Central Waterfront in Camden in Camden County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
USS New Jersey Marine Detachments
Dedicated to the memory of the Marines of the Marine Detachments that served aboard the USS New Jersey from 19421991
Erected by Marine Corps League Dept. of New Jersey.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Cold • War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 39° 56.35′ N, 75° 7.983′ W. Marker is in Camden, New Jersey, in Camden County. It is in Central Waterfront. Memorial is on Riverside Drive. The plaque is located on one of the port-side 5-inch secondary guns aboard the Battleship New Jersey. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Clinton St, Camden NJ 08103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 5" Secondary Gun System (a few steps from this marker); USS New Jersey Marine Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile (a few steps from this marker); Mark 36 Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Chaff (SRBOC) (within shouting distance of this marker); USS New Jersey Aircraft (within shouting distance of this marker); 04 Level Navigation Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Close-In Weapons System (within shouting distance of this marker); Admiral's Flag Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.
Regarding USS New Jersey Marine Detachments. Since its founding in 1775, Marines have been embarked on U.S. warships, primarily to repel boarders and form landing parties for small operations ashore. Secondary duties included law enforcement and ceremonial duties aboard ship. In the era of steel ships, small Marine detachments were limited to duty aboard cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers. On those ships they also manned secondary or anti-aircraft gun batteries. With the deployment of nuclear weapons aboard U.S. warships, including the New Jersey, Marines were given the principal duty of security for those weapons.
Also see . . .
1. The Battleship New Jersey, our nation's most decorated battleship. (Submitted on April 28, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Wikipedia entry for the 5"/38 caliber gun
. This webpage includes information about this gun class and includes a picture of the New Jersey's Marine-manned turret taken ca. 1984. (Submitted on April 28, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Photographed By R. C.
4. View into left hatch
The Marines-crewed twin 5-inch gun turret is a Mark 28 Mod 2 5-inch/38-caliber model. This turret was only used on the Iowa class battleships, of which the New Jersey was the second ship of that class. During regular deployment, this turret was identified by the USMC emblem painted on the turret's front and sides.

Photographed By R. C.
7. History and operation of 5" secondary guns
Note that Iowa Class battleships, including the New Jersey were armed with the Mark 28 version of the 5-inch gun, not the Mark 32 implied here on this display. Mark 32 5-inch guns were used primarily on World War II era heavy cruisers and aircraft carriers. However, the information provided relates to the Navy's 5-inch/38-caliber guns in general, not just the Mark 32.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2008, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 4,255 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2008, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. 3. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Carolyn Martienssen of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 28, 2008, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. 8. submitted on May 29, 2010, by Terese Hatch of Bridgewater, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.