Point Loma in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

They also serve who only stand and wait

John Milton, poet, 1608-1674

They Also Serve marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, August 27, 2022

1. They Also Serve marker

Inscription.
Up these steps and about 200 feet away lies a World War II bunker. Soldiers spent thousands of hours there, watching for an attack that never came.

Four soldiers operated this "base-end-observation station," working 12- or 24-hour shifts. Unlike soldiers who fought enemies across the ocean and in Europe, these watchmen battled against boredom and frustration.

They honed their skills by tracking everything that moved on the water. Occasionally, they would mistake a whale for an enemy submarine, sending surrounding Fort Rosecrans into high alert with a false alarm.

Erected by Cabrillo National Monument - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 32° 40.407′ N, 117° 14.508′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Point Loma. It can be reached from Cabrillo Memorial Drive. Located in Cabrillo National Monument, next to the Army Radio Station building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ears to the Sea, Eyes on the Weather (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civilian Conservation Corps (about

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400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Point Loma Lighthouse (about 400 feet away); Old Point Loma Lighthouse (about 400 feet away); Point Loma - The Early Years (about 500 feet away); Harbor Lights (about 500 feet away); High and Dry (about 600 feet away); The Heart and Soul of Lighthouses (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Other markers no longer nearby. Army Radio Station (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Army Radio Station (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); The Bayside Trail (was about 500 feet away).

Photographed by Adam Margolis, August 27, 2022

2. They Also Serve marker

World War II Bunker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026

3. World War II Bunker

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026

4. World War II Bunker

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026

5. World War II Bunker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 433 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 19, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.