Monument Details

The Flame of Liberty

Details:

On the north west corner of the intersection. Monument A rose colored, polished monument in the shape of a flame, with gold text of the three men who died with the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion of the 2nd Armored Division in this spot. Pieces of the vehicle they were in are scattered around the base of the monument.

The three men were in a M-8 armored scout car at the head of the column and received a direct hit from a German anti-tank gun.

Howard Swonger, member of A Company, visited the area in August of 1999 in an attempt to locate the area. After numerous searches and the help of the local citizens, he found parts of the vehicle. The Mayor of the village and other people of the area agreed that a memorial should be built. The townspeople, members of A Company, 82nd Reconnaissance raised the necessary funds with land being donated by the local land owner. The memorial was dedicated August 30, 2000.

Monument Text:

IN MEMORY OF

T/5 ALLEN P. ROBICHAUX

ASN 14046298 LA

LT. WILLIAM L. SHAMPNOIS

ASN O1013502 NY

PVT JAMES H. SHELTON

ASN 35214578 WV

THESE THREE YOUNG

AMERICAN SOLDIERS

WERE KILLED IN ACTION

HERE 8 AUGUST 1944

CES TROIS SOLDATS

AMERICAINS ONT ETE

TUES EN ACTION

ICI LE 8 AOÛT 1944

CO A 82nd RECON BN

AFTER 55 YRS HOWARD T. SWONDER

REDISCOVERED ON 30 AUGUST 1999

THE PLACE WERE HIS FRIENDS DIED

Small black plaque below:

IN MEMORIAM

En memoire de nos

liberateurs

2nd Armored in Europe

July 2006

English Translation:

En memoire de nos liberateurs = In memory of the liberators

Commemorates:

People:

Allen P. Robichaux

William L. Shampnois

James Shelton

Units:

2nd Armored Division

82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division

United States Army

Wars:

WWII

Other images :

View