The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo provided by Claudette Luger,
Veterans Service Officer, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Veterans Service Officer, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
BULLHEAD, SOUTH DAKOTA
N 45° 46.1116 / W 101° 4.8964
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory control Number: SD000052.
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory control Number: SD000052.
In Bullhead Veteran’s Memorial Park on Standing Rock Hunkpapa Sioux Reservation, a few meters south of Bullhead Road, just west of intersection with Sitting Bull Avenue (formerly 2nd Street).
The inscription on the plaque on the front of the base reads:
DEDICATED TO THE
MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
AND HONOR OF THOSE
WHO SERVED IN THE WORLD WAR
1917-18
------------PRESENTED BY
THE HUNKPAPA BAND OF SIOUX NATION
JUNE 29, 1935
The inscription on a plaque on the rear of the base reads:
HONOR ROLL
(followed by 8 names with stars)
DIED FROM EFFECTS OF WAR
(followed by 10 names)
SERVICE OVERSEAS
(followed by 12 names)
SERVICE WITH THE FLAG
(followed by 21 names)
DEDICATED TO THE
MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
AND HONOR OF THOSE
WHO SERVED IN THE WORLD WAR
1917-18
------------PRESENTED BY
THE HUNKPAPA BAND OF SIOUX NATION
JUNE 29, 1935
The inscription on a plaque on the rear of the base reads:
HONOR ROLL
(followed by 8 names with stars)
DIED FROM EFFECTS OF WAR
(followed by 10 names)
SERVICE OVERSEAS
(followed by 12 names)
SERVICE WITH THE FLAG
(followed by 21 names)
The plaque was also made by E. M. Viquesney. Many of the names listed are tribal, rather than “Anglicized”.
This monument is one of just two Viquesney Doughboys which specifically recognize the service of Native Americans in World War I. Muskogee, Oklahoma's recognizes "The Five Civilized Tribes" of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole.
For preservation purposes, the Doughboy has been heavily painted. The predominant color is green, but the face and hands are white, puttees (leggings) and shoes black, and the rifle and field pack brown. It appears to be in good condition, but the bayonet is missing.
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is located just west of the Missouri River in both North and South Dakota. The larger portion is in South Dakota, but tribal offices are at Fort Yates, North Dakota, about 10 miles north of the line between the states. Bullhead is about 15 miles south of the line.
For preservation purposes, the Doughboy has been heavily painted. The predominant color is green, but the face and hands are white, puttees (leggings) and shoes black, and the rifle and field pack brown. It appears to be in good condition, but the bayonet is missing.
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is located just west of the Missouri River in both North and South Dakota. The larger portion is in South Dakota, but tribal offices are at Fort Yates, North Dakota, about 10 miles north of the line between the states. Bullhead is about 15 miles south of the line.
Although the presentation date on the plaque reads June 29, 1935, the unveiling ceremony was held four days later on July 3. A photograph and description of the unveiling ceremony can be seen at Digital Horizons. Background details in that old photo suggest that the statue and flagpole might have been later moved a short distance to the present location.
Using Google street view with the GPS link above, it has been determined that the red, white and blue fence has been taken down, and another cenotaph monument appears to have been erected on the other side of the flagpole.
Using Google street view with the GPS link above, it has been determined that the red, white and blue fence has been taken down, and another cenotaph monument appears to have been erected on the other side of the flagpole.
Photo from the files of Doughboy researcher T. Perry Wesley.
An old photo showing the entrance gate to Veterans Memorial Park on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Most of the paraphernalia, including the aerial bomb and Native American designs, is now gone.
Still, every 2nd weekend in August, the Hunkpapa Sioux hold a V-J Day (Victory over Japan) pow-wow at the Doughboy.
Still, every 2nd weekend in August, the Hunkpapa Sioux hold a V-J Day (Victory over Japan) pow-wow at the Doughboy.
