U.S. Army's Gun Battalion Dedicated in Nutley Park
• 'Camp Nutley's 1950's Mission: Defend the George Washington Bridge
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Commissioner Mauro Tucci (right) unveils and reads the inscription on a memorial Camp Nutley" plaque in Flora Louden Park Thursday afternoon. Seen (l-r) are Mayor Joanne Cocchiola, Fr. Tom Nicastro of St. Mary's Church, Nutley Museum and Historical Society President Domenick Tibaldo, and Michael W. Debany, now retired from the U.S. Army and who was the camp commander.
Sep 24, 2011 – Nutley residents were surprised to learn this week that four acres of the park complex at 44 Park Avenue was once equipped with 90 millimeter guns that were armed and aimed at the skies, ready shoot down airplanes that threatened to bomb George Washington Bridge.
The existence of "Camp Nutley," a U.S. Army Installation, was an active triple-A gun battalion for five years, from 1952-1957.
The Nutley Historical Society and the Nutley Parks Dept. recently were contacted by a former commander of "Camp Nutley," as the base was referred to locally.
Very few of Nutley resident knew of the existence of the base formally named "Battery A of the 98th AAA Gun Battalion."
"We were one one of five sites ready to defend the George Washington Bridge from aerial attack, presumably from Russian bombers," Domenick Tibaldo, president of the Nutley Museum and Historical Society told a gathering of 40 people at the Thursday afternoon dedication. Tibaldo presented a detailed hour-long program to members of the Nutley Historical Thursday night.
Commissioner Tucci also introduced Michael W. Debany at the outdoor afternoon dedication of a memorial plaque that afternoon. Debany was the Army's lieutenant in charge of "Camp Nutley" in 1955-56.
"We were on full alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Debany said. "And while we kept a low profile, we got our haircuts in down and I among others went to Mass at St. Mary's Church.
"The Nutley base was 11 miles from the George Washington Bridge. The Nutley site was home to four 9-millimeter guns that could fire up to 22 projectiles per minute. The projectiles were equipped with radar guidance controls."
Commissioner Tucci presided over the dedication of a commemorative plaque that was unveiled Thursday afternoon in the park ceremony.
The plaque reads:
"Former site of Battery A of the 98th AAA Gun Battalion, locally known as"CAMP NUTLEY" – An Active U.S. Army Military Camp from 1952 – 1957.
"Its Four Radar Controlled 90mm Guns were tasked to defend the George Washington Bridge from Aerial Attack.
"Dedicated to the men who served here."
"We Were Ready"
"Dedicated September 22, 2011 – Nutley Board of Commissioners."
