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Jacksonville in Jackson County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
 

World War II Three Trees Memorial

 
 
World War II Three Trees Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, March 10, 2013
1. World War II Three Trees Memorial Marker
Inscription.
These Three Trees Bear Living
Memorial To

Wayne Combest
Justus Lewis
George Davis

Also Honor All Who Made The
Supreme Sacrifice in World War II


 
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
 
Location. 42° 18.875′ N, 122° 58.172′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Oregon, in Jackson County. Memorial is on W Main St, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville OR 97530, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History Right Here - Furniture Fabrication (within shouting distance of this marker); China Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); Undermining the Great Depression (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Local Telephone Service (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Britt House: Simple Frame to Cottage Gothic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jacksonville’s Rogue River Valley Railway 1891-1925 (about 300 feet away); Peter Britt: Man of Culture and Commerce (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
 
More about this memorial. One of the dedicated trees has died and
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two remain. This very small triangular park contains the Universal Infantryman statue/fountain as well as a nearby Blue Star Memorial Byway plaque.
 
Regarding World War II Three Trees Memorial. The Mail Tribune provides an article highlighting the backgrounds of the men killed in action:

No one goes to war to be remembered as a name molded on a brass plaque. Yet, knowing they may never return, men and women head for battle with courage, determination and a touch of fear when their country calls.

Wayne Combest was in his early 20s when he joined the army in 1941 and left Jackson County for training in California. As a crew member of a support unit for the Army Air Corps' 34th Pursuit Squadron, Combest arrived in the Philippine Islands barely a month before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Nine hours after that attack, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service began striking American airfields on the Bataan Peninsula of Luzon Island. Within three weeks, Combest's squadron of aircraft was wiped out, its pilots and support personnel fighting for their lives as combat infantry.

By May of 1942, more than 70,000 American and allied soldiers, the largest American army in history to surrender, began the infamous Bataan Death March. Estimates say between 5,000 and 11,000 of those forced to walk
World War II Three Trees Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, March 10, 2013
2. World War II Three Trees Memorial Marker
Blue Star
Memorial By-Way
A tribute to the
Armed Forces of America
Jacksonville
Gardens Club
National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc.
the 60 miles would die before reaching the prisoner of war camp. Those who survived the march were barely more fortunate than those who died. Disease was rampant at the camp. There was not enough food and water was given out only once a day. Combest died in camp, January 10, 1943, and is buried in the Manila American Cemetery. His name, and those of George Davis and Justus Lewis, are memorialized on a plaque in Jacksonville's Veterans Park. Davis and Lewis also served in the Philippines, but little is known of their service or of their lives.

(George) Davis's mother didn't know her son was dead until a telegram arrived in 1945. Official records say he died in action, but no date or place of burial is given.

As for (Justus) Lewis, if he survived the Death March and the prisoner of war camp, he may have been one of the many prisoners transferred outside of the Philippines by the Japanese. His burial location is unknown and he is not listed in the official death records.

On May 29, 1946, on land donated to Jacksonville, members of the Jacksonville Garden Club planted three trees in honor of the mens' memory. The bronze plaque and granite stone were placed later.

On June 6, 2000, a commemorative statue, the "Universal Infantryman," was dedicated in the park. Sculpted and donated at no charge by Alik Iskenderov, a former citizen of the
World War II Three Trees Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, March 10, 2013
3. World War II Three Trees Memorial Marker
old Soviet Union, the statue depicts a soldier, helmet off and rifle at his side, cupping flowing water in his hands. "He takes a sip of water, a symbol of new life after the war," said Iskenderov.

The park is dedicated "to all who made the supreme sacrifice," and honors all who serve — those who return home and those still far away.


Memories fade, but we must still remember. Surely, someone, somewhere knows more about Combest, Davis and Lewis — these three young, fallen heroes, who joined to serve and never came home again.
 
World War II dedicated trees (now two) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, March 10, 2013
4. World War II dedicated trees (now two)
Universal Infantryman Memorial Fountain image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, March 10, 2013
5. Universal Infantryman Memorial Fountain
Sculpted by artist Alik Iskenderov, a former citizen of the former Soviet Union. The sculpture fountain was officially dedicated on June 6, 2000 and resides at the northernmost part of this small, triangular park.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 24, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 29, 2024