Radnor - Fort Myer Heights in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Making A Memorial
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
1. Making A Memorial Marker
Shortly after the release of the Associated Press Press Photographer Joe Rosenthal's famous photo, sculptor Felix W. de Weldon, then on duty with the U. S. Navy, constructed a scale model followed by several life-sized statues inspired by the scene.
It was then proposed that the symbolic scene be immortalized in bronze. The Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation organized the fundraising and creation of the monument. After years of effort, Felix de Weldon and his assistants completed the statue.
The memorial, designed by Horace W. Peaslee, was officially dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on November 10, 1954. The entire cost of the memorial was $850,000 - all donated by Marines, Naval Service members and friends.
The 32-foot high bronze figures are shown erecting a 60-foot flagpole at the top of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. Burnished in gold on the Swedish granite are the names and dates of principal Marine Corps engagements since the founding of the Corps.
Caption
this page online
Felix de Weldon sculpting Rene Gagnon
Caption of photo in lower left corner:
Felix de Weldon sculpting the calf of Michael Strank
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Revolutionary • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1733.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.381′ N, 77° 4.299′ W. Marker was in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It was in Radnor - Fort Myer Heights. Marker was on Marshall Drive near Richmond Highway. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Fort Myer VA 22211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Missions Critical (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Marine Corps War Memorial (about 300 feet away); A Place Where Memories Are Made (about 300 feet away); A Split Second Made Immortal (about 500 feet away); The Marines' Fiercest Fighting of World War II
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
2. Marine Corps War Memorial
More about this memorial. This marker was replaced by a new one named Something More Than A Statue (see nearby markers).
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 19, 2008
3. Marine Corps War Memorial
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 12, 2008
4. Marine Corps War Memorial
This picture was taken with Ektachrome E100GX film
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, January 12, 2008
5. Memorial Bridge
The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument can be seen in the background. This picture was taken with Ektachrome E100GX film.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 2, 2015
6. Making A Memorial Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,016 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on January 28, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 6. submitted on September 8, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
