Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: IN000117.
At Monroe County Courthouse, northeast corner of Walnut and 6th.
The inscription on the front of the pedestal reads:
MEMORIAL TO THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WORLD WAR II
The inscription on the back of the pedestal reads:
PRESENTED BY FLUCK CUT STONE COMPANY HARRY D. DONATO, CARVER E. M. VIQUESNEY, SCULPTOR ERECTED BY BLOOMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Dedicated May 30, 1944, this is the first "Spirit of the Fighting Yank" placed, and the only one made of stone. At the dedication, speeches were given by Lieutenant Gerry Kister, Colonel Shoemaker and Judge Regester.
This is possibly the last Viquesney public monument dedicated during the sculptor's lifetime. The others, dedicated in 1946 and later, were handled by Viquesney's successor, Frederic L. Hollis of Gosport, Indiana.
Fall coloring makes the statue a popular photo op.
Photo: Marilyn S. Wolf, Veedersburg, Indiana. Used by permission.