5th Division Stele of Bantheville
Details:
On the north side of D15, across the street from the town's reservoir Marker This marker is a 2 meter concrete stele, bearing the red diamond insignia of the 5th U.S. Division and two metal plaques, one commemorating the liberation of the town on October 21, 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and the other commemorating MAJ James D. Rivet, who died in his attempt to capture Bois des Rappes and to liberate the town of Bantheville on October 15, 1918.
The stele is one of 28 similar steles throughout France emplaced by the 5th Division to commemorate its many battle throughout the country during World War I.
Monument Text:
BOIS DES RAPPES
CAPTURED BY
11TH INF, 10TH BRIG.
5TH U.S. DIV.
OCT. 21TH 1918
MEUSE-ARGONNE
OFFENSIVE
MAJ. JAMES. D.
RIVET
COMDG. 3RD BN.
61ST INF. HEROIC-
ALLY SACRIFICED
HIS LIFE IN TAKING
BOIS-DES-RAPPES
OCT 15, 1918
