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Harrisonburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Rockingham County World War I Memorial

 
 
Rockingham County World War I Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 12, 2010
1. Rockingham County World War I Memorial
Inscription. They Tasted Death In Youth That Liberty Might Grow Old

To commemorate those who, at the call of country, left all, endured hardships, faced danger, and finally passed out of sight of men by the path of duty, giving up their lives that others might live in freedom.

A list of 49 names of men from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County who died in service during World War I.
 
Erected 1924 by Dayton, Virginia American Legion Post 27.
 
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: MilitaryWar, World I.
 
Location. 38° 26.602′ N, 78° 52.33′ W. Marker is in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Marker is on South Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisonburg VA 22801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate General Hospital (approx. ¼ mile away); Warren-Sipe House (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Madison University (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hardesty-Higgins House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bishop Francis Asbury (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); McNeill’s Rangers
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(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Big Spring (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisonburg.
 
Additional commentary.
1. African-American Soldiers Named on Monument
The last six names on the scroll, on the bottom right, are of Rockingham County's African-Americans who died in WW1. According to an article which appeared in The Valley Banner (Elkton), in February 2005, the following is known about each:

1. Pvt Henry Arrington - 803rd Pioneer Infantry. From Elkton, Va. Died in England on Oct. 4, 1918 at the age of 26. His body was returned to the U.S. on Oct. 21, 1918 and was buried in the Mt. Paran Church Cemetery east of Elkton. His grave is unmarked.

2. Pvt. Hamilton Brown - 14th Divisional Company. Died on Oct. 13, 1918 at Camp Meade, Md. From Elkton, Va. His body was returned to Elkton and was buried in the Mt. Paran Church Cemetery.

3. Cpl. John Warren Newman - 37th Regiment, 154th D.B. From Harrisonburg, Va. Died of pneumonia, Oct. 5, 1918, while stationed at Camp Meade, Md. His body was buried in Harrisonburg. Va. At the Newtown Cemetary.

4. Pvt. 1st Class John Billhimer - Co. A, 370th Infantry, 93rd Division.
Roll of the Dead image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 12, 2010
2. Roll of the Dead
From Zenda, Va. Killed in action, Nov. 3, 1918. He was 24 years of age. His body was buried in Grave #24 Row 38, Block A, in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in Seringes-et-Nesles, France.

5. Ernest Rouser. Name may have been listed incorrectly on the monument, as the newspaper article indicates this to represent Seaman Ernest Williams - U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Wyoming. From Harrisonburg, Va. Died Sept. 20, 1918, when, while returning to his ship on a small motor launch during high seas, he accidentally fell overboard and drowned. His body was recovered a week later and returned to Harrisonburg for burial in the city's Newton Cemetery.

6. Pvt. William L. "Willie" Washington - Battery E, 349th Field Artillery, 92nd Division. Died of spinal meningitis, in France, Dec. 18, 1918. His body was returned to the U.S. on April 22, 1922 and was buried in a small cemetery off of Lamber Town Road near Briery Branch west of Bridgewater, Va.
    — Submitted July 30, 2015, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
 
Back of Memorial image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 12, 2010
3. Back of Memorial
Close-up of the Memorial's Statue image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, August 12, 2010
4. Close-up of the Memorial's Statue
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2010, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,650 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2015, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2010, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024