Jacksonville in Onslow County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
New River Aviation Memorial
"Dedicated to the brave souls who freely gave their lives while defending our freedom. They live on in our memory, may they rest in peace."
Marine Corps Air Station New River was founded in 1944 World War II, and during each of the ensuing decades, the men and women of this station have added new chapters to the rich history of the Corps.
In training here at home, and in far flung places from Da Nang to An Nasiriyah, they have been the epitome of selfless sacrifice, aerial prowess, and courage under fire. Vigilant in peace and deadly in war, the proud legacy forged here is known throughout the globe.
In the wake of a tragic aviation accident that took place here in 1996, family and friends of those who lost their lives formed the New River Aviation Memorial Foundation. They dedicate this memorial to all pilots, aircrew, and embarked personnel who have lost their lives while defending our freedom.
They live on in our memory - May they rest in peace.
(second marker)
The land that is now home to the premiere helicopter facility in the Marine Corps was purchased by the Marines in 1941, as a portion of the more than 100,000 acres of farmland need to house the newly minted 1st Marine Division.
Deemed as an ideal site for the emergency landing field for aircraft supporting the division, the austere site matured significantly through the war years. Even before official activation as a Marine Corps auxiliary air facility in 1944, the three paved runways were supporting parachute, seaplane, and bombing squadron training operations, and had already seen Marines make the ultimate sacrifice as they prepared for combat in the Pacific.
The facility closed at the end of World War II, but was soon reactivated during the Korean War. In 1954, Marine Aircraft Group 26 transferred to Marine Corps Air Facility New River from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, creating the New River's first permanent operational presence. The small training facility continued to grow through the Vietnam years and was recommissioned in 1968 as Marine Corps Air Station (helicopter) New River. In 1972, the airfield proper was renamed for one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation, General Keith B. McCutcheon, a highly decorated combat aviator who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
In 2006, when this memorial was dedicated, Marine Corps Air Station New River was home to nearly 200 helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft operated by two Marine aircraft groups comprised of 16 squadrons.
Erected 2006.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Patriots & Patriotism.
Location. 34° 43.557′ N, 77° 28.113′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in Onslow County. Memorial is at the intersection of Robert L. Wilson Boulevard and Curtis Road, on the right when traveling east on Robert L. Wilson Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville NC 28540, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Onslow Raid (approx. 2.4 miles away); Operation Desert Storm Memorial (approx. 2.7 miles away); Montford Point (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named Montford Point (approx. 3.4 miles away); Onslow County 9/11 Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away); Beirut Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away); Edward B. Dudley (approx. 4.6 miles away); Julius Valentine Hofmann (approx. 12 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
More about this memorial. Located in MCAS New River Aviation Memorial Park. A bronze statue of two Marines stands atop a ten-sided granite pedestal. The sculpture is bordered by three military helicopters.
Additional keywords. Camp Lejeune Marine Base, USMC
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. This page has been viewed 2,358 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on June 15, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. 6, 7. submitted on May 12, 2019, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. 8, 9. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. 10, 11. submitted on June 5, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.