Pentagon Construction Progresses During World War II

In July 1942, construction of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, was progressing rapidly as the United States expanded its military operations during World War II. A historic photograph taken from the northwest captured the enormous structure while it was still under construction, showing the developing five-sided layout of what would become one of the world's most recognizable military headquarters. Construction had begun on September 11, 1941, under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project was designed to consolidate the rapidly expanding offices of the United States War Department into a single headquarters. Thousands of construction workers operated around the clock to complete the building as quickly as possible to meet wartime administrative demands. By July 1942, substantial portions of the Pentagon's framework and exterior had taken shape, demonstrating the extraordinary speed of construction. The building's distinctive pentagonal design, interconnected corridors, and massive office spaces reflected the urgent need for an efficient military administrative center.