Last updated: May 20, 2025
Place
First Division Monument
NPS / Claire Hassler
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, DC
Significance:
Veterans Memorial
Designation:
Monument
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
This memorial proclaims the heroism of the soldiers of the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces who gave their lives during World War I. The monument was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge on October 4, 1924. Additions to the memorial were made in 1957 to honor the dead from World War II, in 1977 to honor those who died in the Vietnam War, and in 1995 to honor those who died in Desert Storm. The most recent additions dedicated in 2024, honor those who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The symbol of the First Division is "the Big Red One." A bed of red flowers in front of the memorial spells out a huge numeral one from spring to fall. The symbol is modeled after the "big red one" in the center of the division's patch. This pink Milford granite column from Massachusetts is one of the largest pieces ever taken from a quarry in the United States. Standing atop the sphere is a 15-foot-tall, gilded bronze figure of Victory. She is supported by wings, suggesting the perfection of body and soul. In her right hand she carries a flag, while her left extends in a blessing of the dead.
General John Pershing, commander of U.S. troops in WWI, was particularly proud of the First Division, which came to be known as "Pershing's Own." The soldiers of the First Division were the first American troops to arrive in France in 1917 and the last to leave Europe in September 1919. When the war was over, many wanted to honor the service and sacrifice of these men with the First Division Monument, an impressive pedestal listing the names of 5,516 First Division soldiers who gave their lives. Pershing said of the division that it had "a special pride of service and a high state of morale never broken by hardship nor battle," a quote inscribed on the pedestal of the monument.
More than 6,000 veterans and guests gathered to dedicate the First Division Monument on October 4, 1924. Major General Summerall served as grand marshal and spoke movingly of the spirit of the First Division. President Coolidge gave the dedication address and the ceremonies concluded with a benediction followed by the "Star-Spangled Banner" played by the massed bands of the First Division.
The First Division Monument was highly praised for both its design and its mission. For many years it was the only memorial in Washington dedicated to the soldiers of World War I. The Commission of Fine Arts described it as "the chief symbol of American valor in that war, a position borne out by the universal character of its design and location.”
Located adjacent to the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the First Division Monument is auspiciously located. To view it at its best, visit in spring when the garden forms a "Big Red One" at the foot of the monument.
Sculptor: Daniel Chester French
Architects: Cass Gilbert and Cass Gilbert, Jr.
The Commander-In-Chief Has Noted In This Division A Special Pride Of Service And A High State of Morale Never Broken By Hardship Not Battle
G.O. 201-AEF-1918
(World War I column pedestal south side)
Erected By The Memorial Association Of The First Division And Patriotic Friends
To The Memory Of The Dead Of The Division Who Gave Their Lives
In The World War That The Liberty And The Ideals Of Our Country Might Endure
(World War I base of the pedestal)
First Division United States Army American Expeditionary Forces
June 1917 September 1919
The Names of Our Immortal Dead Are Here Enshrined
(World War II central block east side)
The First Infantry Division United States Army
To Our Heroic Dead
8 Nov 1942 8 May 1945
Algeria Tunisia Sicily Normandy Northern France Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe
Erected 1957
By Members And Loyal Friend Of The First Infantry Division
And The Society of The First Division
(Vietnam War central block west side)
To The Soldiers Of
The First Infantry Division
United States Army
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice
In Vietnam
12 July 1965 3 April 1970
Erected 1977
By The Society of The First Division And Members
And Loyal Friends Of The First Infantry Division
(Operation Desert Storm Plaque)
To The Soldiers Of The First Infantry Division
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In
Operation Desert Storm
(Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia) 1991
(Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn)
To The Soldiers Of The First Infantry Division
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn
(Iraq) 2003 – 2011
(Operation Enduring Freedom)
To The Soldiers Of The First Infantry Division
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In
Operation Enduring Freedom
(Afghanistan) 2001 – 2014
The symbol of the First Division is "the Big Red One." A bed of red flowers in front of the memorial spells out a huge numeral one from spring to fall. The symbol is modeled after the "big red one" in the center of the division's patch. This pink Milford granite column from Massachusetts is one of the largest pieces ever taken from a quarry in the United States. Standing atop the sphere is a 15-foot-tall, gilded bronze figure of Victory. She is supported by wings, suggesting the perfection of body and soul. In her right hand she carries a flag, while her left extends in a blessing of the dead.
General John Pershing, commander of U.S. troops in WWI, was particularly proud of the First Division, which came to be known as "Pershing's Own." The soldiers of the First Division were the first American troops to arrive in France in 1917 and the last to leave Europe in September 1919. When the war was over, many wanted to honor the service and sacrifice of these men with the First Division Monument, an impressive pedestal listing the names of 5,516 First Division soldiers who gave their lives. Pershing said of the division that it had "a special pride of service and a high state of morale never broken by hardship nor battle," a quote inscribed on the pedestal of the monument.
More than 6,000 veterans and guests gathered to dedicate the First Division Monument on October 4, 1924. Major General Summerall served as grand marshal and spoke movingly of the spirit of the First Division. President Coolidge gave the dedication address and the ceremonies concluded with a benediction followed by the "Star-Spangled Banner" played by the massed bands of the First Division.
The First Division Monument was highly praised for both its design and its mission. For many years it was the only memorial in Washington dedicated to the soldiers of World War I. The Commission of Fine Arts described it as "the chief symbol of American valor in that war, a position borne out by the universal character of its design and location.”
Located adjacent to the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the First Division Monument is auspiciously located. To view it at its best, visit in spring when the garden forms a "Big Red One" at the foot of the monument.
Further Reading
Looking for more information? Get a detailed history of the First Division Monument on the White House and President's Park website.General Information
Erected: 1924Sculptor: Daniel Chester French
Architects: Cass Gilbert and Cass Gilbert, Jr.
Main Inscriptions
(World War I column pedestal north side)The Commander-In-Chief Has Noted In This Division A Special Pride Of Service And A High State of Morale Never Broken By Hardship Not Battle
G.O. 201-AEF-1918
(World War I column pedestal south side)
Erected By The Memorial Association Of The First Division And Patriotic Friends
To The Memory Of The Dead Of The Division Who Gave Their Lives
In The World War That The Liberty And The Ideals Of Our Country Might Endure
(World War I base of the pedestal)
First Division United States Army American Expeditionary Forces
June 1917 September 1919
The Names of Our Immortal Dead Are Here Enshrined
(World War II central block east side)
The First Infantry Division United States Army
To Our Heroic Dead
8 Nov 1942 8 May 1945
Algeria Tunisia Sicily Normandy Northern France Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe
Erected 1957
By Members And Loyal Friend Of The First Infantry Division
And The Society of The First Division
(Vietnam War central block west side)
To The Soldiers Of
The First Infantry Division
United States Army
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice
In Vietnam
12 July 1965 3 April 1970
Erected 1977
By The Society of The First Division And Members
And Loyal Friends Of The First Infantry Division
(Operation Desert Storm Plaque)
To The Soldiers Of The First Infantry Division
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In
Operation Desert Storm
(Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia) 1991
(Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn)
To The Soldiers Of The First Infantry Division
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn
(Iraq) 2003 – 2011
(Operation Enduring Freedom)
To The Soldiers Of The First Infantry Division
Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In
Operation Enduring Freedom
(Afghanistan) 2001 – 2014