Memorial to the First Three Americans Killed in WWI
Details:
The memorial sits at the southeast side of the main entrance to the cemetery facing the road.
The memorial honors the first three U.S. Soldiers killed in WWI on November 3, 1917. All three were members of the Company F, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.
Beside the memorial are the remains of the original monument destroyed by occupying German Forces during WWII; the original memorial was located in the town center (see town center information signs). This memorial was dedicated in 1951.
The memorial is maintained by Souvenir Français and the municipality of Bathelemont les Bauzemont.
The battlefield where the three solders were killed is nearby and a memorial marks the location. See site Rechicourt-la-Petite (Haut des Ruelles).
Monument Text:
Ici en terre Lorraine,
reposent les trois premiers soldats américains
tues a l'ennemi le 3 novembre 1917
Caporal J.B. Gresham (D'Evansville)
Soldat T.F. Enright (De Pittsburg)
Soldat M.D. Hay (De Glidden)
Translation:
Here on Lorraine soil, rest the first three American soldiers killed by the enemy on 3 November 1917
Corporal J.B. Gresham (of Evansville)
Private E.F. Enright (of Pittsburg)
Private M.D. Hay (of Glidden)
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
1st Infantry Division
American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
United States Army
Wars:
WWI
Other images :
