US Marine Corps War Memorial

US Marine Corps War Memorial

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) is a national monument located in Arlington County, Virginia, in the United States. Dedicated 63 years ago in 1954, it is located in Arlington Ridge Park, near the Ord-Weitzel Gate to Arlington National Cemetery and the Netherlands Carillon. The war memorial is dedicated to all U.S. Marine Corps personnel who died in the defense of the United States since 1775.

The memorial was inspired by the iconic 1945 photograph of six Marines raising a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. It was taken by Associated Press combat photographer Joe Rosenthal. Upon first seeing the photograph, sculptor Felix de Weldon created a maquette for a sculpture based on the photo in a single weekend at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland, where he was serving in the Navy. He and architect Horace W. Peaslee designed the memorial. Their proposal was presented to Congress, but funding was not possible during the war. In 1947, a federal foundation was established to raise funds for the memorial.

The US Marine Corps War Memorial is located on Arlington Ridge along the axis of the National Mall. A panorama of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building are visible from its grounds. During the summer, the US Marine Corps normally holds Sunset Parades at the Memorial on Tuesday evenings.

The US Marine Corps War Memorial is located on Arlington Ridge along the axis of the National Mall. A panorama of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building are visible from its grounds. During the summer, the US Marine Corps normally holds Sunset Parades at the Memorial on Tuesday evenings. During the rehabilitation work ongoing at the Memorial, The Sunset Parades will be held at the Lincoln Memorial for the 2019 season. The Sunset Parades are a one hour performance, featuring the music of “The Commandant’s Own”, The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and precision drill by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. To request a ranger program at the US Marine Corps War Memorial please call 703‑235-1530.