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Progressive & Modern Era

Leahy Square — Pvt. Thomas A. Leahy Memorial

Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Marker Inscription

1890-1918 LEAHY SQUARE This square is dedicated in memory of Pvt. Thomas Ambrose Leahy Co. E 101st Infantry 26th Div. AEF 1979-1918 France He gallantly served and died for his country on the battlefield of France This tablet is placed by the City of Medford Hon. Walter E. Lawrence - Mayor

Erected by City of Medford

The Story

This Medford square honors Private Thomas Ambrose Leahy of Company E, 101st Infantry, 26th ('Yankee') Division, one of the New England men sent to France with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. He died in the fighting there, and his home city dedicated this ground to keep his sacrifice in daily view.

Why it matters

Named squares like this one turned the enormous, distant losses of the Great War into a neighborhood's own memory, binding an ordinary community to a global conflict.

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Related people

  • · Thomas Ambrose Leahy

Related events

  • · World War I
  • · American Expeditionary Forces in France

Themes & tags

World War IMemorial

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