Marine Corp Memorial

Adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery

and Fort Meyer, off of Route 50

Arlington, Virginia

Metro Stop: Rosslyn

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is dedicated to all Marines who gave their lives in the defense of our country since 1775.  The 78-foot statue interprets news photographer Joe Rosenthal’s Pulitzer Prize winning World War II photograph of the raising of Old Glory atop of Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima by five Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman, one of the most famous incidents of World War II.

Iwo Jima is a small Pacific island 660 miles south of Tokyo that became a primary objective to the success of the Pacific campaign during World War II, where approximately 6,800 Americans lost their lives. 

Etched in gold on the granite base of the statue are the names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps with the inscription: "In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775."  Also inscribed on the base is Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz' tribute to the fighting men on Iwo Jima: "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."

Of Special Interest to Wisconsinites The Navy Corpsman depicted in the statue is one of our own native sons, John H. Bradley, who was born and lived in Antigo, Wisconsin. He further distinguished himself by being awarded the Navy Cross in 1945 for his unselfish acts of bravery to provide medical assistance to a wounded soldier while under enemy fire.

The Memorial is open to the public daily, 24 hours a day.  There are no Park Rangers on site.  There is no fee to visit the Memorial.  June through August, the Marine Band performs concerts at the park on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. 

Marine Corps War Memorial Links

• USMC War Memorial 

Places of Interest Nearby

• Netherlands Carillon
• Arlington National Cemetery

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