U.S. Marine Corps Memorial
The United States Marine Corps Memorial honors the service all Marines, past, present, and future. Specific Divisions, Air Wings, and other groups have been honored on the Walk of Valor (6 Divisions with room for air wings) and on the Circle of Honor. Currently the Circle of Honor includes Navy Seabees, Navy Corpsmen, Amphibious Warfare Units, Chaplains, Dog Handlers, and Women Marines Association.
A time capsule was placed in the ground at the Memorial in 1976 and will be opened in 2076. There is ample parking for visitors on a daily basis. Ceremonies require off-site parking. The Memorial is open to visitors from dawn to dusk. Your constructive comments on the Memorial and the website are welcome.
The site was managed from 1975 to 2020 by the Marine Corps Memorial Association. That organization is in the process of merging with the USMC Memorial Foundation effect January 1, 2021. The Foundation has developed major renovation plans for the site to be completed in the coming few years with bricks going on sale soon. See www.USMCMemorialFoundation.org for updates.
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United States Marine Corps Memorial
In Honor Of: UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS SINCE NOVEMBER 10, 1775
On August 24, 1977
General Louis H. Wilson
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Dedicated this site as a
Marine Corps Memorial
in memory of all marines
who have served their
country.
On December 22, 1976, a time
capsule was emplaced below this
spot to opened during the
tri-centennial year 2076.
There are many markers. The “Walk of Valor” is comprised of a stone for each of the six Marine Divisions set in sequence from the 1st Division through the 6th Division. Each Division determined the wording for their stone. As multiple Divisions participated in many wars and battles at the same time, it would be impossible to try to create a chronological timeline from the inscriptions. Each Division’s representatives selected the wording and highlights they felt were representative of their Division’s accomplishments.
1st Division
1st Marine Division Association
Semper Fidelis
Dedicated to those men of the First Marine Division,
FMF who gave their lives in service of their Country .
World War II Korea Vietnam Southwest Asia
2nd Division
Second Marine Division Association
Colorado Chapter
Silent Second
Second to None
Semper Fidelis
Freedom is not free: You have to fight for it.
This memorial is dedicated to all our men who died fighting for it.
Follow Me
2004
3rd Divsion
3rd Marine Division
Semper Fidelis
Fighting Third
Organized September 16, 1942
Bougainville – Guam – Iwo Jima
Vietnam
Iraq – Enduring Freedom
4th Division
4th Marine Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment
29th Marine Regiment
15th Artillery Regiment
The Shurline-Sugarloaf-Oroku Peninsula
Fourth Marine Division Assoc WWII
Uncommon valor was a common virtue
Semper Fidelis
Rocky Mountain Chapter 32 2003
5th Division
Fifth Marine Division WWII
Iwo Jima 1945, Japan Occupation 1945, Vietnam 1969 -1971
Semper Fidelis
This marker is in memory of the Fifth Division Marines Who raised the flag
on Mt. Suribachi Iwo Jima Feb 23, 1945
6th Division
6th Marine Division
Semper Fidelis
The Stiking Sixth
OKINAWA
1 April – 21 June, 1945
The boulders with plaques in the “Circle of Honor” are a tribute to special related elements that at one time or another served with all six divisions in critical support capacities. The stones/plaques acknowledge each element’s contributions to achieving the mission. Although not placed in sequence due to sporadic timing of recognition, the dates of dedication is as good as any for sequencing, with the Navy Corpsman stone/plaque being the first and most strongly felt and critically essential.
To the Amphibious Forces who, standing in harm’s way, transported Marine to their areas of operation throughout the world. Thank You for your unwavering loyalty and service.
Dedicated 1995
In Memory of Women Marines. Donated by Colorado Columbine Chapter Woman Marines Associations.
Dedicated 1991
Dedicated with everlasting gratitude by All U.S. Marines
to the U.S.Navy Hospital Corpsmen
who served with the Fleet Marine Force with courage, compassion and distinction.
Dedicated 4 July 1982
Dedicated in recognition and deep Appreciation to the War Dogs whose loyalty, bravery and dedication have saved many Marine lives on the battlefield.
Dedicated May 25th, 2015
In Recognition and Appreciation of the United States Navy Seabees
For Their Contributions to the
United States Marine Corps.”Can Do.”
Dedicated May 2012
In recognition and appreciation of the United States Navy Chaplains for their spiritual guidance and inspiration to the United States Marines in their times of trial.
May 25th, 2015
History of the Memorial
The Marine Corps Memorial honors the overall service of the United States Marines as well as specific units, special corps (such as medical corpsmen and women in the U.S.M.C.) and various wars. There is a time capsule to be opened in 2076 at the center of the Circle of Honor. There is ample parking available for daily visitors. The memorial is available from dawn to dusk.
Donate now and support the United States Marine Memorial Remodel.
Before there was a Nation, there were Marines willing to give everything to supports its people and win its battles.
Support the legacy of the Marines and honor their service by donating to the United States Marine Corps Memorial Remodel.
We need $3.5 million to build the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial expansion.
Donors can contribute through PayPal or a credit card. It’s simple and takes seconds.
The USMC Memorial Foundation is a 501(C)3 charitable organization registered with the state of Colorado and the IRS. All proceeds support the USMC Memorial.
Visiting The Memorial
The memorial is on a 6 acre triangular expanse of land at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 40 in Golden, CO. It is a growing memorial with many plaques to honor the service of Marines and those who serve with us. There are two bulletin board that provide a brief history of the Memorial, Honor Donors, and a remembrance board. Upcoming events are also announced.
Location:
16899 W Colfax Ave
Golden, CO 80401
The Memorial is located at the intersection of US HWY 6 (6th Avenue) and US HWY 40 (W. Colfax Avenue) in Golden, Colorado. It is on the west side of the intersection and can only be accessed from the US HWY 6 Eastbound lane, or US HWY 40 Westbound lane.
Please Note: Parking is no longer allowed along the US HWY 6 and US HWY 40 sides of the Memorial.
– For private visits, use the parking lot on the west end of the Memorial grounds. Please use the parking area off the access road between US HWY 6 and US HWY 40 on the west side of the Memorial.
– Parking for this event is generously offered by the Home Depot in the shopping area south of the Memorial.
PHOTOS
