Honoring Courage, Sacrifice, and Community Commitment
The Eugene A. Obregon Medal of Honor Monument is right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. It honors people who have shown great bravery and dedication to their community. This monument honors the brave actions of one man as well as many others who have done amazing things to protect our country.
Santa Barbara Chocolate is pleased to support this important project. We support the veterans, their families, and local leaders who made it possible. Their dedication ensures that the stories of our nation's heroes continue to be heard, honored, and cherished.
Who Was Eugene A. Obregon?
Private First Class A United States Marine, Eugene A. Obregon got posthumous Medal of Honor for his deeds during the Korean War. Serving with the 1st Marine Division at age 19, Obregon gambled and finally gave his life to rescue a fellow Marine under enemy fire close Seoul, South Korea in 1950.
He received the highest military honor the United States can bestow for his valor in using his body to shield a wounded Marine and returning fire with one hand while dragging the other Marine to safety with the other. Obregon was one of only a few Latinos in history to receive the Medal of Honor. His story shows that people can be brave even when things look the worst.
A Community Effort That Took Years to Build
The Eugene A. Obregon Monument is unique in many ways. Unlike government-funded memorials, this one was born from grassroots dedication. It is the largest community-funded monument in Los Angeles to recognize Medal of Honor recipients.
The project brought together veterans, filmmakers, civic leaders, artists, and ordinary citizens from all walks of life. Among those involved were William D. Lansford, a decorated World War II Marine Raider and author; his wife Ruth Lansford, an environmental advocate; their son Matt Lansford, a partner at Santa Barbara Chocolate; and director Christopher Kinsman.
The team worked together to raise awareness, secure funding, and ensure the design would reflect the dignity and gravity of the men it honored. After years of planning, coordinating, and fundraising, the Eugene A. Obregon Monument was finally brought to life in a public space where anyone can come and reflect.
A Deeper Meaning for the Latino Community
The location of the monument in Los Angeles—home to one of the largest Latino populations in the U.S.—carries an added layer of meaning. Obregon's story has long been important within the Latino community, and the monument stands as both a tribute to individual heroism and a broader recognition of Latino contributions to the military and the country.
For many families, it serves as a reminder of loved ones who served with honor. For younger generations, it provides a place to learn about their heritage and the lives of those who came before them. The monument creates a public dialogue about sacrifice, duty, and cultural legacy.
Art, Memory, and Location
Set in a prominent civic space, the monument features a bronze statue of Eugene A. Obregon in action—capturing the moment of his selfless act during battle. The design is striking in its realism and emotionally powerful in its storytelling.
Surrounding the statue are plaques honoring other Medal of Honor recipients from the Los Angeles area. These names are not just etched in bronze—they represent real lives, families, and legacies that have shaped American history.
The placement of the monument encourages reflection among city-goers and visitors. It stands close to Los Angeles’ government buildings, where decisions are made every day. The presence of this memorial reminds us of the cost of freedom and the people who paid that price.
The Role of Santa Barbara Chocolate
Matt Lansford, a partner in Santa Barbara Chocolate, has deep ties to the creation of this monument. Working closely with his father, William D. Lansford, and filmmaker Christopher Kinsman, Matt helped organize fundraising efforts and bring attention to the project.
The company’s support of the monument is rooted in its broader commitment to community, history, and honoring those who serve. Santa Barbara Chocolate may be best known for its ethically sourced chocolate, but behind the scenes, the team contributes to causes that align with shared values of respect, family, and cultural heritage.
Supporting the Eugene A. Obregon Monument was not a business decision—it was a personal one. For Matt and many others, it was about honoring a promise to never forget.
Why This Monument Matters Today
Memorials like the Eugene A. Obregon Monument serve more than one purpose. They honor the past, but they also ask something of the present. They remind us that history is alive, and that heroism is not confined to battlefields but lives on in the stories we tell, the communities we build, and the respect we show.
In a city as large and diverse as Los Angeles, public memory can sometimes get lost. The Eugene A. Obregon Monument helps anchor that memory in bronze, in place, and in shared understanding. It’s a point of pride, a call to reflection, and a thank you to those who gave everything.
