WMC Audio Tour

TOUR THE WAR MEMORIAL WITH YOUR PHONE

Welcome to the Educational Guide for the War Memorial Center which helps serve as a visible memorial to all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Services. We work to ensure each veteran knows their service is appreciated and we try to inspire patriotism in our youth to honor the 3,481 men and women from Milwaukee County who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Our mission: “Honor the Dead. Serve the living.”

WMC Building

Building Significance & History

The WMC is the focal point for various veteran, patriotic, cultural, art, and educational activities. It was born out of the collective vision of the Zonta, Altrusa, Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the Milwaukee Civic Alliance to create a fitting memorial to honor the War Dead of WWII.

West Facade Mosaic Mural

Unveiled on Veterans Day 1959, the 1,440,000-piece mosaic features Roman numerals representing the commencement and end dates for World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Valor Promenade

Lincoln Memorial Bridge

Connecting downtown Milwaukee to the WMC, the “present” Lincoln Memorial Bridge was dedicated on May 13, 1983. On the bridge promenade stands the pole which was raised on the old Lincoln Memorial Bridge in 1957.

18 Flags

Lining both sides of “Gary G. Wetzel Medal of Honor Way,” (Mason Street), are 18 flag standards that commemorate the patriotic ideals of the WMC. The names on the plaques honor the 18 veteran organizations and individual donors.

Abraham Lincoln Statue

The statue of Abraham Lincoln on the West side of the War Memorial Center is a true work of art. Dedicated in 1934 and re-dedicated on Labor Day 1986, the 10’6″ bronze statue was sculpted by American artist Gaetano Cecere (1894-1985), He was commissioned to do the work with pennies collected by area school children.

Gary G. Wetzel Medal of Honor Way and Marker

Honor South Milwaukee native and Medal of Honor Recipient Gary George Wetzel for his heroism in the Vietnam War.

West Facade Mosaic Mural

Unveiled on Veterans Day 1959, the 1,440,000-piece mosaic features Roman numerals representing the commencement and end dates for World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Veterans Courtyard

Fitch Plaza

A Cooperative project between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, Milwaukee Art Museum, and the WMC, the purpose of a green roof is to manage water where it falls, thereby diminishing the risk of sewer overflows and improving the overall water quality in the region.

Gold Star Family Memorial

Honoring the sacrifice of the families who have lost an immediate family member in service to our country.

Purple Heart Memorial

As a tribute to the servicemen and women who have been awarded this honor, a committee was formed in 2007 with the goal of erecting a Purple Heart Memorial on the grounds of the War Memorial Center.

WWI and Revolutionary War Memorials

Ring of Honor

The black-granite ring in the center of Veterans Courtyard represents the never-ending commitment of our men and women in the military. The Ring of Honor lists all the Department of Defense-recognized conflicts American troops have fought in since World War I, including the so-called low-intensity conflicts that have called on the service and sacrifice of our veterans through the years.

Honor Roll & Eternal Flame Memorial

An eternal flame illuminates a black-granite Honor Roll listing Milwaukee County’s 3,481 war dead since World War II, the wars in Korean and Vietnam and those related to the Global War on Terrorism.

Lower Level I

Hanoi Hilton Prison Cell

Located in Freedom Hall below the stairs, Lest We Forget — Remembering Wisconsin POW/MIA, features informative static and interactive displays with the stories and experiences of our brave service members held as prisoners of war or who are/were missing in action.

Taps on the Wall

Located next to the Hanoi Hilton Prison Cell, learn how prisoners communicated with one another from their cell utilizing our interactive program “Taps On The Wall.”

The Freedom Mural

Located in Freedom Hall, and dedicated in 2011, the Freedom Mural was created by the 5th Grade students from Forrest Home Avenue and Anna F. Doerfler Schools.

9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial features a World Trade Center I-beam recovered from Ground Zero. The 1,566 pound artifact is a reminder of that tragic day in American history— the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed 2,996 people.

Lower Level II

Medal of Honor

Come see our new exhibit honoring the 64 Wisconsin soldiers who earned the Medal of Honor. You can listen and watch each soldier’s story by clicking on their name at our Kiosk.

Veterans Gallery

Dogtag Chandelier

530 individual Dog Tags represent the 5,298 Wisconsin POW from the Civil War to present.

Commemorative Plaques

Numerous commemorative plaques in the gallery recognize the contributions of many, in service to all. Plaques and displays are exhibited or added as deemed appropriate by the Veterans Board of Directors selection committee.

Missing Man Table

The POW/MIA table: A place setting for one. A table for all.

3rd Floor

Medal of Honor Vocabulary

Located on the 3rd floor, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest award for military valor in action. And while over 150 years have passed since its inception, the meaning behind the Medal has never tarnished. Etched within are the very values that each Recipient displayed in the moments that mattered—courage, service, commitment, excellence, duty, respect, and honor. A deep love of country and a desire to always do what is right.

African American Exhibit

Located on the 3rd floor, the African American Veterans Memorial exhibit represents the contributions, service, and sacrifice, made, and continue to make, for our county.

“A True Soldier”

Located on the 3rd floor, the image of a soldier and child walking hand in hand with the quote: “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” -G.K. Chesterton

Zigman War Poster Collection

AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL, FULLY-RESTORED AMERICAN, BRITISH AND FRENCH WWI AND WWII POSTERS ARE ON DISPLAY ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS OF THE WAR MEMORIAL CENTER.

4th Floor

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

This is a replica of the actual Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Veterans Park near the War Memorial Center.

Latino Veterans’ Legacy of Valor

Located on the 4th floor of the WMC, you will find the exhibit telling how Wisconsin’s Latino veterans have risen to the call of duty in defense of liberty and freedom. Organized by the American GI Forum, the Milwaukee Latino Community, and the WMC, this promises to be an important legacy for all.

Korean War: No Longer Forgotten

Located on the 4th floor of the WMC, you will find images and posters where you can learn about the many phases of the Korean War. This set of 15 Korean War Posters was produced and distributed by the Department of Defense to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War.

Japan’s Surrender to MacArthur

Located on the 4th floor of the WMC, this painting depicts an early Sunday morning on September 2, 1945, aboard the new 45,000-ton battleship U.S.S. Missouri and before representatives of nine Allied nations, where the Japanese signed their surrender.

Zigman War Poster Collection

AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL, FULLY-RESTORED AMERICAN, BRITISH AND FRENCH WWI AND WWII POSTERS ARE ON DISPLAY ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS OF THE WAR MEMORIAL CENTER.

Veterans Park

MacArthur Statue

The General MacArthur statue was relocated from its lonely home in MacArthur Square just east of the Milwaukee County Courthouse to its current location in Veterans Park in 2014.

Southeastern Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Dedicated on October 20, 1991, this moving memorial has become the focal point of Veterans Park at Milwaukee’s Lakefront. Three Wausau Red Granite represent those killed in action, prisoners of war/missing in action, and those who returned home.
Commemorative bricks are available for purchase HERE.

Milwaukee County War Memorial Center
750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
(414) 273-5533

WMC Audio Tour

TOUR THE WAR MEMORIAL WITH YOUR PHONE

WMC Building

Building Significance & History

West Facade Mosaic Mural

Valor Promenade

Lincoln Memorial Bridge

18 Flags

Abraham Lincoln Statue

Gary G. Wetzel Medal of Honor Way and Marker

West Facade Mosaic Mural

Veterans Courtyard

Fitch Plaza

Gold Star Family Memorial

Purple Heart Memorial

WWI and Revolutionary War Memorials

Ring of Honor

Honor Roll & Eternal Flame Memorial

Lower Level I

Hanoi Hilton Prison Cell

Taps on the Wall

The Freedom Mural

9/11 Memorial

Lower Level II

Medal of Honor

Veterans Gallery

Dogtag Chandelier

Commemorative Plaques

Missing Man Table

3rd Floor

Medal of Honor Vocabulary

African American Exhibit

“A True Soldier”

Zigman War Poster Collection

4th Floor

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Latino Veterans’ Legacy of Valor

Korean War: No Longer Forgotten

Japan’s Surrender to MacArthur

Zigman War Poster Collection

Veterans Park

MacArthur Statue

Southeastern Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Summer Hours

Off-season Hours

WMC is closed on holidays and for private events.

War Memorial Center