The design of the new memorial balances two works of art: the existing Pershing Memorial honoring US Army General John J. Pershing, and a 60-foot-long, 10-foot-high bronze figure sculpture by artist Sabin Howard located at the terminus of a revivified reflection pool. Titled “A Soldier’s Journey,” the 38-figure composition serves as the centerpiece of the renovated 1.76-acre landscape by telling the story of a solider who leaves his family, survives the trials of war, and returns home. A new fountain conveying the country’s search for peace inscribed with the words of Archibald MacLeish provides a place of reflection and remembrance.

The design was unanimously chosen by the competition jury after an open, two-stage international design competition that received over 350 entries. GWWO’s work on the memorial included numerous National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 meetings and formal presentations to the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), as well as countless meetings with agency staffs including CFA, NCPC, DC Historic Preservation Office (HPO), and the National Park Service. The results of the firm’s extensive collaboration led to the quickest approval process for a memorial project in recent history.