Bamberg in Bamberg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bamberg County Veterans Memorial Walkway

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

1. Army Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Army

Motto: This we'll defend

"The soldier is the Army. No Army is better than its soldiers. The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one's country." -U.S. Army General George S. Patton

Your bravery and reputation for excellence will be held dear by future generations.

The United States Army, originally created as the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, by an act of the Second Continental Congress, was the first regular U.S. fighting force. During the early months of the Revolutionary War, the new Continental Army was led by General and Commander in Chief George Washington. The new Army consisted of members from all thirteen colonies - states after 1776 - and was racially integrated. After the War, the Continental Army was quickly disbanded, except for a regiment of 25 soldiers at Fort Pitt on the Western Front and 55 soldiers at West Point to guard the arsenal.

From its formation in the country's early years, the United States Army's main responsibility has been in battling land attacks

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and military occupation by providing timely and continuous land domination. Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers plays a major role in governing America's inland waterways as the major ground-based offensive and defensive branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Army participates in conflicts around the world, protecting America's freedoms at home and abroad.

Marines

Motto: Semper fidelis (Always faithful)

"Some people work an entire lifetime and wonder if they ever made a difference in the world. But the Marines don't have that problem." -President Ronald Reagan

In gratitude for those Marines whose legacy will be remembered by many generations to come.

The United States Marine Corps celebrates the date of its creation as November 10, 1775, when the Continental Marines were established. The Continental Congress passed a resolution drafted by future U.S. President John Adams requesting that "two battalions of Marines be raised" to serve as landing forces for the newly created Continental Navy. Those forces were quickly recruited. After the Revolutionary War, the Continental Navy was demobilized and its Marines disbanded in 1783. Increasing conflict at sea over the next decade led to President John Adams signing the bill establishing the U.S. Marine Corps as a permanent

Marines Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

2. Marines Marker

military force under the Department of the Navy on July 11, 1798.

Since then, the Marines have participated in all the wars of the United States and in most cases were the first to fight. Responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations with the United States Navy, as well as the Army and Air Force. The United States Marine Corps serves as America's premier crisis response force, defending United States citizens at home and abroad.

Navy

Motto: Semper fortis (Always courageous)

"A good Navy is not a provocation of war. It is the surest guaranty of peace."
- President Theodore Roosevelt

Your integrity, selfless service, and excellent are a testament to your honor, your sacrifices will be remembered with gratitude.

The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which was established during the Revolutionary War on October 13, 1775. The Continental Congress authorized the purchase of two ships to be outfitted for warfare, thereby creating the first establishment of the U. S. Navy as public sentiment was against maintaining any sort of national military force. The Continental Navy was disbanded in August 1785 after the end of the Revolutionary War. Nearly a decade later the Naval Act of 1794 authorized the construction of six

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

3. Navy Marker

frigates, four with 44 guns and two with 36 with the new ship construction. The United States Navy was formed.

Technology and innovation carried the Navy through times of war and peace, from ironclads to submarines to nuclear-powered ships to aircraft supercarriers. These advances resulted in the United States Navy being regarded as the world's undisputed naval superpower with combat ready naval forces prepared to win conflicts and wars while maintaining security and deterrence through sustained forward presence.

Air Force

Motto: Aim High. Fly - Fight Win

"If our Air Forces are never used, they have achieved their finest goal."
- U.S. Air Force General Nathan F. Twining

Remembering the proud men and women of the United States Air Force for your unwavering dedication

The United States Air Force was initially authorized as a part of the United States Army on August 1, 1907. Detailed in a memorandum from the Office of the Chief Signal Officer as an aeronautical division to "have charge of all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines, and all kindred subjects." When the War to End All Wars erupted in Europe on July 28, 1914, the U. S. was prepared, and fixed - wing aircraft led ground attacks and participated in aerial dogfights against the Central Powers. Over the next decades

Air Force Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

4. Air Force Marker

through a series of organizational and mission-related changes, as well as World War II, the United States Army Air Forces became virtually independent of the Army. The National Security Act of 1947 formed the Air Force as a separate branch of the U. S. Armed Forces on September 18, 1947.

The United States Air Force, the world's preeminent force in air and cyberspace, conducts independent air and space operations, and provides air support for land and naval forces and assists in the recovery of troops in the field as necessary.

Bamberg County Veterans Memorial Walkway

"By Land, By Sea, By Air"
Created by: Brad Spencer, Artist and Sculptor Reidsville, North Carolina

"The men and women who have served in all branches of the nation's military inspired my sculpture. I want my art to capture a sense of pride and represent 'alterntess and preparedness.' It being solid brick ensures this edifice will stand long and strong to honor all former and future Veterans of Bamberg County."

"All gave some; some gave all." - Sergeant Howard William Osterkamp, US Army; Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient

In keeping with the long honored tradition of respecting those who "gave all," the bricks around the statue are engraved with the names of Bamberg County heroes who have fallen

Sculpture in the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

5. Sculpture in the park

By Land, By Sea, By Air
Created by Brad Spencer

in defense of this great country from 1897 to the present.

Coast Guard

Motto: Semper paratus (Always ready)

"We do this job because every once in a while someone is out there without hope, desperately praying for their life, and we get to be the answer." - U.S. Coast Guard

Your bravery, determination, diligence, and dedicated perseverance have earned our highest esteem.

The United States Coast Guard dates back to August 4, 1790, when the United States Revenue Cutter Service, part of the Department of the Treasury, was created by the passage of the Tariff Act. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton had lobbied Congress for a small fleet of vessels to enforce tariffs. An important form of revenue for a young country the Tariff Act provided for the construction of ten cutters and the recruitment of one hundred revenue officers.

On January 28, 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Life-Saving Service were merged to form the Coast Guard. Later in 1939, the United States Lighthouse Service was incorporated into the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard was moved to the Department of Transportation in 1967 and then to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 as outlined in the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006. During peace time, the Coast Guard

Bamberg County Veterans Memorial Walkway Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

6. Bamberg County Veterans Memorial Walkway Dedication

serves as part of the Department of Homeland Security, guarding the nation's ports and extensive coastline, enforcing the nation's laws at sea, guarding the marine environment, and engaging in vital lifesaving missions. In times of war, or at the direction of the President, the Coast Guard operates as part of the Department of the Navy, protecting the United States against terrorism and foreign threats.

Merchant Marine

Motto: In peace and war

"The officers and men of the Merchant Marine, by their devotion to duty in the face of enemy action, as well as the natural dangers of the sea, have brought us the tools to finish the job. Their contribution to final victory will long be remembered." - General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower

In recognition and appreciation for your lives of effort and selfless contributions

The history of the United States Merchant Marine dates back to the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress and various colonies issued letters of marque to privately owned merchant ships that were then armed as warships to prey on British merchant ships. These original Merchant Mariners hastened the atrophy of British forces by reducing their available supplies, providing an invaluable service to the new republic.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 established the United States

Coast Guard Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

7. Coast Guard Marker

Merchant Marine, to consist of a fleet of U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-owned vessels to transport cargo and passengers during peacetime and deliver military personnel and war supplies during times of war. In World War II, Merchant Mariners lost one out of 25 lives, a higher percentage than any other branch. Since they weren't recognized as being part of the U.S. military, survivors weren't considered veterans, thereby depriving them of many benefits that would have improved their quality of life. The Merchant Mariners Act of 1988 rectified this for most of those who served in World War II.

Carlisle Military School
Bamberg, S.C.
1892 - 1977 Dedicated to those Carlisle men who faithfully served in our nation's military and sacrificed all in defense of freedom and liberty around the world.

Those who attended Carlisle were guided through life by the words on it's crest, "As I breathe I hope". Their school's motto was "Develops manly men", and they aspired to the simple honor expressed in the words of James F. Risher (1889-1973) who was the guiding light of Carlisle for nearly half a century: "Here lies a man"

Erected 2019 by Bamberg County Council; Bamberg City Council.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list:

Merchant Marine Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

8. Merchant Marine Marker

Military. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1775.

Location. 33° 17.753′ N, 81° 1.805′ W. Memorial is in Bamberg, South Carolina, in Bamberg County. It is at the intersection of Heritage Highway (U.S. 78) and Cannon Street, on the left when traveling east on Heritage Highway. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 11731 E Railroad Ave, Bamberg SC 29003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Carlisle Military School (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bamberg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bamberg County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bamberg County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bamberg County Veterans Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pinewood Plantation (approx. 3.8 miles away); Woodlands (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bamberg.

CArlisle Military School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 23, 2026

9. CArlisle Military School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.