Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

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Accessible Sites, Benches/Seating, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Wheelchair Accessible

Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower (1890–1969) was the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961) and a five-star general in the U.S. Army. Born in Denison, Texas, and raised in Abilene, Kansas. Eisenhower, popularly known as “Ike” throughout his life, graduated from West Point in 1915 and rose through the ranks to become Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during World War II. He led the successful D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe in 1944 and oversaw the surrender of Germany in 1945. After the war, he served as Army Chief of Staff, President of Columbia University, and Supreme Commander of NATO forces before entering politics. As president, Eisenhower ended the Korean War, launched the Interstate Highway System, enforced school desegregation, and maintained Cold War stability. He remains one of the most respected military and political leaders in American history.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, located just south of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was dedicated on September 17, 2020. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the memorial honors Eisenhower’s legacy as both a military leader and president. The site spans four acres and features a park-like plaza framed by massive limestone columns and a stainless-steel tapestry—a first-of-its-kind element in memorial design. The tapestry, created by artist Tomas Osinski, depicts the Normandy coastline, symbolizing Eisenhower’s leadership in securing peace through victory.

Three bronze sculptures by Sergey Eylanbekov portray Eisenhower in different phases of his life: as a young boy in Kansas, as Supreme Commander during WWII, and as president. These scenes are complemented by stone bas-reliefs and engraved quotations from Eisenhower’s speeches, offering insight into his values and vision. The memorial’s layout encourages reflection and storytelling, with each element contributing to a narrative of service, leadership, and peace.

The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1999, and its development spanned over two decades, involving extensive public input and design revisions. Originally scheduled for dedication on May 8, 2020, the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the ceremony was postponed until September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Eisenhower Memorial stands as a powerful tribute to a man who shaped the course of the 20th century and whose legacy continues to inspire.