Millwood in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

World War 1 Memorial

Photographed by Courtesey of Rae Anna Victor

1. World War 1 Memorial - Spokane County Fatalities

Inscription.

World War 1 Memorial. . Argonne Bridge Dedicated Armistice Day, 1920 to the Men of Spokane Who Died in the Great War, The wording above was on the original plaque on the Argonne Bridge. This memorial, created to restore and preserve the history, was dedicated on November 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. - the 100th Anniversary of the first Veterans/Armistice Day., Spokane County world war one Fatalities Name, Rank, and Service. Abrams, Joseph W., Pvt, Army . Albert, Charles C., Pvt, Army . Allen, James B., Sgt, Army . Allen, Lawrence E., Pvt, Army . Altman, Alton, Jr., Pvt, Army . Altman, John B., Sgt, USMC . Altman, Theodore W., Cpl, USMC . Argall, Royal L., 1Lt, Army . Atkinson, William E., Pvt, Army . Austin, Samuel F., Pfc, Army . Bacon, Henry E., 1Lt, Army . Bailey, Walter, Pvt, Army . Bailey, Walter, Pvt, USMC . Barllett, John L., Pvt, Army . Barsch, Harry M., Pvt, Army . Beck, Harry G., Cpl, Army . Beck, John L., Col, Army . Benton, George, Pvt, Army . Bertsch, John L., Pvt, Army . Bierce, Jerome A., Pvt, Army . Bishop, Charles E., Pvt, Army . Blair, Bob L., Pvt, Army . Bloomquist, John W., Cpl, Army . Botam, Mike, Pvt, Army . Botzom, Charles, Pvt, Army . Bowers, Harry R., Pvt, Army . Boyle, F.H., Pvt, Army . Bryan, Guy M. "Wilbur", Cpl, Army . Burch, Charles, Pvt, Army . Calvin, Cecil, Pvt, Army . Carlson, Oscar F., Cpt, Army . Ce Line, Merle W., Pvt, Army . Christensen, William, Seam, Navy . Clark, Henry E., Pvt, Army . Clausen, Leon S., Pvt, Army . Codd, Raymond, Pvt, Army . Coffey, Chestley, 2Cl, Navy . Cohn, David H., Cpt, Army . Collins, George L., Pvt, Army . Connelly, Irving, Pvt, Army . Craig, Robert, Pvt, Army . Cross, Leroy, Pvt, Army . Curnow, Earl, Pvt, Army . Dean, George E., Pvt, Army . Dean, Raymond, Pfc, Army . Delay, Aladdin, Pvt, Army . Delay, Richard A., 1Lt, RFC . Devine, Louis S., Sgt, USMC . Digman, Clarence J., Pvt, Army . Dooarlite, William F., Pvt, Army . Doyle, Delt W., Pvt, Army . Dumolton, Irving, Pvt, Army . Dwyer, John W., Pvt, Army . Dye, Ronald, Pvt, Army . Eaken, Clay R., Pvt, Army . Elvigion, Lewis, Pvt, Army . Emery, Frank R., Pvt, Army . Enmen, Guy, Pvt, Army . Erickson, Ernest A., Pvt, USMC . Evens, Ira, Pvt, Army . Fahey, John B., Sgt, Army . Fairlamb, Joseph W., Pvt, Army . Fay, Charles E. Jr., Pvt, Army . Feathers, J., Pvt, Army . Fellows, Lowell E., 2Cl, Merm . Fisher, Edward R., Pvt, Army . Fleming, Edward A., Pvt, Army . Foss, Oswald J., Sgt, Army . Freeman, Authur M.F., Pvt, Army . Fulwiller, John "Jack" L., Pvt, USMC . Graves, Floyd I., Pvt, Army . Grindstead, Ray, Pvt, Army . Grono, Harry A., Sgt, Army . Grover, Frank, Seam, Navy . Gudopp, Walter R., Pvt, Army . Hansen, Reginald B., Pvt, Army . Harper, Charles A., Pfc, Army . Himes, Raymond, Pvt, Army . Hoisington, Earl M., Cpt, USA/AIR . Holmes, Clarence F., 1Lt, Army . Howard, Hurbert S., Pvt, Army . Hugh, Arthur R., Pvt, Army . James, Thomas L., Cpl, Army . Jones, Clarence R., Pvt, Army . Kehoe, William J., Cpl, USMC . Keith, William M., Pvt, Army . Kincke, Earl A., Cpl, Army . Kramer, Alfred R., Cpl, Army . Lambert, Fred, Pvt, Army . Lang, Charles, Pvt, Army . Lee, Edward D., Pvt, Army . Lee, Kenneth E., Pvt, Army . Lewis, Art W., Cpl, Army . Lewis, Lee C., 1Lt, Army . Lewtals, F.G., 1Lt, Army . Lowenberg, Sam B., Cpl, Army . Lundstrum, Erwin B., Pvt, Army . Mace, Eugene, Pvt, Army . Marshall, Harlan, Nurse, Army . Martin, George H., Nurse, Army . Martin, John H., Sgt, Army . Martin, William, Pvt, Army . Maskery, Lewis G., Pvt, Army . Matejack, Edmond, Pvt, Army . Masse, Martin, Pvt, Army . McBride, Roswell, Pvt, Army . McCadum, Joseph, Pfc, Army . McCalister, Ora M., Pvt, Army . McCormack, L.K., Cpl, Army . McDonald, A., Pvt, Army . McDonald, H., Pvt, Army . McDonald, William J., Pvt, Army . McDowell, Douglas, Pfc, Army . McKay, W.W., Pvt, Army . McMurry, Hayes S., Pvt, Army . Mead, Leland C., Pvt, Army . Mely, Arthur C., Pvt, Army . Meyer, Carl R., Pvt, Army . Meyerhoff, Roy L., Pvt, Army . Meyers, Bernard, Pvt, Army . Meyers, Preston G., Pvt, Army . Meyers, Vernand, Pvt, Army . Miles, Ellis M., Sgt, Army . Miles, Kenneth L., Pvt, Army . Miller, Delmar A., Pvt, Army . Miller, Paul B., Pvt, Army . Mitchell, Seaton A., Pvt, Army . Mitch, Seaton, Pvt, Army . Moe, Carl A., Pvt, Army . Moore, Allen J., Pvt, Army . Morris, John R., Pvt, Army . Morrison, Earl, Pvt, Army . Morrison, Stanworth, Pvt, Army . Mossberg, Ivar, Pvt, Army . Muller, Chester L., 1Lt, Army . Mullins, Elisha, Pvt, Army . Musel, Ralph R., Pvt, Army . Muzzy, Charles L., Pvt, Army . Nelson, John, 2Cl, Navy . Noyer, Glen, Pvt, Army . Ogle, Elmer M., Pvt, Army . O'Hern, Phillip P., Pvt, Army . Olsen, Edwin E., Pvt, Army . Olson, Carl A., Pvt, Army . Olson, Harry T., Pvt, Army . Ortel, Willev, Pvt, Army . Overhold, Donald L., Pvt, Army . Paterka, Frank J., Pvt, Army . Pears, Earl E., Pvt, Army . Penrose, Merritt W., Sgt, Army . Peterson, George P., Pvt, Army . Peterson, Ira E., USMC . Pinkham, Louis H. Jr., 1Lt, Army . Poore, Lester, 1Cl, Navy . Potzen, C.A., Pvt, Army . Porter, William J., Pvt, Army . Restarick, Roland, Pvt, Army . Rhodes, Merritt M., Pvt, Army . Richard, William, Pvt, Army . Rivers, G.W., Pvt, Army . Roberts, Byron B., Pvt, Army . Royer, Noreen, 1Lt, Army . Royce, Eugene C., Pvt, Army . Rushing, Gentry, Sgt, Army . Ruoff, Ernest J., Pvt, Army . Runyon, Dillard C., Pvt, Army . Sandborn, Roger P., Pvt, Army . Savage, Harry A., Pvt, Army . Saylor, Leon, Pvt, Army . Sharp, Jas K., Pvt, Army . Sheridan, Phillip J., Pvt, Army . Smith, Neal, Pvt, Army . Smith, Roy X., Sgt, USMC . Smith, Walter L., Pvt, Army . Spray, Edward, 2Cl, Navy . Stack, Edward D., Pvt, Army . Stephens, Edward, 1Lt, Army . Stephenson, MacCrea, 1Lt, USA/AIR . Sugg, Lloyd S., Pvt, Army . Sweeny, Joseph S., Cpt, Army . Taylor, Frank H., 2Lt, Army . Theis, Roscoe, Pvt, Army . Therkildsen, Neils, Pvt, Army . Venton, Frederick, Pvt, Army . Vernon, Allen C., Pvt, Army . Watt, Cecil F., Pvt, Army . Weile, Laurence A., Cpt, Army . Weyen, Otto, Pvt, Army . White, R.G., 1Lt, Army . Willey, Ortel R., Pvt, Army . Williams, Clarence, Cpl, Army . Wood, Floyd E., 2Cl, Navy . Wynn, Chester F., Cpl, Army . Wynn, Chester L., Cpl, Army . Yancey, Lowell A., Pvt, Army . Youngberg, Darrell, Pvt, Army , 2nd Plaque Lower Argonne Bridge Erected 1920 County Commissioners D.T. Ham . C.R. Howard . W.H. McVay. Reverse Side The Story of Argonne. This memorial was built to recover the past and keep history alive for future generations. In 1909, a steel bridge was built across the Spokane River connecting Woodard Station (a few feet south of this memorial) to agricultural regions to the north. The Woodard family were one of the first settlers in the Spokane Valley. In 1910, Inland Empire Paper Company built a mill, and the town of Millwood was soon established., In 1920, the County built a new concrete arched span replacement. This new bridge was named Argonne and dedicated in honor of Spokane County soldiers who fought and died in WWl. The County placed a dedication plaque at each end of the bridge. Inland Empire Paper Mill Company donated two bronze plaques listing the names of local soldiers who had died in the recent war. The 1920 span combined with the span built in 1970 was completely replaced in 2017. The 1920 dedication plaques have been recovered. The two plaques memorializing the soldiers have been lost., Due to its geographic location and terrain, the World War 1 German defenses in the Meuse-Argonne region of France had been considered impregnable since 1915. The American First Army (AFA) deployed to begin the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on September 26, 1918. The battle lasted until the Armistice of November 11, 1918. Also known as the Maas-Argonne Offensive and the Battle of the Argonne Forest, it was the final and most important campaign of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). The Americans were not well-trained and lacked their own support. More than half of the artillery support was provided by the French. Following a three-hour artillery barrage, 140,000 men of the AFA attacked. Speed was the key to General Pershing's strategy, and their initial advance was rapid. After hard and bloody fighting, the Americans broke the German line on the second day. Casualties were high., The AFA resumed the offensive with reinforcements and more experienced leaders. The troops immediately made heavy contact and drove the Germans from the Argonne Forest in bitter fighting. Casualties rose to over 100,000, many stricken by influenza. The AFA went into a defensive mode again and was ordered to attack the north. By October 26th, the American forces had advanced over 10 miles and cleared the Argonne Forest. In the early morning hours of November 1, 1918, the last American barrage of the war broke the German defenses. By November 4th, the Germans began withdrawing, and the Americans continued their pursuit until the armistice went into effect. A total of 1.2 million Americans engaged in the campaign, suffering 192,000 casualties including 26,277 killed. In combination with British and French advances, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive forced the German army to accept an armistice, ending the war., Men from Spokane served as soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, and sometimes in Allied armies before the United States officially joined the war, distinguishing themselves in combat. The 146th Field Artillery, Battery F, drew its soldiers (200 men strong) exclusively from Spokane and the Inland Empire. Battery F suffered four killed in combat and another 20 wounded or gassed., R.L. Richardson of Spokane, one of the surviving soldiers from the Battery, described the magnitude of their effort, recalling the offensive in which the artillery crews fired their guns for 47 straight days. He recalled:

Nights of firing and days of moving; tragedies written into the heart of all of them, with no comedy; work, work, work, with no let-up and no relief; hours of straining to get gun wheels back on doubtful roads, only to have them slip again; more meals postponed than eaten; the sleep of exhaustion in soggy blankets; men balanced two-deep in a truck and glad to be there.

Ralph Burch reminisced:

The Argonne was nearly impossible. We went over the top about four I guess and met severe machine gun fire. We were forced to fall back and attack from their right flank. Again, we met the same resistance but kept going. I always imagined I would be scared. Maybe it was fear, but I was insane. I'll confess I had but one instinct and that was to keep moving! The machine gun is the most terrible thing I know of when you're exposed to them put-put- and these bullets whistle through the weeds like snakes. ...

On May 10, 1919, Pvt. John W. Ristau was listed as dead by the war department but showed up very much alive in Spokane. Ristau, who lived on Moran Prairie, believed records were mixed-up when he was wounded in September 1918. According to him:

When I returned to my company my comrades were dumbfounded. They had buried someone whom they thought to be me and said they could believe anything when they saw me walking into camp. I don't want any monuments erected to my memory. When I reached home last Saturday, I found my father in possession of my death certificate.

On February 10, 1920, Ralph E. Kramer celebrated his first birthday in Opportunity. He and his mother were living there with his grandparents. His father, Corporal Alfred "Ralph” E. Kramer, was killed on October 9, 1918, in the Argonne Forest before Ralph was born. The family was unaware of his death until November 27, when they received a telegram from Senator Poindexter, who searched the war records in Washington, DC. at their request. Ralph was part of the 361st infantry constituted August 5, 1917, in the National Army and assigned to the 91st Division. It was organized at Camp Lewis, Washington. Among other Spokane Valley men who died in the Argonne Forest were PVT Charles E. Muzzy and PFC Edwin E. Olsen. PFC Olsen was buried in the Argonne Forest for over a year before his family knew of his death. He was then later moved to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France., The names of 267 Washington State soldiers are on the list of those buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. It is the final resting place to over 14,000 Americans who gave their lives in World War I., This memorial was a project of the Spokane Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution Sponsors. Jonas Babcock Chapter, NSDAR . May Hutton Chapter, NSDAR . State Regent Lanabeth Horgen . The Home Depot Foundation . Les Schwab Tire Center . City of Millwood . Rae Anna Victor . Jack Pearson . Spokane Garry Chapter, NSDAR . Spokane Chapter #1, SAR . KXLY TV, Radio and Extreme Team . Inland Empire Paper Company . The Rosebush House . Al and Vikkie Naccarato . Yokes Fresh Market . B and E Electric . Washington State Society, NSDAR . Esther Reed Chapter, NSDAR . Gibsons Nursery and Landscape Supply . Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1435 . Millwood History Enthusiasts . Richard and Mary Pat King . Randy and Jodee Cahalan . Chuck King . Franida (Rardin) and Lewis Maudsley Jr. . Rick and Jeanette Nelson . McDonald's Restaurant . First Interstate Bank . American Legion Post 143 . American Legion, Auxiliary, Sons and Riders Spokane Post 9 . Spokane Preservation Advocates . Avista

Argonne Bridge
Dedicated Armistice Day, 1920 to the Men of Spokane
Who Died in the Great War

The wording above was on the original plaque on the Argonne Bridge.
This memorial, created to restore and preserve the history, was dedicated on November 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. - the 100th Anniversary of the first Veterans/Armistice Day.

Spokane County WWI Fatalities
Name, Rank, and Service Abrams, Joseph W., Pvt, Army • Albert, Charles C., Pvt, Army • Allen, James B., Sgt, Army • Allen, Lawrence E., Pvt, Army • Altman, Alton, Jr., Pvt, Army • Altman, John B., Sgt, USMC • Altman, Theodore W., Cpl, USMC • Argall, Royal L., 1Lt, Army • Atkinson, William E., Pvt, Army • Austin, Samuel F., Pfc, Army • Bacon, Henry E., 1Lt, Army • Bailey, Walter, Pvt, Army • Bailey, Walter, Pvt, USMC • Barllett, John L., Pvt, Army • Barsch, Harry M., Pvt, Army • Beck, Harry G., Cpl, Army • Beck, John L., Col, Army • Benton, George, Pvt, Army • Bertsch, John L., Pvt, Army • Bierce, Jerome A., Pvt, Army • Bishop, Charles E., Pvt, Army • Blair, Bob L., Pvt, Army • Bloomquist, John W., Cpl, Army • Botam, Mike, Pvt, Army • Botzom, Charles, Pvt, Army • Bowers, Harry R., Pvt, Army • Boyle, F.H., Pvt, Army • Bryan, Guy M. "Wilbur", Cpl, Army • Burch, Charles, Pvt, Army • Calvin, Cecil, Pvt, Army • Carlson, Oscar F., Cpt, Army • Ce Line, Merle W., Pvt, Army • Christensen, William, Seam, Navy • Clark, Henry E., Pvt, Army • Clausen, Leon S., Pvt, Army • Codd, Raymond, Pvt, Army • Coffey, Chestley, 2Cl, Navy • Cohn, David H., Cpt, Army • Collins, George L., Pvt, Army • Connelly, Irving, Pvt, Army • Craig, Robert, Pvt, Army • Cross, Leroy, Pvt, Army • Curnow, Earl, Pvt, Army • Dean, George E., Pvt, Army • Dean, Raymond, Pfc, Army • Delay, Aladdin, Pvt, Army • Delay, Richard A., 1Lt, RFC • Devine, Louis S., Sgt, USMC • Digman, Clarence J., Pvt, Army • Dooarlite, William F., Pvt, Army • Doyle, Delt W., Pvt, Army • Dumolton, Irving, Pvt, Army • Dwyer, John W., Pvt, Army • Dye, Ronald, Pvt, Army • Eaken, Clay R., Pvt, Army • Elvigion, Lewis, Pvt, Army • Emery, Frank R., Pvt,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Army • Enmen, Guy, Pvt, Army • Erickson, Ernest A., Pvt, USMC • Evens, Ira, Pvt, Army • Fahey, John B., Sgt, Army • Fairlamb, Joseph W., Pvt, Army • Fay, Charles E. Jr., Pvt, Army • Feathers, J., Pvt, Army • Fellows, Lowell E., 2Cl, Merm • Fisher, Edward R., Pvt, Army • Fleming, Edward A., Pvt, Army • Foss, Oswald J., Sgt, Army • Freeman, Authur M.F., Pvt, Army • Fulwiller, John "Jack" L., Pvt, USMC • Graves, Floyd I., Pvt, Army • Grindstead, Ray, Pvt, Army • Grono, Harry A., Sgt, Army • Grover, Frank, Seam, Navy • Gudopp, Walter R., Pvt, Army • Hansen, Reginald B., Pvt, Army • Harper, Charles A., Pfc, Army • Himes, Raymond, Pvt, Army • Hoisington, Earl M., Cpt, USA/AIR • Holmes, Clarence F., 1Lt, Army • Howard, Hurbert S., Pvt, Army • Hugh, Arthur R., Pvt, Army • James, Thomas L., Cpl, Army • Jones, Clarence R., Pvt, Army • Kehoe, William J., Cpl, USMC • Keith, William M., Pvt, Army • Kincke, Earl A., Cpl, Army • Kramer, Alfred R., Cpl, Army • Lambert, Fred, Pvt, Army • Lang, Charles, Pvt, Army • Lee, Edward D., Pvt, Army • Lee, Kenneth E., Pvt, Army • Lewis, Art W., Cpl, Army • Lewis, Lee C., 1Lt, Army • Lewtals, F.G., 1Lt, Army • Lowenberg, Sam B., Cpl, Army • Lundstrum, Erwin B., Pvt, Army • Mace, Eugene, Pvt, Army • Marshall, Harlan, Nurse, Army • Martin, George H., Nurse, Army • Martin, John H., Sgt, Army • Martin, William, Pvt, Army • Maskery, Lewis G., Pvt, Army • Matejack, Edmond, Pvt, Army • Masse, Martin, Pvt, Army • McBride, Roswell, Pvt, Army • McCadum, Joseph, Pfc, Army • McCalister, Ora M., Pvt, Army • McCormack, L.K., Cpl, Army • McDonald, A., Pvt, Army • McDonald, H., Pvt, Army • McDonald, William J., Pvt, Army • McDowell, Douglas, Pfc, Army • McKay, W.W., Pvt, Army • McMurry, Hayes S., Pvt, Army • Mead, Leland C., Pvt, Army • Mely, Arthur C., Pvt, Army • Meyer, Carl R., Pvt, Army • Meyerhoff, Roy L., Pvt, Army • Meyers, Bernard, Pvt, Army • Meyers, Preston G., Pvt, Army • Meyers, Vernand, Pvt, Army • Miles, Ellis M., Sgt, Army • Miles, Kenneth L., Pvt, Army • Miller, Delmar A., Pvt, Army • Miller, Paul B., Pvt, Army • Mitchell,

Argonne Bridge World War 1 Memorial dedication attendees image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Jonas Babcock Chapter DAR

2. Argonne Bridge World War 1 Memorial dedication attendees

Seaton A., Pvt, Army • Mitch, Seaton, Pvt, Army • Moe, Carl A., Pvt, Army • Moore, Allen J., Pvt, Army • Morris, John R., Pvt, Army • Morrison, Earl, Pvt, Army • Morrison, Stanworth, Pvt, Army • Mossberg, Ivar, Pvt, Army • Muller, Chester L., 1Lt, Army • Mullins, Elisha, Pvt, Army • Musel, Ralph R., Pvt, Army • Muzzy, Charles L., Pvt, Army • Nelson, John, 2Cl, Navy • Noyer, Glen, Pvt, Army • Ogle, Elmer M., Pvt, Army • O'Hern, Phillip P., Pvt, Army • Olsen, Edwin E., Pvt, Army • Olson, Carl A., Pvt, Army • Olson, Harry T., Pvt, Army • Ortel, Willev, Pvt, Army • Overhold, Donald L., Pvt, Army • Paterka, Frank J., Pvt, Army • Pears, Earl E., Pvt, Army • Penrose, Merritt W., Sgt, Army • Peterson, George P., Pvt, Army • Peterson, Ira E., USMC • Pinkham, Louis H. Jr., 1Lt, Army • Poore, Lester, 1Cl, Navy • Potzen, C.A., Pvt, Army • Porter, William J., Pvt, Army • Restarick, Roland, Pvt, Army • Rhodes, Merritt M., Pvt, Army • Richard, William, Pvt, Army • Rivers, G.W., Pvt, Army • Roberts, Byron B., Pvt, Army • Royer, Noreen, 1Lt, Army • Royce, Eugene C., Pvt, Army • Rushing, Gentry, Sgt, Army • Ruoff, Ernest J., Pvt, Army • Runyon, Dillard C., Pvt, Army • Sandborn, Roger P., Pvt, Army • Savage, Harry A., Pvt, Army • Saylor, Leon, Pvt, Army • Sharp, Jas K., Pvt, Army • Sheridan, Phillip J., Pvt, Army • Smith, Neal, Pvt, Army • Smith, Roy X., Sgt, USMC • Smith, Walter L., Pvt, Army • Spray, Edward, 2Cl, Navy • Stack, Edward D., Pvt, Army • Stephens, Edward, 1Lt, Army • Stephenson, MacCrea, 1Lt, USA/AIR • Sugg, Lloyd S., Pvt, Army • Sweeny, Joseph S., Cpt, Army • Taylor, Frank H., 2Lt, Army • Theis, Roscoe, Pvt, Army • Therkildsen, Neils, Pvt, Army • Venton, Frederick, Pvt, Army • Vernon, Allen C., Pvt, Army • Watt, Cecil F., Pvt, Army • Weile, Laurence A., Cpt, Army • Weyen, Otto, Pvt, Army • White, R.G., 1Lt, Army • Willey, Ortel R., Pvt, Army • Williams, Clarence, Cpl, Army • Wood, Floyd E., 2Cl, Navy • Wynn, Chester F., Cpl, Army • Wynn, Chester L., Cpl, Army • Yancey, Lowell A., Pvt, Army • Youngberg, Darrell, Pvt, Army

2nd Plaque Lower
Argonne Bridge
Erected

The Story of Argonne - Reverse Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mick Hersey, October 11, 2024

3. The Story of Argonne - Reverse Side

1920
County Commissioners
D.T. Ham • C.R. Howard • W.H. McVay
Reverse Side
The Story of Argonne This memorial was built to recover the past and keep history alive for future generations. In 1909, a steel bridge was built across the Spokane River connecting Woodard Station (a few feet south of this memorial) to agricultural regions to the north. The Woodard family were one of the first settlers in the Spokane Valley. In 1910, Inland Empire Paper Company built a mill, and the town of Millwood was soon established.

In 1920, the County built a new concrete arched span replacement. This new bridge was named Argonne and dedicated in honor of Spokane County soldiers who fought and died in WWl. The County placed a dedication plaque at each end of the bridge. Inland Empire Paper Mill Company donated two bronze plaques listing the names of local soldiers who had died in the recent war. The 1920 span combined with the span built in 1970 was completely replaced in 2017. The 1920 dedication plaques have been recovered. The two plaques memorializing the soldiers have been lost.

Due to its geographic location and terrain, the World War 1 German defenses in the Meuse-Argonne region of France had been considered impregnable since 1915. The American First Army (AFA) deployed to begin the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on September 26, 1918. The battle lasted until the Armistice of November 11, 1918. Also known as the Maas-Argonne Offensive and the Battle of the Argonne Forest, it was the final and most important campaign of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). The Americans were not well-trained and lacked their own support. More than half of the artillery support was provided by the French. Following a three-hour artillery barrage, 140,000 men of the AFA attacked. Speed was the key to General Pershing's strategy, and their initial advance was rapid. After hard and bloody fighting, the Americans broke the German line on the second day. Casualties were high.

The AFA resumed the offensive with reinforcements and more experienced leaders. The troops immediately made heavy contact and drove the Germans from the Argonne Forest

Lower Marker - Argonne Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Janet Ulbright

4. Lower Marker - Argonne Bridge

This is one of the memorials that was removed from the bridge when it was repaired in 1970. The American Legion insignia is on the left. With one emblem on the right missing, the DAR insignia was added in 2019.

in bitter fighting. Casualties rose to over 100,000, many stricken by influenza. The AFA went into a defensive mode again and was ordered to attack the north. By October 26th, the American forces had advanced over 10 miles and cleared the Argonne Forest. In the early morning hours of November 1, 1918, the last American barrage of the war broke the German defenses. By November 4th, the Germans began withdrawing, and the Americans continued their pursuit until the armistice went into effect. A total of 1.2 million Americans engaged in the campaign, suffering 192,000 casualties including 26,277 killed. In combination with British and French advances, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive forced the German army to accept an armistice, ending the war.

Men from Spokane served as soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, and sometimes in Allied armies before the United States officially joined the war, distinguishing themselves in combat. The 146th Field Artillery, Battery F, drew its soldiers (200 men strong) exclusively from Spokane and the Inland Empire. Battery F suffered four killed in combat and another 20 wounded or gassed.

R.L. Richardson of Spokane, one of the surviving soldiers from the Battery, described the magnitude of their effort, recalling the offensive in which the artillery crews fired their guns for 47 straight days. He recalled:

Nights of firing and days of moving; tragedies written into the heart of all of them, with no comedy; work, work, work, with no let-up and no relief; hours of straining to get gun wheels back on doubtful roads, only to have them slip again; more meals postponed than eaten; the sleep of exhaustion in soggy blankets; men balanced two-deep in a truck and glad to be there.

Ralph Burch reminisced:

The Argonne was nearly impossible. We went over the top about four I guess and met severe machine gun fire. We were forced to fall back and attack from their right flank. Again, we met the same resistance but kept going. I always imagined I would be scared. Maybe it was fear, but I was insane. I'll confess I had but one instinct and that was to keep moving! The machine gun is the most terrible
Photographed by Janet Ulbright

5. Organizer Rae Anna Victor and State Regent Lanabeth Horgen at the dedication.
thing I know of when you're exposed to them put-put- and these bullets whistle through the weeds like snakes. ...

When I returned to my company my comrades were dumbfounded. They had buried someone whom they thought to be me and said they could believe anything when they saw me walking into camp. I don't want any monuments erected to my memory. When I reached home last Saturday, I found my father in possession of my death certificate.

World War 1 Memorial - Argonne Bridge image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of DAR archives.

6. World War 1 Memorial - Argonne Bridge

Garry Chapter, NSDAR • Spokane Chapter #1, SAR • KXLY TV, Radio & Extreme Team • Inland Empire Paper Company • The Rosebush House • Al & Vikkie Naccarato • Yokes Fresh Market • B & E Electric • Washington State Society, NSDAR • Esther Reed Chapter, NSDAR • Gibsons Nursery & Landscape Supply • Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1435 • Millwood History Enthusiasts • Richard & Mary Pat King • Randy & Jodee Cahalan • Chuck King • Franida (Rardin) & Lewis Maudsley Jr. • Rick and Jeanette Nelson • McDonald's Restaurant • First Interstate Bank • American Legion Post 143 • American Legion, Auxiliary, Sons & Riders Spokane Post 9 • Spokane Preservation Advocates • Avista

Erected 2019 by Spokane area chapters, Daughters of the American Revolution with assistance from Sons of the American Revolution and many other community groups and individuals.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1920.

Location. 47° 41.181′ N, 117° 16.944′ W. Memorial is in Millwood, Washington, in Spokane County. It is at the intersection of East Empire Avenue and North Argonne Road, on the right when traveling west on East Empire Avenue. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Spokane WA 99206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Spokane.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Liberty Tree (approx. 2.1 miles away); M-R Military Wagon Road (approx. 2.1 miles away); The History of the Spokane County Interstate Fairgrounds (approx. 3.3 miles away); Buell J. Felts (approx. 3.6 miles away); James J Hill - "The Empire Builder" (approx. 4 miles away); 1937 Caboose Great Northern X176 / Burlington Northern 11470 (approx. 4 miles away); Maintenance of Way (MOW) Bunk Car Union Pacific 9060161 (approx. 4 miles away); The Not So Little Train That Could...And Did (approx. 4 miles away).

More about this memorial.

1917 Jeep at the dedication ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Janet Ulbright

7. 1917 Jeep at the dedication ceremony

The monument is installed down the street from the Argonne Bridge. “World War I Memorial” appears above the marker. A flag pole for the US flag was installed, as was an eagle atop a pole. Also, find on the sign an original “dough boy” helmet worn by a soldier in World War I. The DAR was able to obtain one of the original plaques, in the office of an engineer, which they restored and appears prominently as a part of the new memorial. A garden was planted behind the memorial, including poppies, the flower most commonly associated with World War I.

In Flanders Fields poem & Never Forget Garden sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mick Hersey

8. In Flanders Fields poem & Never Forget Garden sign

In Flanders Fields, the famous WWI poem by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, is displayed. The Never Forget Garden project is explained. A Never Forget garden was established onsite prior to the dedication ceremony.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 17, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 2. submitted on February 16, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 28, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 8. submitted on November 25, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.