Situated on Pennsylvania Avenue, only a block from the White House, the World War I Memorial is dedicated to the millions of Americans who served and died in that massive conflict.

The memorial was built within what was once Pershing Park and at the site of the American Expeditionary Forces Memorial, dedicated in 1981 to honor the soldiers who served in Europe during the war and their commander, Gen. John Pershing.

In 2021, ABMC and the World War I Centennial Commission rededicated the site as the expanded National World War I Memorial. It honors all Americans who served, including service members from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, those who served in places other than Europe, and civilians as well.

Approximately 4.7 million Americans served during WWI. Two million were deployed to Europe and more than 116,000 died there, either in fighting or from non-combat causes like the influenza pandemic of 1918. Another 204,000 returned home wounded.
When the tree-lined memorial is finished, the dominant feature will be a nearly 60-foot-long by 7-foot-tall bronze sculpture that depicts the American experience in World War I.

Situated at the end of a large pool of water, the sculpture, entitled “A Soldier’s Journey,” will include a tableau of scenes, from the homefront departure of a single soldier through several battle images to a triumphant and ultimately somber return.

Its completion is expected in the fall of 2024 with the installation of the finished sculpture entitled “A Soldier’s Journey.”

The National Park Service is responsible for the maintenance and management of the memorial.