World War II Memorial ⓘ

Why did this violation of civil rights occur? The United States of the 1940s was a nation that struggled to overcome its racial, cultural, and religious differences. The Japanese American community was isolated and small amidst a sea of neighbors who seethed with understandable anger over Japan’s attack against Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. While Americans examined the members of the German and Italian Americans populations individually, most saw their Japanese neighbors as alien and untrustworthy; hysterical and false reports by journalists fueled this suspicion. On February 12, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt caved in to the pressure and signed Executive Order 9066 that condemned over 120,000 of his fellow Americans to detention camps for the rest of the war.

With less than two weeks notice, and without trials, the U.S. Government forced these Americans of Japanese ancestry to abandon millions of dollars in property. These refugees then were sent to large confinement sites in the western, southwestern, and southern United States; others went to smaller facilities across the nation. While living in overcrowded conditions behind barbed wires, these Americans attempted to bring normalcy to their lives, they created newspapers, schools, markets, police forces, and fire fighting squads.

While their families were confined, more than 33,000 Japanese Americans played a major role in the war effort. Why did they serve the nation under these difficult circumstances? Many of them loved their country enough to risk their lives in combat. For others, it was the chance to prove their loyalty and the honor of their families; this they did as members of the famed 442 nd Regimental Combat Team fighting up the rugged Italian Peninsula and across Southern France. Others interrogated Japanese prisoners and translated Japanese documents in the Army’s Military Intelligence Section in the Pacific and China-Burma-India Theaters. Over eight hundred Japanese Americans were killed in action serving their country.

The Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II honors those Japanese Americans who endured humiliation and rose above adversity to serve their country during one of this nation's great trials. This National Park Service site stands at the intersection of Louisiana Avenue and D Street, NW in Washington, D.C.

After Pearl Harbor, the United States unquestionably was in the Second World War. As months passed and the American casualty rate continued to rise, the United States government recognized an urgent need for more military personnel. With much of the able-bodied male population already tapped, the government looked to the female population. To keep the American war effort moving forward, on May 12, 1942, Congress passed the bill that created the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). The passage of this bill was controversial, as some in this country did not believe that women were fit for military service and others were opposed to the idea on a moral basis. Initially the WAAC would serve as an auxiliary unit, not fully integrated into the army.

The Army put forth a major recruiting campaign, which encouraged women to serve their country by working in a non-combatant job to free up a man to fight in the front lines. Driven by intense patriotism, thousands of American women answered the call and eagerly joined the WAAC. To become a member of the WAAC, a woman had to be in good health, be able to successfully pass an Army aptitude test, be between twenty and forty-nine years of age, and have no children under fourteen years old. Being of outstanding character was stressed as well; WAACs were encouraged to be ladies as well as soldiers. The WAAC was a closely watched experiment in women’s ability to participate in the Armed Forces and the Army wanted the best women the nation had to offer. And they got them. The WAAC was so successful and performed so well during its first year, that it impressed many generals and government officials, including the President of the United States. On September 1, 1943, the WAAC dropped its auxiliary status and became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), an official unit of the United States Army.

From 1942 to 1950, over 150,000 women served in the United States Army. WACs served both stateside and around the world in locations such as North Africa, New Guinea, France, England, and the Philippines. The WACs drove trucks, served as members of the military police, drafted army maps of war zones, occupied eighty percent of clerical jobs by 1945, worked as army medics, and performed admirably in more than 150 other army trades. Women served in other branches of the military as well: the Army Nurse Corps, the Navy, the Coast Guard, Army Air Forces, and the Marine Corps. These military women served heroically in every theater of the war.

It is here, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where the United States proudly proclaims the continuity of our Union and protects the memories of those who have struggled to maintain and perfect it. The World War II Memorial occupies a place of honor along this central vista, and takes its rightful place among some of the great icons of American history. The memorial recognizes a period of unprecedented national unity during the defining moment of the twentieth century. Further, through its elements of stone, water, bronze, and words, the World War II Memorial strives to honor the service of more than sixteen million men and women in uniform, the contributions of countless millions on the home front, and the unforgettable sacrifice of 405,399 members of our Armed Forces.

The memorial is expansive in scale, yet humble enough not to overwhelm. It offers a grand stage on which to enact a national ritual of remembrance and celebration. Here, we pay tribute to members of the “greatest generation” who helped save a way of life and deliver freedom to parts of the world once dominated by hatred, war, suffering, and despair. Creating a memorial devoted to the service, commitment, and shared sacrifice of Americans, involved a great number of people and represented an enormous undertaking. Controversy swirled around the issues of placement, design, and content. The desire to tell every story imposed as a great a challenge and innumerable difficulties befell the supporters, commissions, agencies, architect, and builders; despite it all, they prevailed and a spectacular tribute now stands honoring Americans who helped win a world war.

Despite every effort of the designers to include all aspects of service during the Second World War, many more stories demand recognition and several acts of heroism and bravery deserve acknowledgement. The memorial already highlights in art and words the events of December 7, 1941, but this day demands our attention and our constant remembrance. The unprecedented roles that women played in this conflict jump out at us from inspirational words and works of bronze, but we need to know more about them. We cannot forget the forced relocation and confinement of Americans of Japanese ancestry. We cannot skirt controversy and must remember the debates over how to confront a holocaust within Axis-controlled parts of Europe and over whether to use a lethal, new weapon—and, if so, where and when. Aspects of these essential stories find expression here in Washington at several memorials, museums, and historic sites.

We invite you to learn more about the Second World War and our shared American experience. We encourage you to visit other National Park Service sites here in Washington, D.C., such as Murrow Park and the Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II, as well as other World War II related sites throughout the National Park System.

“It was like no other day...it had a flavour of its own, an extemporaneousness which gave it something of the quality of a vast, happy village fete as people wandered about, sat, sang, and slept against a summer background of trees, grass, flowers, and water...They were a liberated people...young enough to outlive the past and look forward to an unspoilt future.”

Mollie Panter-Downes, wrote these words from London on May 7, 1945. The Allied forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union had forced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The following day, May 8, citizens around the world celebrated the news of “Victory in Europe (V-E) Day.” It was the first hurdle on the path to ending World War II.

V-E Day was by no means the end of the war. It would be another four months before Japan would surrender to the Allies in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, known as “Victory over Japan (V-J) Day.”

May 8, 1945, had been a long time coming. The tide had changed in favor of the Allies after the Soviets held back the German army at Stalingrad, in a bitter five month campaign in 1942-43. With the Nazi war machine checked, there was light at the end of the tunnel. However, for two more years battles raged on land, sea, and in the air. Millions of people would lose their lives. Cities, towns, whole communities were lost overnight.

At the World War II Memorial, 24 bas-relief sculptures recount the progress of United States war effort. The last bas-relief depicts the overwhelming excitement of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilians alike on V-J Day, but it easily translates to the emotions felt and expressed on V-E Day.

Every year at the World War II Memorial V-E Day is observed (in 2025, celebrated as " Victory Day for World War II " by presidential proclamation). During anniversary observances, fewer and fewer of those who witnessed it are with us. Visiting the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, ensures that while their presence may be soon lost, their legacy will remain.

This message, flashed by army and navy radiomen during the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack against Pearl Harbor in the United States Territory of Hawaii, effectively signaled America’s entry into World War II.

As its population exploded in the first four decades of the twentieth century, Japan imported an ever-increasing amount of natural resources from overseas. In order to become self-sufficient, Japan turned to territorial expansion to get a secure, reliable source of raw material. This policy led to increased tensions between Japan and the United States of America as well as with several European powers.

After the outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939, things changed dramatically for the worse. With Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands locked in a life and death struggle against Germany, the United States was Japan’s only stumbling block to getting what it wanted. The issue for Japan was how to neutralize America’s military power.

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet, formulated a daring plan to attack Pearl Harbor, America’s main Pacific Ocean naval base. By doing so, Yamamoto hoped to damage the American fleet severely enough to allow Japan to consolidate her territorial conquests, then negotiate a peace treaty with the United States. To a degree, Yamamoto’s plan worked. A Japanese fleet was able to approach within two hundred miles of Pearl Harbor without being detected, and launch a devastating, surprise air attack against the naval base.

While severely damaging or destroying all eight American battleships in port, the Japanese attackers missed their opportunity to strike the aircraft carriers, which were at sea and safe from harm. In addition, neglecting to destroy the fuel and repair facilities at Pearl Harbor ensured that the base would remain fully operational for the rest of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In spite of the damage incurred, all but two of the damaged ships ultimately were salvaged, repaired, and placed back into service. In addition, many newer, faster, and better-armed ships would join the fleet during America’s war with Japan.

The attacks at Pearl Harbor and against other Pacific targets ultimately failed to achieve their primary objectives. Now united, Americans rallied around President Franklin Roosevelt as he addressed a joint session of Congress on December 8 th , seeking a declaration of war against Japan. The words of Roosevelt’s address remain familiar to nearly every American and still serve to inspire and inflame patriotic passion. From that day forward, Americans of every age, ethnicity, race, and ancestry rallied as one in order to fight and win a world war.

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES BROADCAST FROM THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, D.C.

MR. VICE PRESIDENT, AND MR. SPEAKER, AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES : (TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:)

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

Te United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the utter-most but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

On August 6, 1945, the United States military detonated the atomic bomb “Little Boy” 1,900 feet above Hiroshima, Japan, causing initial casualties of over 70,000. Three days later, “Fat Man” was detonated 1,540 feet above Nagasaki, causing initial casualties of over 40,000. After six days of debate between Japanese Emperor Hirohito and his military leaders, an announcement of unconditional surrender was delivered on August 15, effectively ending the Second World War. Debated to this day is the issue of whether these two weapons were needed to force Japan’s surrender.

On July 26, 1945, Allied forces signed the Potsdam Declaration giving Japan an ultimatum of unconditional surrender. If refused, the declaration would result in “the inevitable and complete destruction of the Japanese armed forces and just as inevitably the utter devastation of the Japanese homeland.” Japan did refuse and prepared for an invasion of the home islands. The Japanese felt that the expected high Allied casualties might work in their favor to negotiate better surrender terms. Four conditions were sought: preservation of the Imperial institution, responsibility for their own disarmament, no occupation, and responsibility to conduct any war crime trials.

Amphibious invasions never carry a guarantee of success, but they usually involve great cost in lives. The conquest of Okinawa had cost the Allies (mostly Americans) more than 84,000 casualties; Japanese forces suffered nearly 83,000 casualties, not counting the more than 75,000 listed among the Japanese civilian population. The shock of these extremely high losses sparked an inquiry by the U.S. government. Yet, an invasion for Japan had to be planned.

Operation Downfall consisted of two parts, one in October 1945 and the second in the spring of 1946. Japan’s geography made the plans obvious to the Japanese and they would adjust their defensive plans accordingly. Depending upon Japanese civilian resistance, American casualty estimates ranged from 1.7 to 4 million, with 5 to 10 million for the Japanese.

Such unusually high casualty estimates for the invasion, combined with the Japanese refusal to accept the ultimatum, caused President Harry S Truman to force Japan’s hand. Hiroshima and Nagasaki ultimately were chosen as targets because of their military value. Radio Saipan broadcast warnings across Japan between bombings, but no reaction came from Japanese authorities.

Following the second bombing, the Soviet Union declared war and invaded occupied Manchuria. The culmination of events between August 6 th through 9 th caused Emperor Hirohito himself to broadcast his decision to accept unconditional surrender to spare the Japanese people from further destruction.

Lend Lease Prior to the United States entry into the war with Japan and Germany, many of its future allies, including Great Britain, Russia, and China, desperately needed assistance. Instituting the "Lend Lease" policy, President Franklin Roosevelt agreed to lease ships, tanks, jeeps, and food, with allied payment to follow after the war.

Women in Military Prior to the war, women could only serve the military in nursing and clerical positions. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, the military allowed women to serve as pilots and in other new non-combatant roles. Newly established units included the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service, Women's Air Force Service Pilots, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and several reserve units.

Rosie the Riveter / Aircraft Construction Due to a severe manpower shortage, factories increasingly employed women whose pre-war roles kept them at home. These women helped build the aircraft, ships, and tanks vital to the war effort. Nicknamed "Rosie the Riveter," substantially increasing the production of war material to unheard of levels.

Battle of the Atlantic To hamper the transport of our industrial might across the Atlantic, the German Navy effectively utilized its U-Boat submarine force. Operating in groups called "Wolf Packs," U-Boats sank over 2500 allied ships by war's end. The implementation of the convoy system and the breaking of German codes substantially aided the allied victory in the Atlantic.

Air War / B-17 During the Second World War, aircraft became a vital instrument of warfare. Allied bombers, protected by fighter escort, destroyed enemy factories and infrastructure, including railroads and bridges. Sadly, enemy fighter planes along with anti-aircraft fire called "flak," devastated thousands of aircrews. The B-17 "Flying Fortress" fought along side many other famous planes, including the P-51 "Mustang".

The World War II Memorial honors the service of 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the support of countless millions on the home front, and the ultimate sacrifice of 405,399 Americans. On May 29, 2004, a four-day “grand reunion” of veterans on the National Mall culminated in the dedication of this tribute to the legacy of “The Greatest Generation.”

Twenty-four bronze bas-relief panels flank the ceremonial entrance. To many, these panels stir memories as they tell the story of America's experience in the war. Granite columns representing each U.S. state and territory at the time of World War II ring an impressive pool with water shooting high into the air. Quotes, references to theaters, campaigns, and battles, and two massive victory pavilions chronicle the efforts Americans undertook to win the war. A wall of 4,048 gold stars reminds all of the supreme sacrifice made by over 400,000 Americans to make that victory possible.

Visitors can also search the World War II Registry , a computerized database honoring Americans who helped win the war, either overseas or on the home front. You may also look through our People | Places | Stories sections to find out more about the memorial and its context in telling the story of one of the most important eras in American History.