(The Charging Doughboy), (sculpture).

(The Charging Doughboy), (sculpture).

Paulding, John, 1883-1935, sculptor.

American Bronze Company, founder.

(The Charging Doughboy), (sculpture).

Onaga Doughboy Monument, (sculpture).

Probably cast 1919 or 1920. Dedicated Nov. 11, 1920.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: white limestone.

Sculpture: approx. H. 6 ft.; Base: approx. H. 5 ft.

(On side of sculpture base:) Cast by American Art Bronze Foundry, J.PAULDING, Sc. Chicago (On bronze plaque on south face of base, raised lettering:) 1917-1918/IN MEMORY OF THE BOYS FROM/POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, KANSAS/WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE/WORLD WAR/(37 names follow in two columns)/ERECTED BY ONAGA POST 85/AMERICAN LEGION (On bronze plaque on north face of base, raised lettering:) DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO/GAVE THEIR LIVES/DURING THE CONFLICTS/IN KOREA AND VIETNAM/(list of 10 names follow) signed Founder's mark appears.

A World War I soldier charges forward with his proper left leg in front of him, his proper right hand upraised and clenched in a fist. He holds the midsection of his rifle (with bayonet in place) at his side in his proper left hand. He is dressed in field uniform, including puttees, breeches, a tunic-like thigh-length jacket, and a steel helmet. His web belt has cartridge pouches on the front, a canteen at his proper right hip, and a bayonet scabbord on his proper left side. He wears a harness on his chest from which hangs a pouch in the front. Attached to the harness on his back is a bedroll with a small pack at the top. A tree trunk supports his proper right leg. The sculpture is mounted atop a four-sided, tapered base with a bas-relief American flag on all four faces near the top.

History -- United States -- World War I

History -- United States -- World War II

History -- United States -- Korean War

History -- United States -- Vietnam War

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Outdoor Sculpture -- Kansas -- Onaga

Administered by City of Onaga, Onaga, Kansas

Located Northwest corner of 4th & Leonard, Onaga, Kansas

Formerly located Onaga Cemetery, Onaga, Kansas

The sculpture was installed by Onaga Post 85 of the American Legion in memory of the men from Pottawatomie County who died in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The sculpture was dedicated on Armistice Day, November 11, 1920. The sculpture was originally located in the center of the intersection at 4th & Leonard in downtown Onaga, and was mounted on a base that was probably composed of a mortared rock. The sculpture was removed from its base on August 8, 1957 to make way for a road repair project. It was taken to the American Legion hall for cleaning before being mounted on a new base at the Onaga Cemetery. In 1993, the sculpture was restored by Degginger's Foundry (Topeka, KS). At this time, the bayonet was replaced, the gun was extensively repaired, and vandalized areas were corrected. The sculpture was cleaned and oxidation effects were removed. The sculpture was placed on a new base and relocated to its present location at the northwest corner of 4th & Leonard. IAS files contain a photocopy of a historic 1939 photo of the sculpture in its original location on its original base. IAS files contain articles from the Onaga Herald, Oct. 1920 through Aug. 8, 1957.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Kansas survey, 1994.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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