Troy in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Polar Bears

Monument and Burial Site

Photographed by R. C., May 2, 2011

1. The Polar Bears Marker

Inscription. In the summer of 1918, President Woodrow Wilson, at the urging of Britain and France, sent an infantry regiment to north Russia to fight the Bolsheviks in hopes of persuading Russia to rejoin the war against Germany. The 339th Infantry Regiment, with the first battalion of the 310th Engineers and the 337th Ambulance and Hospital Companies, arrived at Archangel, Russia, on September 4, 1918. About 75 percent of the 5,500 Americans who made up the North Russian Expeditionary Forces were from Michigan; of those, a majority were from Detroit. The newspapers called them "Detroit's Own,"; they called themselves "Polar Bears." They marched on Belle Isle on July 4, 1919. Ninety-four of them were killed in action after the United States decided to withdraw from Russia but before Archangel's harbor thawed.

(reverse)
In 1929 five former "Polar Bears" of the 339th Infantry Regiment returned to north Russia in an attempt to recover the bodies of fellow soldiers who had been killed in action or died of exposure or disease ten years earlier. The group was selected by the members of the Polar Bear Association under the auspices of the

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Veterans of Foreign Wars. The trip was sponsored by the federal government and the State of Michigan. The delegates recovered eighty-six bodies. Fifty-six of these were buried on this site on May 30, 1930. The Polar Bear monument was carved from white Georgian marble; the steps, from white North Carolina granite The black granite base symbolizes a fortress, and the cross and helmet denote war burial.

Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1516.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1832.

Location. 42° 35.109′ N, 83° 9.812′ W. Marker is in Troy, Michigan, in Oakland County. It can be reached from West Long Lake Rd. Located near the middle of the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 621 W Long Lake Rd, Troy MI 48098, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

The Polar Bears Marker (reverse side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C., May 2, 2011

2. The Polar Bears Marker (reverse side)

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barn Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Caswell House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Settler's Cabin (approx. 0.8 miles away); Niles-Barnard House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Poppleton School (approx. 0.8 miles away); General Store (approx. 0.9 miles away); Print Shop (approx. 0.9 miles away); Historic Green (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . The Polar Bears Expedition. (Submitted on May 9, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Polar Bear Statue Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

3. Polar Bear Statue Plaque

In Memory of the Veterans of the North Russian Expeditionary Forces. (1918 - 1919) - Dedicated May 30, 1930. [located at the base of the Polar Bear statue.]

Polar Bear Memorial and Burial Site Marker Underneath U.S. and U.S. Army Flags image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C., May 2, 2011

4. Polar Bear Memorial and Burial Site Marker Underneath U.S. and U.S. Army Flags

Polar Bear Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

5. Polar Bear Statue

Polar Bear Statue (detail) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

6. Polar Bear Statue (detail)

The cross and helmet denote war burial.

Photographed by R. C.

7. Polar Bear Statue

Polar Bear Statue (rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

8. Polar Bear Statue (rear)

The statue is showing significant signs of damage from the cold Michigan winters and age.

Polar Bear Statue (front view) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C., May 2, 2011

9. Polar Bear Statue (front view)

Polar Bear Statue Plaque (Mounted Mid-Base) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

10. Polar Bear Statue Plaque (Mounted Mid-Base)

Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong! - Stephen Decatur

Photographed by R. C.

11. Polar Bear Statue

Polar Bear Memorial and Burial Site Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C., May 2, 2011

12. Polar Bear Memorial and Burial Site Marker Detail

Charles F. Chappel - 1st Lt. K Co. 339th Inf. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

13. Charles F. Chappel - 1st Lt. K Co. 339th Inf.

Example of the 56 grave markers of the Michigan hero Polar Bears.

Polar Bear Statue (Bear Claw Detail) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

14. Polar Bear Statue (Bear Claw Detail)

The damage the weather and probably acid rain is apparent on the polar bear's foot.

Polar Bear Statue (Detail of Bear's Head) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C., May 2, 2011

15. Polar Bear Statue (Detail of Bear's Head)

Polar Bear Memorial and Burial Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. C.

16. Polar Bear Memorial and Burial Site Marker

There is an annual Memorial Day service at the memorial.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2011, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,904 times since then and 86 times this year. Last updated on November 30, 2015, by David Belokonny of Bingham Farms, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. submitted on May 6, 2011, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.