History of Veterans Plaza

The Veterans Plaza contains memorials to the veterans of Memphis and Shelby County who were killed defending our freedom.

1926
Statue of WWI "Dough Boy" Soldier lists 236 names. This statue is made of copper, which came from pennies that were collected by school children. These pennies were melted down and used to create the "Dough Boy"

1932
"Memory Grove" Memorial created by the Gold Star Mothers to honor their dead sons. There are 27 names engraved on a bronze plaque. This memorial was first placed on Poplar Avenue and later moved to Veterans Plaza.

1999
Two acres to be called the Veterans Plaza in Overton Park donated by Mayor W.W. Herenton to the Veterans of Shelby County.

2001
Memorial erected to honor WWII fallen Soldiers. Bronze plaques on white limestone bear the names of 875 local casualties.

2003
Memorial plaques honoring Soldiers killed in Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm unveiled. Through these memorials we pay homage to 1,525 Shelby County Veterans who were killed in the 20th and 21st century wars.

"Let us not forget"

2005 - F.P. Dugan

War Memorial Plaza Memorials

World War I

World War II
Korean

Vietnam

Memory Grove
In honor of our Sons

James Francis Abbott
William Henry Abele
Mack Baker
John Joseph Brannan Jr.
Daniel Thomas Boswell
Alysous B. Cooney
Aldino Francis Cunbo
Joseph Kenneday Cannon
William Edward Dalton
Eugene Burchett Douglas Jr.
Charlie Billie Eaton
Reid R. Ferguson
Frank Giardina
Thomas McDowell Hamer
George Edward Hovey
William Calvin Hunt
William J. Hays
George Layne Jackson
Thomas Edward Kearney
George Bushnell McClain
Vanoy F. McCain
James Marshall Sharp Jr.
Raymond B. Sutton
Herbert J. Taylor
James Alex Torian
James B. Townsley
Henry Moss Todd

American War Mothers
Memphis Chapter No. 1
 

Stern, Andy
Creager, Tim
Morel, Bent
Caradine, Ervin Jr.
Kennon, Morgan D.
Ross, Marco D.
Stovall, Matthew R.
Murray, Adam R.
Secher, Robert M.