Pvt Salvatore Grifo and PFC John Willis Singleton Monument
Details:
On the south side of the road.
MonumentA rectangular granite memorial stele bears a rectangular commemorative plaque on its front. The plaque features the insignia of the 7th Armored Division ("The Lucky 7th"), and the coat of arms of Ballancourt-sur-Essonne. Its French inscription commemorates Private Salvatore Grifo and Private First Class John Willis Singleton of Company C, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, who were killed in action on August 22, 1944, during the liberation of Ballancourt-sur-Essonne. The monument was inaugurated on June 18, 2026. The current plaque replaced an earlier version that mistakenly honored Delaney and Durdan, two American soldiers who were actually killed in Dammarie-les-Lys. Efforts are now underway to commemorate those soldiers at the correct location.
Source of photos: Damien Andre, facebook/ Association E/M Cherokee
Monument Text:
EN MEMOIRE DES DEUX SOLDATS AMERICAINS MORTS AU COMBAT
LE 22 AOUT 1944 POUR LIBERER NOTRE COMMUNE
C/48TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION - 7TH ARMORED DIVISION
PVT SALVATORE GRIFO - ASN 33141872 - KIA - 27 ANS
PFC JOHN WILLIS SINGLETON - ASN 34254501 - KIA - 26 ANS
EN RECONNAISSANCE DE LEUR SACRIFICE POUR LE PEUPLE FRANÇAIS ET POUR LA LIBERTE
English translation:
IN MEMORY OF THE TWO AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN COMBAT
ON AUGUST 22, 1944, LIBERATING OUR TOWN
C/48TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION - 7TH ARMORED DIVISION
PVT SALVATORE GRIFO - ASN 33141872 - KIA - 27 YEARS OLD
PFC JOHN WILLIS SINGLETON - ASN 34254501 - KIA - 26 YEARS OLD
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SACRIFICE FOR THE FRENCH PEOPLE AND FOR LIBERTY
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division
7th Armored Division
United States Army
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Normandy Invasion
Other images :
