Monuments and Memorials

Augusta's history as a "military town" means that there are many reminders of the servicemen and servicewomen that have passed through the city.  These are memorials to bravery, sacrifice, and honor, on foreign fields and at home.

Spanish-American War

A small monument to the men who fought in the Spanish-American War graces the median of Green Street in downtown Augusta. It features a bronze plaque with a representation of a Spanish-American War-era soldier superimposed over the battleship USS Maine. The Maine's sinking ignited the short conflict in which the US was victorious over the declining colonial power of Spain.

The inscription on the plaque reads:
"YOU TRIUMPHED OVER OBSTACLES WHICH WOULD HAVE OVERCOME MEN LESS BRAVE AND DETERMINED"
President McKinley

Augusta native Joe Wheeler, for whom Wheeler Road is named, served as a Major General of Volunteers during the war. Wheeler, a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, thus served in the United States Army, the Confederate States Army (where he led cavalry against General Sherman's March to the Sea), and then the United States Army again.
Spanish American War 1 640

World War I


WHAT STANDS IF FREEDOM FALL?

This World War I Memorial in the Greene Street median in downtown Augusta pays honors to veterans of The Great War with the following inscription:

"The men of Richmond County, of every creed and color, who served at their country's call that aggression and lawless force should not dominate the world."

The reverse side of the monument says: What stands if freedom fall? - Kipling 1914

The memorial was erected in 1940 by the Richmond County Association.

4th Infantry "Ivy" Division

The "Ivy Division" is a unit with a proud history dating to World War I. In December 1941, the 4th was the first unit assigned to Camp (now Fort) Gordon. The memorial to the 4th is in the median of Greene Street and describes the many battles in which the soldiers of the 4th distinguished themselves, including:
World War I
Aisne - Marne
St. Mihiel
Meuse -Argonne
Defensive Sector
Army of Occupation

  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
  • World War I
    • Aisne - Marne
    • St. Mihiel
    • Meuse -Argonne
    • Defensive Sector
    • Army of Occupation
  • World War II
    • Normandy
    • Northern France
    • Rhineland
    • Ardennes
    • Central Europe
  • Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
World War II
Normandy
Northern France
Rhineland
Ardennes
Central Europe

Vietnam
The 4th was the first unit of US. Troops to land on Utah Beach Normandy France 6 June 1944
4th Infantry 640

Korean War Memorial

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
The Korean War Memorial is located at the intersection of Broad Street and 4th Street in downtown Augusta. The monument was dedicated on December 4, 2004. The phrases "Always Remember" and "Freedom is not Free" figure prominently on the memorial, which also features a map of Korea, an image of a Korean-era US soldier, and names of local service members who will killed or captured during the war.

One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage


This exhibit at the Augusta Museum of History honors Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Dyess, an Augusta Native who is the only person who earned America's two highest awards for heroism: the Medal of Honor and the Carnegie Medal. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously, having been killed in action while leading his troops at the Battle of Kwajalein in the Pacific Theater.

The exhibit also features the US Navy Cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31), which was named in honor of the City of Augusta, as well as the USS Dyess (DD-880), a destroyer which was named in honor of LTC Dyess.

Jimmie Dyess Parkway, which connects Interstate 20 to Fort Gordon's Gate 1, is named in honor of LTC Dyess.