Butte High War Memorial, (sculpture).

Butte High War Memorial, (sculpture).

Weaver, John, sculptor.

Butte High War Memorial, (sculpture).

1945. Dedicated May 25, 1947. Relocated 1985.

Figure: concrete covered with hydrostone and coated in bronze; Base: brick and concrete.

Figure: approx. H. 9 ft. x W. 2 ft.; Base: approx. H. 6 ft. x W. 5 1/2 ft.

(On plaque on base:) Erected by the citizens of Butte/to record the names/of/Butte High School students/serving in World War II./Sponsored by Silver Bs 1946. unsigned

A young man stands dressed in battle gear worn by World War II soldiers in the jungles of New Guinea. His rifle butt rests against his proper left foot and he holds the other end in his proper right hand. His proper left hand holds a long knife. He wears a helmet and his proper left sleeve is torn.

History -- United States -- World War II

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Object -- Weapon -- Dagger

Dress -- Accessory -- Helmet

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Outdoor Sculpture -- Montana -- Butte

Administered by American Legion, 4 1/2 Mile Vue, Butte, Montana 59701

Located Stodden Park, Entrance, Butte, Montana

Sculpture was originally part of a larger war memorial setting. Butte High School Silver B's (former high school athletes) commissioned architect Walter Arnold to build the memorial and John Weaver to create the statue. The War Memorial Park was dedicated May 25, 1947. In addition to the statue, there were 125 crosses representing the former Butte High School students killed in World War II, a tiny white church, a miniature cemetery and lawn, and a copper wall inscribed with the names of all Butte High School students who had served in World War II. (All but the statue are now missing.) Over the years the memorial and statue have been badly vandalized, especially the statue's helmet, face and body. The statue was restored in 1965, 1980, and 1985. In 1985, to prevent further damage, the statue was relocated to its current site at the park entrance.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Montana 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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