10 Famous War Memorials in the US

Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Nikki Jain

The United States of America is a country that is not only filled with fascinating places to visit and architectural sights to see but also boasts a long and rich history.

A lot of this history relates to war, and as such, the country is filled with incredible and awe-inspiring war memorials, which are located in various states around the US.

Here, you can find famous war memorials in the US that are well worth a visit.

Famous War Memorials in America

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1: Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Washington D.C.

Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Washington D.C.
Flickr/hookbrother

This unique black granite war memorial was designed and created by the architect Maya Lin, a Yale undergraduate when she designed it.

There are more than 58,000 names on this memorial, and they are of those who either lost their lives or who were never found during the Vietnam War.

The names on the wall are chronologically listed, and there are now also two statues on the site as well, which are ‘The Three Servicemen’ and the ‘Vietnam Women’s Memorial’.

Address: 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington, DC

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Also Read: Best Things To Do in Washington DC

2: National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Flickr/chrispotako

This towering archway is a memorial to the arrival of General George Washington along with the Continental Army at Valley Forge during the latter part of the 1700s.

It was designed by Paul Philippe Cret, and the inspiration for the archway came from the Arch of Titus in Rome.

It is thought that the time the army spent at Valley Forge played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. The archway was dedicated in 1917, and there was talk of having a second one, but this was never approved.

Address: 420 Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406

3: World War II Valor in the Pacific Monument, Honolulu

World War II Valor in the Pacific Monument, Honolulu
Flickr/boblinsdell

Spanning multiple sites in Honolulu, this popular war memorial in Hawaii pays homage to the lives of Americans who were killed in the Second World War in the Pacific front. This includes those who lost their lives in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial in Pearl Harbor is situated right above the remains of the battleship that was sunk.

Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818

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4: Bunker Hill Memorial, Boston

Bunker Hill Memorial, Boston

The Bunker Hill Memorial now forms part of the Freedom Trail in Boston. It commemorates the Revolutionary War and its first major battle. Dedicated in the 1840s, the memorial towers at over 220 feet and is created from granite.

It can be found on Breed’s Hill, which is the location where the battle mostly took place. There are nearly three hundred steps, which visitors can climb to enjoy tremendous views of the surroundings.

Address: Monument Sq, Charlestown, MA 02129

5: Liberty Memorial, Missouri

Liberty Memorial, Missouri
Flickr/Hollywata

Forming part of the National WWI Museum, the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, stands at close to 220 feet tall.

The design of the memorial is an Egyptian Revival one, and the memorial was dedicated in the mid-1920s.

The top of the tower has carved guardian spirits that are four feet in height and were created by the artist Robert Aitken. Each of these reflects a specific value or quality, which includes sacrifice, courage, honor, and patriotism.

This is one of America's famous war memorials to pay tribute to war heroes who lost their lives in World War I.

Address: 100 W 26th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

6: Virginia War Memorial, Virginia

Virginia War Memorial, Virginia
Flickr/maxpower

This memorial has been created from glass and stone, and it was designed by the architect SJ Collins.

The memorial details the names of those real heroes from Virginia who lost their lives during the Second World War, and it was initially dedicated in the mid-1950s.

However, it was then renovated and enhanced in the 1980s with the names of Virginians who served in later wars such as Vietnam and Korea.

Address: 621 S Belvidere St, Richmond, VA 23220

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7: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Archway , Connecticut

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Archway , Connecticut

This is an iconic memorial archway that has become a real landmark in this city. It commemorates citizens of Hartford who were involved in the Civil War, and it was dedicated in the 1880s.

The dedication was carried out on the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Made of brownstone, this monument reached a height of over 115 feet and was designed by G Keller, a local architect.

Here, you can view scenes that depict the war as well as the subsequent peacetime that followed.

Address: Trinity Street, Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT

8: Indianapolis War Memorial, Indianapolis

Indianapolis War Memorial, Indianapolis
Flickr/ljheidel

Designed by the architects Frank Walker and Harry Weeks, this building really stands out. Its design is based upon one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

Standing at over 200 feet tall, there are three floors contained within this memorial which includes a third-floor Shrine Room adorned with pillars made out of marble, crystals and a ceiling that is over 100 feet high.

Address: 431 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

9: US Marine Corps War Memorial, Washington D.C.

US Marine Corps War Memorial, Washington D.C.
Flickr/walkadog

Another great war memorial in Washington D.C. is the US Marine Corps War Memorial, which was created by Felix W de Weldon. This memorial is made from bronze and depicts many Marines along with a Navy serviceman holding up the American flag after the Iwo Jima invasion in 1945. Dedicated in the mid-1950s, this is a striking sculpture that really stands out.

Address: Arlington Blvd. and Meade St., Arlington, VA 22211

Also Read: 12 Famous Landmarks in Washington, D.C.

10: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Virginia

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Virginia
Flickr/soldiersmediacenter

Situated in Arlington, Virginia, this military memorial is one of the best-known ones in Arlington National Cemetery which is home to several other war monuments and memorials.

This is a poignant memorial that pays homage to the many unrecognized soldiers that lost their lives in battle.

The marble memorial is the gravesite of an unknown soldier who died in the First World War. There are also additional markers made from marble to mark the graves of other unknown soldiers from the Second World War and Korea.

This is an awe-inspiring war memorial site that holds so much history and breathtaking majesty that it is easily one of the best war memorials in the United States.

Address: Arlington, Fort Myer, VA 22211

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