The World War II Memorial opened on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2004, to honor the service of the 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as the support of the millions on the home front and the ultimate sacrifice of 405,399 Americans. Designed by Austrian-born architect Friedrich St. Florian, the memorial was selected out of over 400 entries in 1997. St. Florian’s design included a plaza sunken into the ground with earth berms to protect the view between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, as well as encompassing the Rainbow Pool at the west end of the Reflecting Pool.
Construction of the memorial began in September 2001 and it features 24 bronze bas-relief panels at its entrance, depicting scenes from the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war. The panels, sculpted by artist Ray Kaskey, depict both home front and battle scenes, highlighting sacrifice and determination. Scenes and themes represented in the panels include battles, submarines, paratroopers, the role of women in the war effort, and agriculture. The memorial also includes a granite column for each state and U.S. territory that was part of the United States during World War II, as well as an impressive pool with water shooting high in the air.
There are victory pavilions, quotes from leaders during the war, and a wall of 4,048 gold stars at the memorial, each representing roughly 100 American lives lost during the war. The memorial officially opened to the public in April 2004 but was not formally dedicated until Memorial Day weekend the following month. A grand reunion of World War II veterans took place on May 29, 2004, when the memorial was officially dedicated to “The Greatest Generation.” Visitors to the memorial are encouraged to participate in a special activity involving finding two inscriptions of ‘Kilroy was here,’ a symbol from World War II representing the presence of U.S. soldiers.
Today, the World War II Memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visitors can also take a virtual tour of the memorial through the www.wwiimemorialfriends.org website. The memorial serves as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in World War II, showcasing their experiences through various scenes depicted in the artwork and designs throughout the memorial. The dedication of the memorial in 2004 was a significant event, marking the official tribute to the Greatest Generation and allowing for millions of visitors to pay their respects and reflect on the impact of the war.
Overall, the World War II Memorial stands as a powerful tribute to the 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States, showcasing their service and sacrifice during the war. The memorial’s design, created by architect Friedrich St. Florian, incorporates various elements to honor those who served, including bronze bas-relief panels, granite columns for each state and territory, and a wall of gold stars representing American lives lost. Opening in 2004, the memorial has become a significant landmark on the National Mall, allowing visitors to pay their respects and learn about America’s experience in World War II.
