Thank you for honoring these soldiers. My Grandfather was among the fallen. He was only 29 years old but, left a hero size void in our lives. Both of his sons and one grandson went on to serve based on his example. Our gratitude for these memorials is immense.

The City of Gouesnou is building a memorial in tribute to the American Heroes who fell on its territory during the summer of 1944.

The City of Gouesnou is located in Brittany, in the far Western France. In the vicinity of Brest, a port city whose harbour was at the time one of the most important in the country, our city particularly suffered during World War II. On August 7, 1944, the first day of the siege of Brest by the Eighth Army, 43 innocent people were murdered by German troops in the hamlet of Penguérec : this was the largest massacre of civilians perpetrated in Brittany during the War.

During the following days and until the beginning of September 1944, probably more than 210 G.Is belonging to the 2nd and 8th Infantry Divisions of the US Army fell in Gouesnou, in particular during the battles of Bourgneuf-Fourneuf and Kergroas.

**Every year, the City of Gouesnou honor hero soldiers and civilian victims, because here in Gouesnou, we consider that it is our duty to remember the past for the sake of history and transmission, particularly to the youngest generation.** So, the elected officials and residents of Gouesnou, in close collaboration with various associations, the local university and schools, strive to maintain and make accessible to as many people as possible the history of the Second World War, its victims and in particular the soldiers who fought to the point, for some, of losing their lives.

In order to make sure that we never forget and to avoid the recurrence of past tragedies, the City of Gouesnou has been multiplying initiatives : annual tributes to soldiers and victims, financing of historical research, organization of commemorative events for the general public, publication of a comic book.

**In 2025, the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, the City of Gouesnou and the local Association Les Amis du Patrimoine has decided to show, in an even stronger way, its respect and gratefulness towards the American soldiers who fell during the summer of 1944 for its Liberation and that of all of France.** Our project which got started last January, involves building a memorial in their honor, representing a life-size G.I., sitting on blocks of stone, holding his rifle in his hands. Behind him stands a monumental doorway symbolizing freedom and transition, the passage from darkness to light, the heavy sacrifice of these men who came from across the Atlantic to drive out the enemy and help us regain our Freedom. This monument will honor the memory of each of these men and will offer their families a true place where to recollect.

**We would like to inscribe the names of all the soldiers who fell in Gouesnou on this memorial. For that purpose we continue to study, with historians, academics and volunteers, all available archives.** We are also fortunate in being helped in our work by members of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Fourndation, a contact made thanks to the American Society of Le Souvenir Français.

The inauguration of the Gouesnou's US Memorial is planned for next November. On this very special day, we hope to see the presence of the soldiers' families, as well as all those who contributed to its achievement.

The City of Gouesnou, Les Amis du Patrimoine and all their partners are proud to presented to the American public as part of a crowdfunding campaign whose purpose it is to supplement the funds provided by the City and French donors. **We would consider it as a great honor if you accepted to support our project (budget : $ 300 000) as it would certainly help us achieve our goal of building a memorial worthy of the American heroes who fell in Gouesnou, back in 1944, fighting for our Freedom.**

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Humans

Culture

Education

Museums

1067431123

1435915265

148788709

2074652487

2352003526

2535103040

2547000601

2551237796

2595251256

2808155606

2883383521

2970598858

3107677517

316638097

339774024

3497063662

3797661376

3868271524

410756082

4124487947

4172451122

496574456

698107245

91415239

2729980760

3440869557

671754822

87081813

1014384873

1112422858

153399038

2028390811

220342792

2266630408

2456389719

2519810400

2539558839

2826465835

We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

Choose a donation for Every.org

2843798242

2898624300

2916352438

3125568929

3259439560

3583328878

3642494300

3902459442

4136002033

4177183036

4250940449

585491400

641510716

91682487

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Join Mark to support Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Join Mark to support Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Donors

Become a supporter!

Become a supporter!

Turn this donation into a movement

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

.css-y50z3g{display:inline-block;--textSize:1.25rem;--lineHeight:1.5rem;line-height:var(--lineHeight);font-size:var(--textSize);width:100%;}Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Join Mark to support Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Join Mark to support Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Donors

Become a supporter!

Become a supporter!

Turn this donation into a movement

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)

Gouesnou US Memorial, in tribute to the American Heroes fallen in August 1944 (France)