Marina in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Training to Defend America

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2013

1. Training to Defend America Marker

Captions: After weeks of practice on the dunes rifle ranges, a soldier tests for his Weapon Qualification Badge. (bottom left); A red flag flying at a rifle range served as a warning that live firing was underway. (bottom center).

Inscription. From World War II until Fort Ord’s closure in 1994, there dunes echoed with the sound of small arms fire. Rifle and machine gun ranges here gave thousands of U.S. Army Infantrymen the marksmanship skills needed to serve their nation in times of both war and peace. Fort Ord’s varied topography, from ocean beaches to forested hills, made it an ideal basic training center for infantry mission throughout the world.

Erected by California State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1994.

Location. 36° 39.619′ N, 121° 49.286′ W. Marker is in Marina, California, in Monterey County. It can be reached from 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marina CA 93933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Former Firing Range Becomes a State Park (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Fort Ord Dunes State Park! (a few steps from this marker); Stilwell Hall: A Fond Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); A Coastal Attack the Army Couldn’t Stop (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Coastal Attack the Army Couldn’t Stop

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Post 694 (approx. 2.9 miles away); Portola-Crespi Monument (approx. 4.1 miles away); Depots (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marina.

More about this marker. The marker is located in Fort Ord Dunes State Park near the old Stilwell Hall parking lot.

Also see . . . Fort Ord. The post was named after Major General Edward Cresap Ord. General Ord’s fame in the history books includes some information on being an Indian fighter. In 1847 He was a lieutenant with Maj Gen J C Fremont’s Army when the present site of the nearby Presidio of Monterey was brought into existence. But His actions as a Civil War commander established His military career. He distinguished himself during the Civil War in the Battle of Iuke, Mississippi operations against Petersburg, Virginia and the capture of Fort Harrison, Virginia. General Ord is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. (Submitted on September 29, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2013

2. Training to Defend America Marker

Former Firing Range image. Click for full size.

October 18, 2007

3. Former Firing Range

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 713 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on September 30, 2013. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.