Rhode Island Korean War Memorial

Subject (Topic):
Public art
Sculpture
Korean War
United States--Rhode Island--Providence

Subject (Object Type):
Commemorative sculpture

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Providence, Rhode Island is primarily composed of a six foot tall realist bronze casting of a soldier. The soldier sits atop the monument’s base, which is inscribed with the words “In Tribute to Rhode Island Korean War Veterans.” The soldier is depicted on one knee, resting his knee on a round surface that represents the ground atop the monument’s base. He is wearing a baggy soldier’s uniform including boots, trousers, a helmet, and an oversized raincoat. He is holding his gun upright and his hood is pulled up over his head, perhaps to protect himself from the cold, the wind, or an incoming storm. His face is directed towards the ground and he has a solemn, almost despondent, look.

The memorial is surrounded by a walkway of 1,500 engraved red and white bricks. The white bricks include the names of the 145 Rhode Islanders who were killed in action and the 55 who are missing in action. The red bricks include the names of other Rhode Islanders who fought in the war. Each inscribed red brick was purchased in tribute to an individual who served, and these purchases served as the main source of revenue for the memorial. Behind the monument, there are numerous flags displayed, including the city of Providence’s flag, the Rhode Island state flag, the United States flag, and the South Korean flag. Flanking the monument are two markers - one marker is inscribed with the members of the Korean War Memorial Commission of Rhode Island and the other lists major benefactors of the memorial. There are also two benches on the walkway which each face the statue, giving visitors a spot for introspection.

Shure, Robert, 1948-

Photograph by Sylvie Watts

Dedicated: October 8, 1998

Korean War Memorial Commission of Rhode Island:
Honorary chairmen: John H. Chafee and Vincent A. Cianci Jr.
Chairman: Theodore F. Low
Co-Chairman: Joseph T. Corrente
Commission Members: Howard F. Brown, Robert W. Kenny Jr., G. Helene Rench, Maurice P. Trottier, Matthew J. Strumski

Benefactors:
The Ballou Family Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen
Local #1 of Rhode Island
The Chace Family
CVS
Fleet
The Grant Sherburne Foundation
Ocean State Chapter #1
The June Rockwell Levy Foundation
Frederick Lippitt
William N. Makepeace
Duncan H. Mauran
Robert Melucci
Thomas A. Pagliarini
The City of Providence
The Rhode Island Foundation
The Rhode Island Legislature

City of Providence 25 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

South Main St, Providence, RI 02903

Dujardin, Richard C. “Veterans Hail Plan for Korean War Memorial.” The Providence Journal-Bulletin, August 8, 1997.