Doughboy statue returns to Appleton

by: Kris Schuller

Posted: Nov 7, 2017 / 01:28 AM CST/ Updated: Nov 7, 2017 / 04:20 AM CST

A statue honoring soldiers from Outagamie County who fought in World War One – is again standing proud on Memorial Drive in Appleton. As Local 5’s Kris Schuller reports the Spirit of the American Doughboy is ready for rededication on Veterans Day.

Along Memorial Drive work is underway to place a very familiar – yet brand-new sculpture – that Vietnam Veteran Jim Gilbert has lived across from the past 26 years.

“Unfortunately, over the last 10 years he started falling apart and they tried to fix him several different times and it just didn’t work,” said Gilbert.

This is the newly recast “Spirit of the American Doughboy,” replacing the original erected in 1934 to honor the sacrifices of soldiers in World War One.  

“We’re really, really excited to have it back,” said Alex Schultz. “A full and complete restoration of what this thing looked like nearly 100 years ago.”

Schulz is in charge of the project funded by the city of Appleton because the original was falling apart.  It has been restored multiples times since being hit by a vehicle in 1986; repairs that never seemed to last.“

The first restoration was done by some local guys, best of intent, but the use of some concrete caused it to crack at the seams in the legs,” said Schultz.

Acknowledging the importance of the memorial, the city decided to remove the original statue made of zinc alloy in July and have it recast in bronze.

“We are all hopeful this will be the last time in a couple hundred years,” said Schultz

It’s a $28,000 investment for a memorial to be rededicated on Veterans Day. Something Gilbert says he’s been waiting for for months – to see the Doughboy return to his post.

“He’s a soldier that stands proud, we all stand proud,” Gilbert said.