SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A Kendall Park corner now carries the name of a man who served aboard the battleship USS New Jersey, patrolled the township's streets at night and once saved a neighbor's toddler.
South Brunswick dedicated Wiggs Way at Roberts Street and Williams Road on Saturday, Sept. 26, in honor of Charles Arthur Wiggs, 95, a Korean War Navy veteran, former township police officer and longtime Kendall Park resident, the township announced.
Wiggs, known to his neighbors as Jack, attended the ceremony with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"He revived a neighbor's child, he patrolled these streets at night, he built a church's pulpit in his garage, he built that church where it stands today, and he learned the tango with Jean," Mayor Charlie Carley said. "In those years Kendall Park was houses and streets. Neighbors like Jack Wiggs made it a town."
Born in Rockford, Illinois, in 1931, Wiggs enlisted in the Navy in Chicago on Oct. 12, 1948. He trained as a metalsmith and served aboard the USS New Jersey during its 1951 deployment to Korea. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 3, 1952.
His decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Wiggs and his wife, Jean, settled in Kendall Park in 1957, first on Palmer Road and later on Roberts Street, where the family lived until 1995.
In 1959, he revived a neighbor's 18-month-old daughter after the child nearly drowned. The next year, he helped build the pulpit for Christ the King Lutheran Church in his garage.
When the township formed a part-time night police force in January 1960, Wiggs was one of eight special police officers appointed. He served on the force through the 1960s.
Wiggs and Jean were married for 72 years. She died in 2023.
During Saturday's ceremony, Scott Weyd, commander of VFW Post 9111, spoke about Wiggs' naval service. Police Chief Jim Ryan presented Wiggs with an official South Brunswick Police retirement badge in recognition of his years with the department. The department's honor guard also took part.
Councilwoman Patty Germain read the township resolution, and Wiggs and his family unveiled the sign.
Also attending were Councilwomen Jo Hochman and Archana "Ann" Grover, Township Manager Bryan Bidlack, Deputy Township Manager Julie Trammell, representatives of veterans organizations and residents.
Wiggs' grandson, Michael Treiber, nominated him for the honor.
The dedication was part of the township's Veteran Street Sign Program, which honors South Brunswick residents who served in wartime with commemorative signs on existing municipal roads.
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