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Sculptor reunites with Ultimate Weapon

  • Published
  • By Jennifer M. McCarthy
  • Army Support Activity -Dix Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  Dix did more than celebrate the Army's Birthday Monday, it also recognized the artistic contribution of one of its own. 

Camillo Signora, a Korean War veteran and former Dix employee, was reunited with a work of art he thought was long gone. Signora was a graphic artist at Fort Dix Training Support Center when he was tasked to make a wooden replica of the Ultimate Weapon statue in 1984.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Kelly, Fort Dix commander at the time, needed a portable sculpture of the Fort Dix symbol to take to a meeting at the Pentagon. Signora took on the challenge of creating a portable version of the metal sculpture, which now sits in Infantry Park, although he had no experience in wood carving.

Signora set to work transforming a block of white pine into an almost-life-sized replica of the Ultimate Weapon statue using just a drill, hammer and chisel.

Signora's magnum opus ventured to the Pentagon after two months of effort. The piece found a home upon its arrival at the reception center on Dix, which is now the Air Mobility Warfare Center.

It remained there until Signora brought his 30-year career as an Army civilian to an end in 1985. Signora said he gave little more thought to his artwork aside from a scrapbook detailing the creation of the statue and the subsequent honors he garnered from the general.

However last year when Signora's friend, Larry Obetz, saw an article about the original Ultimate Weapon statue in the Fort Dix Post newspaper and remembered Signora's tale of creating a similar statue.

Obetz asked Signora what became of the statue. Signora thought after more than two decades, the statue had surely been destroyed.

"I thought maybe it got cold one night and someone chopped it up for firewood," said Signora.

Signora traveled to Dix with his wife Marie, Obetz and friend Marie Stines, to see firsthand the piece had not ended up in a bonfire. The work found a home in the foyer of the Dix command conference room.

Signora and his companions attended a small ceremony Monday at the Dix Headquarters, where he was invited to partake in celebration of the Army's birthday. He joined Col. Patrick Slowey, ASA-Dix commander, and ASA-Dix Command Sergeant Maj. Bonita Davis in cutting the traditional cake honoring the Army's 235th birthday.

He then went to visit his artwork.

Signora explained in order to create the sculpture, which stands about 5'6 inches, he took photos of the original statue and blew them up to a desired size. He then outlined the chunk of wood. The carpentry shop cut out a rough outline of the work and Signora set about creating the rest of the piece.

Signora, pointing to his head, said he "used his good noodles" to create the details, such as incorporating real shoe laces into the statue's boots.

The carving was originally housed in a handmade case, with special lighting and a hand-painted background, but today the whereabouts of the case is no longer known.
Slowey and Davis, in front of a small crowd gathered around the statue, presented Signora with coins for his artistic prowess and his military contributions during the Korean War.

Signora's family moved from the United States to Italy when he was an infant. As a young adult, he was told in order to maintain his citizenship he needed to register for selective service. A 24-year old Signora boarded a troop ship to the United States to begin basic training at Fort Dix in 1952.

Signora spoke no English when he arrived for basic training, but was not daunted. He taught himself how to read and write English and embraced his new life. He enrolled in the Trenton School of Industrial Arts after two years of military service and began a career at Fort Dix as a civilian illustrator.

"This is a great day, "said Signora. "I owe it all to him," he said pointing to his friend Obetz, whose search to find the artwork, rekindled old memories.