Value proposition

Honoring the Service and the Sacrifice

In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Within 24 hours, Iraq's military occupied its southern neighbor and controlled nearly 30% of the world’s oil supply. Iraq's brutal dictator then set his eyes on Saudi Arabia. President George H.W. Bush recognized Saudi Arabia’s important role in the region and launched Operation Desert Shield. As the deployment of American combat forces in Saudi Arabia grew, President Bush issued a mandate to Hussein stating that all Iraqi troops must leave Kuwait by January 15, 1991. The deadline passed with Kuwait still occupied by Iraqi forces. On January 17, 1991, the United States led coalition forces in the liberation of Kuwait, a campaign known as Operation Desert Storm.

These operations resulted in several major coalition victories, the removal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, the imposition of international sanctions against Iraq and a significantly weakened Iraqi Army.

Roughly 600,000 American troops were deployed in support both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; 375 died.

Today, the United States lacks a national memorial dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of its Armed Forces who honorably served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The National Desert Storm War Memorial Association’s goal is to dedicate the completed Memorial in 2024.

Our efforts have received support from United States Presidents, United States Senators, United States Representatives, military commanders, veterans and their families, businesses, and other grateful American citizens.

Location:
The Memorial will fall within the shadow of both the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, abutting the National Mall. The Memorial's site is at the southwest corner of Constitution Avenue and 23rd Street Northwest, Washington, D.C.

Conceptual Design Approved:
The memorial received conceptual design approval in 2019 and revised conceptual design approval in 2021.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on July 14, 2022.