Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located on The Mall in Washington, DC, in West Potomac Park southeast of the Lincoln Memorial. Directly to the north lies the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It was authorized by Congress on October 28 1986 and construction began in November 1993. It was dedicated on July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the armistice that ended the war by Bill Clinton and Kim Young Sam, President of the Republic of Korea, to the men and women who served during the conflict. It is managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

Related Topics:
The Mall - Washington, DC - West Potomac Park - Lincoln Memorial - Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Congress - October 28 - 1986 - July 27 - 1995 - Armistice - Bill Clinton - Republic of Korea - U.S. National Park Service

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The memorial is in the form of a triangle intersecting a circle. Within the triangle are 19 stainless steel statues designed by Frank Gaylord, each slightly larger than life size (between 7 feet 3 inches and 7 feet 6 inches), representing a squad on patrol, 15 Army, 2 Marines, 1 Navy Medic, and 1 Air Force Observer, dressed in full gear, dispersed among strips of granite and juniper bushes, representing the rugged terrain of Korea. To the north of the statues is a path, forming one one side of the triangle, and behind, to the south, is a 164 foot long black granite wall, created by Louis Nelson, with photographic images sandblasted into it depicting soldiers, equipment and people involved in the war, forming the second side. The third side of the triangle, facing towards the Lincoln Memorial, is open.

Related Topics:
Memorial - Stainless steel - Frank Gaylord - Life size - Feet - Inch - Squad - Army - Marines - Navy - Air Force - Granite - Juniper - Louis Nelson - Photographic - Sandblasted

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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.

Related Topics:
United Nations - Korean war

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The circle contains a Pool of Remembrance, a shallow 30 feet in diameter pool lined with black granite, surrounded by a grove of trees with benches. Inscriptions list the numbers killed, wounded, missing in action, and held as prisoners of war, and a nearby plaque in inscribed: "Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met." Additionally, right next to the numbers of American soldiers are those of the United Nations troops in the same categories.

Related Topics:
Killed - Missing in action - Prisoners of war - Plaque

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A further granite wall bears the simple message, inlaid in silver: "Freedom Is Not Free".

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