New Jersey Korean War Memorial

Near the Atlantic City Boardwalk, amid the hotels, casinos and attractions associated with the resort city, stands the New Jersey Korean War Memorial. Its setting creates an unexpected place of reflection within one of the state’s busiest entertainment districts.

The Korean War began in June 1950 when North Korean forces invaded South Korea. American troops entered the conflict as part of a United Nations force defending South Korea. Fighting continued until an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, but no formal peace treaty followed. Approximately 191,000 New Jersey residents served during the conflict.

The memorial was designed by sculptors J. Tom Carrillo and Thomas Jay Warren and dedicated on November 13, 2000. One of its most powerful figures is The Mourning Soldier, a twelve-foot bronze figure holding the dog tags of fallen comrades. Behind him, a bronze relief portrays soldiers advancing together under fire, connecting his private grief to the shared experiences of those who served.

Elsewhere within the memorial, an eternal flame burns above the names of 822 New Jersey service members who were killed or remain missing. Additional sculptures and reliefs recognize the wounded, Medal of Honor recipients and those who returned home carrying memories of the war.

The Korean War is sometimes called the “Forgotten War” because it received less public attention than the conflicts that came before and after it. By placing the names and experiences of New Jersey’s veterans in a prominent public setting, the memorial ensures that their service and sacrifices remain part of the state’s history.