(Monument to World War Veterans), (sculpture).

(Monument to World War Veterans), (sculpture).

American Bronze Company, founder.

Morris, Robert, fabricator.

(Monument to World War Veterans), (sculpture).

American Doughboy, (sculpture).

Cast 1919. Dedicated May 30, 1920.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze and steel, painted; Base: granite or marble.

Sculpture: approx. 103 x 26 x 45 in.; Base: approx. 88 x 74 x 74 in.

American Art Foundry, Chicago (On north face of base:) TO THE 1385 SONS OF/CRAIGHEAD COUNTY WHO/DURING THE WORLD WAR/SERVED THEIR COUNTRY/ON LAND AND SEA/AND WELL MAINTAINED/ITS HIGHEST IDEALS/AND TRADITIONS./THIS MONUMENT IS/ERECTED BY/THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS/AS A TESTIMONIAL OF/GRATITUDE AND AFFECTION. (On east face of base:) OUR SOLDIER SAILOR DEAD/(List of names) (On west face of base, incised lettering:) OUR/SOLDIER SAILOR DEAD/OREN GREGG/EDMOND RICE/JAS. A. MCGUIRE/LEBAN HOLLAND/GEORGE PICKETT/FLOYD B MERDITH/ARCHIE E RIDDLE/EURIE C SIGGERS/JAMES SAUNDERS/MARLEY L SCOTT/LEONARD WILLIAMS/ELMORE HAWKINS/GEORGE E MARRIS/LAY CLEVELAND/ERNEST J CALDWELL/CLARENCE BURTON/J A BLANKENSHIP/(illegible inscription) STRINGER/(transcription illegible) unsigned Founder's mark appears.

A bronze World War I soldier, mid-stride, extends his proper right hand above his head holding a steel bayonet. His proper left hand is at his side holding a steel rifle parallel to the ground. He wears battle dress, including a steel helmet, a jacket with ammunition belt, packs on his back and chest, and puttees. The sculpture is painted an olive color. It is mounted atop a pedestal base with a cornice and a stepped bottom.

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 -- Arkansas -- Jonesboro

Administered by Craighead County, County Judge, 511 South Main Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401

Located Craighead County Courthouse, Corner of Main & Washington Streets, Jonesboro, Arkansas

The sculpture was installed by the citizens of Craighead County in honor of 1,385 soldiers of Craighead County who served during World War I. It is also a tribute to those who died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The sculpture was purchased from American Art Foundry in Chicago and dedicated May 30, 1920. Base fabricator was Robert Morris of Memphis, Tennessee. Originally, the bayonet was placed at the end of the rifle. After annual disappearances, the bayonet was welded to the figure's upraised proper right hand to prevent further vandalism. SOS! surveyor reports base media as granite; but excerpt from Williams text "History of Craighead County," lists media as marble.

IAS files contain excerpt from Harry Lee Williams' "The History of Craighead County, Arkansas," Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1977, pg. 372-374; and excerpt from Boy Scout booklet by Val Price, Troop 6, "Historical Places in Jonesboro Eagle Project," n.d., pg. 8-9.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Arkansas survey, 1992.

Williams, Harry Lee, "The History of Craighead County, Arkansas," Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1977, pg. 372.

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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