Chosin Reservoir Memorial

Chosin Reservoir Memorial is a monument dedicated to the 1st Marine Division and other United Nations forces who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. The memorial honors the bravery and sacrifice of the Marines and other UN troops who fought against the Chinese and North Korean forces. The battle, which took place from November 27 to December 11, 1950, was a pivotal moment in the war, with the 1st Marine Division and other UN forces successfully breaking out of the Chosin Reservoir area despite being surrounded by enemy forces. The memorial is located in Arlington National Cemetery, near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame.

● History

The Chosin Reservoir Memorial was dedicated on November 15, 1999, in a ceremony attended by General Raymond Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient and veteran of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The memorial was designed by Felix de Weldon, a renowned sculptor who also created the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The memorial was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which was fought during the Korean War between the United Nations forces, including the Marines, and the Chinese and North Korean forces. The battle was a significant turning point in the war, with the 1st Marine Division and other UN forces successfully breaking out of the Chosin Reservoir area despite being surrounded by enemy forces, including the Chinese 9th Army and the North Korean 42nd Army.

● Design and Construction

The Chosin Reservoir Memorial features a bronze sculpture of a Marine standing watch, surrounded by granite walls inscribed with the names of the 1st Marine Division units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The memorial was constructed by the National Park Service and the American Battle Monuments Commission, with funding provided by the United States Congress and private donations from organizations such as the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the Korean War Veterans Association. The memorial's design was inspired by the Iwo Jima Memorial, which was also designed by Felix de Weldon and features a bronze sculpture of Marines raising the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Chosin Reservoir Memorial is located near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, and is part of the Arlington National Cemetery complex, which also includes the Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

● Significance

The Chosin Reservoir Memorial is significant because it honors the bravery and sacrifice of the 1st Marine Division and other United Nations forces who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. The battle was a pivotal moment in the war, with the 1st Marine Division and other UN forces successfully breaking out of the Chosin Reservoir area despite being surrounded by enemy forces, including the Chinese 9th Army and the North Korean 42nd Army. The memorial serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Marines and other UN troops during the war, and is an important part of the Arlington National Cemetery complex, which also includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame. The memorial is also significant because it was dedicated on November 15, 1999, in a ceremony attended by General Raymond Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient and veteran of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and General P.X. Kelley, a former Commandant of the Marine Corps.

● Features and Inscriptions

The Chosin Reservoir Memorial features a bronze sculpture of a Marine standing watch, surrounded by granite walls inscribed with the names of the 1st Marine Division units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. The memorial also features an inscription that reads: "Freedom Is Not Free", which is a quote from the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.. The memorial's walls are inscribed with the names of the 1st Marine Division units that fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, including the 1st Marine Regiment, the 5th Marine Regiment, and the 7th Marine Regiment. The memorial also features a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, who was the Supreme Commander of the United Nations Command during the Korean War.

● Location and Accessibility

The Chosin Reservoir Memorial is located in Arlington National Cemetery, near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame. The memorial is accessible by car or by public transportation, and is open to visitors daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The memorial is also located near the Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and is part of the Arlington National Cemetery complex, which also includes the United States Marine Corps War Memorial and the Netherlands Carillon. Visitors to the memorial can also visit the nearby Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which features a series of stainless steel statues of soldiers and a wall inscribed with the names of the United Nations forces that fought in the Korean War. Category:Korean War memorials