Virtual Tour of United States Veterans and War Memorials

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., opened in 2004. The memorial “honors the service of sixteen million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the support of countless millions on the homefront, and the ultimate sacrifice of over 400,000 Americans” during the period of America’s engagement in World War II.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War began in 1950 when the North Korean People’s Army crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. In an almost immediate response, U.S President Harry S. Truman sent American troops to aid the South Korean army. The Korean War Veterans Memorial on Washington D.C.’s National Mall was created to honor the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed services during the three-year war.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

In 1979, a group of Vietnam veterans joined together to raise funds to create a memorial to American soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. A year later, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation that gave land for the memorial just northeast of the Lincoln Memorial on Washington D.C.’s National Mall. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built with over 9 million dollars of private donations. It was dedicated in November, 1982.

Vietnam Women's Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. includes the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. This statue honors American women, mostly nurses, who served in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1973. The memorial is also meant to honor the women back home who lost sons, husbands, and loved ones to the war.

United States Marine Corps War Memorial

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial represents this nation's gratitude to Marines and those who have fought beside them. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775.