First Division Monument

First Division Monument. This Victory column in Washington, D.C. honors the soldiers of the First Infantry Division who lost their lives during World War I. Located in President's Park near the White House, the monument was designed by the renowned architect Cass Gilbert and sculptor Daniel Chester French. It stands as a permanent tribute to the division's service and sacrifice in the American Expeditionary Forces.

History

The initiative for the monument began shortly after the Armistice of 11 November 1918, spearheaded by the Society of the First Division, an association of the division's veterans. Funded entirely through private donations from division members and their families, the project sought a prominent site in the nation's capital. After securing approval from the Commission of Fine Arts and President Calvin Coolidge, construction commenced. The monument was dedicated on October 4, 1924, in a ceremony attended by high-ranking military officials, veterans, and political figures. Subsequent additions were made to commemorate the division's fallen in later conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.

Design and description

The monument's central form is a classic Victory column crafted from granite, rising approximately seventy-eight feet. At its apex stands a gilded bronze statue of Victory, designed by Daniel Chester French, who also created the statue of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial. The column is adorned with a bronze bas-relief depicting the insignia of the First Infantry Division. It is set upon a substantial rectangular base, which houses bronze panels listing the names of the division's battles. The overall Beaux-Arts design by Cass Gilbert reflects the classical tradition seen in his other works, such as the United States Supreme Court Building.

Location and dedication

The monument occupies a key site within President's Park, situated at the intersection of State Place and 17th Street Northwest, just north of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and west of the White House. Its placement within this historic precinct ensures its visibility and integration into the ceremonial core of the federal city. The dedication in 1924 was a significant event, presided over by General of the Armies John J. Pershing, who had commanded the American Expeditionary Forces. The principal address was delivered by Secretary of War John W. Weeks.

Significance and legacy

As the first major monument in Washington, D.C. dedicated to a specific division of the United States Army, it set a precedent for subsequent unit memorials. It serves as a focal point for remembrance for veterans of the "Big Red One" and their descendants. The monument's ongoing legacy is maintained through ceremonies held by the Society of the First Division and the United States Army Military District of Washington. It stands not only as a memorial to the fallen of World War I but also as a testament to the division's continuous service through America's major 20th-century conflicts.

Inscriptions

The monument's base features several bronze plaques with detailed inscriptions. The primary dedicatory plaque honors those who gave their lives in the Great War. Additional plaques list the division's major engagements, such as the Battle of Cantigny, the Battle of Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Later-installed panels commemorate sacrifices in World War II, including campaigns like the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, as well as in the Korean War and Vietnam War. A final plaque is dedicated to those who died during the Cold War, including operations in Desert Storm.

Category:Monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. Category:World War I memorials in the United States Category:Granite sculptures in the United States