The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Above: John Paulding's "Over the Top" formerly stood in Chicago's Palmer Park, where for years it was mistaken for Viquesney's "Spirit of the American Doughboy".
ERRORS ON THE SMITHSONIAN I.A.S. LIST
When T. Perry Wesley hit upon his mail-in campaign idea in the summer of 1990 to aid his search for Viquesney Doughboys, it quadrupled the number of known locations at the time from about 25 to over 100. However, many of Mr. Wesley's respondents misidentified some of the statues they saw, and some of those errors were passed on to the Smithsonian Inventory of American Sculpture (IAS) database in 1991.
While many false IDs and locations of Viquesney's Doughboy have been reported from various sources (see King, Wisconsin, for example), we have included below only those still incorrectly listed in the Smithsonian IAS records as Viquesney's "Spirit of the American Doughboy".
While many false IDs and locations of Viquesney's Doughboy have been reported from various sources (see King, Wisconsin, for example), we have included below only those still incorrectly listed in the Smithsonian IAS records as Viquesney's "Spirit of the American Doughboy".
Brighton, Illinois - IAS 47260019 - No such statue here; possibly confused with Alton, Illinois (both end in "ton" and are only 12 miles from each other). This record should be deleted from the Smithsonian IAS file.
Chicago, Illinois (Palmer Park, photo above) - IAS 47260021 - The only statue to stand here was John Paulding's "Over the Top", which disappeared sometime after 1982. Even after it was gone, it was still thought by park officials to be a Viquesney Doughboy as recently as 2003, after which researcher Earl Goldsmith correctly ID'd it as a Paulding. But since it was reported by T. Perry Wesley as a Viquesney in 1991, the Smithsonian added another record for the same statue into its IAS database, resulting in one correct and one phantom record on file. Newspaper articles from the time mention only one Doughboy statue in Palmer Park, and park officials know there was only one Doughboy statue ever there. Smithsonian IAS record 47260021 needs to be deleted.
Rockville, Indiana - IAS 47260032 - Although there is a Doughboy statue here, it's in a completely different pose, and by a different artist, Theodore F. Gaebler. Just as with Palmer Park above, this statue was already on file with the Smithsonian, and thus again, there are two IAS records, one correct and one for a nonexistent phantom Viquesney. Smithsonian IAS record 47260032 needs to be deleted. A photo of the statue can be seen at http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=4784.
Springfield, Kentucky - IAS 47260049 - No such statue here, although there is a WWI monument in town that might have been misreported as it. Smithsonian IAS record 47260049 needs to be deleted.
Port Huron, Michigan - IAS 47260054 - Right sculptor, wrong statue, wrong war; it's Viquesney's WWII "Spirit of the Fighting Yank" from 1943. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Palisades Park, New Jersey - IAS NJ000149 - This Doughboy statue is posed with an underhand throwing positioning of the grenade, and there are no tree stumps on the base; Viqueney's "Spirit of the American Doughboy" is always posed with an overhand grenade throw, and the metal versions always have two hallmark tree stumps on the base. The statue was made by Eagle Bronze Works, a firm Viquesney didn't use. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Verona, New Jersey - IAS 47260072 - Identical to the Doughboy in Palisades Park, NJ. Possibly confused with Verona, Pennsylvania. The statue was made by J. W. Fiske Iron Works, a firm Viquesney didn't use. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
"Port Huron", New York - IAS 47260075 - Nonexistent, for the simple reason that there's no such city in New York. It thus logically follows that if the city doesn't exist, neither does anything in it, including the statue. Possibly confused with Port Huron, Michigan's WWII Viquesney sculpture, "The Spirit of the Fighting Yank". This record should be deleted from the Smithsonian IAS file.
Rochester, New York - IAS 47260076 - No such statue here. Probably confused with earlier war memorials in the city. This IAS record should be deleted from the Smithsonian IAS file.
Martins Ferry, Ohio - IAS 47260081 - It's John Paulding's "Over the Top". Photo-confirmed at Geocaching.com (where it was mistakenly ID'd as a Viquesney). Running instead of walking stance, no tree stumps on base, clenched fist instead of grenade. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Tyrone, Oklahoma - IAS 47260093 - A different statue in a different pose; confirmed on-site by "Doughboy Searcher" Earl Goldsmith. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian. A photo of the statue can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/4785278160/.
Milesburg, Pennsylvania - IAS 47260097 - A different statue in a different pose; photo-confirmed by "Doughboy Searcher" Bill Plack. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania - IAS 47260098 - Another double entry: The Smithsonian already had a correct IAS record for this statue, but it was erroneously reported again by T. Perry Wesley as a Viquesney Doughboy. Thus there are now two Smithsonian IAS records, one correct and one for a nonexistent phantom Viquesney. Webmaster of Mount Pleasant website confirms only one Doughboy statue has ever existed here. Possibly confused with Mount Pleasant, Utah. Smithsonian IAS record 47260098 needs to be deleted.
"New Britton", Pennsylvania - IAS 47260099 - Nonexistent for the same reason as "Port Huron", New York: No such place. Possibly confused with New Brighton, PA or New Britain, PA, but no Viquesney Doughboy at either of those locations as well. There is a Doughboy at New Brighton, but not Viquesney's, photo confirmed by "Doughboy Searcher" Bill Plack. This Smithsonian IAS record should either be corrected to reflect New Brighton and a different statue and sculptor, or be deleted.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - IAS 47260100 - Long mistaken for a Viquesney, this is John Paulding's "Over the Top". It's correctly identified on the Philly Public Art website. This Smithsonian IAS record needs to be corrected.
Brownsville, Tennessee - IAS 47260103 - No such statue on courthouse lawn, where it was supposedly reported to be, and nobody can remember any such statue in Brownsville. Possibly confused with Clarksville, Tennessee (they both end in "ville"). Smithsonian IAS record 47260103 should be deleted.
Houston, Texas - IAS 47260110 - No such statue here, verified by Texas resident and "Doughboy Searcher" Earl Goldsmith. Here's what we think happened: There's a Viquesney Doughboy at Muncie, Indiana's Elm Ridge Cemetery. The cemetery is administered by Service Corporation International of Houston, Texas. Thus we think T. Perry Wesley (or someone) may have gotten the idea the Viquesney Doughboy statue itself was in Houston. We even have an Art Inventories Catalog sheet (see bottom of page) sent to us by the Smithsonian for this supposed Houston Doughboy, complete with a photo ... of the Muncie, Indiana Doughboy! IAS record 47260110 needs to be deleted.
Victoria, Texas - IAS 47260113 - No such statue here; confirmed by Texas resident and "Doughboy Searcher" Earl Goldsmith. Possibly confused with Vernon, Texas (both towns begin with the letter "V"). This Smithsonian IAS record should be deleted.
Hillsville, Marion, and Wytheville, Virginia - IAS 47260117, 47260118, and 47260120 - No such statue in any of these towns; most likely confused with Civil War Confederate memorials. The name "Wytheville" is also misspelled as "Wyethville" in the Smithsonian record. All three Smithsonian IAS records should be deleted.
Seattle, Washington - IAS 47260122 - A famous statue by Alonzo Victor Lewis, "American Doughboy Bringing Home Victory". It now stands in Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, not in front of the Opera House (where it was moved from in 1998). Once again, the Smithsonian already had a correct IAS record for this sculpture but it was erroneously reported again as a Viquesney by T. Perry Wesley. Thus there are two Smithsonian records, one correct and one for a phantom Viquesney. Smithsonian IAS record 47260122 needs to be deleted. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/washelli/4191200804/ for more information.
Cody, Wyoming - IAS 47260133 - No such statue, nor any record of it, can be found by local historical society. Smithsonian IAS record 47260133 needs to be deleted.
Chicago, Illinois (Palmer Park, photo above) - IAS 47260021 - The only statue to stand here was John Paulding's "Over the Top", which disappeared sometime after 1982. Even after it was gone, it was still thought by park officials to be a Viquesney Doughboy as recently as 2003, after which researcher Earl Goldsmith correctly ID'd it as a Paulding. But since it was reported by T. Perry Wesley as a Viquesney in 1991, the Smithsonian added another record for the same statue into its IAS database, resulting in one correct and one phantom record on file. Newspaper articles from the time mention only one Doughboy statue in Palmer Park, and park officials know there was only one Doughboy statue ever there. Smithsonian IAS record 47260021 needs to be deleted.
Rockville, Indiana - IAS 47260032 - Although there is a Doughboy statue here, it's in a completely different pose, and by a different artist, Theodore F. Gaebler. Just as with Palmer Park above, this statue was already on file with the Smithsonian, and thus again, there are two IAS records, one correct and one for a nonexistent phantom Viquesney. Smithsonian IAS record 47260032 needs to be deleted. A photo of the statue can be seen at http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=4784.
Springfield, Kentucky - IAS 47260049 - No such statue here, although there is a WWI monument in town that might have been misreported as it. Smithsonian IAS record 47260049 needs to be deleted.
Port Huron, Michigan - IAS 47260054 - Right sculptor, wrong statue, wrong war; it's Viquesney's WWII "Spirit of the Fighting Yank" from 1943. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Palisades Park, New Jersey - IAS NJ000149 - This Doughboy statue is posed with an underhand throwing positioning of the grenade, and there are no tree stumps on the base; Viqueney's "Spirit of the American Doughboy" is always posed with an overhand grenade throw, and the metal versions always have two hallmark tree stumps on the base. The statue was made by Eagle Bronze Works, a firm Viquesney didn't use. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Verona, New Jersey - IAS 47260072 - Identical to the Doughboy in Palisades Park, NJ. Possibly confused with Verona, Pennsylvania. The statue was made by J. W. Fiske Iron Works, a firm Viquesney didn't use. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
"Port Huron", New York - IAS 47260075 - Nonexistent, for the simple reason that there's no such city in New York. It thus logically follows that if the city doesn't exist, neither does anything in it, including the statue. Possibly confused with Port Huron, Michigan's WWII Viquesney sculpture, "The Spirit of the Fighting Yank". This record should be deleted from the Smithsonian IAS file.
Rochester, New York - IAS 47260076 - No such statue here. Probably confused with earlier war memorials in the city. This IAS record should be deleted from the Smithsonian IAS file.
Martins Ferry, Ohio - IAS 47260081 - It's John Paulding's "Over the Top". Photo-confirmed at Geocaching.com (where it was mistakenly ID'd as a Viquesney). Running instead of walking stance, no tree stumps on base, clenched fist instead of grenade. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Tyrone, Oklahoma - IAS 47260093 - A different statue in a different pose; confirmed on-site by "Doughboy Searcher" Earl Goldsmith. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian. A photo of the statue can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/4785278160/.
Milesburg, Pennsylvania - IAS 47260097 - A different statue in a different pose; photo-confirmed by "Doughboy Searcher" Bill Plack. This IAS record needs to be corrected by the Smithsonian.
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania - IAS 47260098 - Another double entry: The Smithsonian already had a correct IAS record for this statue, but it was erroneously reported again by T. Perry Wesley as a Viquesney Doughboy. Thus there are now two Smithsonian IAS records, one correct and one for a nonexistent phantom Viquesney. Webmaster of Mount Pleasant website confirms only one Doughboy statue has ever existed here. Possibly confused with Mount Pleasant, Utah. Smithsonian IAS record 47260098 needs to be deleted.
"New Britton", Pennsylvania - IAS 47260099 - Nonexistent for the same reason as "Port Huron", New York: No such place. Possibly confused with New Brighton, PA or New Britain, PA, but no Viquesney Doughboy at either of those locations as well. There is a Doughboy at New Brighton, but not Viquesney's, photo confirmed by "Doughboy Searcher" Bill Plack. This Smithsonian IAS record should either be corrected to reflect New Brighton and a different statue and sculptor, or be deleted.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - IAS 47260100 - Long mistaken for a Viquesney, this is John Paulding's "Over the Top". It's correctly identified on the Philly Public Art website. This Smithsonian IAS record needs to be corrected.
Brownsville, Tennessee - IAS 47260103 - No such statue on courthouse lawn, where it was supposedly reported to be, and nobody can remember any such statue in Brownsville. Possibly confused with Clarksville, Tennessee (they both end in "ville"). Smithsonian IAS record 47260103 should be deleted.
Houston, Texas - IAS 47260110 - No such statue here, verified by Texas resident and "Doughboy Searcher" Earl Goldsmith. Here's what we think happened: There's a Viquesney Doughboy at Muncie, Indiana's Elm Ridge Cemetery. The cemetery is administered by Service Corporation International of Houston, Texas. Thus we think T. Perry Wesley (or someone) may have gotten the idea the Viquesney Doughboy statue itself was in Houston. We even have an Art Inventories Catalog sheet (see bottom of page) sent to us by the Smithsonian for this supposed Houston Doughboy, complete with a photo ... of the Muncie, Indiana Doughboy! IAS record 47260110 needs to be deleted.
Victoria, Texas - IAS 47260113 - No such statue here; confirmed by Texas resident and "Doughboy Searcher" Earl Goldsmith. Possibly confused with Vernon, Texas (both towns begin with the letter "V"). This Smithsonian IAS record should be deleted.
Hillsville, Marion, and Wytheville, Virginia - IAS 47260117, 47260118, and 47260120 - No such statue in any of these towns; most likely confused with Civil War Confederate memorials. The name "Wytheville" is also misspelled as "Wyethville" in the Smithsonian record. All three Smithsonian IAS records should be deleted.
Seattle, Washington - IAS 47260122 - A famous statue by Alonzo Victor Lewis, "American Doughboy Bringing Home Victory". It now stands in Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, not in front of the Opera House (where it was moved from in 1998). Once again, the Smithsonian already had a correct IAS record for this sculpture but it was erroneously reported again as a Viquesney by T. Perry Wesley. Thus there are two Smithsonian records, one correct and one for a phantom Viquesney. Smithsonian IAS record 47260122 needs to be deleted. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/washelli/4191200804/ for more information.
Cody, Wyoming - IAS 47260133 - No such statue, nor any record of it, can be found by local historical society. Smithsonian IAS record 47260133 needs to be deleted.
Below: An Art Inventories Catalog sheet sent to us by the Smithsonian, detailing the "Houston, Texas Doughboy" ... except that the accompanying photo is that of the Viquesney Doughboy in Muncie, Indiana!
