Horse Soldier Monument – Downtown Washington
The Mark Nutsch Horse Soldier Monument and 9/11 Memorial, dedicated on November 19, 2022, stands on the Washington County Courthouse lawn in Washington, Kansas. It honors local native and U.S. Army Special Forces Captain Mark Nutsch, who led the legendary “Horse Soldiers” in the first major response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Following the 9/11 attacks, Nutsch commanded Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595, a 12-man Green Beret team. Deployed to the rugged mountains of northern Afghanistan, the team joined forces with the Afghan Northern Alliance to fight the Taliban. Because of the treacherous terrain, the soldiers had to adapt by riding small Afghan horses into combat—the first time U.S. troops fought on horseback since 1942. Their mission, which inspired the book The Horse Soldiers and the 2018 movie 12 Strong, is considered one of the most successful unconventional warfare campaigns in modern history.
Unlike the bronze “America’s Response Monument” in New York City, the Washington, Kansas memorial is a unique local tribute featuring regional materials and specific historical artifacts.
- Sculpted Brickwork: The centerpiece is a 10-foot-tall, 10-foot-long artwork made of 408 individually carved and fired bricks. Created by artist Sten Eisentrager at the Endicott Clay Products brickyard, the mural depicts the horse-mounted soldiers.
- World Trade Center Steel: A 2,850-pound piece of I-beam steel recovered from the World Trade Center is incorporated into the memorial, physically linking the site to the events that prompted Nutsch’s mission.
- Local Limestone: The structure is comprised of native Kansas limestone, symbolizing the home roots of the mission’s leader.
- Afghan Symbolism: The design team sought to include Lapis Lazuli, a gemstone native to Afghanistan, to further connect the monument to the theater of operations.
The monument is situated in the southwest quadrant of the courthouse square.
- Address: 214 C St, Washington, KS 66968
- Accessibility: The memorial is located on public grounds and is accessible year-round.
- Cultural Impact: The site serves as a point of pride for Washington County, celebrating Nutsch’s transition from a local 4-H and rodeo athlete to a national hero.