Newport Turns to Public to Solve Mystery of WWI Plaques Stolen in 1978

In 1978, a brazen thief or thieves stole two bronze plaques from Miantonomi Park that were engraved with the names of 56 American servicemen from Newport who died in World War I.

At the time, John Edward, park commission chairman said it was a “sacrilegious” act.

The plaques were in the Miantonomi Memorial Park Tower, which was built in 1929 and stands as a grand and durable monument in addition to a city beacon for visitors and residents.

Thirty-seven years later, Newport officials have plans to finally replace those missing plaques to respect and honor the men whose names were greedily plucked from hallowed ground.

“Newport has many memorials dedicated to exemplary service and sacrifice of those in uniform. They are gone, but not forgotten, and it is time to restore the tribute stolen from the Miantonomi Memorial Park Tower,” said Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano.

The well-intentioned plans have hit a snag, though. It appears that no description or photographs with the full text on the plaques was filed in City Hall, nor has anyone involved in the effort been able to find a record.

The Miantonomi Park Commission and city officials are now turning to the public in the hopes of finding someone who has a photo to help them determine what the plaques look like. The plan is to create accurate reproductions.

The city does have the names of all 56 service members, but a photo would be ideal.

Anyone with knowledge of photos that include the plaques are asked to call Newport Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Scott Wheeler at 401-845-5802. Or, send an e-mail to swheeler@cityofnewport.com

The tower rests in an historic and important area in Newport’s north end. It was the seat of power for Narragansett Indian Sachem Miantonomi and was bought by English colonists in 1637.

The city bought the property in 1921 from the Stokes family.