Jan C. Scruggs

Jan C. Scruggs is a historian and advocate who founded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., opening in 1982. Driven by a desire to honor those who served and to promote healing, he played a key role in creating the iconic black granite wall that lists the names of missing and fallen soldiers. Scruggs's efforts helped transform how the United States memorializes military service and loss, fostering national reflection and reconciliation. His work has made a lasting impact on veteran remembrance and public understanding of Vietnam War history.