On the west side of the junction.

Monument

A gray obelisk monument honoring the three American soldiers who lost their lives on August 6, 1944. The inscriptions on the monument are in French. It was erected in 1945, and funded by a subscription organized by veterans. Since the first commemoration on August 6, 1945, an annual tribute has been held at the site, with a delegation gathering to pay their respects each year.

The liberation of Cossé-le-Vivien on August 6, 1944, occurred during the Allied advance through northwestern France following the D-Day landings. Cossé-le-Vivien was a key location on the route of the advancing American forces as they pushed towards liberating Paris and defeating the German occupation.

Ralph Heck, Stanley Davis, and Michael Moran were part of an American reconnaissance unit traveling in three jeeps from Méral to Cossé-le-Vivien. Upon reaching the outskirts of the town, they encountered a German tank. Despite their efforts, all three soldiers were killed in the battle. Their sacrifice contributed to the liberation of the town from the occupying German forces.

Source of information: www.kilroytrip.fr, www.voiedela2edb.fr

Source of photos: www.kilroytrip.fr

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U-S-A

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A LA MÉMOIRE 

DES 3 AMÉRICAINS 

RALPH HECK 

STANLEY DAVIS 

MICHAÉL MORAN 

TOMBÉS GLORIEUSEMENT 

POUR LA LIBÉRATION 

DE COSSÉ-LE -VIVIEN 

6 AOÛT 1944

REMEMBER

English Translation:

IN MEMORY 

OF THE 3 AMERICANS 

RALPH HECK 

STANLEY DAVIS 

MICHAEL MORAN 

WHO FELL GLORIOUSLY 

FOR THE LIBERATION 

OF COSSÉ-LE-VIVIEN 

AUGUST 6, 1944