This commemorates American service personnel killed in action and is notable for Kapiti people as in World War II about 15,000 marines were stationed on the coast over 1942-1944 many of whom lost their lives fighting Japanese militaristic imperialism in the Pacific. See this article on the Kapiti Independent News website.

The picture shows the imagery on the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor medal for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.