Making a Memorial - Arlington, VA
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 53.436 W 077° 04.197
18S E 320475 N 4306672
The United State Marine War Memorial, sometimes called the Iwo Jima Memorial, or just the Marine memorial
Waymark Code: WMW57C
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/11/2017
Views: 3
County of marker: Arlington County
location of marker: US Marine Memorial Circle, front side on sidewalk, corner of Arlington Blvd. & N. Meade St., Arlington
Marker erected by: Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Marker Text:
Making a Memorial
The United States marine Corps War Memorial stands as a symbol of our nation's high regard for the honored dead of the Marine Corps. Although the statue depicts one of the most famous events of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States of America since 1775.
Shortly after the release of Associated Press Photographer Joe Rosenthal's famous photo, sculptor Felix W. de Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, constructed a scale model followed by several life-sized statues inspired by the scene.
It was then proposed that the symbolic scene be immortalized in bronze. The Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation organized the fundraising and creation of the monument. After years of effort, Felix de Walton and his assistants completed the statue.
The memorial, designed by Horace W. Peaslee, was officially dedicated by President Dwight David Eisenhower on November 10, 1954. The entire cost of the memorial was $850,000 - all donated by Marines, Naval service members and friends.
The 32-foot high bronze figures are shown erecting a 60-foot flagpole at the top of Mount Surbachi on Iwo Jima. Barnished in gold on the Swedish granite are the names and dates of principal Marine Corps engagements since the founding of the Corps.