Photo: Jerry Mann, Tour of Honor rider, 2023.
MECHANICSVILLE, IOWA
N 41° 54.547 / W 91° 15.518
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260037.
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260037.
In Rose Hill Cemetery, at the NW end of town.
The plaque reads:
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY
OF OUR BOYS WHO ENTERED THE
SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM MECHANICSVILLE, IOWA
SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
OF BUSCH-DENNIS POST NO. 309
1931
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY
OF OUR BOYS WHO ENTERED THE
SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM MECHANICSVILLE, IOWA
SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
OF BUSCH-DENNIS POST NO. 309
1931
Dedicated May 30, 1931. The acquisition project was spurred by a committee chaired by Mrs. Liz Dennis, the Gold Star Mother of Fred Dennis. A committee member was Mrs. Charles Busch, sister-in-law of Art Busch. The American Legion Post was named for Art Busch and Fred Dennis.
The Doughboy was ordered before the 1929 stock market crash and it took until 1931 to raise the necessary funds.
The bayonet has been replaced and there is evidence that the left arm and hand have been repaired, but are again beginning to deteriorate. Apart from that, and the fact that the sling could use some repair, the sculpture appears to be in fairly good condition, but could benefit from cleaning.
Update June 15, 2022: The statue is being restored by Mckay Lodge of Oberlin, Ohio, and should be back on its pedestal by Veterans Day this year. The community raised $18,000 toward the restoration.
Update May 20,: 2023 The restored Doughboy was placed back on its base in time for Memorial Day, 2023.
The Doughboy was ordered before the 1929 stock market crash and it took until 1931 to raise the necessary funds.
The bayonet has been replaced and there is evidence that the left arm and hand have been repaired, but are again beginning to deteriorate. Apart from that, and the fact that the sling could use some repair, the sculpture appears to be in fairly good condition, but could benefit from cleaning.
Update June 15, 2022: The statue is being restored by Mckay Lodge of Oberlin, Ohio, and should be back on its pedestal by Veterans Day this year. The community raised $18,000 toward the restoration.
Update May 20,: 2023 The restored Doughboy was placed back on its base in time for Memorial Day, 2023.
