National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument

The National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument is located in New Britain, Connecticut.  The monument is dedicated to the 6,821 Americans who died during the battle of Iwo Jima, February 19 – March 16, 1945.  The island of Iwo Jima was the first Japanese soil invaded by American forces during World War II.  Approximately 60,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese fought in the battle.  Approximately 1/3rd of all American marines killed during World War II died during the battle of Iwo Jima.

The monument was designed by Dr. George Gentile – founder and president of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, Inc.  From the base of the monument to the top of the flagpole the monument reaches almost 40 feet.  Each of the six figures on the monument is cast in bronze.  The monument depicts an historic picture of the battle by photographer Joe Rosenthal.  In the photograph, U.S. Marines raised the American flag at the top of Mt. Suribachi.
27 Medals of Honor were awarded to American combat troops for their valor during the Battle of Iwo Jima.  The National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument is the only flag-raising monument in the U.S. dedicated to the memory of the Americans killed at Iwo Jima, created by survivors of the battle.  Not only does the monument pay tribute to the courage of those who fought and died at Iwo Jima but to all those Americans who fought, sacrificed, and died during World War II.
The National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument - New Britain, Connecticut

 

Comments

  1. SMSChicaOctober 8, 2015 at 1:24 PM

    Great article, Steven! I'd love to see this in person and especially the one in D.C Do you know how much bigger the one is in D.C. versus this one?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steven GilchristJune 22, 2020 at 5:23 PM

    Thank you for your input. I appreciate your comment. The original monument in Arlington, VA. was sculpted by Felix de Weldon. The 6 figures are each 32 feet tall. The flagpole is 60 feet tall.
    - Steven Gilchrist

    ReplyDelete

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