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Vandalism Strikes Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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Compiled from NPS releases

Published Date

May 6, 2025

A reward is being offered for information leading to the apprehension of two men who stole brass plaques from Chichamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park/NPS file

Recent acts of vandalism in the National Park System have rangers seeking the public's help in tracking down the perpetrators, including two who made off with three bronze plaques valued at $18,000 from Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee.

At the military park, around noon this past Sunday two white males removed the plaques from the Sherman Reservation on Missionary Ridge. The 50-acre reservation marks the spot where Union General William T. Sherman attacked Confederate troops during the Civil War.

The males were driving a late '90s - early 2000s model Ford F-150, extended cab, green in color with a two-tone gray stripe on the bottom quarter of the vehicle, a park release said, adding that the driver's side front wheel does not match the other wheels. The vehicle was captured on a park camera.

The two males were described as being in their mid-20s with brown hair, and one was wearing a bright orange shirt similar to a construction safety shirt.

Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact Ranger Justin Young at 423-298-7437. A reward will be issued for verified information.

Meanwhile, at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina law enforcement rangers were seeking information to determine who might have forcibly entered the Bodie Island Lighthouse between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Additional details were not available during the investigatory phase of this incident, but anyone with information was asked to contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch. Call or text the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009 or submit a tip at www.nps.gov/isb.

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