
The statue was modeled by E.M. Viquesney (1876-1946). An early version of the "Fighting Yank" was carved in limestone and dedicated in 1944 at the Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington, Indiana.
The statue has been recoated and refurbished, including repairs to the Tommy-gun, by Jane Foley. |
The dedication date of May 30, 1958, is the same date that unidentified veterans from WWII and the Korean War were interred at the 'Tomb of the Unknowns' in Arlington National Cemetery.
Unlike most other memorials to war veterans, this figure is frozen in a perpetual pose of impending defense, suggests that even in death, soldiers endeavor to protect the democratic way of life.
Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.
the statue is still there today!
ReplyDeleteI've admired that Statue since I was a little boy growing up in West Rogers !! I banked and received my first Mortgage at Cook County Federal !! Pray that it will always be there !!
ReplyDeleteI remember this statue as a kid growing up in Chicago in the 80s, the statue had his gun broken because the barrel of the tommy gun was made from wood and was broken off by someone, it also had it's eyes painted by someone too with white and black paint to make the eyes look real. I walked past it every single day because I live just down the street literally 2 minutes away.
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