Local Businesses Restore Battleship Entrance Sign
Wilmington companies donated pressure washing, paint, and labor to refresh the Battleship North Carolina sign on U.S. Highway 421.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Local Services
Pelican Prowash of Wilmington, Sherwin-Williams, and JBG Services of Leland restored the red, blue, and gold entrance sign for Battleship North Carolina along U.S. Highway 421. Sherwin-Williams contributed 14 gallons of weather-resistant paint, and a six-person JBG crew completed the work over four days.
Why it matters
The sign marks the entrance to the state's official World War II memorial, which honors approximately 11,000 North Carolinians who died while serving. Its last refresh was in 2023, and it requires periodic upkeep because of sunlight, coastal winds, and heavy rain.
Sherwin-Williams donated 14 gallons of weather-resistant paint, and a six-person JBG Services crew spent four days on the work. The sign was last refreshed in 2023, and the donated cost of the services has not been disclosed.
The players
Battleship North Carolina
The Battleship North Carolina is the state's official World War II memorial, permanently moored along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington as the USS North Carolina (BB-55).
Pelican Prowash of Wilmington
Pelican Prowash of Wilmington is a local pressure washing company that donated its services to prepare the sign for painting.
JBG Services
JBG Services is a Leland-based company whose Painting Division provided the labor to restore the sign.
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams is a national paint manufacturer that contributed 14 gallons of weather-resistant paint to the project.
The details
Pelican Prowash of Wilmington pressure washed the sign to prepare its surface, and JBG Services, Painting Division, then painted it to restore its original red, blue, and gold appearance. The project was completed through the donated services and materials of local businesses.
Timeline
2023: The sign was last refreshed before this restoration.
Four days: The JBG Services crew spent this long completing the project.
Community Legacy
The restored sign keeps the entrance to the Battleship North Carolina memorial visible along U.S. Highway 421, a site that has been part of Wilmington for more than six decades. Maintaining it reflects the long-standing role of the memorial in honoring about 11,000 North Carolinians who died while serving in World War II.
Visitors approaching the Battleship North Carolina along U.S. Highway 421 will see a freshly painted entrance sign. The memorial is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, along the Cape Fear River.
The takeaway
Local businesses can help maintain community landmarks through donated services and materials, which keeps sites like the Battleship North Carolina entrance visible for residents and visitors. Routine upkeep matters for signs exposed to coastal weather.
Further reading
Explore more local services in Wilmington to see how area businesses support community landmarks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWAYTV3.
