The Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial

Contributed by: Sonia Hughes

This Memorial is located on the southeast side of the Lincoln Memorial. It represents the Infantrymen who fought in the Korean War during the 1950's.  The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) authorized the memorial. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory Board was given authority by the legislation to select a site and a design for it, subject to the ABMC's approval. The ABMC's approved a concept consisting of three major elements; a party of nineteen soldiers moving towards a goal which was the American flag, a mural wall with etches of 2,400 figures which represents the supporting Infantry that assisted in reaching their goal and lastly, an area that was meant as a memorial which consists of a pool surrounded by a grove of Linden trees.

The statues were made of stainless steel and were sculptured by Frank Gaylord of Vermont. They were cast by Tallix Foundries of New York. The statues represent 14 Army soldiers, 3 Marines, 1 Navy Sailor and 1 Air Force Airman. In the patches of Juniper bushes the statues are separated by polished granite strips which are reminiscent of the rice paddies of Korea. 

Below you will find the representations of the party by  the numbered position in which the stand:

 

Position

Service

Duty

Race

Weapon

1

Army  

Lead Scout           

Caucasian        

M-1

2

Army

Scout 

Caucasian

M-1

3  

Army

Sqd Ldr, SCR 536

Caucasian

M-1

4

Army

BAR Gunner

Afro-Amer

BAR

5

Army

BAR-Asst Gunner

Caucasian

Carbine

6

Army

Rifleman

Afro-Amer

M-1

7

Army

Group Ldr, SCR 536

Caucasian

Carbine

8

Army

Radio Opr, SCR 536

Caucasian

Carbine

9

Army

Army Medic

Hispanic

None

10

Army 

Arty Fwd Obsvr

Caucasian

Carbine

11

Air Force

Air-Gnd Contr

Caucasian

Carbine

12

Marine Corps

Asst Gunner

Caucasian

Tripod

13

Marine Corps

Gunner

Caucasian

Machine Gun

14

Navy

Med Corpsman

Afro-Amer

None

15

Marine Corps

Rifleman

Asian-Amer

M-1

16

Army

Rifleman

Caucasian

M-1

17

Army

Rifleman

Hispanic

M-1

18

Army

Asst Group Ldr

Caucasian

M-1

19

Army

Rifleman

Amer-Indian

M-1

                                                          

Source: American Battle Monuments Commission - Arlington, VA