Airborne Statue Project

“The Last Full Measure”

Beginning in June 2014 we presented our D-Day/WW2 veterans, living descendants and other distinguished guests with a limited edition 1:6 scale bronze statuette depicting a paratrooper of the101st Airborne Division in Ravenoville on D+1 (June 7, 1944).

The statuette was conceived and designed by Memorial co-Founder David A. Ashe. The title of the piece - “The Last Full Measure...” - is a direct reference to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

David's unique, ground-breaking design of a paratrooper in extreme detail was inspired by surviving photos and newsreel footage of the “Raveno Boys” in Ravenoville.

The face had to be recognisable, not anonymous, one of the “Raveno Boys.” Ollie E. “Sonny” Barrington Jr was the solution. The Barrington family very graciously consented to their loved one's face representing 'Everyman' at Ravenoville.

The exquisite attention to detail of the statuette was realized in collaboration with Australian sculptor Scott “Scotty” Edwards and his specialist company, Khaki Army.

In June 2024 to mark the 10th year of this initiative, our goal is to realize a life-size version. The bronze warrior will pause for a moment's reflection before the Eternal Heroes Memorial to contemplate and remember his Brothers named on the panels before leaving to continue his mission.