Harris Township near Boalsburg in Centre County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
107th Field Artillery
53rd Brigade - 28th Division
— American Expeditionary Forces —
(First Plaque):
53rd Brigade 28th Division
American Expeditionary Forces
The names inscribed on this monument are the names of men and boys who were not soldiers by profession. They were ordinary citizens of this great commonwealth when the call came. They put away their tools, closed their desk tops, covered their typewriters, banked their fires, hung up their overalls and went forth together to meet the enemy on foreign soil.
They met the finest trained soldiers in the world and defeated them decisively in the battles of the Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Muese-Argonne and Ypre-Lys. This they were able to do becase they had faith in God and love for their country in their hearts.
Sit here and rest. Let your eyes gaze on the beautiful mountains and valleys of Pennsylvania. All this beauty is yours to enjoy because men have fought and died to preserve it. God grant that this country will always enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
(Other Plaques List the Sub-organizations, casualties, and members who served)
(Listed around the Shaft):
1898 Alfred E. Hunt
1916 Wm. S. McKee
1917 A. V. Crookston
1918 J. Rosborough
Peace
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 40° 46.852′ N, 77° 47.687′ W. Marker is near Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, in Centre County. It is in Harris Township. Memorial is on Boal Avenue (U.S. 322) near Boalsburg Pike, on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the 28th Division Shrine. Best access from the parking area for the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boalsburg PA 16827, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 109th Infantry Regiment (a few steps from this marker); 110th Infantry Regiment (a few steps from this marker); 28th Signal Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); The 28th Division Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); The Boal Troop (within shouting distance of this marker); 111th Infantry Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pennsylvania Military Museum / 28th Infantry Division Shrine (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring the 28th (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boalsburg.
Additional commentary.
1.
Re: photograph number 8, Battery E-Pittsburgh. My grandfather was 2nd Lt. Andrew Nelsen, not "Nelson". He was promoted to 2nd Lt. and assigned to the 107th after completing the Artillery School in Saumur, France in August, 1918. He served in the 15th U.S. Field Artillery prior to that.
— Submitted March 12, 2018, by William Kelly of Paulden, Arizona.
2. My Grandfather
My grandfather, Andrew Nelsen (not Nelson), was a 2nd Lt with the 107th FA after completing the course of study at the Samur Artillery School in France. After graduating he was assigned to Battery E of the 107th FA. He had been a Cpl. in the 15th FA when he was sent to Samur. After the Armistice he was a Town Major and was eventually promoted to 1st Lt. He returned to the US with the 107th in May of 1919. I think he would have been embarrassed to know that his name wound up on a war memorial anywhere. He was a banker by profession. I remember him telling stories to me stories when I was a little boy. They were all silly or funny with no reference to the reality of life on the Western Front.
— Submitted June 16, 2020, by William Kelly of Paulden, Arizona.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,838 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2020, by Lisa Hummell of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on February 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.