The memorial is located midway across the bridge on the western wall. It faces inward toward the roadway. Monument

The grey stone memorial features black embossed text in French. It tells the story of Private James D. MacRacken, who on the night of August 5, 1944, saved the bridge and town of Mayenne and allowed for the continued Allied advance. 

MacRacken and eleven other soldiers huddled behind a tank. The retreating Germans had already blown up 2 of the 3 bridges that spanned the Mayenne river in order to slow the American advance. They planned to consolidate and defend the town. Only the final bridge, 50m long, remained standing and it was wired to a 125kg bomb and 15 cases of dynamite all ready to explode. The Americans feverishly began cutting wires and removing the detonation cord threatening to blow them up at any time. Quite unexpectedly, MacRacken lept from the tank's side and ran 500m to the bridge. The German sharpshooters and machine guns settled into their sights. MacRacken quickly cut the small white cords, then dropped dead in the middle of the bridge, his wire cutters at his side. He gave his life for the destruction of an important strategic point, the sole remaining bridge over the Mayenne. Dozens of locals witnessed his dash and subsequent death from their homes, and watched as the Americans raced after him to chase the Germans from the town.

ICI

POUR SAUVER CE PONT

JAMES MAC RACKEN

DU 315^E B^ON USA

SE SACRIFIA LE 5 AOÛT 1944

English translation:

Here to save this bridge James MacRacken of the 315th Battalion USA sacrificed himself on 5 August 1944