The Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial (often called just the Navy Marine Memorial in its signage) is dedicated to Americans in the US Navy and US Merchant Marine who lost their life at sea in World War I.
Cast in aluminum–an innovation at the time–the main sculpture stands 35 feet tall and was dedicated in 1934.
The rather beautiful and evocative sculpture by Ernesto Begni del Piatta was originally designed to sit on a large base of polished green granite, but the original fundraising effort came up short, so it ended up on a bland concrete base instead, later replaced with a lower quality green granite base.1
The main part of the monument is surrounded by a wide flower bed that becomes a sea of red tulips in the spring.
Appropriately, it sits on the banks of the Potomac. Although it looks like it should be considered Arlington–it’s along the the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is right next to the Pentagon, and you approach from Arlington–Columbia Island on which it stands, in Lady Bird Johnson Park, is technically part of Washington DC. The border between the two runs along the narrow channel separating Columbia Island from the mainland.
Photos of the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial
The flock of seagulls coasting above a wave.
A shield on the back of the monument.
With the Washington Monument across the other side of the Potomac.
The inscription on the base of the memorial reads: “To the strong souls and ready valor of those men of the United States who in the Navy, the Merchant Marine and other paths of Activity upon the waters of the world have given life or still offer it in the performance of heroic deeds this monument is dedicated by a grateful people.”
Ultra High-Resolution Panorama of the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial
With this ultra-high resolution panorama of the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial (1.36 gigapixels) you can zoom in significantly to view details.
Getting Here
The memorial is easily walkable from the Pentagon or the parking lots for the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove, Columbia Island Marina, or Gravelly Point. You can also walk there from Hains Point by walking over the 14th Street Bridge and turning right.
For Photographers
The memorial is accessible day and night (although not illuminated at night). There’s no problem using flash or a tripod.
Along with anything else in the George Washington Memorial Parkway, commercial shoots and filming require a permit.
More Photos
You can find more of my photos of the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial here, available for licensing.
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.
- Stephan Van Dam, Illustrator, Editor
- Publisher: VanDam, Inc
- Elise Hartman Ford
- Publisher: FrommerMedia
- Fodor s Washington D C with Mount Vernon Alexandria Annapolis Full color Travel Guide
- Fodor's Travel Guides
- DK Travel
- Publisher: DK Eyewitness Travel
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 very rich history.
- NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
- Barbara Noe Kennedy
- Alison Fortier
- Publisher: The History Press
