Spirit of the American Doughboy

You are at our treasured Spirit of the American Doughboy monument, stop #8 on the Belmar Treasure Trail. Doughboy was the popular name for a World War I foot soldier. Following the war, doughboy memorials were erected across America. Yet today, less than 200 remain. Belmar’s doughboy was originally dedicated in 1930 but fell into disrepair over the decades. In 2002, the Belmar Historical Society began a campaign to refurbish the statue, and in 2006, it was rededicated. The names on the back of the monument are those of local area men and women who actively served in the armed forces in what was called “The War to End All Wars.” The two names with stars commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This small, but much appreciated area, is known as Belmar’s Doughboy Park.