National World War II Memorial — New Construction

Project Details

Owner: American Battle Monuments Commission
Contract Amount: $56.1 Million
Date of Award: June 7, 2001
Substantial Completion: March 4, 2004
Architecture Firm: Leo A. Daly & Associates
Design Architect: Friedrich St. Florian

Photo Photo

Grunley-Walsh Joint Venture and Tompkins Builders in a joint-venture completed construction of a new National World War II Memorial. The Memorial's architecture is unique with various artistic elements symbolizing various aspects of the war. The elements include a wall of 4,000 gold stars representing the more than 400,000 Americans who died in battle during World War II. There are 24 Bas-Relief panels that depict scenes from World War II. The 56 granite pillars (representative of the states and jurisdictions of the U.S. who fought in the war) are adorned with Bronze Wreaths, one oak and one wheat representing the military and agricultural strength of the country and connected together with a bronze rope motif representing the unity of the country during the period in time.

The project was safe, under budget by approximately $1 million, and ahead of schedule despite a 5-week delay due to excessive snowfall, a 3-day delay due to a bomb threat, and a 5-day delay to satisfy the annual National Park Service July 4th fireworks left unexploded ordinance demanding that debris scattered over the site be thoroughly swept and declared safe before work could resume. The project opened a month ahead of the formal dedication on May 29, 2004.

Last updated: January 17, 2011