Fort Dix in Burlington County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Ultimate Weapon
This monument is dedicated to the only indispensable instrument of war, The American Soldier---
The Ultimate Weapon
If they are not there, you don't own it.
17 August 1990
[A nearby companion marker, shown in pictures below, outlines the people and effort needed to restore this monument. One side reads]:
The "Ultimate Weapon" Monument was built by two extraordinary soldiers. Specialist 4 Steven M. Goodman and Private First Class Stuart J. Scherr, and originally dedicated on 20 March 1959. In 1987, The Ultimate Weapon Restoration Committee, sponsored by The Association of The U.S. Army, took on the task of restoring the badly weathered statue. The committee raised over $100,000 to make the restoration a reality. The statue was recast in bronze and the concrete base was replaced by black granite. On 17 August 1990, the monument before you was rededicated to the five million soldiers who have trained at Fort Dix since 1917. The following Members of The Ultimate Weapon Committee made the restoration a reality:
William Demas, Chairman
Gerie Dowling, Co-Chairman
Lucinda Boyington Dr. Hubert Byron James Challender Art Covello Richard Dowling Paul Kelly Mike Kittis Leon Kurland Tanya Lantz Dan Limbaugh Lester J. Maisto, Jr. George Mattson Marilyn McHugh Clinton Miller James Nash Barry B. Newstadt Clinton L. Pagano John F. Poulson Dennis L. Sexton James E. Snyder Ted Strempack Steve Whitmore Carl A. Williams
Honorary Members:
C. Kenneth Thiebauth Harry Budniak Leo Norton
Major General James W. Wurman
Commanding
[The opposite side of the nearby companion marker reads]:
This statue symbolizes the core of American Military Might, The Soldier. Each corner of its eight-sided pedestal, like a compass, points to the corners of the Earth symbolizing worldwide response. The shape of the base, tapering as it rises, focuses attention on the statue, as attention is given in support of our soldiers. The pedestal's three-tier design represents: in the lower, our Naval Forces: in the middle, our Land Forces: and in the upper, our Air Forces. All serve in support of the American Soldier who is "The Ultimate Weapon."
Fort Dix graciously thanks the following major donors who generously contributed to the AUSA Ultimate Weapon Restoration Committee.
List of donors follows
Additionally, we gratefully acknowledge former Fort Dix commanders, Major General Thomas W. Kelly and Major General Rocco Negris, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Ernest N. Sever and all those other soldiers and citizens who donated their time, effort and money to make the restoration of The Ultimate Weapon Monument a reality.
Major General James W. Wurman
Commanding 17 Aug 1990
Erected 1990.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1959.
Location. 40° 0.633′ N, 74° 37.367′ W. Marker is in Fort Dix, New Jersey, in Burlington County. Marker is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and West 8th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Dix NJ 08640, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 44th Infantry Division (here, next to this marker); MacDonald Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War II Monument (approx. 2.3 miles away); Upper Springfield Meeting House and Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Dedicated To Those Who Served (approx. 3.6 miles away); Smithville Historic District (approx. 6.9 miles away); An Industrial Village (approx. 6.9 miles away); Conservation and Environmental Studies Center, Inc. (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Dix.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 7,697 times since then and 209 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 21, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.