Pierre, South Dakota War Memorials

About This Memorial

The Civil War Monument on the South Dakota State Capitol grounds, dedicated in 1920, honors Union soldiers who served in the Civil War 1861-1865. It features a bronze statue of a Union soldier in uniform holding a rifle, along with Army and Navy symbols. The monument commemorates both the soldiers' service and their role in shaping South Dakota after the war. Funded by the state legislature, it stands as the first war memorial on the capitol grounds, bearing the inscription honoring 'the defenders of our nation.'

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About This Memorial

The South Dakota World War II Memorial features six bronze figures representing the branches of service in which South Dakotans served during WWII. The warriors are depicted fresh from battle, symbolizing the horrors and valor of war. They stand on a peninsula in Capitol Lake, facing other memorials, with a granite stone inscribed 'South Dakota WWII Warriors: Why they fought—For Flag—For Country—For All of Us.' The memorial commemorates the sacrifices of South Dakotans in WWII and serves as a reminder of the war's global impact. The Korean War Memorial portrays a brave American GI fighting during the Chosin Battle, highlighting the harsh conditions and sacrifices of the war. The soldier, frostbitten and determined, salutes fallen comrades while continuing his mission. The memorial honors the 54,000 U.S. troops lost in the conflict, often called the 'Forgotten War,' and acknowledges the veterans who returned without recognition. The Vietnam War Memorial commemorates South Dakota veterans who faced both the war and a painful homecoming. It features a single soldier elevated as a symbol of bravery, representing the many who served during this divisive conflict. An additional bronze eagle statue honors Native American contributions to the armed forces. The memorial includes granite panels listing South Dakota's casualties from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

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