Country legend George Jones paid tribute to American soldiers who fell during the Vietnam War with his classic country song “50,000 Names Carved in a Wall.”
The song centers on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a two-acre wall in Washington, D.C., bearing the names of those who sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. This memorial honors the U.S. service members who fought and died for their country.
“There’s combat boots that he used to wear when he was sent over there,” sings George. “There’s purple hearts and packs of gum. Fatherless daughters and fatherless sons, and there’s 50,000 names carved in a wall.”
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George Jones himself served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He enlisted at 20 years old in 1951 and was discharged in 1953, spending his entire military service stationed in San Jose, California.
Just a year after his discharge, George recorded his first song, marking the beginning of a legendary career.
“50,000 Names Carved in a Wall” was released on George’s studio album The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001 when he was 70 years old. The album came out on September 11, 2001, a day that would become one of the most infamous in American history.
The song was written and first recorded by Jamie O’Hara, who earned a Grammy Award for writing “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ol’ Days)” by The Judds. The album also features the Billy Joe Shaver-written song “Tramp On Your Street” and a duet with Garth Brooks titled “Beer Run.”
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