Gloucester in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Gloucester World War II Monument
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
1. Gloucester World War II Monument
Inscription.
Gloucester World War II Monument. . [ inscribed around the base of the globe ]
We Fought For Freedom Around The World. [ plaque on central column ]
Gloucester Remembers 1941 – World War II – 1945. The people of Gloucester proudly dedicate this memorial to our citizens who served and sacrificed in that most devestating war. They valiantly faced the perils of battle to restore freedom around the globe.
Dedicated july 4, 2006. [ plaque on central column ]
Legacy of Veterans Of World War II. In dedicating themselves to the defense of liberty, Gloucester sons and daughters added luster to a tradition begun on these shores in 1775. Theirs was a remarkable example of selfless response. Gloucester had double the national average of numbers in the service. [ plaque on central column ]
United Support Of World War II. We hail the unity of spirit of families at home who bostered morale and grieved over losses. In factories, on farms and at sea, they produced and delivered the materials to defeat the forces of tyranny. [ plaque on central column ]
Scope of the War. Two decades after World War I, unresolved stresses brought World War II to all continents. More than 400,000 Americans died. Twice that number were wounded. Millions of civilians perished in cities laid waste, as war's horrors reached new heights. [ plaque on central column ]
Enduring Challenge. Students and passers-by are challenged to learn of ongoing struggles for liberty and equality. By spreading hope and understanding, you will help reduce tensions that lead to war. That better way to honor sacrifices made in war than to work for lasting peace? [ plaque on perimeter column]
Asiatic – Pacific Theater December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor: Japanese surprise attack sank major units of U.S. fleet. U.S. declared war.
December 1941 – May 1942 . Corregidor: U.S. and Philippine troops under seige surrendered. Followed by Bataan Death March.
May 1942. Coral Sea: First battle ever between aircraft carriers ended Japan's threat to Australia.
June 1942. Midway Island: U.S. Naval air victory turned tide of Pacific war.
August 1942 – January 1943. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands: Established U.S, offensive in Pacific. [ plaque on perimeter column]
African – European – Middle East Theater 1941 – 1945. The Atlantic: German submarines took heavy toll of early U.S. war shipments to Allies. With advances in anti-submarine warfare, U.S. regained control of the sea lanes in 1943.
November 1942 – May 1943. North Africa: Untested U.S. troops landed in Morocco, while others left England for Algeria. All faced Axis enemy for the first time. In May 1943, those Axis forces surrendered 275,000 troops. Allied advanced a step towards Berlin.
July – August 1943. Sicily: From Africa, U.S. and British troops landed on Sicily and overcame major strongholds in 38 days. [ plaque on perimeter column]
African – European – Middle East Theater September 1943 – May 1945. Italy: U.S. forces landed at Salerno, as Allies invaded the Italian mainland. Their endless seige northward diverted Axis strength from Franc. Two days before Normandy landing Americans captured Rome. Arduous campaign to Po valley continued until all Axis forces in Italy surrendered on May 2, 1945.
June 6, 1944. Normandy: On D-Day U.S. and Allies began greatest amphibious and paratroop operation of all time. It led to liberation of France and fall of Berlin.
December 1944 – January 1945. The Bulge (The Ardennes): Last German drive failed. Cost 77,000 lives. "Second only to the Meuse-Argonne of World War I as the worst blood bath in our history." . . . from American Battlefield Monument in Bastogne. [ plaque on perimeter column]
African – European – Middle East Theater February 1945. The Rhine: As Allies drove Germans from the Rhine, Nazis destroyed bridges. Intrepid Americans seized Remagen bridge becoming the first invading army to cross the Rhine since Napolean. The was was open to Berlin.
1942 – 1945. Allied Strategic Bombing: U.S. and British bombers faced horrific resistance from Germans until 1944 when long range fighter escorts gained control of the air. After Normandy, industrial targets had priority, and bombers had a vital role in victory.
Victory in Europe came on May 8, 1945. [ plaque on perimeter column]
Asiatic – Pacific Theater 1942 – 1943. New Guinea and Bismark Islands: U.S. and Australian landings neutralized enemy in southwest Pacific.
November 1943 – February 1944. Gilbert and Marshall Islands: High U.S. casualties as Marines gained air bases.
June 19, 1944. Philippine Sea: Massive defeat of Japanese carrier-based aircraft.
June – July 1944. Marinas: U.S. forces landed on Saipan, Guam and Tinian for bases to support air strikes on Japan.
October 23 – 26 1944. Leyte Gulf: Four distinct actions. Largest naval battle of all time. Reduced Japanese to suicide missions. [ plaque on perimeter column]
Asiatic – Pacific Theater February – March 1945. Iwo Jima: Marines captured base for fighter aircraft. Suffered heavy losses.
March – May 1945. Okinawa: Heaviest U.S. vessel losses in Pacific. Foretold immense costs of invading Japan.
August 6 – 9 1945. Hiroshima and Nagasaki: First nuclear weapons used in combat leveled Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
1941 – 1945. Submarine Warfare: U.S. submarines caused 60 percent of Japan's cargo ship losses and 30 percent of warship losses.
August 14, 1945 Japan accepted surrender terms. [ plaque on nearby column]
Where They Fought. This memorial records only a few of America's major battles of World War II. Remarkable as they are, those actions cannot overshadow the valiant efforts of other fighting units, large and small, working for common goals in each theater. Even the stalking submarine, the single platoon in foxholes, the underwater swimmer, the dauntless minesweeper, and defenders of remote outposts must not be forgotten. May viewers here be inspired to read further of acts of courage and sacrifice. Gloucester archives contain names of over 5000 men and women who served and over 100 who gave their lives. [ plaque on nearby column]
A President's Message. "To you who answered the call of your country and served in its armed forces to bring about total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation. As one of the nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace."
President Harry S. Truman.
[ inscribed around the base of the globe ]
We Fought For Freedom Around The World
[ plaque on central column ]
Gloucester
Remembers
1941 – World War II – 1945
The people of Gloucester proudly dedicate this memorial to our citizens who served and sacrificed in that most devestating war. They valiantly faced the perils of battle to restore freedom around the globe.
Dedicated july 4, 2006
[ plaque on central column ]
Legacy of Veterans
Of World War II
In dedicating themselves to the defense of liberty, Gloucester sons and daughters added luster to a tradition begun on these shores in 1775. Theirs was a remarkable example of selfless response. Gloucester had double the national average of numbers in the service.
[ plaque on central column ]
United Support
Of World War II
We hail the unity of spirit of families at home who bostered morale and grieved over losses. In factories, on farms and at sea, they produced and delivered the materials to defeat the forces of tyranny.
[ plaque on central column ]
Scope of the War
Two decades after World War I, unresolved stresses brought World War II to all continents. More than
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400,000 Americans died. Twice that number were wounded. Millions of civilians perished in cities laid waste, as war's horrors reached new heights.
[ plaque on central column ]
Enduring
Challenge
Students and passers-by are challenged to learn of ongoing struggles for liberty and equality. By spreading hope and understanding, you will help reduce tensions that lead to war. That better way to honor sacrifices made in war than to work for lasting peace?
[ plaque on perimeter column]
Asiatic – Pacific Theater
December 7, 1941
Pearl Harbor: Japanese surprise attack sank major units of U.S. fleet. U.S. declared war.
December 1941 – May 1942
Corregidor: U.S. and Philippine troops under seige surrendered. Followed by Bataan Death March.
May 1942
Coral Sea: First battle ever between aircraft carriers ended Japan's threat to Australia.
June 1942
Midway Island: U.S. Naval air victory turned tide of Pacific war.
August 1942 – January 1943
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands: Established U.S, offensive in Pacific.
[ plaque on perimeter column]
African – European – Middle East Theater
1941 – 1945
The Atlantic: German
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
2. Plaque on Central Column
submarines took heavy toll of early U.S. war shipments to Allies. With advances in anti-submarine warfare, U.S. regained control of the sea lanes in 1943.
November 1942 – May 1943
North Africa: Untested U.S. troops landed in Morocco, while others left England for Algeria. All faced Axis enemy for the first time. In May 1943, those Axis forces surrendered 275,000 troops. Allied advanced a step towards Berlin.
July – August 1943
Sicily: From Africa, U.S. and British troops landed on Sicily and overcame major strongholds in 38 days.
[ plaque on perimeter column]
African – European – Middle East Theater
September 1943 – May 1945
Italy: U.S. forces landed at Salerno, as Allies invaded the Italian mainland. Their endless seige northward diverted Axis strength from Franc. Two days before Normandy landing Americans captured Rome. Arduous campaign to Po valley continued until all Axis forces in Italy surrendered on May 2, 1945.
June 6, 1944
Normandy: On D-Day U.S. and Allies began greatest amphibious and paratroop operation of all time. It led to liberation of France and fall of Berlin.
December 1944 – January 1945
The Bulge (The Ardennes): Last German drive failed. Cost 77,000
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
3. Plaque on Central Column
lives. "Second only to the Meuse-Argonne of World War I as the worst blood bath in our history." . . . from American Battlefield Monument in Bastogne.
[ plaque on perimeter column]
African – European – Middle East Theater
February 1945
The Rhine: As Allies drove Germans from the Rhine, Nazis destroyed bridges. Intrepid Americans seized Remagen bridge becoming the first invading army to cross the Rhine since Napolean. The was was open to Berlin.
1942 – 1945
Allied Strategic Bombing: U.S. and British bombers faced horrific resistance from Germans until 1944 when long range fighter escorts gained control of the air. After Normandy, industrial targets had priority, and bombers had a vital role in victory.
Victory in Europe came on May 8, 1945
[ plaque on perimeter column]
Asiatic – Pacific Theater
1942 – 1943
New Guinea & Bismark Islands: U.S. & Australian landings neutralized enemy in southwest Pacific.
November 1943 – February 1944
Gilbert and Marshall Islands: High U.S. casualties as Marines gained air bases.
June 19, 1944
Philippine Sea: Massive defeat of Japanese carrier-based aircraft.
June – July 1944
Marinas:
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
4. Plaque on Central Column
U.S. forces landed on Saipan, Guam & Tinian for bases to support air strikes on Japan.
October 23 – 26 1944
Leyte Gulf: Four distinct actions. Largest naval battle of all time. Reduced Japanese to suicide missions.
[ plaque on perimeter column]
Asiatic – Pacific Theater
February – March 1945
Iwo Jima: Marines captured base for fighter aircraft. Suffered heavy losses.
March – May 1945
Okinawa: Heaviest U.S. vessel losses in Pacific. Foretold immense costs of invading Japan.
August 6 – 9 1945
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: First nuclear weapons used in combat leveled Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
1941 – 1945
Submarine Warfare: U.S. submarines caused 60 percent of Japan's cargo ship losses and 30 percent of warship losses.
August 14, 1945
Japan accepted surrender terms
[ plaque on nearby column]
Where They Fought
This memorial records only a few of America's major battles of World War II. Remarkable as they are, those actions cannot overshadow the valiant efforts of other fighting units, large and small, working for common goals in each theater. Even the stalking submarine, the single platoon in foxholes, the underwater swimmer,
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
5. Plaque on Central Column
the dauntless minesweeper, and defenders of remote outposts must not be forgotten.
May viewers here be inspired to read further of acts of courage and sacrifice.
Gloucester archives contain names of over 5000 men and women who served and over 100 who gave their lives.
[ plaque on nearby column]
A President's Message
"To you who answered the call of your country and served in its armed forces to bring about total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation. As one of the nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace."
President Harry S. Truman
Erected 2006.
Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1943.
Location. 42° 36.559′ N, 70° 40.583′ W. Marker is in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker is at the intersection of Western Avenue (Route 127) and Essex Avenue (Massachusetts
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
6. Plaque on Central Column
Route 133), on the left when traveling north on Western Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gloucester MA 01930, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
7. Plaque on Central Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
8. Plaque on Perimeter Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
9. Plaque on Perimeter Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
10. Plaque on Perimeter Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
11. Plaque on Perimeter Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
12. Plaque on Perimeter Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
13. Plaque on Perimeter Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
14. Plaque on Nearby Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
15. Plaque on Nearby Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
16. Eagle and Globe Atop the Central Column
We Fought For Freedom Around The World
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
17. Plaques on Nearby Column
( bottom plaque ) Dedication Plaque
WWII Memorial
Designed By
Roger Armstrong
Dedicated July 4, 2006
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
18. Nearby Column
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 26, 2010
19. Gloucester World War II Monument Marker
Photographed By Stephen Canning Jr, April 23, 2009
20. Gloucester World War II Monument Marker,
example of dedication bricks being installed
Photographed By Stephen Canning Jr, July 2, 2006
21. Gloucester World War II Monument Marker
Article appearing in Boston Globe of the dedication of the WWII memorial
Photographed By Stephen Canning Jr, May 30, 2011
22. Gloucester World War II Monument Marker
Entrance to WWII memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,660 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. submitted on October 10, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 20. submitted on May 13, 2011, by Stephen Canning Jr of Gloucester, Massachusetts. 21. submitted on May 15, 2011, by Stephen Canning Jr of Gloucester, Massachusetts. 22. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Stephen Canning Jr of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
