John Paul Jones Memorial

This memorial stands by itself in an intersection between the WW2 Monument and the George Washington Monument. Its over 100 years old and is quite beautiful in it’s contrast to those around it.
John Paul Jones is the father of the US Navy and the statuary reflects that, with the naval dolphins that seem to be fountains –although not operative at this point in time. 15+ feet in height, The bronze statue is a giant against it’s marble backing.

Bottom Line: A 100+ year old statute that honors the father of the United States Navy and his achievements from the Revolutionary War.
I really enjoy exploring all that Washington, DC has to offer which includes the lesser known memorials and monuments. One of the memorials that I came across while roaming around the District is John Paul Jones. This memorial is located not too far from the World War II Memorial where 17^th Street SW meets Independence Ave. SW right in front of the tidal basin. Here are a few notes about this lesser known memorial in case you want to stop by to salute Captain Jones:
— Appropriately located near the Tidal Basin on land that used to be a swamp, this bronze statute stands proudly at 15 feet tall. The base of the memorial is probably granite or marble and it has a water feature including two scary fish spitting water. Unfortunately I was here at night in the winter so the fountain wasn’t on and it was hard to see some features of the memorial.
— The inscription on the front of the memorial reads «First to Compel Foreign Man of War to Strike Colors to the Stars and Stripes
— On the back of the monument there is a bas-​relief which I was unable to see in the dark but I later learned it is of John Paul Jones raising the United States flag on his ship during the Revolutionary War.
One of the reasons why the lesser known memorial are lesser known is because they aren’t super accessible. This memorial, like many other off-​the-​beaten-​path monuments, requires you to cross the road where there is no cross-​walk but its easy enough to do here. Like all monuments, if you are visiting at night, take a flash light! I sure wish I had remembered to bring mine. :-(