The Ultimate Weapon Marker

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Fort Dix in Burlington County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Ultimate Weapon

By R. C., January 17, 2008

1. The Ultimate Weapon

Inscription. This monument is dedicated to the only indispensable instrument of war, The American Soldier---
The Ultimate Weapon
“If they are not there, you don't own it.”
17 August 1990

[A nearby companion marker, shown in pictures below, outlines the people and effort needed to restore this monument. One side reads]:
The "Ultimate Weapon" Monument was built by two extraordinary soldiers. Specialist 4 Steven M. Goodman and Private First Class Stuart J. Scherr, and originally dedicated on 20 March 1959. In 1987, The Ultimate Weapon Restoration Committee, sponsored by The Association of The U.S. Army, took on the task of restoring the badly weathered statue. The committee raised over $100,000 to make the restoration a reality. The statue was recast in bronze and the concrete base was replaced by black granite. On 17 August 1990, the monument before you was rededicated to the five million soldiers who have trained at Fort Dix since 1917. The following Members of The Ultimate Weapon Committee made the restoration a reality:

William Demas, Chairman
Gerie Dowling, Co-Chairman
Lucinda Boyington • Dr. Hubert Byron • James Challender • Art Covello • Richard Dowling • Paul Kelly • Mike Kittis • Leon Kurland • Tanya Lantz • Dan Limbaugh

Front View of Infantry Statue Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., January 17, 2008

2. Front View of Infantry Statue

• Lester J. Maisto, Jr. • George Mattson • Marilyn McHugh • Clinton Miller • James Nash • Barry B. Newstadt • Clinton L. Pagano • John F. Poulson • Dennis L. Sexton • James E. Snyder • Ted Strempack • Steve Whitmore • Carl A. Williams

Honorary Members:
C. Kenneth Thiebauth • Harry Budniak • Leo Norton

Major General James W. Wurman
Commanding

[The opposite side of the nearby companion marker reads]:
This statue symbolizes the core of American Military Might, The Soldier. Each corner of its eight-sided pedestal, like a compass, points to the corners of the Earth symbolizing worldwide response. The shape of the base, tapering as it rises, focuses attention on the statue, as attention is given in support of our soldiers. The pedestal's three-tier design represents: in the lower, our Naval Forces: in the middle, our Land Forces: and in the upper, our Air Forces. All serve in support of the American Soldier who is "The Ultimate Weapon."

Fort Dix graciously thanks the following major donors who generously contributed to the AUSA Ultimate Weapon Restoration Committee.

List of donors follows

Additionally, we gratefully acknowledge former Fort Dix commanders, Major General Thomas W. Kelly and Major General Rocco Negris, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the

By R. C., January 17, 2008

3. Right Profile of Infantry Soldier

Army, Ernest N. Sever and all those other soldiers and citizens who donated their time, effort and money to make the restoration of The Ultimate Weapon Monument a reality.

Major General James W. Wurman
Commanding 17 Aug 1990

Erected 1990.

Location. 40° 0.633′ N, 74° 37.367′ W. Marker is in Fort Dix, New Jersey, in Burlington County. Marker is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and West 8th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Dix NJ 08640, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. 44th Infantry Division (here, next to this marker); World War II Monument (approx. 2.3 miles away); Upper Springfield Meeting House and Cemetery (approx. 2.5 miles away); Dedicated To Those Who Served (approx. 3.6 miles away); Conservation and Environmental Studies Center, Inc. (approx. 7 miles away); Whitesbog Village (approx. 7 miles away); Exploring the Pinelands (approx. 7 miles away); A Million Dollar Resource (approx. 7 miles away).

Also see . . . Soldier's artwork stands for military tradition. Short story about the monument and its restoration. A picture on this site shows restoration efforts on the statue, giving a good perspective on the statue's size. (Submitted on April 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

View of Memorial from entrance to Infantry Park Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., January 17, 2008

4. View of Memorial from entrance to Infantry Park

Left Rear View of Infantry Soldier Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., January 17, 2008

5. Left Rear View of Infantry Soldier

The soldier's entrenching tool, and bayonet scabbard as well as his backpack can be seen in this view.

Detail view of Infantry Soldier on the attack Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., January 17, 2008

6. Detail view of Infantry Soldier on the attack

Companion Marker to <i>The Ultimate Weapon Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., January 17, 2008

7. Companion Marker to The Ultimate Weapon

Opposite Side of Companion Marker for <i>The Ultimate Weapon Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., January 17, 2008

8. Opposite Side of Companion Marker for The Ultimate Weapon

Credits. This page originally submitted on April 21, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,845 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 21, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.