World War II Memorial

Authorized by Congress in 1993, the World War II Memorial honors the 16 million people who served in the American armed forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from the home front. Architect Friedrich St. Florian designed the memorial after winning a national competition, envisioning a space that would blend seamlessly into the historic landscape of the National Mall. Construction finally began in 2001 after years of debate regarding the preservation of the open vista between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The site features 56 granite pillars, each 17 feet tall, arranged in a split semicircle around a central plaza and pool. These pillars represent the 48 U.S. states of 1945, the District of Columbia, and seven federal territories, symbolizing the national unity required to win the war. Two massive 43-foot arches, labeled Atlantic and Pacific, mark the two primary theaters of the conflict, while the Freedom Wall features 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 American lives lost. Since its formal dedication by President George W. Bush on May 29, 2004, the memorial has become a cornerstone of the National Mall. It serves as a poignant meeting place for veterans, particularly those participating in Honor Flights, who travel from across the country to see the tribute to their generation. The memorial stands not only as a monument to victory but as a somber reminder of the price of freedom and the collective sacrifice of the Greatest Generation.