| Korean War Veterans Memorial | |
|---|---|
| The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. |
The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors those who served and sacrificed in the **Korean War** (1950–1953). It commemorates the service of more than **5.8 million Americans** and especially honors the **36,574 who died** and **103,284 who were wounded** during the conflict.
Location
- Located on the **National Mall**, just southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and across from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Near the **Reflecting Pool** in **West Potomac Park**
Design and Features
- Unveiled on **July 27, 1995**, the **42nd anniversary** of the armistice ending the war
- Core components include:
- **19 stainless steel statues** representing a squad on patrol * Soldiers are from various branches: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force * The figures appear to be walking through rough terrain in Korea - The **Mural Wall**, made of black granite and etched with the faces of over 2,500 real soldiers, nurses, and support personnel - The **Pool of Remembrance**, which contains the inscriptions: > *“Freedom is not free”* and casualty statistics
2022 Expansion and Update
- A new Wall of Remembrance was added in 2022
- Lists the names of over 36,000 American service members and over 7,100 Korean augmentations to the U.S. Army (KATUSAs) who died in the war
Symbolism
- The statues reflect unity, diversity, and sacrifice
- The mirrored wall creates ghost-like reflections, symbolizing the presence of those lost
- The triangle layout pointing toward the American flag represents the mission and purpose
Fun Facts
- Each statue is 7 feet tall and wears authentic Korean War-era gear
- The layout forms a triangle intersecting a circle, symbolic of unity and eternity
- The memorial is particularly striking at night with its dramatic lighting