Every World War II Memorial in the National Parks

Where can you find a World War II memorial in the national parks? As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy, it is important to remember the sacrifices made. The United States has done a fine job honoring its fallen, with several World War II memorial sites to be found in the national parks system. Today’s guide will take a close look at where you can find each memorial site in the United States.

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

The American war effort in the Pacific Theater was unfortunately an exceedingly costly one. The U.S. Marines and Army fought tooth and nail over the many islands the Japanese controlled before taking the fight to the mainland. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is just one of many World War II memorial sites you’ll find in national parks. The iconic monument depicts the hoisting of the flag during the terrible Battle of Iwo Jima.

Arlington Ridge Park

The site of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial sits in Arlington Ride Park. This national park is located right along the Potomac River in Virginia. In addition to the World War II memorial, you’ll find a parade ground and the Netherlands Carillon. The latter is a Dutch monument to the aid given during the Second World War.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

The Second World War had no shortage of colorful generals calling the shots. Supreme Commander of the United States fell upon future president Dwight D. Eisenhower. This is a breathtaking World War II memorial, depicting Eisenhower as a youth while also having a massive stone relief of the coast of Normandy.

Capitol Hill’s Public Park

The Eisenhower Memorial is situated in the public park at Capitol Hill. Interestingly, this serves as a reminder of the contributions of Eisenhower’s presidency. Flanking the park is the headquarters of several different federal agencies. The park itself is especially inviting at night when the Eisenhower Memorial shines with its massive stone reliefs.

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

The shock attack at Pearl Harbor was the impetus for America’s entry into the Second World War. The fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor was caught off guard, but the U.S.S. Arizona received the worst damage. The ship itself serves as its memorial, paying tribute to the 900 or so crew members who lost their lives during the attack.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor itself is a national park these days, and the U.S.S. Arizona’s monument is one of the more sobering World War II memorial sites you’ll find. The establishment of said memorials essentially began directly after the war’s end. 1950 had a temporary memorial meant to honor the lost before construction began in earnest around 1958.

West Coast World War II Memorial

Located in San Francisco, the West Coast World War II Memorial is a rather simple monument. The West Coast was no stranger to loss and tragedy throughout the Second World War. For many servicemen, it would be their final time on American soil before paying the ultimate sacrifice. The curved granite wall serves as a final honor to those paid the ultimate sacrifice, making for an understated yet profound World War II memorial.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

It would be a shame to mention such a memorial without paying attention to the National Park that hosts it. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most stunning parks you’ll find in the United States. It is a popular location for hikes, whale sightings, and so much more.

The World War II Memorial

The final entry on our list is the World War II memorial. This massive stone plaza was dedicated in 2004 and was designed by Friedrich St. Florian. In a similar fashion to the Eisenhower Memorial featured earlier, it is a testament to the sacrifice of American service members set in massive stone reliefs.

National Mall

Out of all the places in the National Parks system, few are as iconic as the National Mall. Located in Washington D.C., the National Mall is home to more than just the World War II Memorial. You’ll also find iconic landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. First-time visitors are missing out without this on their itinerary.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.