Documenting the American South

Monument Name

Onslow County World War I and World War II Memorial, Jacksonville

Type

Plaque

Subjects

World War I

World War II

City

Jacksonville

County

Onslow

Description

This bronze plaque is mounted on the exterior wall at the entrance to the Onslow County Courthouse. It honors the sacrifice of 81 soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and World War II. In the form of a tabernacle frame with simple classical details, the top ornament is a large bronze eagle perched on its outspread wings. Above the inscription, the plaque bears a bas-relief of the seal of the American Legion. The plaque is 24 x 42 inches.

The date on the plaque is May 30, 1949, but the actual unveiling ceremony took place on Sunday, May 29, 1949

Images: Plaque Located to Right of Courthouse Entrance

Inscription

HONOR ROLE / IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE / IN WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II / Albertson, J.D. / Allison, Sam H. / Banks, Leroy T. / Barlow, Raymond W. / Baysden, George A. / Bell, Jesse W. / Berry, William / Blalock, Fred K. / Brenson, Norwood E. / Binson, Ralph / Brown, Loyd A. / Bryan, James L. / Bryant, Elton / Bryant, John G. / Burton, John W., Jr. / Chadwick, Jerry M. / Cobb, Wilford G. / Cooper, Dolphus C. / Cowell, Eugene W. / Crews, William L. / Davis, Hosea W. / Ervin, William F., Jr. / Ferrell, Joseph M. / Foy, Leslie / Foy, Lloyd / Gurganus, Cecil M. / Hadnott, Cyrus H. / Hargett, Julian R. / Henderson, C.N., Jr. / Higgins, Elmer J. / Holden, Homer D. / Horne, Earl F. / Horne, Howard / Huffman, Claude J. / Humphrey, Isaac J. / Humphrey, Oliver W. / Ingram, John A. / Jones, Carl W. / Johnson, Hogan / Kellum, Barney O. / Kelly, Adolphus S. / Lancaster, Marvin E. / Marshburn, Wallace B. / McClaney, William / Meadows, Lester P. / Meadows, Percy / Meadows, William C. / Morton, Jacob B. / Morton, Marion M. / Morton, William L. / Nicholson, William G. / Parker, Ray C. / Pierce, Roland / Pennawell, Macio / Petteway, Samuel W. / Philligan, William L. / Phillips, Preston D. / Provost, Luther W. / Ramsey, Roy L. / Rhodes, James E. / Sandlin, John M. / Scott, John P. / Smith, Carl B. / Smith, Isaac D. / Stanley, Hardy / Stevens, Fred J. / Suggs, John F. / Sutton, Joe M. / Taylor, William P. / Thomas, Mike G. / Thomas, Pete / Thompson, Archie L. / Turner, Hubert / Turner, Osbern C. / Williams, Samuel / Willis, Benjamin S. / Willis, Calvin W. / Wooten, George H. / Yeoman, Nolon D. / Yopp, Harold E. /
ERECTED MAY 30, 1949

Custodian

Onslow County Courthouse

Dedication Date

May 29, 1949

Decade

1940s

Geographic Coordinates

34.751090 , -77.431280 View in Geobrowse

Supporting Sources

"World Wars I and II Memorial - Jacksonville, NC," Waymarking.com, (accessed January 15, 2014) Link

“American Legion Post Conducts Memorial For Onslow’s War Dead,” The News and Views (Jacksonville, NC), May 20, 1949

“Bronze Plaque Honoring War Dead Unveiled,” The News and Views (Jacksonville, NC), May 31, 1949, p. 1 & 5

“Memorial Day Services Will Be Held Here Sunday,” The News and Views (Jacksonville, NC), May 27, 1949

Public Site

Yes

Materials & Techniques

Bronze

Sponsors

Burton-Cowell American Legion Post Number 265

Monument Dedication and Unveiling

The dedication ceremony was held on Sunday, May 29 at the Onslow County Courthouse one day prior to the date inscribed on the plaque. The event began with a concert by the Second Marine Division Band from Camp Lejeune. The Rev. L. Grady Burgess of Jacksonville Baptist Church delivered the invocation which was followed by the introduction of distinguished guests and then a musical selection by a combined choir from local churches. The Rev. Leslie L. Parish of Trinity Methodist Church then gave a tribute to Gold Star Mothers. The eulogy was given by Lt. Commander Harold Lemay, USN Chaplin Corps. Among his remarks he reminded those present that we honor the heroic dead when we live our lives as good citizens. After the eulogy the plaque was unveiled in the foyer of the courthouse. Taps was played followed by the benediction. Boy and Girl Scouts acted as ushers.

A recording of the dedication ceremony was made by WJNC radio station.

Location

The plaque is located on the exterior wall of the Onslow County Courthouse building a few feet to the right of the front doors. The entrance to the courthouse faces south, and the building is located on the north side of Old Bridge Street at the intersection with Court Street.

Landscape

The plaque is mounted on the building exterior and shaded by a porch at the entrance. The Onslow County Confederate Soldiers Monument sits just a few feet away in the center of the walkway in front of the building.