Mantua – If you’ve been in the Village of Mantua, you’ve no doubt noticed the cannon that sits on the lawn in front of the Village Hall and Police Department. But unless you have the privilege of knowing a local veteran of similar vintage as this weapon, you may not be aware of the story behind it, or why it was placed in such a prominent position. And that’s something that American Legion Post 193 would like to remedy.
Fueled by the success of the updated military memorial in the village’s Hillside Cemetery last year, the American Legion asked local historian Tim Benner to help document the weapon’s history and local significance. According to an article Benner unearthed from the Mantua Record newspaper, the weapon was purchased from the US Army, obtained at the Erie Ordinance Depot near Sandusky and transported to Mantua by residents Bob Guyette, Bob Lange, and Jim McCafferty.
The article denotes that the three-inch anti-tank weapon, which weighs two and one-half tons, was operated by a crew of five. Weapons like this one were used extensively during the war by the tank destroyers and the anti-tank teams of the infantry. In its current location however, it is incapable of being fired, as all the moving parts except the wheels were welded by the Army prior to being released from service.
The weapon was installed on the lawn of Mantua Village Hall prior to the Village’s 1947 Decoration Day (Memorial Day) observances. Since none of this valuable information was widely known, the American Legion, working in conjunction with the village, wants to create a plaque to be installed on or near the weapon to preserve the local artifact for posterity.
In addition, according to Benner, the small brick monument installed a near the sidewalk in front of the cannon was intended to serve as a Killed in Action (KIA) monument for local lives lost during WWII. It was placed there by the American Legion at the end of the Korean War in 1954. As a part of this new project, the American Legion would like to modify this existing memorial to include the names of the local men killed in action during WWII as well as the conflict in Vietnam.
The proposed project is supported by the village, where the memorials are located. “Council and I support the recognition all those who serve our country and help keep us safe,” noted Mantua’s Mayor Linda Clark. “Placing a memorial plaque near the cannon is a way of showing our troops how highly regarded they are by the village residents. Adding the second plaque on the memorial already out front with the KIA names to show how much we honor those who gave their lives for us is just the right thing to do.”
According to Benner, the proposed aluminum sign on or near the weapon shall read: “In honor of those who served their country. We give thanks. This WWII 3” Anti-Tank Weapon was presented to the Village of Mantua by the American Legion Post #193 on Decoration Day, May 26, 1947. “This gun is presented to the town as a monument to the men and women of Mantua who served in the armed forces.” Roy Thompson, Post #193 Commander. (Benner noted that Thompson served as Post Commander in 1947 when the weapon was installed in the village.)
The proposed bronze plaque on the brick memorial will read: “In memory of those from Mantua Village who died while serving their country”
WWII / Vietnam
Ellis L. Marsh Jr. / Kenneth R. Keefer / Jack R. Van Benschoten / Robert W. Zoller II / Claude H. Crafts
Donations are currently being solicited to raise funding to construct and install this signage; a total of $2,000 is required. Both the aluminum sign and the bronze plaque will be ordered from the International Bronze Plaque Company of Fort Meyers Florida; a company that specializes in military and veteran signage and bronze plaques.
To support this project send donations to: Mantua American Legion Post # 193, PO Box 252, Attention Finance Officer, John Kowalchik, Mantua, Ohio 44255.
Photos provided by Tim Benner
