Oceanport in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Tribute to Combat Pigeons
Photographed By R. C., October 12, 2007
1. Tribute to Combat Pigeons Marker
to
Homing Pigeons
In Combat
Courage • Loyalty • Endurance
Erected 1960.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Communications • Military.
Location. 40° 18.926′ N, 74° 2.124′ W. Marker is in Oceanport, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Memorial is on Gosselin Avenue near Murray Drive. Marker is on the front of the Ft. Monmouth Museum located just in side the main gate. Visitors must obtain permission through the Ft. Monmouth Security Office to enter onto the military reservation. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 275 Gosselin Ave, Fort Monmouth NJ 07703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Purple Heart Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); This Tree Honors the Memory of E. Frederic Wright (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Monmouth Soldiers and Civilians Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Greely Field (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); This steam engine rim (approx. ¼ mile away); This light stood
this page online
More about this marker. While the museum is open to the public for special tours and lectures, visitors must call to schedule and arrange for access to the facility. Fort Monmouth is a closed post with restricted access. Please call to schedule your visit: 732-532-1682.
Regarding Tribute to Combat Pigeons. This plaque recognized the U.S. Army Pigeon Service and the thousands of pigeons that gave their lives in service during World Wars I, II, and Korea.
Ft. Monmouth was home to the Army pigeon-breeding and training center. The procurement, training, and doctrine for pigeon use fell under the control of the U.S. Army Pigeon Service.
Also see . . . Pigeons in the Army?. Over 90 percent of all messages sent by the US Army using pigeons were received. The birds are credited with saving thousands of lives. (Submitted on February 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Location of the original marker.
Photographed By R. C.
2. U.S. Army Communication Electronics Museum
Marker is located on the left front of the building immediately next to the bricked-in doorway.
Information is from the publication “Fort Monmouth History and Place Names 1917- 1961,” Fort Monmouth, NJ, 1961. All materials cited are maintained in the C-E LCMC Archives, Office of the Command Historian, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. NOTE: Ft. Monmouth is closed and the Office may have been transferred to Aberdeen MD.
"The birdbath Pigeon Memorial was located on the East side of Malterer Ave. near Buildings 550 and 551. It stood in what was then a wooded area in commemoration of the winged couriers who “got the message through” during WWI, WWII, and Korea. Fort Monmouth dedicated the memorial on July 14, 1960, as a part of the post’s celebration of the U.S. Army Signal Corps
Centennial. The Memorial has subsequently been removed." Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted May 8, 2012, by Edmund T. Tognola of Shrewsbury, New Jersery.
Fort Monmouth Historical Office
3. Tribute to Combat Pigeons Marker
Marker has since been moved to the location described above. The fate of the fountain is unknown.
Photographed By R. C., December 18, 2007
4. "Mocker" - One of the Hero Pigeons of World War II
-Ft. Monmouth Communications and Electronics Museum
Fort Monmouth Historical Office, July 14, 1960
5. Newspaper article on Pigeon Memorial Dedication Ceremony
Photographed By R. C., December 18, 2007
6. Pigeon Service School Training Material
-Ft. Monmouth Communications and Electronics Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,955 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 3. submitted on February 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 24, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 5. submitted on February 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6. submitted on February 24, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
