MacArthur Monument (West Point) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MacArthur Monument |
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| United States | |
MacArthur monument at West Point
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| For Douglas MacArthur | |
| Unveiled | 1969 |
| Location | 41°23′33.89″N 73°57′31.61″W / 41.3927472°N 73.9587806°W near |
| Designed by | Walker Hancock |
The Douglas MacArthur Monument is a special statue at the West Point military school. It honors Douglas MacArthur, a very famous American military leader. He was a five-star general, which is the highest rank in the U.S. Army.
MacArthur also received the Medal of Honor, America's bravest award. He was once the leader, or Superintendent, of West Point. This monument helps everyone remember his important contributions.
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Remembering a Great Leader
The Douglas MacArthur Monument was created to honor General Douglas MacArthur. He was a highly respected military officer. He served in several major wars, including World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
MacArthur was known for his leadership and strategic thinking. He played a key role in shaping American military history. This monument celebrates his long and distinguished career.
Design and Dedication
The monument was designed by a talented artist named Walker Hancock. It was officially opened in 1969. General MacArthur's wife, Jean MacArthur, was there for the special ceremony.
The monument features a statue of General MacArthur himself. It stands tall and proud, showing his importance. The statue is a powerful reminder of his legacy.
Location and Inscriptions
You can find the monument at West Point, a famous military academy. It is located on a large grassy area called the Plain. This area is where cadets practice and march.
Around the statue, there are granite walls. These walls have special words carved into them. The words are from MacArthur's famous 1962 speech. He gave this speech to the West Point cadets.
Duty, Honor, Country Speech
The words on the monument are from MacArthur's Duty, Honor, Country speech. He gave this speech when he received the Sylvanus Thayer Award. This award is given to people who show great service to their country.
In his speech, MacArthur talked about the important values of a soldier. He spoke about duty (doing what is right), honor (being honest and having integrity), and country (serving your nation). These words are still very important to soldiers today.
