On the east side of the road. The plaque is mounted on the retaining wall positioned to the right of a small parking area next to the curb.

Plaque

A rectangular black plaque commemorating Sgt Francis J. Lewis of the 313th Regiment, 79th Division who died on August 25, 1944. The plaque is written and French and has the 79th Infantry Division emblem.

On August 25, 1944, German artillery stationed in the park of Villers-en-Arthies Castle bombarded American forces positioned in the Bois du Chesnay, near Vienne-en-Arthies. A few days later, residents discovered the body of an American soldier who had been killed by shrapnel. The soldier was buried in the local cemetery. In 2003, while preparing for the anniversary of the liberation, the town attempted to identify the soldier to properly honor him, but his identity remained unknown despite efforts from the municipality and veterans.

A plaque with the inscription "To the American soldier who fell here in August 1944" was inaugurated in June 2004, attended by veterans of the 79th Division, which had liberated the area on August 29, 1944. Following this event, a resident came forward with documents that revealed the identity of the soldier as Sergeant Francis J. Lewis. It was updated to bear Sergeant Lewis's name when his identity was confirmed in 2005. His body, initially moved to the military cemetery of Saint-André de l'Eure in 1945, was repatriated to the United States in 1949 at the request of his widow.

Source of information and photo: museedelaresistanceenligne.org

AU

SERGENT FRANCIS J. LEWIS

TOMBÉ ICI

LE 25 AOUT 1944

English Translation:

TO

SERGEANT FRANCIS J. LEWIS

WHO FELL HERE ON

AUGUST 25, 1944