Korean War Veterans Memorial

Washington, D.C., United States

The Korean War Veterans Memorial commemorates those who served in the Korean War. It was confirmed by the U.S. Congress in 1986.

The main memorial is in the form of a triangle intersecting a circle. The Mural was created by Louis Nelson, with photographic images sandblasted into it depicting soldiers, equipment and people involved in the war. When reflected on the wall, there appear to be 38 soldiers, 38 months, and it is also representing the 38 parallel that separated the North and South Korea.

Within the walled triangle are 19 stainless steel statues designed by Frank Gaylord. The figures represent a squad on patrol, drawn from each branch of the armed forces; fourteen of the figures are from the U.S. Army, three are from the Marine Corps, one is a Navy Corpsman, and one is an Air Force Forward Air Observer. They are dressed in full combat gear, dispersed among strips of granite and juniper bushes which represent the rugged terrain of Korea.

To the north of the statues and path is the United Nations Wall, a low wall listing the 22 members of the United Nations that contributed troops or medical support to the Korean War effort.

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Details

Founded: 1986
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in United States

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

MJG (7 months ago)
This memorial is a work of art. It checks all the standard memorial boxes: water, quotes, statues, granite. It's beautiful and a great tribute. The soldier statues walking through the "fields" is very neat and reminiscent of what the actual soldiers had to deal with. Very well done recreation. Definitely worth a look when walking from MLK to the Lincoln Memorial. Highly recommend. 5/5. ___________________________________________________ Follow me for more reviews, tips and photos!
Erik P (7 months ago)
If you pick one memorial to see at night or early morning this is it. I went very early morning (1am) and was all alone. It was very moving and allowed for some personal reflection. I visit this memorial every visit I have to DC and it’s always as moving. Take a few moments to sit by the water and reflect.
Gwendolyn R Houston-Jack (8 months ago)
This memorial makes you wonder if all the loss was worth it. I can't imagine anyone walking through the Korean War Veterans Memorial and not being moved to tears. All those soldiers that fought, that were lost, that were captured, or died in battle, it touches you. The life size statues leaves an impact as you walk through and look at the faces. It's true that freedom is not free.
Tanya Elliott (8 months ago)
Very moving Memorial. The pictures on the wall are of the actual people who served. You can see the reflection of yourself and the statues in this wall. And the statues-no matter where you walk there is a statue looking at you. I arrived just as it was getting dark, and I think that is the best time to visit.
Erik Smith (10 months ago)
Hands down my favorite memorial, especially at night. If you chewed dirt somewhere around this world you can look at their faces and know exactly how they feel. If you didn’t, you can get a glimpse of what it was like. At night the lighting is perfect, the looks on their faces, their motions, the ponchos dangling over their shoulders and the details down to the snaps, it’s all surreal. The shadows on the walls are just as breathtaking. The new addition to the memorial is just as amazing. Highly recommend you visit, and I really recommend you see it at night.
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