Korean War Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

National Park Service photo by Nathan Adams

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Accessible Sites, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Wheelchair Accessible

The Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall honors the service and sacrifice of the more than 5.7 million Americans who served during the Korean War, a conflict often described as the “Forgotten War.” The war began in June 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea, prompting a United Nations–led response under U.S. command. Fighting continued for three years in brutal conditions, marked by rapid advances and retreats, mountainous terrain, and extreme weather. An armistice signed in July 1953 ended active combat but not the war itself, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided and the conflict unresolved. More than 36,000 Americans lost their lives, and thousands more were wounded or went missing.

The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1986 after decades of advocacy by veterans who sought national recognition for their service. A team of architects from Penn State University created the original winning concept and established the core themes and imagery for the Korean War Veterans Memorial but withdrew during the review process. Cooper-Lecky Architects subsequently developed and carried out the final approved design.

Designed by a team led by architect Cooper-Lecky Architects with sculptor Frank Gaylord, the memorial was dedicated on July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the armistice. A commemorative wall honoring those who served was added in 2022, expanding the memorial’s original scope.

The memorial’s most striking feature is a formation of 19 stainless steel statues representing a U.S. Army patrol moving through rugged terrain. The soldiers—drawn from different branches of the armed forces—are depicted in ponchos and combat gear, evoking the harsh conditions of the Korean Peninsula. Their arrangement, combined with their reflections in a polished black granite wall, creates the visual effect of 38 figures, symbolically referencing the 38th parallel. The granite wall is etched with images of soldiers, equipment, and people involved in the war effort, emphasizing the collective nature of the conflict.

Inscribed throughout the memorial are reminders of the war’s cost, including the stark declaration, “Freedom Is Not Free.” A circular Pool of Remembrance nearby honors those killed, wounded, missing in action, or held as prisoners of war, offering a quiet space for reflection. Set slightly apart from the central Mall axis, the Korean War Veterans Memorial conveys both motion and solemnity, ensuring that the service and sacrifice of those who fought in Korea are neither forgotten nor overlooked.