Tarlton Brings History to Life on National Memorial of Military Ascent

Tarlton leads the way in memorial construction with a first phase that brings 12 life-size bronze statues to the National Memorial of Military Ascent in Grafton, Illinois. Each statue weighs more than 500 pounds and is anchored to the face of a 100-foot limestone bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, complemented by a replica German pillbox to reflect D-Day’s fortifications. The project, a $6 million plan, was managed by Tarlton and culminated in a dedication on June 6, 2026—the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. Carolina Bronze Sculpture Inc. modeled the figures using scans of current Second Ranger Battalion members, with local volunteers contributing likenesses.