots Point Symposium

Chris Hauff Apr 14, 2015

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Many of the men depicted in the popular 2002 Mel Gibson Vietnam War film We Were Soldiers, will share their memories of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley at an upcoming free symposium at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

Seating for the event will begin at 7:00 p.m., April 17th, aboard the USS YORKTOWN.  The symposium will start at 7:30 p.m.  It is part of a week-long reunion for members of the Army’s 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary, marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

During the symposium, men of the 7th Calvary, including Medal of Honor recipient Col. Walter J. (Joe) Marm Jr., will use scenes from We Were Soldiers to describe what the heavy fighting was like.  Ia Drang Valley was the first major battle between American forces and the North Vietnamese.   It is considered by many as the battle that changed the entire war.

In addition to the veterans, guests will also hear from the wives and family of those who fought.  The women will discuss how they received news from the battlefront and what it was like to anticipate those updates.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is an official Vietnam War 50th anniversary commemorative partner of the Department of Defense.  The Battle of Ia Drang Valley symposium is part of the museum’s ongoing commemoration efforts of the war.  Parking for the event on April 17th will cost $5.

Click Here For More Information

 

« Previous Post

Large audience comes to see Heroes of Iwo Jima: 70 Years Later

Next Post »

Patriots Point to Remember Americans Killed in Battle of Okinawa With Memorial Service and Meet & Greet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Military (ID required)
  • $22
  • Buy Now
  • SC Teachers/SC First Responders (ID required)
  • $23
  • Buy Now

COVID-19 Notice

Due to health safety measures related to COVID-19, structured, in-person education programs have been suspended. Please consider booking a guided or self-guided tour for your group.

More Information

COVID-19 Notice

Due to health safety measures related to COVID-19, our overnight camping program has been suspended. Please consider joining our exclusive list to be among the first to learn when the program relaunches.

Interested in booking a day group visit to see our museum? Discounted rates for 10+ people.

More Information