Argonne Cross Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Argonne Cross |
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| United States | |
The Argonne Cross in 2011
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| For American military personnel who died in France during World War I | |
| Unveiled | November 13, 1923 |
| Location | 38°52′18″N 77°04′32″W / 38.871556°N 77.075556°W near |
The Argonne Cross Memorial is a special monument in Arlington National Cemetery. It honors American soldiers who died fighting in France during World War I. This cross was put up on November 13, 1923. You can find it in Section 18 of the cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, in the United States.
Contents
History of the Argonne Cross
Why was the memorial built?
About 2.8 million American soldiers served in World War I. Around 126,000 Americans died during the war. Many of these soldiers died in the United States or on ships. But about 79,531 Americans were buried in Europe.
After the war, many American families wanted their loved ones' remains brought home. The French government first wanted to keep the graves in Europe. But the U.S. government pushed for the soldiers to be returned. So, about 20,000 American bodies were brought back to the United States. Over 5,000 of these soldiers were buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Most were laid to rest in Sections 17, 18, and 19.
Who built the memorial?
In 1919, a group called the American Women's Legion was started. Its goal was to help veterans and their families. They also wanted to do patriotic work. The group quickly grew across the country.
Alice Hay Wadsworth became the president of the American Women's Legion in 1920. She wanted to build a monument to honor the American soldiers who died in the war. The group sent five different designs for a memorial to the United States Commission of Fine Arts. This commission checks the designs of monuments on federal land. The commission approved a design in 1921.
The United States Secretary of War, John Wingate Weeks, approved a spot for the memorial in Section 18. This happened on November 17, 1921.
The Argonne Unit of the American Women's Legion built the memorial. This group focused on helping families whose loved ones were hurt or killed in the Meuse–Argonne offensive. This was a major battle from September to November 1918. The memorial cost $2,500. It is a simple Latin cross made of white marble. It was built to honor all who died in World War I.
When was it dedicated?
The memorial was supposed to be dedicated on Armistice Day (November 11) in 1922. But it was dedicated a year later, on November 13, 1923. The ceremony was small. The 3d Cavalry Regiment Band played music. Bishop Charles Brent, who was a head chaplain during the war, spoke. The 3d Cavalry also gave a 21-gun salute. The song "Taps" was played at the end. First Lady Grace Coolidge attended the event. She represented President Calvin Coolidge.
About the memorial
The Argonne Cross Memorial is in Section 18 of Arlington National Cemetery. It is close to the western wall. The memorial is a 13-foot-tall Latin cross. It is made of white marble from Vermont.
Where the arms of the cross meet, there is a carving. It shows an eagle with its wings spread, holding a wreath. The cross stands on a rectangular marble base about 6 inches high. On the front of this base, it says:
IN MEMORY OF OUR MEN IN FRANCE
1917 - 1918
On the back of the base, it says:
ERECTED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE
ARGONNE UNIT AMERICAN WOMEN'S LEGION
The American Women's Legion also planned the area around the memorial. They planted 19 pine trees in a curve behind the cross. These trees originally came from the Forest of Argonne in France. There was also a wide, grassy path called a tapis vert leading to the memorial. This "street of grass" was lined with trees. The War Department did all the planting and landscaping.
Today, most of the original landscaping is gone. All the French pine trees died. They have been replaced with seven smaller pine trees. The trees that lined the grassy path are also gone.
In the 1980s, the Armenian Apostolic Church of America planted a Southern Magnolia tree near the Argonne Cross. This "living memorial" has a bronze plaque on a granite stand. It honors Armenian Americans who fought in the Meuse-Argonne campaign. It was dedicated on April 28, 1985.
Images for kids
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The Argonne Cross in 2011
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Design for the Argonne Cross approved the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in 1921.
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Carving at the crossarms of the memorial.
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The Armenian American "living memorial" marker (lower right) near the Argonne Cross.
