Dedicated in 1995 by President Bill Clinton and South Korean President Kim Young Sam, the Korean War Veterans Memorial is a moving tribute to the 1.8 million Americans who served during the 1950-1953 conflict, sometimes called the “forgotten war.”
The memorial centers on 19 lifelike steel statues of U.S. soldiers on patrol, dressed in full combat gear. The soldiers represent the four branches of the U.S. military and a cross-section of races and ethnicities. Sculpted by World War II veteran Frank Gaylord, they are placed among juniper bushes and granite strips meant to simulate the rough terrain of Korea.
A pool of remembrance and Honor Roll commemorate the dead, missing in action, and prisoners of war among the U.S. and United Nations forces who participated in the conflict. Along the memorial’s north entrance lies a curb listing the 22 nations that provided troops or medical support as part of the UN response. On the south side of the memorial, there are three Rose of Sharon hibiscus plants, South Korea’s national flower.
The memorial is centrally located, adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial and directly across the Reflecting Pool from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Travel Tips
The memorial is best visited at night when white lights illuminate the 19 statues, making for memorable, if ghostly, photos. There are no food concessions near the memorial, so plan accordingly.
For more, visit: www.nps.gov/kowa/
Photos of the Korean War Veterans Memorial
Travel InformationKorean War Veterans Memorial Hours: The Korean War Veterans Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Park rangers are on hand to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, except for December 25. Admission: Free Parking: General visitor parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW, between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials. Metrorail: Orange and Blue Line stops for the Smithsonian are closest to the memorial, but it’s a good walk from the station. |
Nearby Attractions
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
Suggested Tours
Old Town Trolley Tour
Leave a Reply