Harbor Defense Museum

05/25/2020

Fort Hamilton War Memorial

On this Memorial Day the HDM will highlight the Fort Hamilton War Memorial located in Fort Hamilton Plaza, once called Fort Hamilton Triangle and sometimes referred to as “Pigeon Park” (94th St. between 4th and 5th Ave).
No matter the name, one constant since September 18th, 1920, is the monument dedicated to over the 500 men from the Fort Hamilton/Bay Ridge area who answered their country’s call during World War I.

The monument was built thanks to donations from the Fort Hamilton Community at a cost of about $8,000.00. The monument is of granite and stands over 20 feet tall, and on the peak stands a bronze eagle. The first twenty-four names on the monument are of those young men who lost their lives in service.

On this day we remember:

Bernard L. Abt, William Andre, Anthony Bananno, William F. Conwell, Vernon H. Davis, Donato Ditaranto, John W. Evans, John J. Kelly Jr., Frederick Kemp, Frederick Leonhardt, Robert G. Llewellyn, Joseph P. Lynch, William C. Martin, Frederick Mechel, Frank Pechacek, George Rettiger, Adolph T. Rottger, Thomas J. Shannon, Carl Shew, Owen J. Sweeney, Joseph J. Wachter, Arthur Watson, Jeremiah Roach, and John Mauro.


On the day of the dedication the event ended with “Taps” being played by a squad of buglers from USAG Fort Hamilton.

USAG Fort Hamilton
U.S. Army Center of Military History
West Point Museum
National WWI Museum and Memorial
BAY RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Brooklyn's Memorial Day Parade committee

05/24/2020

A little note about this weekend.

There is a reason for Memorial Day.

Unlike Armed Forces Day, which celebrates currently serving service members, or Veteran's Day which celebrates the service of retired military members, Memorial Day commemorates those who have fallen in service to our country.
Initially begun after the Civil War in the South, to remember the Confederate dead, it was quickly championed by the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran's organization. They popularized it as a day to remember all of the fallen.

Today, it is the unofficial start of the summer season, but it is a day with deep meaning to the families of those who died in service to the Country.

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day weekend!

05/15/2020

UMSA West Point Garrison Virtual Town Hall 14 MAY 2020

Update

05/14/2020

Thank you.

#ThankfulThursday Shout out to the men and women of Fort Hamilton's Commissary. Defense Commissary Agency You are #MissionEssential Since the start of this pandemic locally in March, the workers at the commissary have been part of the front line to unload trucks, load the shelves, serving as cashiers, cleaning, helping with clarity for purchase limits and keeping customers safe. They have consistently worked to keep the crucial commissary benefit OPEN to the military community, retirees and civilians. They've met an increased demand through a challenging time of limited resources and risk of COVID19. We appreciate every single one of you. #teamwork

05/11/2020

Are you bored? Do you like to conduct research?
You came to the right museum page.

Is Tiger Woods connected to USAG Fort Hamilton?

Have you ever come across the claims of the late LTC Earl Woods (served from 1954-74), the father of Tiger Woods, being “stationed” at Fort Hamilton? Wikipedia makes this claim, look up “Earl Woods” on Wikipedia.

As historians, let’s check the references of those claims:

http://www.ray-field.com/sites/default/files/Golf_and_the_City_0.pdf

“One of the more subdued retirees tells me, “You know, Tiger Woods’s father learned to play golf here, while he was stationed at Fort Hamilton.” A claim on the course by regular players. Is it a local rumor?

https://www.brooklynpaper.com/fore-free-dyker-junior-links-open/

“Perhaps that explains the location — Dyker Beach is where Earl Woods once played with his son before he became a superstar named Tiger.” Is this true? Tiger Woods was born after his dad retired from the US Army.

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dyker-beach-park/dailyplant/19984

“The legend of Tiger Woods has its roots at the Dyker Beach Golf Course. Tiger's father, Lt. Col. Earl Woods, was bitten by the golf bug while he was stationed at the neighboring Fort Hamilton Army Base during the 1970s, and he frequently played the Dyker Beach course.” Currently looking for Mr. Woods discharge papers (DD 214 and/or 2-1) to verify this claim.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rudy_earlwoods0111

“With alcohol, I'm not a teetotaler. I feel that it's the individual's choice. And my responsibility as a parent was to teach him how to drink responsibly. So I use a story of when I used to live in Brooklyn. A friend of mine had his son visiting him, and we were having a New Year's Eve party. His son proceeded to sample each bottle of liquor. He got as sick as a dog, right there. I cited this as an example to Tiger.”
Mr. Woods states he lived in Brooklyn at one time.

Mr. Woods gets stationed as an ROTC Instructor at the City College of New York.

Did Mr. Woods take advantage of available military housing on USAG Fort Hamilton while serving as an ROTC instructor?

Our research continues, and please join us in our quest to verify LTC Earl Woods's connection to USAG Fort Hamilton.

Please contact me at: [email protected] if you come across primary source material. Thank you.

Tiger Woods
Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation
The City College of New York
USAG Fort Hamilton
BAY RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
West Point Museum
U.S. Army Center of Military History

05/08/2020

V-E Day | U.S. Army Center of Military History

As part of a celebration for the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the Center of Military History put together this Army-wide commemoration.

https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/wwii/special-features/VE-day/VE-Day.html

U.S. Army Center of Military History

05/04/2020

Our colleagues at WPM.

May the 4th be with you, from the West Point Museum.

04/28/2020

April is military child appreciation month, known as Month of the Military Child.

It’s a time to recognize the resilience these youngsters show as they overcome daily challenges as a military “brat”. Life of a military “brat” isn’t easy, but it is a unique experience.

The museum team salutes the military child for the sacrifices they make.

We dedicate this post to them.

This is a vintage disappearing coast defense gun toy manufactured by Thomas & Skinner Steel Products of Indianapolis, circa 1930.
This metal toy sits on a wooden base and is spring activated.
The wooden base is about 15" x 3" and the highest part of the gun is over 4" tall.
Unfortunately our artifact is missing the gun tube and projectile.

Click on the links below to see how the toy works and a video of a disappearing gun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Z_XYqdCTE&feature=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzGR_wh2_EA

West Point Museum
Thomas & Skinner
USAG Fort Hamilton
Army Family and MWR Programs
Fort Adams Trust

04/24/2020

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service to our nation.

Our museum would not operate without the support of our Volunteer Corps.

At this time we are going to recognize our crew:

1. Tom - a Korean War Era Army Veteran, has been with the museum for over 20 years. Twice, Tom has been recognized as USAG Fort Hamilton Volunteer of the Year.

2. Bob - a retired NYC parole officer, has been with the museum for over 15 years. Bob was recognized as USAG Fort Hamilton Volunteer of the Year.

3. Tony – an educator in another life, has been with the museum for over 12 years.

4. Larry- an Army Veteran, who followed in his dad’s footsteps as a volunteer.

5. Steve- a retired security alarm system serviceman, has been with the museum for a couple of years.

6. Melanie – a retired flight attendant, is our newest member of the team.

At this time we thank our crew for their desire to help, as they give their time to make the museum a better place.

THANK YOU- WE MISS YOU!!!

USAG Fort Hamilton

04/22/2020

To help celebrate 50 years of observing Earth Day.

#USArmyEnvironmentalCommand
U.S. Army
Earth Day Network

04/22/2020

Remembering the Holocaust

April 21st is National Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day we highlight the role of the U.S. Army in liberating concentration camps in Europe.

This flag flew over GEN Dwight D. Eisenhower’s (USMA 1915) headquarters as he traveled with the Army across Europe. On 12 April 1945, Eisenhower traveled with Generals Omar Bradley (USMA 1915) and George S. Patton (USMA 1909) to the concentration camp at Ohrdruf, Germany. US forces of the 89th Infantry division (commanded by Thomas D. Finley, USMA 1916) and the 4th Armored Division (commanded by William M. Hoge, USMA 1916) had liberated the camp on 4 April. After returning to his headquarters, Eisenhower wrote the following to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs George C. Marshall:

"The visual evidence and the verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty and bestiality were so overpowering as to leave me a bit sick.... I made the visit deliberately, in order to be in a position to give first-hand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to 'propaganda.'"

This flag is testament to the role played by US Army soldiers, and particular graduates of the US Military Academy, in defeating the government that perpetrated the Holocaust and their commitment to making sure such evil was never wrought again.

#CMHRemebers #Armyhistory #WeRemember #NeverForget #WWII75

04/20/2020

Check this out!

DId you know Castle Williams on Governors Island was designed by LT COL Jonathan Williams (and named after him)?

Castle WIlliams was erected between 1807-1811.

#WestPointMuseum
#GovernorsIslandNationalMonument

On 17 April 1790, Benjamin Franklin passes away at the age of 84. Franklin’s legacy in American History is undoubtedly one of the greatest. His works as an educator, statesman, philanthropist, first Postmaster General, and a Founding Father that contributed to the writing of the Declaration of Independence are just a few of his highlights.

Ben Franklin’s grandnephew Jonathan Williams, served as West Point - The U.S. Military Academy's first Superintendent from 1801-1803, then again from 1805-1812.

West Point Garrison and Community U.S. Army Center of Military History U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

04/14/2020

New York MEPS, 2nd BN, US Military Entrance Processing Command

New York MEPS, 2nd BN, US Military Entrance Processing Command

New York MEPS Oath Of Enlistment Ceremony- April 14th 2020

04/13/2020

FYI-

Time for another telework education program from the U.S. Army Transportation Museum. The "History of Army Transportation" will be posted in four parts beginning Tuesday and then a new part every other day.

04/10/2020

Did you know?

Prior to his career as a sportscaster Howard Cosell (1918-1995), born Howard Cohen, led a distinguished career in the U.S. Army.

Although a graduate of NYU Law School, Cosell enlisted as a private, but quickly rose to the rank of major (in 3 years!!!).

As an officer Cosell was assigned to the Headquarters New York Port of Embarkation (Brooklyn Army Terminal), of which Fort Hamilton was an integral part.

The port was the largest such facility in the country, and Cosell supervised the activities of 35,000 civilian employees.

After the war Cosell resumed his law career, but turned to broadcasting in 1953.

Online we located part of his military records, take a look for yourself.

"Procedures Control Officer" - No wonder he went into sports casting.

West Point Museum
U.S. Army
U.S. Army Transportation Museum
ABC

04/09/2020

Did you know during WW II USAG Fort Hamilton was part of the New York Port of Embarkation (NYPE)?

The NYPE was designed to ship troops, equipment & supplies to European & Mediterranean theaters of operations.
At one time the NYPE employed 60,000 people & handled up to 100,000 troops a day.
Its facilities scattered over 50 miles of NY & NJ waterfront. The port area consisted of ten terminals and three staging areas.
They called it the greatest war port the world has ever known.

Brooklyn was the HQ for the NYPE.
On Google Maps type in “Brooklyn Army Terminal”, this was the heart of the NYPE.

Fort Hamilton was a staging area for the NYPE. It was a place to quarter Soldiers, conduct physicals, issue equipment and teach basic infantry skills.

West Point Museum

U.S. Army

04/08/2020

Hello - we miss all of you and our volunteers too.

Our team is checking up on our folks and we are happy to report everyone is doing well under the circumstances.

We hope all of you are too!

04/04/2020

USAG Fort Hamilton

04/03/2020

Need some mental yoga?
Check out our crossword puzzle.

04/02/2020

USAG Fort Hamilton

#ThankfulThursday The Fort Hamilton team appreciates all the personnel from our local units doing medical screening, especially the Marines of 6th Communications Battalion. Their unit is not even stationed in Fort Hamilton & they stepped up to support in a tremendous way as our partners. We asked for two and they gave us 12 Marines. This all contributes to efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. #marinecorps U.S. Marine Corps 6th Communication Battalion Recruiting Station New York Marines #livewithvalues (Photographed here with CSM Hayes is Capt Greene, SSgt Cable, SSgt Warren)

04/01/2020

When Soldiers reported for duty on November 1st, 1831, Fort Hamilton mounted 32 and 42-pounder seacoast guns on the upper tier of its seacoast wall.

These muzzle loading, smoothbore cannons were ideal for defending the Narrows with a range of about a mile.

However these guns provided no defense against the ironclad warships of the Civil War.

03/31/2020

Yesterday military personnel at USAG Fort Hamilton watched with joy as the USNS Comfort sailed through the Narrows to provide medical support to the NYC area.

Over the years Fort Hamilton Soldiers watched with wonder a number of ships sail through the Narrows, such as the USS Arizona and the USS Monitor.

Can you name other ships to have sailed through the Narrows?

03/31/2020

FYI.

Attention Retiree and Veterans with Access Privileges: Please be mindful of the specific days for access & help spread the word. We are implementing these measures to allow access while still ensuring we can protect everyone through social distancing to help stop the spread of this disease. ****Guests who are not ID card holders will not be granted access to the base. Please have a list. We ask you do not panic buy & keep 6 feet from others. Thanks in advance. Stay Safe. #StopTheSpread **Fitness Center is not granted until further notice.

03/27/2020

Did you know?

Brooklyn born Dr. Anthony Fauci Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and a member of the White House coronavirus task force grew up in Dyker Heights, right outside USAG Fort Hamilton's 7th Ave gate.

His father, Stephen Fauci, a pharmacist, owned Fauci Pharmacy at 83rd Street and 13th Avenue, where the family lived in the upstairs apartment.

03/26/2020

Did you know during the War of 1812 at the Narrows on the Staten Island side stood four (4) fortifications?

Any questions please ask.

03/25/2020

U.S. Army provides medical facilities to support COVID-19 efforts

https://www.army.mil/article-amp/233944/u_s_army_provides_medical_facilities_to_support_covid_19_efforts?__twitter_impression=true

U.S. Army provides medical facilities to support COVID-19...

03/24/2020

Did you know there was once a signal telegraph on Staten Island at the Narrows?

03/23/2020

Fort Diamond (Lafayette)

Work begins 1812, not completed until 1822.

During War of 1812 only a temporary battery of 3 heavy guns in place.

Fort Diamond was the first masonry fort to be constructed on the Brooklyn side of the Narrows. Built on Hendrick’s Reef, approximately 100 yards off the Brooklyn shore, Fort Diamond mounted guns in two tiers of casemates and on its upper tier.

Later renamed in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette prior to his grand tour of the United States (1824-25). The fort was demolished in the early 1960s, the Brooklyn tower of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge stands in its place today.

Did you know Fort Hamilton’s secondary role was to defend itself and Fort Lafayette against land based infantry attacks?

03/22/2020

USAG Fort Hamilton

FYI.

Starting today, Sunday March 22 until further notice, everyone entering the Access Control Point at 101st street gate will be receive a medical screening and temperature check. Anyone with a high temperature will be given further screening and may be directed to medical facilities or self-quarantine.

You may experience delays. Please plan accordingly as we take the necessary measure to protect the health and safety of our community.

Thank you to our service members from our Garrison and local units who stepped up to be a part of this important protection measure. #stopthespread