Gouesnou Liberation Monument (2nd and 8th Infantry Divisions) & Maj Harry Stroh Memorial Plaque
Details:
On the southwest corner of the town intersection. Monument A tall oval stone monument with green inset plaques with gold lettering commemorating two Army divisions which liberated the town and a pilot, Major Harry R. Stroh.
The 2nd Infantry Division and the 8th Infantry Division liberated the town of Gouesnou near Brest, France in August and September 1944.
Major Harry R. Stroh, a P-47 Pilot in the 378th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group of the 9th US Air Force, was killed while conducting a ground support combat air mission for the 8th Infantry Division. Major Stroh's father, Major General Donald Stroh, was the Commander of the 8th Infantry Division during this assault.
Monument Text:
The plaques on the monument are written in French and read with translations:
Upper Plaque:
A LA MEMOIRE
DES COMBATTANTS
DES 2 ET 8
DIV INF US
TOMBER PENDANT
LA LIBERATION
DU GOUESNOU
AOUT/SEPTEMBRE 1944
Translation:
IN MEMORY
OF THE SOLDIERS
OF THE 1ST AND 8TH
US INFANTRY DIVISIONS
WHO FELL
DURING THE LIBERATION
OF GOUESNOU
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1944
Lower plaque:
En souvenir du
Major Harry R. Stroh
du 378e squadron US
Abattu le 27 aout 1944 a Kergaradec
en mission d'appui de la 8eme DI
commande par son pere
English translation:
In memory of
USAAF 378th Squadron's
Major Harry R. Stroh
Shot down on August 27th 1944 over Kergaradec
on a support mission to the 8th ID
(commanded by his father)
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
2nd Infantry Division
362nd Fighter Group
378th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group
8th Infantry Division
9th Air Force
United States Air Force
XIX Tactical Air Command
Wars:
WWII
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