List of monuments at the United States Military Academy facts for kids

USMA Crest

The United States Military Academy (USMA) is a special school for future Army officers. It's located at West Point, New York. This school teaches and trains young people to become leaders in the United States Army.

West Point was started way back in 1802. It's the oldest of the five main military schools in America. Because it's so old and important for training Army officers, West Point has many statues and memorials. These monuments remember important people and events. The oldest one is the Cadet Monument, built in 1818. The newest is the US Grant statue, added in 2019.

Remembering Heroes: West Point's Monuments

West Point is like an outdoor museum with many statues and memorials. Each one tells a story about brave soldiers, important leaders, or special moments in history. Let's explore some of them!

Oldest and Most Important Monuments

West Point has some very old and meaningful monuments. They help us remember the academy's long history.

The Cadet Monument

The Cadet Monument is the oldest memorial at West Point. It was put up in 1818. This monument remembers Cadet Vincent M. Lowe, who sadly died in 1817 from a cannon accident. It also lists the names of other cadets who died while serving early in the academy's history. You can find it in the oldest part of the West Point Cemetery.

Wood's Monument

Even older than the Cadet Monument is Wood's Monument, which was dedicated in 1814. It honors Colonel Eleazer Wood, an engineer and a West Point graduate from 1806. He was killed during the War of 1812. This monument has been moved a few times as West Point grew, and it's now also in the cemetery.

Battle Monument

The Battle Monument was finished in 1897. It was paid for by Civil War veterans using their own money. This tall monument lists the names of 2,230 officers and soldiers from the Regular Army. It's a powerful reminder of their service. The famous architect Stanford White designed the column, and Frederick MacMonnie sculpted the statue on top.

Thayer Monument

The Thayer Monument honors Sylvanus Thayer, often called the "Father of the Military Academy." He was the third Superintendent (leader) of West Point. This statue was put up in 1883. Every year during graduation week, the oldest living graduate of West Point places a wreath at this memorial.

Monuments to Famous Leaders

Many monuments at West Point honor famous generals and presidents who were important to American history.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument was dedicated in 1916. It remembers George Washington, who led the Continental Army during the American Revolution and became the first President of the United States. This statue helps us remember his strong leadership.

Eisenhower Monument

The Eisenhower Monument was added in 1983. It's a statue of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a five-star general and the 34th President of the United States. He was sculpted by Robert L. Dean, Jr., who also graduated from West Point.

Grant Monument

The Grant Monument is the newest monument at West Point, dedicated in 2019. It honors Ulysses S. Grant, another famous general who led the Union Army during the American Civil War and later became president.

MacArthur Monument

The MacArthur Monument was dedicated in 1969. It remembers Douglas MacArthur, a very famous general and a former Superintendent of West Point. He even received the Medal of Honor. His wife dedicated the statue, which was sculpted by Walker Hancock.

Patton Monument

The Patton Monument honors General George S. Patton, a well-known leader from World War II. It was first put up in 1950. It has been moved around a bit as the academy built new buildings, but it will soon have a new permanent spot.

Other Important Memorials

West Point also has monuments that remember specific groups or events.

Flight Memorial

The Flight Memorial was dedicated in 1992. It remembers all the cadets and graduates who have died in flight accidents. It's located near the Air Cadet Monument and was sculpted by Walker Hancock.

Southeast Asia Memorial

The Southeast Asia Memorial was put up in 1980. It honors all members of the U.S. armed forces who died in Southeast Asia, including places like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It was paid for by West Point classes from the 1960s.

Images for kids

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  Air Cadet Monument

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  American Soldier's Statue

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  Buckner Memorial

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  Corbin Monument

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  Custer Monument

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  Dade Monument

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  Kelleher-Jobes Memorial Arch

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  Kosciuszko's Monument

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  L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument

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  Patton Monument

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  Sedgwick Monument

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  Sheridan Memorial

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  Southeast Asia Memorial

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  Washington Monument