St. Mary’s Memorial Plaza Walls – Updating Names

St. Mary’s Memorial Plaza

The St. Mary’s Memorial Plaza was given in memory of Lt. Edwin Frank Dietzel Jr., who lost his life over Tokyo fighting for our freedom in World War II by The Roger L. and Laura Dietzel Zeller Charitable Foundation. The walls in Memorial Plaza honor the memory of former students who gave their lives in defense of our freedom and St. Mary’s graduates who served our country as general officers and flag officers.

Former Students Who Died in War

Only former students who attended or graduated from St. Mary’s, participated in military training at St. Mary’s since it began in 1932, and died while defending our freedom in wars and conflicts are eligible to have their names engraved on a wall in Memorial Plaza.

St. Mary’s Graduates Who Attained the Rank of General or Admiral

St. Mary’s graduates who served our country as general officers and flag officers (attained the rank of general or admiral) are eligible to have their names engraved on a wall in Memorial Plaza. These graduates may or may not have participated in military training at St. Mary’s and may have earned a St. Mary’s degree (undergraduate, graduate or law) before or after leaving the military.

Process for adding names to Memorial Plaza

• St. Mary’s will update the walls in Memorial Plaza, adding names of new eligible former students, each year after the University’s Veteran’s Day ceremony.
• Proposed names of eligible former students should be submitted to the Office of the President.
• The Office of the President will work with the Registrar’s Office to verify the individuals are former students who attended or graduated from St. Mary’s, and with the ROTC Program and the Office of Veteran’s Affairs to confirm military service.
• The Office of the President will work with Facilities Services to add new names to the walls in Memorial Plaza. Names will be presented consistent with the current presentation on the panels.
• The Office of the President will send new names to the Advancement Services Office for updating the University’s official records.