Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

P.O. Box 1142

1942 - 1946

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 26, 2011

1. P.O. Box 1142 Marker

Inscription. This flagpole is dedicated to the veterans of P.O. Box 1142 who served this country as members of two military intelligence service (MIS) programs during World War II. Their top secret work here at Fort Hunt not only contributed to the allied victory, but also led to strategic advances in military intelligence and scientific technology that directly influenced the Cold War and space race. The MIS-X program communicated with American military personnel held captive by the enemy axis forces and attempted to coordinate their escape. The larger MIS-Y program carried out the interrogation of nearly 4,000 enemy prisoners of war and scientists who were processed at this camp.

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

Location. 38° 42.945′ N, 77° 3.095′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Fort Hunt Park Loop, on the left when traveling west. Located in Fort Hunt Park, a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway administered by the National Park Service. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Support of American Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Mount Vernon

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(within shouting distance of this marker); People and the Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hunt Park (within shouting distance of this marker); WW II: A Battle Fought at Home and Abroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beyond What You See Today (about 300 feet away); Battery Sater (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . .
1. P.O. Box 1142. National Parks Conservation Association article about the World War II activity. While most of the projects were declassified decades ago, only recently have veterans stepped forward to speak about the work. [From Internet Archive] (Submitted on March 26, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Fort Hunt's Quiet Men Break Silence on WWII. Washington Post article discussing the wartime activity and the recent emergence of the veteran's stories. (Submitted on March 26, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. Fort Hunt Park. NPS site. (Submitted on March 26, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Close Up of Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 26, 2011

2. Close Up of Plaque

P.O. Box 1142 Marker and Flagpole image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 26, 2011

3. P.O. Box 1142 Marker and Flagpole

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12,638 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on February 3, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.