Oceanport in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Van Kirk Park

Back of bench image. Click for full size.

1. Back of bench

Inscription. In memory of
John Stewart Van Kirk
Lieutenant 141 Armored Signal Company
1st Armored Division
Killed in Action 30 November 1942
Djedeida, Tunisia

Erected by US Army.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Communications • War, World II.

Location. 40° 18.848′ N, 74° 2.574′ W. Marker is in Oceanport, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Memorial is on Malterer Avenue near Saltzman Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located between Brewer and Malterer Avenues (opposite the post field house). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 503 Brewer 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. Dunwoody Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Army Signal Corps World War II Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Greely Field (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Monmouth Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Monmouth Soldiers and Civilians Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); This Tree Honors the Memory of E. Frederic Wright (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battle of the Bulge Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oceanport.

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sectionhead>More about this marker. Note: Ft. Monmouth is closed and access to the Post is restricted.

Regarding Van Kirk Park. It was dedicated on November 26, 1951, by General Orders Number 24, and is named in memory of John Stewart Van Kirk, a lieutenant with the 141 Armored Signal Company, 1st Armored Division. Prior to WWII, he had attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Monmouth. Van Kirk was killed in action on November 30, 1942 in Djedeida, Tunisia. A memorial granite bench was erected at Van Kirk park without ceremony in the early 1950s, pursuant to the wishes of his father, the donor.

The park is also the site of the Purple Heart Memorial.

Close-up of front of bench image. Click for full size.

2. Close-up of front of bench

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2008, by Chrissie Tate Reilly of Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,371 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2008, by Chrissie Tate Reilly of Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.