Carolina Alumni Review - September/October 2010

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along the paths lined with selected quotations; visitors to campus routinely stop at the bronze Book of Names, slide out the panels and read the names listed. It is a somber spot on campus, incised into the brick walk adjoining Memorial Hall.

The names are grouped alphabetically by
conflict. They total 684.

And there is a story for each one. Beginning with the dedication of the memorial, staff from the GAA’s Records Department and from the Carolina Alumni Review decided to tell as many of them as possible.

Now y ou can read what has been found.

With the relaunch of the GAA’s website in July, an online edition of this memorial is available ( alumni.unc.edu/veterans/list.asp) that includes a biographical page for each alumnus listed. The online list totals 713 names; the research for the online project added to what had been known about how many alumni had perished during wartime.

Some biographical pages are more complete than others. Each page includes a link for sharing additional information or comments; photos are included as available, and photo submissions are welcomed.

The website also allows for searching for
individuals by conflict, from the Civil War
through Iraq and Afghanistan.

The staff worked to tell as much about how these alumni lived as how they died and, as in all memorials, about what others said about them in reflection. Most were young men; a few were veterans of many years. Accounts of some deaths have a grim clarity; the deaths of others remain half-told, with competing facts.

More than a dozen individuals contributed to the research, writing, fact-checking and editing of this project, including full-time staff and student interns. For two conflicts — the Civil War and World War II — two researchers worked for many months, probing GAA records and historical accounts and adding to what the GAA knows of hundreds of lives: Anthony Strickland ’77 (MA), a former associate director of admissions at UNC who worked chiefly with alumni serving in World War II; and author Graham Kent Strickland ’62 of Asheboro, who specializes in the Civil War.

As more is learned, the stories will con-
tinue to change. The GAA is grateful to all
who can help in that effort. ;

— Regina W. Oliver ’75

Need a replacement?
Bought a new car?
Misplaced your GAA member card?
Display your Carolina pride on your car with
a GAA member decal and carry your member
card to take advantage of member discounts
and services.
Carolina mailing labels are
available for life members and
annual members who sign up for
the automatic renewal program.
To order, call (800) 962–0742
or visit alumni.unc.edu/membersupplies
General Alumni Association

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