Military Monuments and Memorials

First Division Monument

NPS / Nathan King

Many military figures are memorialized on the grounds of the White House and President's Park.

Lafayette Park is host to statues of four foreign individuals who came to the United States' aid in the Revolutionary War, helping train and lead Americans to victory. In the center, an impressive equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson honors his service in the War of 1812.

South of the White House, two monuments honor specific Army units – the First Division and the Second Division – that were originally built in memory of those who fell in World War I. The monuments have since expanded to include tributes to the fallen in subsequent conflicts.

Near the east entrance of the White House along 15th Street, you can see the towering General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument. To get close, you’ll need to take a tour of the White House.

At the corner of 15th St. and Pennsylvania Avenue, you can also find the General Pershing Memorial and the World War I Memorial, which are both part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

Tour the monuments and memorials

These points of interest are all in public areas of President's Park and are typically accessible to the public. Try our Military Monuments Self-Guided Walking Tour here and in the NPS App to explore these and other points of interest during your visit.

 

Military Units

First Division Monument

Originally built to honor First Division soldiers who gave their lives in World War I, the memorial now honors more recent conflicts.

Second Division Memorial

The memorial is dedicated "To our dead" from the Second Division's service in World War I, 1917-1919.

 

You may also be interested in a detailed history of the First Divison Monument.

 

Individuals

General Andrew Jackson Statue

Jackson is portrayed as he appeared while reviewing his troops at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

General Lafayette Statue

Lafayette, a Frenchman, was appointed a major general in the Continental army and served under General George Washington.

General Kosciuszko Statue

The statue commemorates Polish patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko and his life-long dedication to fighting for freedom in America and Poland.

General Rochambeau Statue

Comte de Rochambeau commanded the 5,500-man Royal French Expeditionary Force sent to help the American revolutionary forces from 1780-1782.

General Von Steuben Statue

Von Steuben brought American soldiers the technical knowledge necessary to form an organized, modern army during the Revolution.

General William Tecumseh Sherman Statue

General Sherman was reported to have stood here while reviewing returning Civil War troops in May 1865.

 

You may also be interested in a History of the Rochambeau Statue.