Top 10 Facts about the National World War II Memorial

By Carol M. Highsmith – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the National World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial is of national significance to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II.

It is made up of 56 pillars and a pair of small commemorative arches surrounding a square and fountain at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

This site was the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The memorial was officially opened to the public in 2004 and is under the National Mall and Memorial Parks group.

Let us now look at the Top 10 Facts about the National World War II Memorial.

1. It was opened before its scheduled date

The WWII Memorial was officially opened in April 2004, this was a month ahead of schedule.

The early opening of the Memorial Park was crucial because most of the World War II veterans were elderly.

This park was dedicated to the war Veterans and other fallen soldiers.

The memorial is by the central vista of the National Mall, at the east end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

It is free and open to the public 24 hours a day. The pool is restricted because it has sharp fountain heads and lights that could injure people.

2. The stars on the wall represent the fallen soldiers

By Billy Hathorn – Wikimedia

There is a total of 4,048 gold stars at the World War II Memorial park. Each of the stars represents 100 American military demises.

This makes the 400,000 is the number of American soldiers, sailors, marines, jet pilots and other military personnel that lost their lives.

When American soldiers went to war, their families back home would display a flag by the window. The flag would have a blue star on a white background with red borders.

Upon receiving the news on the death of their loved one, the blue star would be replaced with a gold one. The gold star was an indication of the family’s sacrifice.

3. It was designed by Friedrich St. Florian

This World War II memorial was designed by Friedrich St. Florian, an Austrian-American architect.

His design won after he joined many other architects in the competition for the best design for the Memorial.

More than 400 designs were submitted by architects around the country. Florian’s design was selected since it was the representation of a classical monument.

His original design was altered during the reviewing and approval process.

4. The granites represent the United States

By Ingfbruno -Wikimedia

The World War II Memorial has 56 granite columns that represent the 48 states, 7 federal territories, and the District of Columbia.

There are symbols of the triumph of the country during WWII displayed at the splendid fountain’s centre.

The granite columns are in an arch around the memorial plaza.

There are two 43-foot tall arches on the opposite sides, one representing the victory of Atlantic and the other the victory of Pacific.

The arrangements of the bronze reliefs on the Pacific side tell the story of the war, physical exams to homecoming.

The Atlantic side shows the last scenes of the American and Russian shaking hands when they met in Germany at the end of the war.

5. The memorial park is made of granite

The structures at the World War II Memorial are largely made of granite.

There are at least 17,000 separate stones that make up the memorial.

The vertical pillars and pavilions are Kershaw Granite from South Carolina, while the horizontal concrete stones are Green County granite from Georgia.

There are also granite stones from Rio Verde and Moss Green from Brazil at the Memorial Plaza.

The metal sculptures are made of bronze while the stars are made of stainless steel with gold plating.

6. The sculptures in the Victory Pavilions have meaning

By Rdsmith4 – Wikimedia

There are sculptures inside each victory pavilion at the memorial called a Baldacchino.

They are four eagles holding a laurel victory wreath above an enlarged victory medallion.

The eagle symbolizes the United States of America, while the laurel wreath is a symbol of victory borrowed from the Greek tradition.

The eagle’s wings span at 11 feet and are perched on columns that are 18 feet tall.

Each of the wreathes weigh 2500 kilograms and were designed by Ray Kaskey from Maryland.

7. Some people were opposed to the site of the memorial

The World War II Memorial faced opposition from some people that weren’t pleased with the proposed location.

Most of those that opposed it pointed out that; the memorial would block the view between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

They also criticized it for taking up open space that was historically used for major demonstrations and protests.

Other concerned parties were worried for the WWII veterans that were dying with no memorial.

8. There is meaning to the inscription ‘Kilroy was here’

By Placed – Wikimedia

Walking through the Memorial, you may notice the cartoon Kilroy with the words Kilroy was here etched on the granite.

It is an American symbol from World War II. American soldiers would inscribe those words and the doodle at numerous locations during the war.

The origin of this caricature is believed to be from a British cartoon and an American shipyard inspector.

9. A 12-man board members were tasked with fundraising for the Memorial Park

On September 30, 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed a 12-member to advise on the site, design and fundraise for the memorial.

Veterans made large donations to the fundraising as well as individual Americans. A total of $197 million was raised.

10. The states are not arranged in order

By Ingfbruno -Wikimedia

56 granite pillars are representing the states and American territories. They are however arranged in the order in which they ratified the U.S constitution.

The first is the Delaware state followed by Pennsylvania. This order goes around the circle. U.S territories come next after the states in the order by which they became such.