Many consider World War II to be the defining event of the 20th Century. So they are shocked to learn that the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. was the first national memorial dedicated to all who served in that war, and that it took so long to be built. Fortunately, after many failed attempts, the World War II Memorial finally opened in 2004. As of 2009, 4.4 million people visit this site each year.
This overwhelming tribute honors the 16 million people who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as the millions who supported the war from home. More than 400,000 people did not make it back. A trip to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. gives visitors the chance to pay their respects to all of those people.
History of Establishing a Memorial for World War II
Before the dedication ceremony, quite a bit went into securing the memorial’s spot on the National Mall. President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-32 on May 25, 1993. This law authorized the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to establish a World War II Memorial.
But funding was still needed. It came primarily from private contributions thanks to the efforts of National Chairman Senator Bob Dole, who is also a celebrated World War II veteran, and National Co-chairman Frederick W. Smith. In the end, the federal government gave $16 million dollars toward the $197 million in cash and pledges.
The World War II Memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004. It was dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004, right before Memorial Day.
Designing a Worthy Tribute to Soldiers
A nationwide competition drew hundreds of submitted designs. Friedrich St.Florian, an architect from Providence, Rhode Island, was chosen from six semi-finalists. St.Florian combined the elements of water, bronze and granite to mix with the natural elements already abundant on the National Mall.
The final design consists of fifty-six granite columns in two half-circles, with a pair of arches on either end that surround a plaza and fountain. The 17 feet tall columns are inscribed with the names of the 48 U.S. States of 1945, as well as the District of Columbia, the Alaska Territory, Territory of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Northern arch is inscribed with Atlantic and the Southern arch with Pacific.
Along the walls of the memorial are 24 bronze bas-relief panels that depict the war experience. Scenes show everything from servicemen getting their physicals to being issued military gear to burying the dead. And finally, a panel showing the soldiers’ homecoming.
One of the most moving aspects of the memorial is The Freedom Wall. Set on the west side of the memorial, with a view of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, the Wall has 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died, or are missing, from the war.
Location on the National Mall
The War World II Memorial is set on the former site of the Rainbow Pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Located on 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, it is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
Parking in D.C. is tough but there are many alternate ways to get to the National Mall. To learn more, visit the National Park Service website.
The World War II Memorial is a tribute to all Americans. But no matter a person's nationality, it is hard not to be moved when visiting this historic acknowledgement to those who served for the greater cause of freedom.
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