Camp Shelby: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:17, 10 February 2014

Camp Shelby (1917-Present) - First established on 18 Jul 1917 during World War I as a National Guard training post. Named after Col. Isaac Shelby, first governor of Kentucky, veteran of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Active military installation.

World War I

One of sixteen U.S. Army National Guard Mobilization and Training Camps established in 1917 to train and integrate National Guard units for service in a U.S. Army division. Camp Shelby was established in July 1917 under the supervision of construction quartermaster Major W. J. Howard. The camp was to have a capacity of about 36,000 officers and enlisted men that would become the 38th U.S. Infantry Division. The camp was completed about November 1917 at a first fiscal year cost of $ 5,900,000. During the World War I build up the post grew to 1,206 buildings and hosted a tent city designed for 36,000 troops. after the war all the buildings were demolished but four.

The first commander of the camp was Major General William H. Sage who organized the 38th U.S. Infantry Division on 25 Aug 1917 and initiated troop training. The 38th departed for France in Oct 1918 and upon arrival it was skeletonized with troops used as replacements in other units. The 38th returned to the U.S. in December 1919 and was demobilized.

At the end of the war the camp became a demobilization center and was closed. In 1934 the post reverted to the State of Mississippi for use as a National Guard training post.

World War II

Camp Shelby was federalized in 1940 in anticipation of World War II and expanded in size to 86,000 acres with much new construction. In addition to normal troop training functions, Camp Shelby trained WAC units, maintained a large convalescent hospital for returning wounded, and housed a German POW camp. The post close shortly after the end of World War II.

Current Status

Active Military Installation, Mississippi National Guard in Forrest County, Mississippi.

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Location: Camp Shelby, Forrest County, Mississippi.

Maps & Images

Lat: 31.18634 Long: -89.25137

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: 300'

Sources:

Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 451

Links:

Visited: 19 Feb 2010

Camp Shelby Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby

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 == [[World War I]] ==
-Established on 18 Jul 1917 during [[World War I]] as a Federalized National Guard training post for the 38th Division. The post was active during [[World War I]] between August 1917 and September 1918. On 3 Dec 1918 it was designated a demobilization center, on 13 Mar 1919 it was ordered salvaged and on 15 Oct 1919 it closed.
+One of sixteen U.S. Army National Guard Mobilization and Training Camps established in 1917 to train and integrate National Guard units for service in a U.S. Army division. Camp Shelby was established in July 1917 under the supervision of construction quartermaster Major [[W. J. Howard]]. The camp was to have a capacity of about 36,000 officers and enlisted men that would become the [[38th U.S. Infantry Division]]. The camp was completed about November 1917 at a first fiscal year cost of $ 5,900,000. During the [[World War I]] build up the post grew to 1,206 buildings and hosted a tent city designed for 36,000 troops. after the war all the buildings were demolished but four.
-During the [[World War I]] build up the post grew to 1,206 buildings and hosted a tent city designed for 36,000 troops. after the war all the buildings were demolished but four. In 1934 the post reverted  to the State of Mississippi for use as a National Guard training post.
+The first commander of the camp was Major General [[William H. Sage]] who organized the [[38th U.S. Infantry Division]] on 25 Aug 1917 and initiated troop training. The 38th departed for France in Oct 1918 and upon arrival it was skeletonized with troops used as replacements in other units. The 38th returned to the U.S. in December 1919 and was demobilized.
+At the end of the war the camp became a demobilization center and was closed. In 1934 the post reverted to the State of Mississippi for use as a National Guard training post.
 ==[[World War II]]==
 Camp Shelby was federalized in 1940 in anticipation of [[World War II]] and expanded in size to 86,000 acres with much new construction. In addition to normal troop training functions, Camp Shelby trained WAC units, maintained a large convalescent hospital for returning wounded, and housed a German POW camp. The post close shortly after the end of [[World War II]].