As the largest monument in The Battery, the East Coast Memorial has defined the experiences that audiences can have throughout the park that dominates lower Manhattan in New York City. Created to honor the American servicemen who died while engaged in combat during World War II, the East Coast Memorial allows audiences to meaningfully connect with the people it honors while also creating a space for different types of engagement.
Honoring Those Missing in the Waters of the Atlantic
Honoring the 4,601 missing American servicemen who lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean while engaged in combat during World War II, the East Coast Memorial is one of three war memorials commissioned by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). Dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the eight 19-foot-tall granite pylons that define the plaza were installed in 1959. Each pylon has the name, rank, organization and state of each of the 4,611 people who went missing in the waters of the Atlantic.
In the middle of the plaza and oriented towards the Statue of Liberty is a large bronze eagle, sculpted by Albino Manca. Sitting on a pedestal of polished black granite the eagle’s talons grip a laurel wreath over a wave. This imagery and action signify mourning at the watery grave.
The incredible scale of the bronze eagle and each of the granite slabs allow audiences to revel in the sacrifices that the memorial commemorates. Wreaths and other active commemorations are often placed at the memorial, while family members can search the physical or digital archive to locate loved ones. The large, paved plaza allows audiences to take in these elements at their own pace while also providing the space for special events and engagements.
This connection to the past and present has ensured the East Coast Memorial will continue to make an impact in the hearts and minds of audiences and for New York City.
Beyond Commemoration
Numerous memorials across the United States commemorate U.S. servicemen who died doing World War II but few do so in such a specific and powerful way as the East Coast Memorial. The size and power of the bronze eagle and granite slabs allow audiences to revel in the sacrifices that the memorial celebrates on multiple levels, cultivating connections that are about more than commemoration. These elements have helped to define the community in a meaningful way.
