The Iwo Jima Memorial (officially known as the Marine Corps War Memorial) was dedicated in 1954 to honor all Marines who have lost their lives defending the United States since 1775. The monument was created by the American sculptor Felix de Weldon inspired by the famous photograph of six Marines raising the American flag at the summit of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The artist spent three years creating a full-sized model and three months casting it in bronze. The base is made of black diabase granite.