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Commodore John Paul Jones Memorial

Tidal Basin, Washington DC

Statue at the John Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DC

Monuments & Landmarks
National Mall, Tidal Basin

The John Paul Jones Memorial is dedicated to, unsurprisingly, Commodore John Paul Jones (1747-1792). He was a hero of the American Revolutionary War, with his daring exploits against the formidable British Navy earning him fame in the fledgling republic. He is sometimes credited as the Father of the American Navy (a title also sometimes credited to John Barry).

His statue stands near an inlet of the Tidal Basin, not far from the Washington Monument and National World War II Memorial.

It was completed in 1912. Its centerpiece is a bronze statue of Jones with a decidedly determined stance and gaze. He’s surrounded by an large marble pedestal with various military and naval symbols as well as small fountains (for the naval theme). On the back of the pedestal is a relief of Jones raising a flag on a U.S. man-of-war, representing his reputation as having been the first to raise the new American flag on an American naval vessel. One notable inscription on the pedestal memorializes his words: “Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight!”

Jones’s exploits during the Revolutionary War are what made him famous in American history, but John Paul Jones later joined the Imperial Russian Navy where he eventually attained the rank of rear admiral.

Photos of the John Paul Jones Memorial

Wide Shot of John Paul Jones MemorialJohn Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DCPlaque at the John Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DCJohn Paul Jones Memorial StatueFountain at the John Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DCJohn Paul Jones MemorialFountain at the John Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DCStatue at the John Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DC

How to Get to the John Paul Jones Memorial

The memorial is close to the Washington Monument, National World War II Memorial, and the Tidal Basin. It stands on a small traffic island. If you’re standing at the Washington Monument facing the Lincoln Memorial, head 45 degrees to your left towards the Tidal Basin. It’s also an easy walk from the MLK Memorial or the World War I Memorial.

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Traffic
Bicycling
Transit

Nearby & Related:

  • World War One Memorial in the Snow
    District of Columbia World War I Memorial
  • 184-133428159 John Ericsson National Memorial with Vision Inscription.
    John Ericsson National Memorial
  • Tulips at the Floral Library in Washington DC
    NPS Floral Library
  • Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial During the Equinox
    Lincoln Memorial
  • Pentagon Memorial with flowers
    Pentagon Memorial
  • Theodore Roosevelt Memorial with Plane and Sun
    Theodore Roosevelt Memorial

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
  • Lonely Planet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.

Center map
Traffic
Bicycling
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Location: National Mall
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.888238
      Longitude: -77.039475

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # National Mall
      # Tidal Basin



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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