WW1 Commemorative Plaque For A Fallen Soldier

A WW1 Commemorative plaque honoring fallen soldier Private Dyer J. Byrd from Ohio on March 1st 1918 in the St. Clement sector. While at a listening post a German raiding party approached him. He threw two grenades, as he turned to sound the alarm he was shot. As went down he was heard to say, “The Germans are coming in the form of a wedge. Boys, I’m dying.”  More about Private Dyer J. Byrd.

The plaque is made of wood and consists of a central heavy bronze plaque and four medals awarded to the fallen soldier of his service during World War One.

The plaque depicts the goddess of liberty and freedom holding a laurel wreath and a sword or baton.  Behind her are soldiers in ceremonial uniforms saluting with their rifles and fixed bayonets as the sun shines behind them.

The plaque reads:

1917 World War 1918

In Memory Of

Private Dyer J. Byrd US 166th Infantry

(Illegible) – March 1918

Medal top right: Interallied medal 1914-1918 – The Great War For Civilization

Medal bottom right: WW1 French medal for valor and discipline

Medal left top: WW1 French medal Croix de Guerre (war cross)

Medal left bottom: French commemorative medal of the Great War

Dimensions:

Height: 41 cm / 16.14 inches

Width: 30 cm / 11.81 inches