National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey

05/31/2026

in New Jersey military history, in 1926 famed sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s massive bronze Wars of America statue, representing every conflict the United States participated in from the Revolution to World War I and composed of figures of forty-two humans and two horses, was unveiled in Newark’s Military Park. The statue was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

To learn more, visit: https://www.journeythroughjersey.com/sites/military-park/

05/30/2026

in New Jersey military history, in 1924 a 65-foot obelisk was dedicated to commemorate Bergen County’s Camp Merritt, the troops who passed through there during World War I and, most importantly, the fifteen officers, four nurses, 558 enlisted men and one civilian who died, mostly from influenza, while serving their county there. New Jersey Governor George S. Silzer presided over the ceremony and General John J. Pershing was the guest of honor. The widow of Civil War Major General Wesley Merritt, for whom the camp was named, joined 20,000 spectators attending the dedication.

To learn more about visiting the site, please check out https://www.journeythroughjersey.com/sites/camp-merritt-memorial-monument/

05/30/2026

in New Jersey National Guard history, in 1913, the New Jersey National Guard organized the 1st Cavalry Squadron with its headquarters in Newark. Today's 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Regiment of the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team carries forward a distinguished lineage of mounted service by New Jersey Soldiers, including the 1st New Jersey Cavalry in the Civil War. Its roots include the “Essex Troop,” a ceremonial honor guard organized in Essex County in the 1890s. The Essex Troop later joined the New Jersey National Guard, and in 1913 it was augmented by troops from Red Bank and Plainfield to form the 1st New Jersey Cavalry. The honorific “Essex Troop” endures to this day. Pictured are the HQs of the various iterations of the 102nd throughout its life.

05/29/2026

Today's posted oral history is World War II USMC veteran William Gilson, who saw combat in the Pacific invasions of both Tarawa and Saipan. He was hit by an 8=inch gun and was lucky to still have a shoulder, after spending 3 months in Pearl Harbor Naval Hospital. The summary from the video was done by Kooper Kaney of Monmouth University.

World War II US Marine Corps 2nd Marine Division April 19, 2010

05/29/2026

in New Jersey National Guard history, in 1971, the “governor’s cottage” at Sea Girt, where the state’s governors began spending the summers in 1906, was demolished. Originally constructed on the pattern of the Ford Mansion in Morristown, it was the New Jersey exhibit hall at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (Saint Louis World’s Fair) in 1904, and was disassembled and shipped by train to Sea Girt. Although the governors ceased summering there in 1941, numerous famous people had walked its halls, including General John Pershing, Al Smith, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart and Will Rogers, to name a few. Suggestions by National Guard officers and others to turn it into a museum were ignored.

Photo: A lawn party at the governor's cottage in the 1920s.

05/28/2026

in New Jersey military history, in 1898, one man was killed and one injured and three powder mills destroyed in the explosion of a mixing mill at the smokeless powder works of the DuPont Company at Carney's Point.

05/27/2026

in New Jersey military history, in 1778, during the course of a larger raid into Monmouth County intended to destroy mills and salt works, Loyalist raiders attacked the Matawan home of Patriot militia leader Major John Burrowes, hoping to capture him. Burrowes climbed out a window and swam Matawan Creek to successfully escape.

You can read more here:

The Burrowes Mansion was built in 1723 by John Bowne III. It was first known as Bowne Manor. It is one of Monmouth County’s most important early Georgian buildings.

05/27/2026

Today's posted oral history is that of Vietnam War veteran Vincent Vitolo. He served with the US Army's 3rd of the 39th, 9th Infantry Division in country 1968-1969. His summary is written by Isabella Teutonico of Monmouth University.

Vietnam War US Army 9th Inf / 2nd Armored Divs May 2, 2014

05/24/2026

in New Jersey National Guard history, in 1946, the 108th Fighter Group, the predecessor of the 108th Wing, was allotted to the New Jersey National Guard and organized in Newark. Under it were the 141st, 142nd, and 119th Fighter Squadrons, reassigned their old numerical designations after federal service in WWII. Pictured is Newark Municipal Airport a few years after the 108th's reestablishment.