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Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Greek Temple Monument War Memorial

 
 
Dedicated to Honor the World War I Soldiers image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
1. Dedicated to Honor the World War I Soldiers
Portion of the dedication can be seen above Lady Liberty in the frieze above the columns. (It is difficult to photograph inscription in one composition)
Inscription.
This monument was erected in 1922 by the City of Atlantic City in honor of those of her citizens who served in the World War · 1917–1918.
 
Erected 1922.
 
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.
 
Location. 39° 21.078′ N, 74° 27.305′ W. Memorial is in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. It is at the intersection of North Albany Ave and Odonnell Parkway on North Albany Ave. Monument is in Chelsa Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Atlantic City NJ 08401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vietnam War Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); POW / MIA Monument (about 700 feet away); Honor Roll (about 700 feet away); 87th Infantry Division Monument (about 700 feet away); Purple Heart Memorial (about 800 feet away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harold Corry (approx. 0.3 miles away); John J. Mooney, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic City.
 
Regarding Greek Temple Monument War Memorial. The “plaque” for this monument is the text describing its dedication on the interior frieze carved into the stone along the circumference of the
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building. The building is representative of a Greek temple supported by 16 Doric columns.

The statue in the rotunda is entitled Liberty in Distress by Frederick William MacMonnies, and depicts a nude Lady Liberty with a broken sword screaming at the horrors of war. There is a nude male soldier across her leg and other victims and symbols of war at her feet.

There is a 1988 rededication plaque for the monument on one of the arches of the temple. The 1988 plaque refers to the restoration of the “Greek Temple Monument.” Maps of Atlantic City sometimes call it the “Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.”

At the top of the columns on the outer ring of the temple are the names of World War I battles and medallions of the different military services.
 
Floor of the Greek Temple image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
2. Floor of the Greek Temple
Detail of stone carving inside columns image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
3. Detail of stone carving inside columns
One of several duplicate Marine symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
4. One of several duplicate Marine symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple
One of several Aviation symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
5. One of several Aviation symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple
One of several duplicate Army symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
6. One of several duplicate Army symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple
One of several duplicate Navy symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
7. One of several duplicate Navy symbols on the outside of the Greek Temple
Exterior of Greek Temple Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
8. Exterior of Greek Temple Monument
This circular temple approx. 124 feet in diameter has 16 Doric columns. A list of World War I battles has been carved into the outside frieze.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (front view) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
9. Liberty in Distress (front view)
Lady Liberty screaming to the heavens with male soldier across her leg. Click on the image to enlarge to see the detail.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (front left view) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
10. Liberty in Distress (front left view)
Bronze by Frederick William MacMonnies (1863–1937) is approx 9 feet tall on a 5 foot base of Vermont green marble.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (view of male soldier) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
11. Liberty in Distress (view of male soldier)
Detail of male soldier on Lady Liberty's right leg.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (Liberty's right profile) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
12. Liberty in Distress (Liberty's right profile)
View of Lady Liberty's right side with broken sword (not by vandals) and other victims. There is an honorific wreath on every other of the 8 sided base.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (left profile) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
13. Liberty in Distress (left profile)
View of Lady Liberty's left side flags, war dead, and other items of war can be seen in this view.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (detail of right base) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
14. Liberty in Distress (detail of right base)
Detail of items at the feet of Lady Liberty.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (upper front view) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
15. Liberty in Distress (upper front view)
Detail of the Lady Liberty screaming into the heavens.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (upper left profile) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
16. Liberty in Distress (upper left profile)
View of objects carried in Lady Liberty's left arm.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (rear view) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
17. Liberty in Distress (rear view)
Detail of rear or statue includes portion of the French flag that she is draped in.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> Wreath on pedestal beneath Lady Liberty image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
18. Liberty in Distress Wreath on pedestal beneath Lady Liberty
There is a wreath on every other stone.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> (rear view) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
19. Liberty in Distress (rear view)
Rear of statue where other victims of war can be seen at her feet.
<i>Liberty in Distress</i> image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
20. Liberty in Distress
Lady Liberty screaming in horror and victory to the heavens.
Monument dedication text can bee seen over Lady Liberty's head image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
21. Monument dedication text can bee seen over Lady Liberty's head
Alternate view of inside top of Greek Temple image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
22. Alternate view of inside top of Greek Temple
Name of Sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
23. Name of Sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 10,445 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. submitted on March 26, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 12, 2026