The Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture).

The Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture).

Viquesney, E. M., 1876-1946, sculptor.

The Spirit of the American Doughboy, (sculpture).

Soldier's Memorial, (sculpture).

Dedicated Nov. 11, 1923.

Figure: bronze or copper; Base: marble.

Figure: approx. 7 ft. x 22 in. x 22 in.; Base: approx. 9 ft. x 6 ft. x 6 ft.

(On proper right plinth area, plaque reads:) "SPIRIT OF THE/AMERICAN DOUGHBOY"/COPYRIGHTED BY/E.M. VIQUESNEY, SCULPTOR/AMERICUS, GEORGIA (Base, front, on plaque:) 1917 1919/In memory of/(list of names)/who gave their lives/in the World War/erected by/Barbour County Post No. 44/The American Legion/and/citizens of this county. (Base, proper left side:) 1950 1953/In memory of/(list of names)/who gave their lives in the Korean War/erected by Barbour County Post No. 44/The American Legion and/citizens of this county.

(Base, rear:) 1941 1945/In memory of/(list of names)/who gave their lives/in WWII/erected by/Barbour County Post No. 44/The American Legion/and/the citizens of this county. (Base, proper right side:) 1964 1975/In memory of/(list of names)/who gave their lives in the Vietnam War/erected by/Barbour County Post No. 44/The American Legion and/citizens of this county. (On each side of base: the American Legion Symbol and crossed flags) signed

A World War I infantryman advancing through the stumps and barbed wire of No Man's Land. The soldier is in a running position. His proper left leg is forward and carries the full weight of the figure. He holds a grenade in his upraised proper right hand. He holds a rifle, roughly parallel to the ground in his proper left hand, at his side. The soldier's uniform is detailed, including a hard helmet with a rim and chin strap; a high-collared jacket; a belt with pouches attached; a backpack; a gas mask bag; loose, baggy pants which are wrapped from the knee to the ankle; and high-topped boots.

The figure stands on a plinth with two tree stumps. Barbed wire is wrapped around the tree stumps and at the feet of the figure. The sculpture is on a rectangular base which is stepped out at the bottom. The base is surrounded by an area of plantings and a fence.

History -- United States -- World War I

History -- United States -- Vietnam War

History -- United States -- Korean War

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Object -- Weapon -- Grenade

Figure male -- Full length

Outdoor Sculpture -- West Virginia -- Philippi

Administered by Barbour County Commission, County Coordinator, 8 North Main Street, Philippi, West Virginia 26414

Located Barbour County Courthouse, County Courthouse Square, North Main & Church Streets, Philippi, West Virginia

IAS files contain related articles from the Philippi Republican (Philippi, WV), Nov. 1, 1923 and Nov. 15, 1923, which lists names of war dead. The Nov. 15, 1923 Philippi Republican article references the sculpture as bronze; but local sources believe sculpture may be copper.

Wesley, T. Perry, 1991.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, West Virginia survey, 1992.

Philippi Republican (Philippi, WV), Nov. 1, 1923.

Philippi Republican (Philippi, WV), Nov. 15, 1923.

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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