Leavenworth in Leavenworth County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Leavenworth County War Memorial
In Memoriam
The Doughboy statue was first erected at Victory Junction in 1921 in memory of the members of the military who died in World War I. It was dedicated November 11, 1928.
In 1941 the statue was moved to its present location. Extensive deterioration of the figure was repaired, and our gratitude is owed to the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 75 for their help in the restoration. On July 4, 1985 it was rededicated to the memory of the military who died in all wars, especially those of World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Plaque erected July 4, 1985
Chapter 7
Leavenworth, Kansas
Recognition for the Refurbishing
of the Leavenworth County
Spirit of American Doughboy
August 2001
Erected 1985 by Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1863.
Location. 39° 18.86′ N, 94° 54.73′ W. Marker is in Leavenworth, Kansas, in Leavenworth County. Marker is on Walnut Street near 4th Street (U.S. 73), on the left when traveling east. Markers are near the main entrance to the county courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Walnut Street, Leavenworth KS 66048, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leavenworth County (here, next to this marker); World War and All War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Quartzite Boulder (within shouting distance of this marker); Leavenworth County World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leavenworth Public Library (about 600 feet away); Cyclone Carry (approx. ¼ mile away); Manufacturing Metropolis of the Midwest (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leavenworth.
Regarding Leavenworth County War Memorial. (Statue is actually Over the Top to Victory by John Paulding, not Spirit of American Doughboy.)
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. .
Additional commentary.
1. The new plaque added in 2001
Unfortunately the plaque added in 2001 honors the wrong statue (and by extension, the wrong sculptor). Leavenworth's statue is "Over the Top to Victory", by John Paulding, not the "Spirit of [the] American Doughboy" [by E. M. Viquesney]. So pervasive was Viquesney's influence over the genre that many communities, Leavenworth among them, believe to this day their Doughboy statue is a Viquesney. See http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=48325 for an identical and correctly identified statue at Ladysmith, WI. Note the photo of the base bearing the signature, "J. Paulding".
— Submitted May 22, 2013, by Les Kopel of Oxnard, California.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2013, by Les Kopel of Oxnard, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.