Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Spirit of the American Navy
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025
1. The Spirit of the American Navy Marker
"Sailorboy" was meant to be a companion to the 135-plus "Doughboy" sculptures. When sales were slow after eight stamped sheet copper editions had been created, production stopped.
This copy was discovered in an antique store in Pennwater, Michigan. Its owners had purchased him from a Chicago junkyard in the early 1990's. No record exists of this sculpture ever being permanently erected in any location.
Now our "Sailorboy" stands tall, waving to his WWI companion across Burlington Square Park in joint remembrance of service in the "War to End All Wars."
Artist: E.M. Viquesney
Erected 2013 by Naperville Century Walk.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Spirit of the American Doughboy - E. M. Viquesney series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1927.
Location. 41° 46.742′ N, 88° 8.704′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial Bench (a few steps from this marker); Naperville World War I Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Burlington Square (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spirit of the American Doughboy (within shouting distance of this marker); Naperville World War I Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025
2. The Spirit of the American Navy Marker
The marker is to the rear of the statue itself.
More about this marker. The "Doughboy" statue referenced on this plaque is on the opposite end of Burlington Square Park, facing this "Sailorboy."
Also see . . .
1. Spirit of the American Navy by E. M. Viquesney. The Naperville Century Walk website shares the history of this statue and its installation in Burlington Square Park in 2013.
Excerpt: "The Naperville Municipal Band played “Anchors Away” on October 13, 2013 as Ernest Moore Viquesneys “Spirit of the American Navy” was unveiled and dedicated as the 44th art piece in the Naperville Century Walk. This very limited edition sculpture is in keeping with the century walks mission to create culturally significant and diverse public art throughout Naperville. While funding was being arranged for construction of the Plaza and base for the sculpture, the Spirit resided at the Judd Kendall VFW post 3873. In typical Naperville can do spirit,(Submitted on December 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)$73,000 was raised from individual contributions, the City of Naperville, the Century Walk Corporation, the Naperville Park district and a lot of help from the Naperville Garden club."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 20253. "Sailorboy" statue
2. Spirit of the American Navy (Wikipedia). The page lists the locations of the eight known "Sailorboy" statues. (Submitted on December 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025
4. "Doughboy" statue in Burlington Square Park
The "Sailorboy" statue is visible in the distance of this view, taken from next to the "Doughboy" on the opposite (west) end of the park.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
