Home > Mary Evans Prints Online > New Images August 2021
Joe Mann Memorial, Open-Air Theatre, Best, Holland
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Joe Mann Memorial, Open-Air Theatre, Best, Holland
This was put up by the people of Best in memory of Private 1st Class Joe E. Mann of H Coy, 502nd US Parachute Infantry Regiment. It was unveiled by his parents on 17 September 1956. During the 18th/19th September 1944 the 502nd fought a pitched battle in the woods here against the Germans holding the nearby bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal at Son. By the evening of the first day Mann had been shot four times and his arms had been strapped to his sides to stem the bleeding of his wounds. On the morning of the 19th, the Germans made a grenade attack and one dropped into a fox hole that Mann occupied with 6 others. Shouting Grenade! Mann threw himself onto it taking the full blast and thus saving the lives of his comrades. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honour, Americas highest soldiers award. The Memorial represents a mother pelican on her nest of young, a symbol of self-sacrifice, derived from the legend that the bird will feed her young from her own flesh. Date: 2001
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23271146
© Holts Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans
2001 Best Holland Infantry Mann Memory Open Air Parachute Private This
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Birds
> Pelicans
> Related Images
> Arts
> Artists
> Y
> Art Young
> Europe
> Germany
> Related Images
> Historic
> Battles
> Related Images
> Mary Evans Prints Online
> New Images August 2021
EDITORS COMMENTS
This poignant print depicts the Joe Mann Memorial, located in the Open-Air Theatre of Best, Holland. The memorial was erected in memory of Private 1st Class Joe E. Mann of H Coy, 502nd US Parachute Infantry Regiment, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Son in September 1944. During the 18th and 19th of September 1944, the 502nd engaged in a fierce battle against the German forces holding the nearby bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal. On the first day of the battle, Mann was shot four times and his arms were strapped to his sides to control the bleeding from his wounds. The following morning, the Germans launched a grenade attack, and one grenade landed in a fox hole shared by Mann and six of his comrades. Without hesitation, Mann threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the full blast and saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. For his heroic actions, Mann was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. The memorial, unveiled by Mann's parents on September 17, 1956, represents a mother pelican on her nest of young. The pelican is a symbol of self-sacrifice, derived from the legend that the bird will feed its young from its own flesh. This powerful image serves as a reminder of the unwavering courage and selflessness displayed by Private Joe E. Mann during the Battle of Son.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
