VALOR

Gloucester World War II Monume

Gloucester, United States

[ inscribed around the base of the globe ] <center>We Fought For Freedom Around The World</center> [ plaque on central column ] <center>Gloucester Remembers 1941 – World War II – 1945</center> The people of Gloucester proudly dedicate this memorial to our citizens who served and sacrificed in that most devestating war. They valiantly faced the perils of battle to restore freedom around the globe. <center>Dedicated july 4, 2006</center> [ plaque on central column ] <center>Legacy of Veterans Of World War II</center> In dedicating themselves to the defense of liberty, Gloucester sons and daughters added luster to a tradition begun on these shores in 1775. Theirs was a remarkable example of selfless response. Gloucester had double the national average of numbers in the service. [ plaque on central column ] <center>United Support Of World War II</center> We hail the unity of spirit of families at home who bostered morale and grieved over losses. In factories, on farms and at sea, they produced and delivered the materials to defeat the forces of tyranny. [ plaque on central column ] <center>Scope of the War</center> Two decades after World War I, unresolved stresses brought World War II to all continents. More than 400,000 Americans died. Twice that number were wounded. Millions of civilians perished in cities laid waste, as war's horrors reached new heights. [ plaque on central column ] <center>Enduring Challenge</center> Students and passers-by are challenged to learn of ongoing struggles for liberty and equality. By spreading hope and understanding, you will help reduce tensions that lead to war. That better way to honor sacrifices made in war than to work for lasting peace? [ plaque on perimeter column] <center>Asiatic – Pacific Theater December 7, 1941</center> Pearl Harbor: Japanese surprise attack sank major units of U.S. fleet. U.S. declared war. <center>December 1941 – May 1942 </center> Corregidor: U.S. and Philippine troops under seige surrendered. Followed by Bataan Death March. <center>May 1942</center> Coral Sea: First battle ever between aircraft carriers ended Japan's threat to Australia. <center>June 1942</center> Midway Island: U.S. Naval air victory turned tide of Pacific war. <center>August 1942 – January 1943</center> Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands: Established U.S, offensive in Pacific. [ plaque on perimeter column] <center>African – European – Middle East Theater 1941 – 1945</center> The Atlantic: German submarines took heavy toll of early U.S. war shipments to Allies. With advances in anti-submarine warfare, U.S. regained control of the sea lanes in 1943. <center>November 1942 – May 1943</center> North Africa: Untested U.S. troops landed in Morocco, while others left England for Algeria. All faced Axis enemy for the first time. In May 1943, those Axis forces surrendered 275,000 troops. Allied advanced a step towards Berlin. <center>July – August 1943</center> Sicily: From Africa, U.S. and British troops landed on Sicily and overcame major strongholds in 38 days. [ plaque on perimeter column] <center>African – European – Middle East Theater September 1943 – May 1945</center> Italy: U.S. forces landed at Salerno, as Allies invaded the Italian mainland. Their endless seige northward diverted Axis strength from Franc. Two days before Normandy landing Americans captured Rome. Arduous campaign to Po valley continued until all Axis forces in Italy surrendered on May 2, 1945. <center>June 6, 1944</center> Normandy: On D-Day U.S. and Allies began greatest amphibious and paratroop operation of all time. It led to liberation of France and fall of Berlin. <center>December 1944 – January 1945</center> The Bulge (The Ardennes): Last German drive failed. Cost 77,000 lives. "Second only to the Meuse-Argonne of World War I as the worst blood bath in our history." . . . from American Battlefield Monument in Bastogne. [ plaque on perimeter column] <center>African – European – Middle East Theater February 1945</center> The Rhine: As Allies drove Germans from the Rhine, Nazis destroyed bridges. Intrepid Americans seized Remagen bridge becoming the first invading army to cross the Rhine since Napolean. The was was open to Berlin. <center>1942 – 1945</center> Allied Strategic Bombing: U.S. and British bombers faced horrific resistance from Germans until 1944 when long range fighter escorts gained control of the air. After Normandy, industrial targets had priority, and bombers had a vital role in victory. <center>Victory in Europe came on May 8, 1945</center> [ plaque on perimeter column] <center>Asiatic – Pacific Theater 1942 – 1943</center> New Guinea & Bismark Islands: U.S. & Australian landings neutralized enemy in southwest Pacific. <center>November 1943 – February 1944</center> Gilbert and Marshall Islands: High U.S. casualties as Marines gained air bases. <center>June 19, 1944</center> Philippine Sea: Massive defeat of Japanese carrier-based aircraft. <center>June – July 1944</center> Marinas: U.S. forces landed on Saipan, Guam & Tinian for bases to support air strikes on Japan. <center>October 23 – 26 1944</center> Leyte Gulf: Four distinct actions. Largest naval battle of all time. Reduced Japanese to suicide missions. [ plaque on perimeter column] <center>Asiatic – Pacific Theater February – March 1945</center> Iwo Jima: Marines captured base for fighter aircraft. Suffered heavy losses. <center>March – May 1945</center> Okinawa: Heaviest U.S. vessel losses in Pacific. Foretold immense costs of invading Japan. <center>August 6 – 9 1945</center> Hiroshima and Nagasaki: First nuclear weapons used in combat leveled Hiroshima and Nagasaki. <center>1941 – 1945</center> Submarine Warfare: U.S. submarines caused 60 percent of Japan's cargo ship losses and 30 percent of warship losses. <center>August 14, 1945 Japan accepted surrender terms</center> [ plaque on nearby column] <center>Where They Fought</center> This memorial records only a few of America's major battles of World War II. Remarkable as they are, those actions cannot overshadow the valiant efforts of other fighting units, large and small, working for common goals in each theater. Even the stalking submarine, the single platoon in foxholes, the underwater swimmer, the dauntless minesweeper, and defenders of remote outposts must not be forgotten. May viewers here be inspired to read further of acts of courage and sacrifice. Gloucester archives contain names of over 5000 men and women who served and over 100 who gave their lives. [ plaque on nearby column] <center>A President's Message</center> "To you who answered the call of your country and served in its armed forces to bring about total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation. As one of the nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgement necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace." <center>President Harry S. Truman</center>

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