Monuments and Memorials


McConnell was killed in aerial combat with two German planes, above the Somme battlefields, near the village of Flavy-le-Martel, Aisne, on March 19, 1917. He thereby became the last American pilot of the squadron to die under French colors, before American entrance into the war in April 1917.

The texts on the Carthage plaque and obelisk read:

"In honor of James Rogers McConnell, 1887-1917."

James Rogers McConnell, a citizen of Carthage, joined the French Army early in 1915 and, after two years of distinguished service, fell in heroic battle with German aeroplanes on March 19, 1917. He fought for humanity, liberty and democracy, lighted the way for his countrymen and showed all men how to dare nobly and to die gloriously.

A founder of the Lafayette Escadrille

McConnell photographs. Memorial at the site where he fell.

Memorial at the site where he fell.

McConnell documents. Letter of commendation from<br /> the French Ministry of War

Letter of commendation from the French Ministry of War

McConnell photographs. Original site of grave near the village of Flavy-le-Martel, Aisne

Original site of grave
near the village of
Flavy-le-Martel, Aisne

McConnell documents. "To the pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille."<br /> An official publication of the Lafayette Memorial, near Paris, published 1928

"To the pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille."
An official publication of the Lafayette Memorial, near Paris, published 1928

McConnell photographs. The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial<br /> Villeneuve Park, St. Cloud (front)

The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial
Villeneuve Park, St. Cloud (front)

A la memoire
des heros
de L'escadrille La Fayette
morts pour la defense
du droit et de la liberte

McConnell photographs. The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial<br /> Villeneuve Park, St. Cloud (side)

The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial
Villeneuve Park, St. Cloud (side)

McConnell documents. "L'Escadrille Lafayette". One of the first histories, published in 1939

L'Escadrille Lafayette" (avril 1916-janvier 1918). One of the first histories of the Lafayette Escadrille, published in 1939

McConnell photographs. Memorial in Carthage, N.C.,<br /> McConnell's hometown

Memorial in Carthage, N.C., McConnell's hometown