Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Opens in D.C.
In a significant moment marking 35 years since Kuwait was liberated from Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi invasion, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial has officially been dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The Gulf War, which spanned from 1990 to 1991, saw a coalition of nations led by the United States respond to Iraq’s aggression towards Kuwait. This effort began with Operation Desert Shield, a lengthy military buildup in Saudi Arabia, followed by a swift ground offensive known as Operation Desert Storm that resulted in the liberation of Kuwait.
After weeks of airstrikes, the coalition launched its ground assault, achieving a rapid victory that freed the Gulf nation from occupation.
Now, over three decades later, the memorial, created by the National Desert Storm Memorial Association, stands proudly close to both the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.
The opening ceremony was held on Saturday and saw many Gulf War veterans in attendance. The event featured performances of the U.S. national anthem as well as the Kuwaiti national anthem, culminating in the raising of the American flag over the newly erected memorial.
“Today, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial joins the National Mall’s living history,” remarked National Mall in a statement. “35 years after these operations, the memorial provides a permanent place to honor the service and the sacrifice.”
Also highlighting the ceremony, the U.S. Department of the Interior stated, “On Saturday, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opens in Washington, D.C., honoring the courage and sacrifice of American servicemembers who answered the call to defend freedom and helped liberate Kuwait. Their service will never be forgotten.”
An interesting note regarding the memorial’s funding: under the federal law that authorized its creation, no taxpayer money was allocated for either its design or construction. Instead, the project, which cost about $40 million, was financed entirely through private donations, including significant contributions from the people and government of Kuwait.
While the land was provided by the federal government, organizers were required to raise 110% of the estimated cost upfront to ensure the project could be built and maintained in the long run.
As expressed on the memorial’s website, “This memorial represents many forms of sacrifice: those who gave their lives in theater, those who passed away later from related causes, and those still carrying the physical and emotional toll of their service.”
Unlike the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, this new memorial does not include the names of those who lost their lives. The decision stems from both legislative limitations and a desire to reflect a different kind of legacy.
Throughout the Gulf War, U.S. and coalition forces experienced a total of around 300 to 380 fatalities, depending on the tracking metrics used. This figure includes approximately 148 combat deaths from the U.S. and around 150 non-battle casualties due to accidents or illness, as reported by the Defense Casualty Analysis System.
Following their victory in the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein continued to rule until the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, during which he went into hiding. He was eventually captured by American forces in December 2003 near Tikrit, and later tried and executed for crimes against humanity in Baghdad in December 2006.
