Pittsburgh World War I Monument Defaced With Communist Grafitti

Richard Moorhead |

May 26, 2020

A monument in Pittsburgh commemorating America’s World War I war dead was defaced in a decidedly leftist fashion the night before memorial day, with the vandals painting the War Memorial at Doughboy Square with Communist red hammer and sickle icons.

Photos of the act of vandalism reveal that the graffiti is certainly a left-wing act of destruction.

The War Memorial at Doughboy Square, colloquially known as the Doughboy in Pittsburgh, was installed in 1921 to remember Americans who had died in World War I. The monument was updated in 1947 and 1983 with plaques that feature the names of Pittsburgh residents who died in combat in World War II and the Korean War respectively.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich issued a statement condemning the hateful and anti-American political crime, and calling for anyone with information on the identity of the vandals to step forward that they might face criminal charges for their actions.

“Vandalizing a memorial on any day is wrong, but it is incomprehensible to vandalize this memorial on a day in which we honor those who served and gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Pittsburgh Police will vigorously investigate this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately at (412) 323-7800.“

The iconic statue appears to have been cleaned of the Communist graffiti by midday.

Teamwork.

Thank you to @PGHDPW’s Graffiti Team & @PLANPGH’s Public Art Division for cleaning the Doughboy War Memorial in Lawrenceville after it was defaced last night.

Thanks to @KlavonsIceCream & the community members who brought water to the crews on this hot #MemorialDay! pic.twitter.com/4cbO5CCPkl

— City of Pittsburgh (@Pittsburgh) May 25, 2020