The 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) hold a special place in the hearts of Newport Beach residents and now our community has a permanent place in their honor. On Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, the community dedicated a memorial in honor of the Marines of 1/1. The memorial in located in Castaways Park, 900 Dover Drive (16th Street and Dover Drive).
The memorial, designed by artist Benjamin Victor, is a bronze sculpture set against a black granite backdrop. It represents a young Marine in battle dress, walking forward while looking back. Though designed for the Marines of 1/1, it is intended to honor all military personnel and to serve as a place for the community to pause and remember those who have served the United States. More than 200 community members donated over $135,000 to help cover the entire cost of the memorial.
The relationship between the City and 1/1 began in 2003 when the City “adopted” 1/1 to assist these Marines and their families. 1/1 is a decorated Marine unit that first saw action in World War II and recently returned from its third deployment to Iraq. The Newport Beach community has donated more than $590,000 to provide financial assistance for special medical devices, travel expenses for families of injured Marines, special Battalion events, and support for the families of casualties of the war.