The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
 Photo provided by Jack Finnerty, Director, Scranton Public Library. |
 Doughboy Searcher Tony Patti stands beside the Scranton Doughboy, May, 2011. |
SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA
N 41° 23.956 / W 075° 39.167
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: PA000648.
Copyright version 1934, cast zinc.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: PA000648.
In Colonel Duffy Park on Harrison Avenue near Moosic Street.
The inscription on the upper plaque reads:
COLONEL FRANK J. DUFFY
MEMORIAL PARK
DEDICATED MAY 30TH 1940
The inscription on the large lower plaque reads:
PRESENTED BY
RABIEGA – GORGOL POST No. 3451
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
AND
ANTHRACITE POST No. 4
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGULARS
SCRANTON, PENN’A
AS A MEMORIAL TO THOSE
WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO
A MORE BEAUTIFUL LIFE
The year
1940
is engraved near the bottom of the base.
COLONEL FRANK J. DUFFY
MEMORIAL PARK
DEDICATED MAY 30TH 1940
The inscription on the large lower plaque reads:
PRESENTED BY
RABIEGA – GORGOL POST No. 3451
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
AND
ANTHRACITE POST No. 4
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGULARS
SCRANTON, PENN’A
AS A MEMORIAL TO THOSE
WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO
A MORE BEAUTIFUL LIFE
The year
1940
is engraved near the bottom of the base.
Scranton’s Doughboy is often called the “Colonel Duffy Monument” or “Fighting Colonel Monument” to recognize Lt. Col. Frank Duffy, a highly respected engineer and highest ranking area person killed in the war. He was killed by a mortar shell August 17, 1918, while stepping from a motorcycle sidecar after returning from a reconnaissance mission. He’s buried at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery north of Chareau-Thierry. The driver, PFC Frank G. Flore, was also killed. Duffy Park was set aside in 1934.
* * *
Photo provided by Jack Finnerty,
Director, Scranton Public Library.
Director, Scranton Public Library.
The Doughboy has experienced quite a bit of vandalism. The bayonet and rifle were repaired in 1957 for a rededication that year. The statue was repaired again in 1968 following extensive damage suffered when vandals tilted it to the right while trying to tear it from the base. The bayonet and rifle sling are missing and there has been deterioration due to exposure, but the Doughboy has been coated and is in relatively good condition.
