107th Infantry Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 107th Infantry Memorial |
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The memorial in 2008
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| Artist | Karl Morningstar Illava |
| Year | 1927 -- |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Seven World War I-era soldiers |
| Dimensions | 300 cm (9'11" ft × 15'8" ft × 10 ft) |
| Location | Manhattan, New York |
| 40°46′09″N 73°58′10″W / 40.76927°N 73.96937°W | |
The 107th Infantry Memorial is a special statue in Central Park, Manhattan, New York. It's made of bronze and honors soldiers from the 107th Infantry who died in World War I. This big war happened from 1914 to 1918 and involved many countries around the world.
A sculptor named Karl Morningstar Illava created this memorial. He was a sergeant in the 107th Infantry himself, so he knew what the soldiers went through. The statue shows seven soldiers from World War I. It stands on a large granite base designed by Rogers & Haneman. The memorial was a gift from a group called the Seventh Regiment New York 107th United States Infantry Memorial Committee.
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Creating the Memorial: Design and Construction
Karl Illava, the sculptor, decided to show seven soldiers from World War I in his artwork. He worked with experts in Italy to cast the figures in bronze in 1927. The city's parks department says that Illava even used his own hands as models for the soldiers' hands!
The soldiers in the statue look like they are moving forward, as if they are charging out of the trees in Central Park. The bronze statue is placed on a strong granite base. The statue itself is about 9 feet 11 inches tall and 15 feet 8 inches wide. The base is also very large, standing 7 feet 7 inches tall.
What the Memorial Says
The memorial has an important message carved into it. It reads: "SEVENTH REGIMENT NEW YORK / ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY / 1917 IN MEMORIAM 1918." This message helps us remember the soldiers and the years they fought.
History of the Memorial
Unveiling the Statue
The memorial was officially shown to the public on September 29, 1927. More than 5,000 people came to see it! This date was chosen because it was the ninth anniversary of the Battle of St. Quentin Canal. During this battle, the 107th Regiment attacked a strong enemy defense line called the Hindenburg Line.
Important people spoke at the event, including government officials and military leaders. The sons of two soldiers who died in the war, Captain Clinton E. Fisk and Captain Fancher Nicoll, helped to unveil the monument.
Many people thought the lead soldier in the statue looked like a famous boxer named Gene Tunney. However, the officers of the regiment said the sculptor just wanted to show a typical soldier in action. The sculptor himself said the figure was based on an advertising executive named Paul Cornell.
Remembering the Soldiers
People have continued to honor the soldiers at the memorial over the years. On Armistice Day in 1927, a group called the 107th Infantry Post of the American Legion held a special service. They placed flowers at the memorial to remember those who died in the war.
In October 1973, a British military leader from the Scots Guards also held a ceremony at the statue. This was to remember the 107th unit's service with the British Army during World War I.
