The World War I service of New York’s 107th infantry regiment is honored with a large bronze sculpture in Central Park.
The 107th Regiment Monument, dedicated in 1927, features seven soldiers, in a variety of poses, on a large granite base. Three soldiers in the middle are charging, the soldier on the far right (as you face the monument) is preparing to throw hand grenades, and the second soldier from the left is supporting a badly wounded comrade.
The east face of the monument’s base bears an inscription reading, “Seventh Regiment New York, One Hundred and Seventh United States Infantry, in memoriam, 1917-1918.”
The “Seventh Regiment” description on the base refers to the unit’s designation while it served in the New York National Guard. The unit, which traces its roots to 1806, was combined with other regiments and designated as the 107th during World War I.
As active fighting began, the regiment had nearly 3,000 officers and men. During the war, the unit suffered 1,918 casualties (1,383 wounded, 437 killed and 98 who later died from wounds).
The unit’s Civil War service is honored with a monument on the west side of Central Park.
The monument was designed by sculptor Karl Morningstar Illava, who had served as a sergeant in the unit during World War I.
The monument stands along the Fifth Avenue edge of the park at East 67th Street.
Tags: New York