GRAFTON, Ill. — In a striking tribute to one of World War II’s most daring missions, towering limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River now echo the bravery of U.S. Army Rangers who scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on D-Day.

The City of Grafton unveiled the first phase of the National Memorial of Military Ascent on June 6, marking the 82nd anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. The centerpiece: 12 life-size bronze statues, each weighing more than 500 pounds, mounted directly onto a 100-foot cliff face to recreate the Rangers’ perilous climb under enemy fire in 1944.

The $6 million memorial project is being constructed in phases, with St. Louis-based Tarlton Corporation serving as construction manager. The installation is as technically impressive as it is symbolic. Workers embedded two-foot stainless-steel anchors into the rock face and used cranes and wire systems to carefully position each sculpture, ensuring both safety and realism.

At the top of the bluff, visitors encounter a replica German bunker, or “pillbox,” offering a sobering reminder of the fortified defenses Rangers faced during the assault—an operation widely regarded as a turning point in World War II.

The idea for the memorial came from Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow, a retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers colonel, who drew inspiration from visits to Normandy. Grafton’s natural landscape, he realized, closely mirrored the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, making it an ideal setting to bring history to life.

“This memorial allows people to experience the scale and courage of that mission in a tangible way,” Morrow said during the dedication ceremony. “We hope visitors reflect not only on history, but also on the personal sacrifices behind it.”

To enhance authenticity, the statues were modeled using scanned images of modern members of the Second Ranger Battalion reenactment community, as well as local residents. Each figure captures a moment of tension and determination from the original climb.

Project leaders say the emotional weight of the work was felt throughout construction.

“This is more than a build—it’s a tribute,” said Sondra Rotty, president and COO of Tarlton. “Our goal was to create a space where every visitor feels a deep respect for those who served.”

The memorial is far from complete. Phase two will introduce a visitor plaza and a 2,500-square-foot interactive museum focused on the Vietnam War. Plans also include five architectural pillars representing each branch of the U.S. military and exhibits highlighting Grafton’s role in producing Navy SEAL assault boats during that era.

City leaders say the mission of the memorial is clear: to honor service members, educate future generations, and ensure the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten.

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