Alabama

Erected by the Mortimer H. Jordan Chapter of the Rainbow Division Association.

"The 4th Alabama trained here in 1916 at Vandiver Park, later named Camp Sheridan, for Mexican Border service. Designated the 167th Infantry Regiment in 1917, it returned from the Border to train here, then fought in France during WWI with Douglas MacArthur's brigade in the 42nd "Rainbow" Division. The 167th was at the front longer than any other U.S. regiment. In 1923, assigned to the 31st "Dixie" Division. Activated in November 1940, the 31st Division fought in several major campaigns in the Pacific Theater of WWII. The Division was called up for the Korean War in January of 1951." - Alabama Historical Association marker, 1992.

"Camp Sheridan was the site for the August 1917 organization of the Buckeye Division, made up of Ohio National Guardsmen who previously had been serving on the Mexican Border. After training, the 37th went to France in June 1918, fighting in the Lorraine, Ypres-Lys, and Meuse-Argonne Campaigns. It took 5,387 casualties and won a Medal of Honor before returning to the U.S. in March 1919 to be demobilized. 2nd Lieutenant Albert E. Baesel, 148th Infantry, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous gallantry in action at Ivoiry, France, September 27, 1918." -Alabama Historical Association marker, 1992.

This 75mm field gun is a modification of a French gun that was designed in 1917. The 75mm was the most effective light field gun in W.W.I. It was also used against infantry, tanks, and other armored targets in W.W.II. 

This gun is 17'-3" long, and weights 3,400lbs. Its range was 13,870 yards, and fired 6 rounds per minute. The 75mm shell weighed 19lbs., and could be fixed, high-explosive, chemical, smoke, or armor-piercing.

The 105mm has now replaced the 75mm gun as the light artillery weapon.

"The 9th Infantry Division was organized on 18 July 1918 at Camp Sheridan for service in World War I. When the War ended, 11 November 1918, deployment of the Division to France was canceled and it was demobilized of 15 February 1919." -Alabama Historical Association marker, 1993.

"Military forces arrived in 1540 with DeSoto at Indian village of Towassa. Here in 1910, the Wright brothers established the nation's first civilian flying school and made first recorded night flights. A repair and engine depot was established in 1918 for airplanes used for training in World War I. After the war, the 22nd Observation Squadron and 4th Photo Section assigned to the post made aerial photos of the Tennessee Valley, delivered first airmail to Montgomery, and in 1929 airdropped supplies for flood relief." -Alabama Historical Association marker, 1993.

Erected by the American Legion & Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary.

"In Memory of Bullock County World War Soldiers, Erected by American Mothers of National Defenders Chapter, Service Star Legion, 1917-18, Dedicated 1936."

On a river rock base sits a bronze sculpture dedicated on Armistice Day 1921.  The eagle was added 4 years later.  The sculptor is unknown.  On the south face is a plaque dedicated to the soldiers and sailors from Calhoun County who served in the Great War, and on the north face is an honor roll of the 41 names. The south face inscription reads: "This Tablet is Erected in Honor of the Soldiers and Sailors from Calhoun County Alabama who Served in the Great War 1917-1919".  The north face inscription reads: "Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, than crucifixion of the soul."  [from the Maryland state song "Maryland My Maryland" by James Ryder Randall].  Forty-one names are listed.

A lower plaque reads: "In 1921, Calhoun County memorialized its casualties of World War I
with this monument, unveiled on Armistice Day, as a proud testament to the bravery of these men.
Nearly a hundred years later, in 2014, military research conducted by The Anniston Star's editorial board discovered at least nineteen additional U.S. military personnel whose names, for reasons unknown, were not included on the original plaque. In 2016, the City of Anniston erected this memorial, providing these nineteen Calhoun County casualties of the Great War their deserved place of honor. Nineteen names are listed.