American Expeditionary Force Memorial
Details:
On the left-hand side of the Queen Victoria statue.
A short stone column/pillar, approximately 4ft in height, carved with three insignias of the United States Army, Marines, and the Navy on the side and the list of Armed Forces that served in Northern Ireland on the top. The memorial is locally referred to as ‘The Shaving Stick.’ Unveiled in 1943, this column was originally situated at the gateway of City Hall but was moved to its current location and was rededicated in 1995 by American President Bill Clinton. It was designed by T F O Rippingham of Belfast and carved by Purdy and Millard. The memorial marks the landing of the first American troops in Europe, many of whom were based in Belfast before D-Day, during the Second World War. On the left-hand side of the pillar is a plaque containing the rededication message. The AEF landed in the city on January 26, 1942.
Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, www.belfastcity.gov.uk
Source of images: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, gitrailni.com
Monument Text:
On The plaque:
REDEDICATED ON THE OCCASION OF
THE VISIT TO BELFAST OF
PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
42nd PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NOVEMBER 30, 1995
