Ironbottom Sound
The memorial is located on Skyway Drive on a hillock (the first hill that was occupied by the US forces) overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is to the west of the Matanikau River, which was the battle front for many months between the Americans and the Japanese, with a commanding view of Mount Austen and Ironbottom Sound. In the shape of a pylon, the memorial is spread over a large area. The main memorial is in size and in height. The four fascia of the monument are oriented towards the four directions where the battles were fought. The details of the five battles and the names of ships (of the US and its Allies) that were lost during the operations are inscribed on marble plaques. The plaques give a brief description of the five battles fought – Bloody Ridge ("Edson’s Ridge"), Tassafaronga at Ironbottom Sound, New Georgia Island (which was the Solomon Island campaign), Cape Esparance and Mount Austen.