Medal of Honor Memorial - Seattle, WA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
N 47° 39.436 W 122° 18.583
10T E 551831 N 5278439
A memorial monument dedicated in 2009 on the University of Washington campus to alumni who received the Medal of Honor.
Waymark Code: WMVDPJ
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 04/05/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
Views: 1

Located on the University of Washington campus and at the turnaround where Memorial Way meets Kane Hall, a memorial names eight alumni who are recipients of the highest U.S. military honor given, the Medal of Honor:

Deming Bronson, first lieutenant, U.S. Army
Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, major, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Robert E. Galer, brigadier general (ret.), U.S. Marine Corps
William Kenzo Nakamura, private first class, U.S. Army
Bruce Crandall, lieutenant colonel (ret.), U.S. Army
John D. “Bud” Hawk, sergeant, U.S. Army
Archie Van Winkle, colonel (ret.), U.S. Marine
Robert Leisy, second lieutenant, U.S. Army Corps

Since 1862, 3,448 U.S. service members have received the Medal of Honor. The memorial is anchored by a five-point star, similar to the medal star. At the north point of the circle is a “book stone.” A plain serpentine rock that sat for years outside the UW sculpture studio was split open like a book and polished.

“The stone glows like ordinary people courageous enough to do something extraordinary for their fellow human beings,” said sculptor Heidi Wastweet, who was involved in the project.

A basalt column in front of the stone features the face of Minerva, goddess of both wisdom and war, who is pictured on the medal. Near those rocks are four sentinel stones surrounding one with bronze wording from the recipients’ Medal citations.

“We want to inspire students who walk around and through the memorial,” Wastweet said. “We want them to think that if these alumni could do extraordinary feats, then they can, too.”

Artist Michael Magrath, a UW visiting scholar in sculpture and public art; Heidi Wastweet, a Seattle sculptor; and Dodi Fredericks, a landscape architect, designed the memorial.

There are other links that highlight this memorial. A UW archive article highlights the memorial and shows pictures of all UW alumni.

Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial

In Honor Of: Ordinary Individuals Facing Extraordinary Circumstances With Courage and Selflessness Answer the Call and Change the Course of Destiny

Marker Text:
Read above.


Date of dedication: November 11, 2009

Who Put it Here?: UW Students

Description of Memorial:
The design is anchored by a five-point star, similar to the medal star, inset into the traffic circle. At the north point of the circle is the “book stone.” On the outside, it’s a plain serpentine rock. The book stone includes each Medal of Honor recipient’s name, rank, award year and years at UW. A basalt column in front of the stone features the face of Minerva, goddess of both wisdom and war, who is pictured on the medal. Near those rocks are four sentinel stones surrounding one with bronze wording from the recipients’ Medal citations.


Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Visited Logs must contain, at least, a picture of the monument and your GPSr. Preferably YOU at the monument with your GPSr, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
It is suggested you please include something about your visit here, as well.
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