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Jacques MacConnell (James McConnell) Memorial, Carthage
The monument dedicated to Jacques MacConnell is a bronze plaque placed on a slab of slanted granite rock. The monument faces away from the property and is surrounded by rocks. To the right of the monument is a sign translating the French inscription on the original plaque. The inscription on the plaque honors MacConnell’s (McConnell) service to the nation of France during World War I.
AU SERGENT PILOTE AVIATEUR AMERICAIN / JACOUES MAC CONNELL / ENGAGE VOLONTAIRE / DANS L’AVIATION FRANCAISE, LE 27 DECEMBRE 1915. / TOMBE AU CHAMP D’HONNEUR / LE 19 MARS 1917 / DANS UN COMBAT AERIEN / LA FRANCE RECONNAISSANTE.
Translation: To the American Sergeant / Pilot Aviator Jacoues Mac Connell, / Voluntary enlisted man in the / French aviation / on December 27th, 1915. / Killed in action on March 19th, 1917 / in aerial combat. / The Country of France / will forever be grateful / for your ultimate sacrifice. / Translated by
Current - Gilliam-McConnell Airfield; Previously - Town of Carthage
First dedication, circa 1917; Re-dedication, March 19, 2011
35.341660 , -79.436940
"Jacques MacConnell (James McConnell)," Markeroni.com, (accessed January 7, 2013) Link
Chappell, John. "McConnell Marker Dedicated at New Site," The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.), March 23, 2011, (accessed January 4, 2011) Link
Chappell, John. "Monument Has New Home," The Pilot (Souther Pines, N.C.), March 9, 2011 (accessed January 4, 2013) Link
Yes
Granite and bronze
The monument was originally given by the French People. The effort to relocate the monument in 2011 was sponsored by the Town of Carthage and Roland Gilliam, the builder of the airfield in Carthage.
The monument was re-dedicated on March 19, 2011 when it was moved from its position in the front of the old town hall to its new site next to the runway at the Gilliam-McConnel Airfield. The monument was installed at the airfield with a translation of the original French added to the monument base. Carthage Mayor Tom Stewart opened the dedication ceremony with remarks honoring McConnell. The memorial and new translation were dedicated by McConnell's niece, Janice McConnell, and additional remarks were given by State Senator Harris Blake and State Representative Jamie Boles. A plane honoring the "missing man" was flown overhead.
The original plaque was sent from France around 1917 to honor the service of Jacques MacConnell (James McConnell), a citizen of Carthage, N.C. He was a pilot for the American Military who died over France during an air battle with German fighter planes on March 19, 1917. Today he is celebrated annually in Carthage on Memorial Day. He is also commemorated in another monument in Carthage that sits in Courthouse Square.
Roland Gilliam built the airfield in Carthage in honor of McConnell and helped sponsor the effort to move the memorial to the airfield.
The monument sits in front of a stone building at the airfield facing the nearby runway.
The monument sits in the lawn in front of a building at the airfield amidst some small rocks.
The old Carthage Town Hall
The site is a working airfield in Carthage.
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