Marine Corps War Memorial

The Marine Corps War Memorial shows six bronze figures standing 9.8 meters (32 feet) high raising the American flag on a granite base. The sculpture rests on a massive foundation of granite and concrete, while a cloth flag permanently flies above the entire structure.

The memorial depicts five Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. This scene is based on a famous photo by Joe Rosenthal that became a symbol of World War II.

The monument carries inscriptions of every Marine Corps engagement since 1775, including Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz's words about valor. The choice of bronze as material emphasizes the lasting memory of these military events.

The grounds are open daily from 6 AM until midnight and are located about a ten-minute walk from Rosslyn Metro station. The area around the monument is spacious and offers room for different viewing angles of the sculpture.

The bronze flagpole extends 18.3 meters (60 feet) and carries a continuously flying United States flag above the 700-ton granite base. The choice of proportions was meant to convey the enormous weight and effort of the depicted action.

Location: Arlington County

Inception: November 10, 1954

Creator: Felix de Weldon, Horace W. Peaslee

Made from material: bronze, concrete, granite, cloth

Address: US Marine Memorial Circle, Arlington, VA 22209

Website: https://nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/usmc_memorial.htm

GPS coordinates: 38.89044,-77.06972

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01