Man damages Iwo Jima monument at Quantico; foundation launches restoration fundraiser
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The gist
Police say a man used a sledgehammer to damage the Iwo Jima monument in Quantico, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is now raising money to restore the memorial.
Background
The Iwo Jima monument near Richmond Highway and Fuller Road in Quantico depicts the flag-raising by Marines at Iwo Jima, and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is the organization behind the restoration effort, led by president and CEO Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman. Prince William County police responded to a report of a man damaging the statue late on Oct 21 and estimated the damage in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, including the removal of the head of one sculpted Marine figure. Two days later the foundation opened a public fundraising campaign to repair it.
How it unfolded
- Oct 21, 2026 22:13Prince William County police responded to the Iwo Jima monument in Quantico and found a man actively damaging the statue with a sledgehammer.
- Oct 22, 2026Damage was estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, including the removal of the head of one sculpted Marine figure.
- Oct 23, 2026The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation launched the "Restore the Iwo Jima Memorial" public fundraising campaign.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, said the monument honors the courage and sacrifice of Marines who fought at Iwo Jima and that "the damage to this monument does not diminish the legacy it represents."