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New National World War I Memorial sculptural maquette arrives in DC
It was an exciting day in the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission office on Friday, April 12! We took delivery of the beautiful new updated sculptural maquette, created by sculptor Sabin Howard. This new scale-model maquette was crafted at the Pangolin Foundry in the UK, and incorporates a number of updates to the design for the National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC. This maquette also includes new details like the surround wall — along with a suggested Archibald MacLeish quote. This will help greatly with finalizing detail planning and closing in on the final look of the project. Click here to read more about (and see additional photos of) the new maquette.
Actor from Newburyport, MA will be part of the National World War I memorial
Our friends at the legendary American Legion Post 43 in Los Angeles have great reason to celebrate. They recently completed a multi-million dollar top-to-bottom renovation of their landmark clubhouse — not the least of which was their spectacular 1920’s-era theater space. To kick things off right, they agreed to host, as their first major event, the multi-day annual Turner Classic Movies TCM Classic Film Festival. The film that was picked to introduce this year’s film festival was none other than Sergeant York, the classic Gary Cooper film produced in 1941. And of course, to introduce this great film, the film festival picked none other than our friend, Colonel Gerald York, grandson of Sgt Alvin York, and his uncle, Andrew Jackson York, son of the WWI hero. Click here to read more about the reconstruction, the new mission, and the grand opening of the American Legion Post 43 clubhouse.
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Anna Bonaparte was 4 years old when her father James Wilkie died on board the USS Tampa on Sept. 26, 1918. Though she didn’t have many memories of her father, she constantly spoke about him and his service in the Coast Guard, said her son Wallace Bonaparte. Next month, Bonaparte, a former Army captain, will travel from his home in Charleston, S.C., to Washington to receive a Purple Heart in honor of his grandfather, as part of an initiative to recognize the 115 service members who died more than 100 years ago on board the ship. Anna Bonaparte died in 2012, and Wallace can only imagine how proud she would have been to see her father receive a medal for his service. Click here to read more about the upcoming Coast Guard ceremony, and the Coast Guardsmen who will receive their long past-due Purple Heart medals.
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The University of Virginia was in the national spotlight this month for becoming the National Champions of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. We are thrilled for them — and we were also thrilled to find out that they have a special World War I-related project underway at their campus! As part of collaborative project called “ReSounding the Archives” between UVA, Virginia Tech and George Mason University, students from each school researched and analyzed World War I songs from UVA’s archives, and George Mason students recorded studio versions. Click here to read more about how this remarkable World War I musical project has become a resounding success.
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From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
WWI Remembered:
Alan Axelrod on George Creel,
America’s Chief Propagandist – Part 1
In April 5th’s edition of the World War I Centennial News Podcast, Episode 117, author Alan Axelrod joined the show to speak at length about George Creel, the publisher of the government’s Official Bulletin and one of the most powerful war-time Americans. Axelrod is the author of more than 150 books, and one of those books that Alan wrote is called Selling the Great War: The Making of American Propaganda. It’s the bio of George Creel. Podcast host Theo Mayer and Axelrod had such an interesting conversation that it had to be broken out into two parts. Click here to read the transcript of part one of the discussion of George Creel, the man who sold America on World War I.
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Post-War Transatlantic Flight
Episode #118
Highlights: American Music in WWI
Host – Theo Mayer
100 Years Ago This Week – Host | @ 02:10
Peace Treaty Draft Goes To Print – Mike Shuster | @ 09:05
George Creel: Selling The War, Part 2 – Alan Axelrod | @ 12:55
War Memoirs from WWI: Florence Farmborough – Dr. Edward Lengel | @ 24:20
“Hello Girls” Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 – Senator Jon Tester | @ 30:00
New Website: American Music In WWI – Joshua Villanueva | @ 36:05
Featured from the Dispatch – Host | @ 44:55
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History Between Humor and Tragedy: Musings on Robert Graves’ Memoir, Goodbye to All That
By David James
For Afghanistan veteran and writer, David James, there is something profoundly important to remember about the tragedy WWI, though sometimes the easiest way to deal with tragedy, if not by outrage, stoicism, or escapism, involves a disarming sense of humor and irreverence.
James brings up these four issues in his post by focusing on Robert Graves’ memoirs Goodbye to All That, which traces Graves’ early life in England, his participation in the trenches of WWI, and his post-war experiences.
Read History Between Humor and Tragedy: Musings on Robert Graves’ Memoir, Goodbye to All That at WWrite this week!
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“It’s the Flu!” American war worker uses dark humor to describe reactions to the deadliest pandemic in human history.
An estimated 1/3 of all humans worldwide were infected with Spanish influenza in the 1918-1919 pandemic.
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A man is only missing if he is forgotten.
Monday’s Doughboy MIA this week is Private Zibbia Wilson. Sometimes also spelled Zibba or Zibbia, Wilson was born 15 April 1895 at Mill Springs, Floyd County, North Carolina, the son of Thomas and Doris Wilson. At the time he was drafted, he was a farmer, working on one of two farms his family worked. Tall and slender, with blue eyes and black hair, on his draft card he initially tried to claim exemption due to nervous indigestion. Nonetheless, he was inducted and sent to Company E, 120thInfantry Regiment, 30th Division, sailing for France on 12 May 1918 from Boston, Massachusetts. The circumstances behind Private Wilson’s MIA status are unclear, but one report has him dying of disease while another has him killed in action. Nothing else is known at this time.
Want to help us shed some light on Pvt. Wilson’s case? Consider making a donation to Doughboy MIA and help us make a full accounting of the 4,423 American service personnel still listed as missing in action from WW1. Make your tax deductible donation now, with our thanks.
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On December 19, 2014, Congress passed legislation designating Pershing Park in the District of Columbia as a national World War One Memorial. The Act authorizes the World War One Centennial Commission to further honor the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War One by developing Pershing Park into the National World War I Memorial.
This WW1 Centennial Flag is made of durable nylon and measures 3’x5′. This flag has the iconic Doughboy silhouette digitally screened onto it and has 2 brass grommets to hang the flag.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item are designated for this endeavor. You can show your support, and help promote the efforts, by proudly displaying your custom flag. A Certificate of Authenticity as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial is included.
This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.
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Submitted by: Margaret Cenci Frontera {grand-niece}
Terzo Cenci was born in 1890. Terzo Cenci served in World War I with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
TERZO CENCI – IMMIGRANT & PATRIOT
Terzo (translated to “Third,” was the “third” child) Cenci was born at 11:30 p.m. on September 23, 1890 at No. 56 Via del Corso, in the city of Terni, Umbria, Italy, to Agostino Cenci and Alessandra Formiconi.
In 1903, Terzo, his uncle, Bernardino Formiconi, and Bernardino’s new bride, Rosa Modestini, all came to the United States from Italy on the same sailing of the S.S. Prinz Oskar. Terzo travelled in steerage, Bernardino and Rosa did not. The ship left Naples, Campania, Italy on December 7, 1903, and sailed into New York harbor on December 26, 1903. Terzo was 13 years old. He arrived at Ellis Island with $20.00 in his pocket and was going to join his older brother, Dante, who was living at 112 Elmer Street, Trenton, NJ.
In April 1912, the Cenci Family moved north to New York City, residing for many years in what was then known as Italian Harlem. Private Terzo Cenci was enrolled in the National Army on August 24, 1917.
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