WASHINGTON, August 14. /TASS/. US authorities have launched an investigation into an act of vandalism at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, a US Department of the Interior spokesperson said.

"The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated. Our US Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act," the spokesperson said, adding: "The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the over 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII."

Earlier on Thursday, unidentified individuals sprayed paint on the memorial and poured soap into its fountains.

The US Department of the Interior is not a law enforcement agency, as it deals largely with issues related to the use of federal land and the extraction of natural resources. It is also responsible for maintaining numerous national memorials across the country.