Two incidents of vandalism have been reported in less than a week at Gettysburg National Park.
On August 15, the National Park Service (NPS) reported that park officials had reported that several boulders on Little Round Top had been defaced with graffiti.
The second incident occurred on Aug. 19, when visitors to the historic site reported that graffiti had been spray-painted on the historic War Department observation tower.
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“We were disappointed that these two incidents of vandalism were reported within a matter of days,” National Park Service Superintendent Christina Heister said in a press release.
Park preservationists came to the rescue and by August 20th had removed all traces of the vandalism.
A boulder on Little Round Top at Gettysburg National Military Park was vandalized in a separate incident of defacement less than a week ago. (National Park Service)
“We were concerned that the graffiti carved into the rocks would remain for future generations. We are so grateful to our incredible preservation staff who have quickly and expertly restored these sites, allowing visitors to continue to experience them as originally intended.”
She added: “They truly are heroes on this sacred ground!”
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Gettysburg Borough Police say officers were able to identify the suspect responsible for the spray painting at the historic military park.
Police say the incident remains under investigation.
A statue of Brigadier General Gouverneur Warren overlooking Little Round Top at Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
If convicted, the suspects could face up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000, the penalties for vandalizing a national park, according to the National Park Service.
This historic hill played a key role in the final stages of the Civil War.
Medal of Honor recipient Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain led his men in a bayonet charge on Little Round Top, saving the Union line and helping preserve the Union victory in the Civil War.
On this day in history, November 19, 1863, President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
“We were really disappointed to learn that something like this happened in our sacred grounds,” Jason Martz, public affairs specialist for Gettysburg National Military Park, told Fox 43.
Medal of Honor recipient Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain led his troops in the bayonet charge on Little Round Top that ultimately led to the Union victory in the Civil War. (CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
“This area has had very little foot traffic for the last two years and it was very disappointing to see this done.”
Hiester said vandalism of any kind against historic and irreplaceable objects and structures should be of concern to all Americans.
“We can't do this alone,” she said.
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“We all share a responsibility to protect and care for this special place, and everyone is a steward of Gettysburg's heritage, history and resources during their visit,” the museum director continued in the statement.
Martz reportedly first saw the damage at the scene through social media posts.
He said he recognizes the role Americans play in preserving historic objects and places like Gettysburg National Park.
Police have identified a suspect who vandalized a historic site at Gettysburg National Military Park. (NPS; Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
According to the Gettysburg Foundation's website, Little Round Top had been closed for renovations for about two years, but only reopened to the public in late June of this year.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Park Service and Gettysburg Borough Police for additional comment.
