Update: This is indeed the World War II Memorial, and it was renovate along with the Soldiers’ Memorial, reopening under the management of the Missouri History Museum in 2018. Read my article about the completed renovations here.
I think this is the World War II Memorial, from 1948. Interestingly, almost sixty years before the memorial in Washington, DC.
I recall when this was dedicated – I think half of the city was there; an understandably immense crowd, coming just a couple of years after the end.And, I THINK (not positive) that the ceremony was televised by KSD-TV to the 8 receivers in the Metro area.Also, a bit of trivia – I recall a number of European Theater vets (including my Uncle, a POW captured in Normandy) were VERY upset that the GI helmets as depicted looked more like the traditional German stahlhelms than our own pots.And of course, what do pots look like now?
Ha!I just realized that these guys in the photo were NAVY men; exposed guncrews on shipboard DID have helmets that looked like these!And so, for my Uncle Bennie and myself – Mea culpa!I guess the Army was on the other side of the plinth, huh?