Kennewick in Benton County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Gerald Carmichael
1948 - 1966
| | United States Marine | |
Photographed by Clayton Pickett, April 23, 2026
1. Gerald Carmichael Marker
In honor of the first man from Kennewick to be killed in the Vietnam war, Corporal Gerald Carmichael, USMC. The Kennewick native was a student at Kennewick High before he joined the United States Marine Corps in February 1965. He went to Vietnam in March 1966 and was killed while on patrol October 5, 1966. He was 18. Gerald Carmichael is buried at Riverview Heights Cemetery in Kennewick.
Shortly after receiving word of Carmichael's death, Kennewick community members led by the Kennewick VFW Post #5785 petitioned the Kennewick City Council to rename this short street in his honor. On January 1, 1967, the name changed from West Canal Street to Carmichael Drive.
Carmichael Drive and the Gerald Carmichael Monument were dedicated in 1969.
The monument was renewed in 1993 and 2014 and was re-dedicated in 2025.
In a gesture of respect for the sacrifice made by Corporal Carmichael and many others who perished while wearing the uniform, we have elected not to place the names of those who contributed their time and talent over the years to create this memorial. We thank everyone.
Erected 2025.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1966.
Location. 46°
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Washington’s Columbia Basin and in Yakima Valley. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Intercity Green Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kennewick Man (approx. 0.4 miles away); Downtown Kennewick (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Shootout at Poplar Grove (approx. 0.4 miles away); Indian Petroglyphs (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clover Island (approx. 0.9 miles away); Call of the River (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennewick.
Photographed by Clayton Pickett, April 23, 2026
2. Gerald Carmichael Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
