Korean War Veterans Memorial is a monument in Washington, D.C., that honors Americans who served in the Korean War (1950-1953). It stands on the National Mall. The memorial includes 19 large statues of American combat troops in the Korean War, a circular Pool of Remembrance, and a commemorative mural wall.
The statues, sculpted by Frank C. Gaylord, II, and made of stainless steel, stand from 71/4 to 71/2 feet (2.2 to 2.3 meters) tall. The combat troops are on patrol. They wear rain gear, symbolizing the Korean climate; and are trudging uphill on a bed of evergreen shrubs, representing the rugged Korean terrain. Their symbolic destination is an American flag on a flagpole in the distance. The pool partially encircles the flag. It is surrounded by benches for visitors. The wall, designed by Louis Nelson and made of black granite, stands to the right of the statues. It extends 164 feet (50 meters) long. Pictures of about 2,500 U.S. military people who supported the combat troops in Korea are etched into the wall. The images include chaplains, clerks, doctors and nurses, engineers, and helicopter pilots. The monument was dedicated in 1995. It is administered by the National Park Service.
