Lonesome Memorials #17: Community War Memorial, Thiaucourt, France

 

The Town of Thiaucourt's Children Who Died
for France 1914–1918

Virtually every town and village in France has a memorial dedicated to its fallen citizens of the community in the First World War. Thiaucourt, in what Yanks referred to as the St. Mihiel Salient, includes a unique American feature on theirs. The main sculpture, on the grounds of the Église Saint-Rémi de Thiaucourt, includes a Doughboy shaking hands with a French Poilu. It is clearly an expression of appreciation for the liberation of the town by Pershing's First Army on 12 September 1918. Interestingly, Thiaucourt would be liberated by the U.S. Army again in 1944 by George Patton's Third Army (long after the 1925 dedication of the memorial). Since the First World War, the town has also been the location of the U.S. St. Mihiel Cemetery. If you're visiting Thiaucourt a visit to both sites is strongly recommended.

Panel Depicting the Yanks Arriving in Thiaucourt
American Units participated in the
Liberation of Thiaucourt in Both World Wars

Captain Cunningham

The features of the American figure are based on a specific Doughboy, Captain Oliver B. Cunningham, DSC, of the 15th Field Artillery of the 2nd Division, who was killed in action on 17 September 1918 at a crossroads outside of town. There are no documents I can find definitively explaining why he was selected for this honor, but two facts stand out.  Much admired by his regiment, Cunningham had a marker placed over his temporary grave that was eventually replaced by a concrete cross for many years. A smaller marker still exists at the site. Additionally, in 1920, chimes were contributed for the rebuilding of the war-damaged church, presumably by his family.  It seems Captain Cunningham became the symbolic American Doughboy for Thiaucourt and he became his nation's representative for the dramatic expression of  two nation's friendship. I would love to discover if there is a similar story behind the French Poilu.

Cunningham was, in any case, a most-admirable representative for America.  He received the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for his efforts at Château-Thierry and St. Mihiel. He has been  highly honored, as well, by Yale University for his character and scholarship, both while he was still a student and after his death. He is buried at the St. Mihiel Cemetery, Plot C Row 13 Grave 18.

Your Editor (Top Left) with His 2010 Battlefield Tour

How to Find the U.S. Cemetery and Memorial:

From Verdun: Follow D903 and D904 to D3 in Thiaucourt-Regniéville

Proceed to the St. Mihiel Cemetery, which will be on your right side, just north of Thiaucourt. (Recommended long stop.)

Continue on D3, which becomes Rue de Verdun for 1 Km.  The church will be on your right.

Thanks to Charline Leroy and the staff of St. Mihiel Cemetery for material and photos from their files and local contacts. The photo of Capt. Cunningham and some helpful details were found at Find a Grave.