PVT DAVID TARTIKOFF DEDICATION OF HONOR

Mayor Gary Christenson, City leaders and members of the greater Malden community will gather at Tartikoff Park on Wednesday, November 6th at 11:00 AM to remember a native of Malden who died fighting for his country during World War I. Tartikoff Park is named in honor of Private David Tartikoff, one of 350 Marines to die on June 6, 1918 in the famous Battle of Belleau Wood in France. This year marks the 95th anniversary of the pivotal June, 1918 month-long battle. Private Tartikoff was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States as a young child. He was residing in Malden when he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps on January 20, 1917. He served overseas from June 27, 1917 until June 6, 1918, when he was killed in action.  

In June 1918, Private Tartikoff was assigned to the 49th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, 4th Marine Brigade. The United States Marines stood between the advancing German army and the City of Paris located 40 miles away. The overall casualties in this grim 20-day battle totaled 9,777 killed and wounded. By the end of that month, the United States Marines had finally conquered the woods and in the words of French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau “saved Paris.” For their heroism, the 5th Marine Regiment's action in France earned them the right to wear the French Fourragère and is just one of two regiments in the American Expeditionary Force to have received three Croix de Guerre citations.

Tartikoff Park, located at 84 Willow Street, was originally dedicated in David’s memory in 1930.  The November 6, 2013 ceremony will be a re-dedication which will include the unveiling of a new monument. The original monument, tucked away and forgotten, has seriously deteriorated over the years. The Malden Redevelopment Authority on behalf of the City of Malden spearheaded an effort to ensure the restoration of a relic of our past by utilizing Community Development Block Grant funding to reconstruct the park. Additionally, state funding was secured by State Representative Paul Donato for the new monument.    

“This re-dedication and remembrance of Pvt. David Tartikoff’s heroism is a perfect time to show appreciation and support of all Veterans in our community,” said Mayor Christenson. “We will never forget the Americans who served in harm’s way and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We honor them today.”

All Malden residents are invited to take part in this re-dedication.