Documenting the American South

Monument Name

Robeson County War Memorial, Lumberton

Type

War Memorial

Subjects

World War I

World War II

Vietnam War, 1960-1975

Korean War, 1950-1953

City

Lumberton

County

Robeson

Description

The War Memorial consists of three tall rectangular slabs of marble on a single base. The center slab is taller and wider than the two flanking slabs. The monument is six feet wide and seven tall. Originally freestanding, the memorial is now incorporated into a brick wall with several other markers at a courtyard behind the Robeson County Courthouse. The center slab contains the inscriptions above which is incised an American eagle with wings opened to form a circle around which is 13 stars. The left flanking slab has incised the Army and Navy crest. The right slab is also incised with two symbols. One is the Marine Corp crest but the other is a “Prop and Wings” insignia. This symbol was used until 1947 by the Army Air Corp and is currently worn by cadets at the Air Force academy but was otherwise not adopted by the Air Force. It is not known why this symbol was used in place of one for the Air Force.

Images: Courtyard with the War Memorial and other markers

Inscription

HONORING ALL WHO / SERVED AND IN / EVERLASTING MEMORY / OF THE MEN OF ROBESON / COUNTY WHO MADE THE / SUPREME SACRIFICE IN / WORLD WAR I / WORLD WAR II / KOREAN CONFLICT / VIETNAM CRISIS / DEDICATED ON / JUNE 7, 1970 / BY THE LUMBERTON / JAYCEES

Custodian

Robeson County

Dedication Date

June 7, 1970

Decade

1970s

Geographic Coordinates

34.620200 , -79.007840 View in Geobrowse

Supporting Sources

"Robeson County Court House, Lumberton, N.C." Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill Link

Public Site

Yes

Materials & Techniques

Marble

Sponsors

Lumberton Jaycees

Monument Cost

$2,100

Monument Dedication and Unveiling

On June 7, 1970, the Sunday afternoon dedication ceremony was preceded with a concert by the 82nd Airborne Division Band. Lt. General John J. Tolson commander of 82nd Airborne was the featured speaker. The unveiling was performed by members of the Jaycees.

Subject Notes

The 1932 Historic Courthouse was torn down in 1974. The present courthouse was opened in 1977 at the same address.

Location

The War Memorial stands in a courtyard behind the Robeson County Courthouse that is located at 500 N. Elm Street, Lumberton. The courtyard occupies the corner of N. Court Square Street and N. Chestnut Street. This courtyard contains plaques to Colonel Thomas Robeson, the George Washington Tree, George G. McPhail, Jr., and General John Willis. Also behind the courthouse to the left of the courtyard is an Appalachian Indian Road (Boone Trail Highway) plaque attached to a large arrowhead.
In front of the Courthouse is the Confederate Monument.
A 1939 bronze plaque to Robeson County War Dead is located inside the courthouse. It replaced a wooden painted tablet placed in March 1919.

Landscape

The paved courtyard with the memorial and plaques is surrounded by bushes and trees.

Relocated

Yes

Former Locations

News photos of the dedication show the War Memorial standing near the Confederate Monument in front of the old courthouse. When the new courthouse was constructed the Confederate Monument was again placed in front of the building and the War Memorial was relocated to the courtyard.