Remembering Allentown's Heroes
West Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania
These monuments honor Allentown's military heroes. They celebrate veterans of the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
The First Defenders monument honors members of the Allentown Guard. The Guard was among the first units to answer President Abraham Lincoln's call to arms. They rushed to defend the nation's capital from Confederate attack in 1861.
Harry C. Trexler hired New York sculptor George Brewster to create the memorial. It was unveiled on Flag Day, June 14, 1917, at its original site at the Allentown Fairgrounds. Lehigh County called a holiday for the celebration. More than 15,000 people attended, including twenty-seven Civil War veterans.
[Photo captions, counterclockwise from top left, read]
• Corporal Ignatz Gresser earned the only Medal of Honor to be awarded to an Allentonian when he fought at Antietam.
• Allentown's "First Defenders" honored at a Civil War veterans ceremony, early 20th century.
• Allentown's Companies B and D, Fourth Regiment, National Guard head to action in France during World War I, September 10, 1917.
• Allentown's Mack Truck plant supports the war effort during World War II.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1917.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Plan for the Plantings (here, next to this marker); Ignatz Gresser (a few steps from this marker); USAACS Sons & Daughters World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Allen Infantry (a few steps from this marker); First Defenders Memorial (a few steps from this marker); D-Day, June 6 1944 (a few steps from this marker); China-Burma-India Memorial (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allentown.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
