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Visit the Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum
Over 58,000 servicemen and women lost their lives in the Vietnam War. The Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum was established by a few veterans to remember the 2.7 million American men and women who fought in that war, including the 58,000 who gave their lives in service. Remembering the service, sacrifice, and valor of the fallen veterans and their families provides a glimpse into our nation’s history from the start in February 1961 to the ending in May 1975.
A statement on the museum’s Facebook page states:
“The museum is dedicated to future Americans from local schools and youth organizations to soldiers currently defending our great nation, in the hope that everyone passing through the gates will leave with a better understanding of past and present military conflicts.”
And indeed, those visiting the museum come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of that time period and the men and women who served.
Who was Corporal Larry E. Smedley?
Any war hosts heroes, usually a great many. Likewise, the Vietnam War proved many to be selfless, even to the point of sacrificing their own life.
What's Inside
Meet Larry Smedley.
Born March 4, 1949, Larry chose to leave his high school (Colonial High School, Orlando, FL) just days after his 17th birthday to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After recruit training, he received promotions that led to his final one of Corporal on September 1, 1967. By all known accounts, he served well, owing to his military record.
However, on December 21, 1967, as he patrolled in Quảng Nam Province, his squad met with enemy action. Indeed, it seems the six-man squad the Smedley led noted an impending attack and moved to prevent it. Although he saved the five other men, he gave his own life in the process. They reported that he gallantly fought, single-handedly.
Corporal Larry E.. Smedley received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his gallant act of bravery.
Of course, many others served well, too.
The originators of the museum chose to honor this young Corporal from Orlando by naming the museum after him. However, they noted that he represents the many that served. In fact, they had the names of those from the Orange County, Florida region who died in the Vietnam War to honor them and their families. The names represent lives lost. But the wall they cover shows the memories, too.
<scroll down for photos>
Located in the East Orlando area, the museum hosts a variety of displays. These include:
- the first dedicated monument to Fallen Vietnam War Veterans in the state of Florida which contains the names of the 167 men and women from Orange County, Florida who lost their lives in the war.
- statue of a K-9
- U.S. Navy Patrol Boat River (PBR), also known as “River Rat”
- Douglas A-4B Skyhawk aircraft, currently on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation (Pensacola, FL)
- Bell UH-1 (Huey) Dustoff helicopter
- jeeps and other transport vehicles
- detailed wall mural depicting the war environment
- room-size, to-scale, firebase re-creation (this took about eleven years to complete)
- educational media/research room with audiovisual capabilities
- many artifacts from the Vietnam War era
View the video below for a
Visiting the Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum
The museum is open to the public on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Private and educational tours can be scheduled with prior agreement and confirmation with the museum.
Contact: 407-721-5447
3400 N Tanner Rd, Orlando, FL 32826
The museum welcomes individuals, families, and groups. In fact, the exhibit makes a great school trip. Homeschoolers, too!
While the museum accepts donations of equipment, artifacts, and monetary donations, entry into the exhibit is free of charge. You might also stop in the gift shop to select a souvenir.
As with many museums, the Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum depends on word-of-mouth advertising. When we visited, we were encouraged to take photos, some of which you see on this page.
If you know of a Florida museum or other interesting site that you would like to see featured here, please contact us.
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I like the idea of remembering the contribution of the military. Most of the time we don’t dig deep enough. I was impressed that the museum’s collection includes an A-4 Skyhawk. I remember as a kid, I had a picture of one of these, and I learned to draw attack aircrafts by tracing on top of the picture in the book.
One of my sons did similar art tracings, Paolo. It has helped him understand the aircrafts and designs, as it seems to have done for you.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
I was really touched to read this article, and also to watch the short video. It’s important that we remember those who have served and appreciate the contribution they have made. Also to appreciate that “the enemy” was mainly regular people with families and a life before war. I was particularly touched by the model table made by the 7 year old boy whose father had served and died. I’m hoping to visit Florida when we are through the other side of this pandemice. The Smedley National Vietnam War Museum is way up there on the list.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. I do hope you are able to visit the museum and other important places in Florida when the pandemic eases.
Thank you for visiting the FloridaSplendors.com website.
I love the way the museum Facebook page puts it, a clear indication for youths not to forget those who fought for our nation and upheld its integrity. People who laid down their lifes for others like corporal Larry should not be forgotten. They are heros we must continue to remember and teach our youths to emulate
Yes, part of the museum’s focus is to remember and honor those lives lost and those changed by the Vietnam War.
Thank you for visiting FloridaSplendors.com. Please stop by again soon!
I love museums, and I do mean love. I try to visit every single once i can especially war related. WWII is usually my favorite but I’ve been getting more and more interested in Vietnam simply because at first I didn’t know much about it. The more I learn the more fascinating it becomes. This is going on my list.
I’m glad you hope to visit the Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum. As you said, many people don’t know much about the Vietnam War, but it is an important part of our history. Please write back when you visit and tell us about your experience.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the blog and watching the video. Really brings back history which happened when we were children. It is a good effort to appreciate war heroes but at the same time it was sad that the US enlisted boys into the army at that time to fight in a foreign land. You can imagine the cultural shock they experienced. I notice there were no explanation why there was a war in Vietnam then, and how the war affected the history of both countries and the world.
It’s true that the war was and still remains quite controversial. I didn’t address that aspect as the museum is intended to show the men who fought and gave of themselves, rather than the political aspect. The men and women and their families were changed forever, as happens in wars anywhere.
I do appreciate your comments. Thank you!
Thank you for the good advice. It’s really important to learn history, to learn from the success but also the failings of the men from the past.
We usually know a lot about the 2 world wars, but little about others, like the Vietnam war which devastated two people and killed a lot of soldiers and innocents. A war brought up just for power and nationalism.
Museums like this are a real jewel for the countries because through them people can learn, especially the young ones, and benefit from the tragedies of the past in order to avoid them in the future and to improve their beliefs and way of living in a society.
Peace is always the best choice.
Thank you
Your words are so true. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!