This memorial honors veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War for fighting for the freedom of America and the free world. In World War II, they fought in the Pacific and European theaters, on the beaches at Normandy, in the deserts of North Africa, and on the islands of the South Pacific, showing the strength and courage captured in Admiral Nimitz's words, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue." Korean War veterans fought on Heartbreak Ridge and at Inchon, endured harsh winters and summer heat, were often greatly outnumbered, and continued fighting as many gave their lives for freedom, justice, and peace. Vietnam veterans are remembered as young people who went to war, lost youthful dreams and sometimes their lives for freedom and honor, returned with the horrors of war, and were never given the respect and honor they deserved from the public or the United States government. It also lists Missouri recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Civil War, Indian Campaigns, Philippine Insurrection, China Relief, Philippine 1911, Mexican Campaign, World War I, 2nd Haitian Campaign, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and peace time awards.