U.S. Navy Memorial

The stone plaza features fountains, artwork depicting scenes from naval history.

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Location:

Washington, DC

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit

The United States Navy Memorial, located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, serves as the nation’s official memorial honoring the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. Authorized by Congress in 1980 and dedicated in 1987, the memorial was intentionally placed on “America’s Main Street” to reflect the Navy’s enduring connection to the American people and the central role of sea power in the nation’s history, commerce, and security from the Revolutionary War to the present day.

At the heart of the memorial is Granite Plaza, an open civic space symbolizing the sea as a shared global domain and gathering place. Anchoring the plaza is “The Lone Sailor” statue, a life-sized bronze figure depicting a Navy sailor on shore leave. Facing toward the sea, the figure represents all who have served—past, present, and future—and emphasizes the personal experience of service, conveying duty, reflection, and readiness rather than a moment of combat. Set into the plaza are inlaid world maps that trace the oceans, continents, and major waterways where American sea services have operated, underscoring their worldwide reach and enduring presence.

Surrounding the plaza are the Sea Service bronze relief panels, which illustrate the history, missions, and traditions of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. These panels depict scenes ranging from combat operations to humanitarian assistance, training, and daily life at sea, reinforcing that sea service encompasses not only warfare but also diplomacy, disaster response, and the safeguarding of global commerce.

Adjacent to the plaza is the Navy Memorial Visitor Center, which extends the memorial’s mission through exhibits, interpretive displays, and educational programming. The visitor center, which is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., provides historical context on naval service and sea power, highlights key moments in U.S. maritime history, and offers interactive and rotating exhibits that connect the stories of individual sailors and marines to broader national and global events. Together, the memorial and visitor center form a unified experience—combining reflection, education, and civic engagement—and reinforce the enduring connection between the American public and those who serve at sea.