World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a solemn and stirring tribute to the millions of Americans who served and sacrificed during World War II. Dedicated on May 29, 2004, the memorial honors the 16 million members of the United States Armed Forces, the more than 400,000 who gave their lives, and the countless civilians who contributed to the war effort on the home front.

Designed by architect Friedrich St. Florian, the World War II Memorial is situated at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The memorial's central feature is a large oval-shaped plaza surrounded by 56 granite pillars, each representing a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia, and adorned with bronze wreaths and inscriptions honoring the contributions of those regions to the war effort.

At the center of the plaza is the Freedom Wall, a curved exedra lined with 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died during the war. The wall serves as a powerful reminder of the scale of the sacrifice made by the men and women who served in World War II and a tribute to their bravery, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Surrounding the plaza are two pavilions, one dedicated to the Atlantic Theater of Operations and the other to the Pacific Theater, each featuring bronze bas-relief sculptures, inscriptions, and water features commemorating key events, battles, and campaigns of the war. The memorial also includes a series of granite arches, pavilions, and fountains, providing visitors with a contemplative and reflective space to pay their respects and honor the memory of those who served and sacrificed during World War II.

The World War II Memorial is a place of remembrance, reverence, and gratitude, inviting visitors to reflect on the profound impact of the war on American society and the world at large. Whether visited during the day or illuminated against the night sky, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the Greatest Generation and their enduring legacy of courage, sacrifice, and service to the nation.