The 17-foot pillars are open in the center for greater transparency, and ample space between each pillar allows viewing into and across the memorial. *

East to West view of granite pillars. American flag and Washington Monument in the background.

The pillars are connected by bronze sculpted rope that symbolize the bonding of our Nation. *

Pillar with attached bronze wreaths. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA etched into granite.

Ground to sky view of a bronze wreath.

Bas relief sculpture along the World War II ceremonial entrance.

Bas relief sculpture along the World War II ceremonial entrance. *

North to South view of the Rainbow Pool: 246'-9" long; 147'-8" wide. Atlantic Ceremonial Arch in the background.

North to South view of the Rainbow Pool: 246'-9" long; 147'-8" wide. Atlantic Ceremonial Arch in the background.

Southeast to Northwest view of the Rainbow Pool: 246'-9" long; 147'-8" wide. Bronze wreaths with armatures (2 wreaths on each pillar, one on each side) are in the background.

South to North view. Rainbow Pool: 246'-9" long; 147'-8" wide. "Academy Black" and "Mount Airy" masoned granite were selected to reconstruct the Rainbow Pool. "Mount Airy," granite quarried in North Carolina, is the original coping stone of the Rainbow Pool. To enhance the aesthetic appearance of the water surface of the pool, an apron of "Academy Black," granite quarried in California, was be used for the vertical interior surfaces.

Dedication stone to the Central Europe campaign.

Dedication Stone - WE ARE DETERMINED THAT BEFORE THE SUN SETS ON THIS TERRIBLE STRUGGLE OUR FLAG WILL BE RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM ON THE ONE HAND AND OF OVERWHELMING FORCE ON THE OTHER. - General George C Marshall *

Dedication stone - Central Pacific military campaign. The Central Pacific Campaign opened abruptly on 7 December 1941, when carrier-based planes of the Japanese imperial Navy launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Most of the Central Pacific Campaign took place in Micronesia, an area of the globe larger than the continental United States, where a multitude of islands lie scattered about a vast expanse of ocean. The campaign was mainly defensive, although the Battle of Midway and Operation GALVANIC were notable offensive operations. The former finally brought the Japanese offensive to a halt, and the latter marked the opening of the American drive across the Pacific that would eventually end the war.

Dedication stone - Southern Europe. Three American, one Canadian, and three British divisions landed in Sicily on July 10, 1943. From beachheads on the south coast, the Allies pushed accross the island in five weeks, against four Italian and two German divisions, and overcame the last Axis resistance on August 17.