tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15541921437024591812024-03-13T20:15:22.926-07:00WhitedeercafeWilliam Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-41677093777200781882018-03-01T08:55:00.001-08:002018-03-04T11:09:20.924-08:00King In Camden - Stockton Study Dispute <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
INQUIRER REPORT ON STOCKTON STUDY OF MLK IN CAMDEN<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMfLZfu91RAe14bFm3dCBDd4RpGvjl04jhgvuCaYI67LSSNd_ULzkfa8s067NEPynwBFVlYLuLDjhKxhnZHKo7ASrv6RV9GCyBHHfLTT9Yl5O5HrM7RBERb3-1Q0eaysLxnAItlSmBo8/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMfLZfu91RAe14bFm3dCBDd4RpGvjl04jhgvuCaYI67LSSNd_ULzkfa8s067NEPynwBFVlYLuLDjhKxhnZHKo7ASrv6RV9GCyBHHfLTT9Yl5O5HrM7RBERb3-1Q0eaysLxnAItlSmBo8/s320/photo.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
753 Walnut Street - Camden, N.J.<br />
MLK's Home address in June 1950<br />
<br />
The Stockton University "study" of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s time in Camden concluded "King may reasonably be said to have 'stayed' or 'visited' 753 Walnut Street at certain points in time, but at no time could be said to have 'lived' there." That conclusion is an oxymoron of semantics, as it has been clearly established as a fact that he did in fact visit, stay and lived there at very specific points in time between 1947 and 1950.<br />
<br />
In regards to the <i>Philadelphia Inquire</i>r article on the Stockton study of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s time in Camden, NJ, - "King Tie to House Disputed" (Published on Monday, February 26, 2018), it should be noted that there is no disputing that King "lived" at 753 Walnut Street, as King himself signed the legal complaint in Maple Shade, listing that address as his residence, and others who lived there have testified to remembering him living there.<br />
<br />
If Stockton is going to use semantics to dispute King's ties to the house as his residence, then the "study" itself is in dispute, as it is incomplete and failed to follow basic social research techniques.<br />
<br />
It should be noted that the $20,000 Stockton "study," commissioned and financed by the State of New Jersey, was conducted by six all Caucasian professors and graduate students who only reviewed the published books and articles. They did not survey the detailed public records obtained by Patrick Duff, nor did they conduct any interviews or oral histories with any of the living witnesses.<br />
<br />
That the published historical records do not reflect King's time in Camden, or the incident at Maple Shade, makes it a Deep Political event, and even more significant than the official history as it stands today. It is truly amazing that we are learning of these things for the first time fifty years after they occurred, and as their true significance is realized, King's biographies and the history of the civil rights movement in America must be re-written, not discarded as insignificant, as the Stockton report suggests.<br />
<br />
For his own personal and understandable reasons King himself did not want to reveal to his family or promote the fact that he was evicted from a bar at gunpoint on a Sunday night.<br />
<br />
But we now know for a fact that King lived in Camden at 753 Walnut Street in June 1950, and the event at Mary's Place Cafe in Maple Shade inspired him to make civil rights a part of his ministry.<br />
<br />
How can that NOT be significant?<br />
<br />
Since the incomplete and flawed Stockton report was officially released Patrick Duff discovered yet another newspaper article from 1998 that quotes Jethroe Hunt, then 77 years old, who was a young man in 1950. Hunt grew up in the 753 Walnut Street house, and it was his second floor back room King and McCall used while he was away in the Army for three years. Hunt had just returned on the very June 1950 day that King said he was going to go to Maple Shade to get something to eat, and ignored Hunt's warning that he wouldn't be served there.<br />
<br />
King replied by saying, "We've got to get this thing changed to the point where we can go anywhere."<br />
<br />
This indicates that King and company didn't just didn't stop at Mary's Place at random, but went there specifically because they knew they wouldn't be served and to instigate an incident, which they did.<br />
<br />
At the time King's Crozier seminary was on summer break. King was reading about Ghandi's use of non-violent civil disobedience against British rule in India and was taking a seminar with renown black sociologist Dr. Ira De A. Reid at Haverford College, where there is now a social research center named after Reid.<br />
<br />
Reid's seminar was on proper oral history research techniques, and Reid had his students, including King, travel around the south interviewing older black Baptist preachers.<br />
<br />
Years later in 1958 King gave a speech on the use of non-violent civil disobedience in the civil rights movement to a conference of Quakers in Cape May, NJ, when he quoted one of the old preachers he interviewed, who didn't have good command of the King's English but got his point across when he said: "Let judgement rain down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Lord, we ain't what we ought to be, we ain't what we wanna be, but thank almighty Gold we ain't what we was."<br />
<br />
Now we know King spent some considerable time in Camden, preached there, lived at 753 Walnut Street, a house that should be preserved, and he was involved in an incident at Mary's Place Cafe in Maple Shade, filed charges against bar owner Ernest Nichols, the first civil rights case he was involved in, and it was a planned strategy that inspired him to make civil rights an important part of his ministry, which got him killed.<br />
<br />
King was assisted in his case by Camden Dr. Ulysses Samson Wiggins, and now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Camden ends at Wiggins Park.<br />
<br />
753 Walnut Street should be restored and preserved like another historic Camden house on MLK Blvd. - The Walt Whitman house.<br />
<br />
When King was assassinated, and on other occasions, riots broke out in Camden and whole blocks of houses were burned to the ground, but Eleanor Ray, a local girl who obtained a degree from Rutgers, was curator of the Whitman house during the riots and saved it by standing on the front steps of the house with a broom, and swatting it at any rioters who threatened it.<br />
<br />
Now 753 Walnut Street needs to be preserved like the Whitman House, and Patrick Duff is the new Eleanor Ray. </div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-38512710832583473052018-02-23T09:55:00.003-08:002018-02-25T09:30:48.448-08:00Philadelphia Eagle Cleches <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Philadelphia Eagle Cleches<br />
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<img alt="Image result for Philadelphia Eagles" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHRC0ZW7LdpJ3kvaKRgap6BySyv2h_HmGXBlFicm7Hmi9spSWe" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="-y_x4Nk0_m8slM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHRC0ZW7LdpJ3kvaKRgap6BySyv2h_HmGXBlFicm7Hmi9spSWe" style="height: 181px; margin-left: -8px; margin-right: -8px; margin-top: 0px; width: 272px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Philadelphia Eagles, unlikely winners of Superbowl 52 and NFL World Championship,
coined a few clichés that deserve further reflection and can possibly be put to
use in other aspects of our lives, other than sports. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">After
bouncing around the NFL and considering retirement, Eagles backup quarterback Nick
Foles, the Superbowl Most Valuable Player, said a few good things other than of
his faith in God and prayer. He said that people “shouldn’t be afraid to fail”
– something that many people predicted he would do after replacing the
quarterback who took the Eagles to an unprecedented season and got them in the
playoffs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Foles
also said that it was important that he “stay in the moment,” and really
appreciate all the good things that were happening – both during and after the
game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">They
used to say that about Alan Iverson, the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers basketball
standout who, when he “was on,” would lead the team to the NBA finals, but
alone, could never deliver that championship parade down Broad Street. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Then
there’s coach Pederson, who came up with the play that will live forever, the
Philly Special – a fourth down and one at the goal line, a flea flicker shotgun
hike to the back, an undrafted free agent - who flips the ball to an end around
– who happens to be a former college quarterback who throws the ball to the
wide open Nick Foles in the end zone for the touchdown just before the end of
the half. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Coach
Peterson said that winning championships – is “the New Norm,” and that
Philadelphia will become what New England was – a virtual dynasty of champions.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Then at
the end of the parade at the big party – Eagles center – dressed as a genie in
a mummer’s outfit – took over the microphone on Rocky’s Arts Museum steps and
underlying the Eagle’s proud underdog status – at least as far as the Vegas
bookies went – said that “Hungry dogs run faster!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">And
indeed they do, or did on this day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">So in
retrospect – we can take it all in and reflect on these cleches – “Don’t be
afraid to fail,” – “Stay in the Moment,” – and remember “The Philly Special,” a
play that will be suitable for sometime in our lives, and when you are hot, winning
becomes “The New Norm,” and “ Hungry (Under) Dogs run faster!”, something to consider before placing your bet. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It should also be noted that the New Norm of winning may be contagious, as the Philadelphia Flyers and the Seventy Sixers have yet to lose since the Superbowl and are 14-0. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKO_HleNb8Q7UGoEbHvnd8Hr9ImX4biEkQbw_OuEMcrrpzXLMY9A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"><img alt="Image result for Philadelphia Eagles center" border="0" class="rg_ic rg_i" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="iGeKBQ3zOn407M:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKO_HleNb8Q7UGoEbHvnd8Hr9ImX4biEkQbw_OuEMcrrpzXLMY9A" style="height: 179px; margin-top: -2px; width: 269px;" /></a><br />
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-21854886202789583642017-05-22T11:57:00.003-07:002017-05-22T11:57:33.556-07:00Chronology 2 Updated <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">CAMP DIX –
JBMDL CHRONOLOGY OF THE FIRST 100 YEARS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1793 – January 9 - The first flight
in North America took place from Philadelphia to Woodbury, New Jersey with
Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchardin a balloon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1798 – John Adams Dix born
in Boscawen, New Hampshire <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1812 – Dix serves in War
of 1812<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1861 – Dix named chairman
of the Union Defense Committee in New York and made Major General in US
Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1872 – Dix elected
Governor of New York <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">21 April 1879 – Dix dies
in New York City <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1909 – A.D. Irwin and A.O. Leighton
form Philadelphia construction company<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1915 – Eddystone Ammunition
Corporation establishes the Lakehurst Munitions Storage facility for Imperial
Russian Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">6 April 1917 – US enters World War I
– Congress authorizes the construction of 16 Army Camps to be built.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1917 – Camp Kendrick established at
Lakehurst, home of the 1<sup>st</sup> Gas Regiment, a chemical weapons unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">19 May 1917 Selective Service
Act <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">12 June 1917 – Major Harry C.
Williams named first commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">June 1917 – Irwin & Leighton
given $13 million contract to convert New Jersey corn fields into army
mobilization and training camp. Construction of Camp Dix begins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">June 1917 – First American troops
arrive in France <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">28 June 1914 – Construction begins
on 1,655 buildings with 11,000 workers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 July, 1917<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1917 – Harker family house sold to
government and converted to the residence of the base commander. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">23 August 1917 – Major General Chase
W. Kennedy named commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">September 1917 – First 17,000 troops
arrive at Camp Dix. Eventually 35,000 troops in training, filling all
barracks and tents used to house the rest, including 87th and 34th Infantry
Divisions, 349th and 350th Field Artillery Battalions of the 92nd Division, and
15th Infantry of New York (369th). 311th Ambulance Company. 153rd Depot
Brigade. British, French and Scottish solders at CampDix to advise US
soldiers on the role of tanks and trench warfare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">October 1917 – Camp Dix Fire
Company organized by soldiers, and the library opens with volunteers from the
American Library Association. Howard L. Hughes, Harold F. Brigham
librarians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">22 October 1917 –
Camp Dix base hospital opens with 61 buildings with 1,000 bed
capacity, located east of the Wrightstown Circle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">28 November 1917 – Brigadier General
John S. Mallory (ad Interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">28 December 1917 – Brigadier General
James T. Dean (ad interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2 January 1918 – Major General Hugh
L. Scott assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">May 1918 – 78th Infantry Division,
under Maj. Gen. Chase Kennedy leaves Dix and sails to Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">May 1918 – YMCA, Red Cross and
Knights of Columbus begin providing programs and services to entertain the
soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">August 1918 – Fort Dix has
55,000 soldiers in training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">September - October 1918 – 7,970
cases of influenza and pneumonia reported, 774 deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">11 November 1918 – War ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3 December -
Camp Dix demobilization center opens that processes over 300,000 soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 March 1919 –
Camp Dix becomes Fort Dix – named permanent Army
post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">12 May 1919 – Major General Harry C.
Hale assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1919 – Contractors and workman
arrive at Lakehurst to begin the excavation for the world’s largest aircraft
hangar, the first to be built in America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1920 – 26 men, eight officers and
eighteen enlisted men sent to England for training on British airships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1920 – Congress approves military
budget that includes construction of two rigid airships, one to be built in
this country and the other in UK, along with a “station in which to erect and
operate a dirigible.” With this directive the US Navy took over the Army’s Camp
Kendrick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">31 July 1920 – Commander Hale
promoted to Brigadier General.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 August 1920 – Thomas Buchanan
McGuire, Jr. born in Ridgewood, N.J. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3 September 1920 Brigadier General
William S. Graves assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 October 1920 Brigadier General
Clarence R. Edwards assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 November 1920 Major General
Charles C.P. Summerall assume command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">10-11 1920 – 1st Infantry Division
observes first anniversary of end of WWI at ceremony presided over by Gen. John
J. Pershing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1920 – Camp Dix used as a
training center for Army Reserves, National Guard and the Citizens Training
Camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1920-21 – Design studies initiated
for the construction of airship – ZR-1 – Zeppelin, Rigid #1. Basic parts
constructed in Philadelphia. Commander Ralph Weyerbacher named project manager,
assited by Anton Heinen, a German airship expert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1921 – Navy establishes Lakehurst
Naval Air Station <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1921 - Animal Transportation School
operating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">June 1921 – ZR-2 completed in
England. 695 feet long, 85 feet in diameter, and six engines, the airship was
designed by the British, who basically followed the German design. Design flaws
resulted in buckling, and with American Naval Commander A. H. Maxfiled, broke
apart on a test flight and crashes into the Humber River in the City of Hull,
England. Maxfiled and 43 crew killed. Crewman Charles Broome of Toms River, was
not aboard, witnessed the crash and took a boat to the scene, swimming into the
sinking ship in an attempt to rescue survivors. Broome awarded a medal for
heroism, but died in the crash of the Shenandoah four years later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">July 1921 – Major General David C.
Shanks assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">November 1921 – Major General
Charles T. Meneher assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">December 1921 – Major General Harry
C. Hale returns to command of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">November 1922 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">17 January 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 May 1923 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">4 September 1923 – First test flight
of ZR-1, Frank R. McCrary and Anton Heinen joint commanders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">5 September 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killiian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1923 – Camp Kendrick is open at
Lakehurst Proving Grounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">11 September 1923 – ZR-1 makes
publicity flight over New York city and Philadelphia, huge crowds watched and
cheered from thestreets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">10 October 1923 – ZR-1 officially
christened the Shenandoah by Marion Denby, wife of the Secretary of the Navy,
Edwin Denby. “Shenandoah” is an American
Indian term meaning, “Daughter of the Stars,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 January 1924 – Shenandoah breaks
away from the mooring mast at Lakehurst during a storm and sustains nose
damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 April 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">19 May 1924 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">21 June 1924 – Colonel Charles
Gerhardt commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">26 June 1924 – Colonel John J.
Bradley commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3 July 1924 – Brigadier General
Frank Parker assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">26 July 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 August 1924 – Shenandoah makes the
first mooring to a Navy vessel, the USS Patoka, a tanker ship outfitted with a
mooring mast. Lt. Charles Rosendahl was in command. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">7 October 1924 – Shenandoah begins
trip across the USA flying over the Rocky Mountains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">October 15 1924 – ZR-3 Los Angeles
delivered to Lakehurst from Germany as part of post-war reparations agreement,
carrying highly volatile hydrogen fuel, declared unsafe by Navy standards. The
hydrogen fuel vented off into the pinelands air and refitted with helium from
the Shenandoah. The transoceanic flight of 5,000 miles took 81 hours with an
average speed of 61 mph. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">27 April 1925 – Colonel Stanley Ford
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">21 May 1925 – Brigadier General
Preston Brown assumes command of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">10 August 1925 – Lieutenant
Colonel James T. Watson commander of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">25 September 1925 – Major Nicholas
W. Campanole commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2 September 1925 – Shenandoah
embarks on flight to Midwest, runs into storm over Ohio and breaks apart. The
control cabin plunged to earth killing Commander Zachary Lansdowne. The bow
section descends safely to earth under guidance of Lt. Cmdr. Rosendahl. 21 of
the crew of 43 survive. Charles H. Broome of Toms River and George C. Schnitzer
of Tuckerton die in the accident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">15 October 1925 – Captain Herbert D.
Gilison commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 November 1925 – Captain Richard
L. Pemberton commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">25 November 1925 – ZR-3 flown to
Washington DC where the President’s wife, Grace Coolidge, christened her the
Los Angeles. Navy Lieutenant Charles E. Rosendahl boarded her for the return
flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1925 – Mock Invasion staged at
Fort Dix – first landing of an airplane on base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">15 March 1926 – Lt. Commander
Rosendahl replaced Commander George W. Steele as skipper of the Los Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">6 May 1926 – Captain George Rankin
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 June 1927 – Brigadier General
Frank McCoy commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">25 August 1927 – while moored to the
mast at Lakehurst, strong winds lift the tail of the Los Angeles until it stood
vertically from its nose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">22 July 1928 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1928 – September – The New Jersey
National Guard Flying Contingent – the 119<sup>th</sup> Observation Squadron established
in support of the 44<sup>th</sup> Army Division, flying O-2H observation
aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1928 – The Los Angeles attempted a
landing on the aircraft carrier Saratoga, but high winds prevented it from
doing so, though Lt. Commander Herbert Wiley jumped aboard the Saratoga deck
and was left behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">21 September 1928 – Brigadier
General Otho B. Rosembaum commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">11 October 1928 – The Graf Zeppelin
(LZ-127) begins transatlantic flight from Germany to Lakehurst. Built at
Friedrichshafen, Germany, where the Los Angeles was built, as a private venture
by Hugo Eckener, who believed in the commercial success of airships for
passenger, mail and cargo. US Navy Lt. Commander Charles E. Rosendahl was on
board when violent storm damaged the horizontal stabilizer, and repairs were
made over the rough seas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">15 October 1928 – Graf Zeppelin
arrived at Lakehurst after 112 hours at sea, flying 6,200 miles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">7 August 1929 – Graf Zeppelin,
financed by American publisher William Randolph Hearst, began an “Around the
World Cruise” from Lakehurst. It flew to Germany, over Russia, Tokyo and across
the Pacific to Los Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">29 August 1929 – Graf Zeppelin
arrives back at Lakehurst after circling the globe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">November 1929 – Construction of the
fourth airship authorized by US Navy began by Goodyear Zeppelin Company, in
Akron, Ohio. 785-feet long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 October 1930 – Captain Charles
Perfect commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">20 October 1930 –
1st Lieutenant Richard T. Mitchell commander of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">17 December 1930 – Major Andrew G.
Gardner commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1930 – Federal Bureau of Prisons
establishes prison on site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1930s – Citizens Military Training
Camp (CMTC) offers signal, infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineering
training. After 4, 30 day courses qualify for commission in Army Reserve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">5 August 1931 – the Akron, designed
to carry airplanes within its framework, was christened by the wife of
President Herbert Hoover. It carried five Navy scouting planes on initial test
flights under the command of Lt. Commander Charles Rosendahl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">December 1931 – Captain Samuel L.
Metcalfe commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">March 1932 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 May 1932 – The Akron flies west. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">11 May 1932 – Akron arrives at Camp
Kearney, San Diego, California. Two ground crewmen killed in an accident while
mooring and a third left dangling until rescued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">June 1932 – Brigadier General Howard
L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">June 1932 – The Los Angeles was
retired during the Great Depression for economic reasons, after making 331
flights and 4,320 flying hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">September 1932 – Captain Horace K.
Heath commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">November 1932 – Major Alexander C.
Sullivan commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">March 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">March 1933 – Wife of Navy Admiral
Moffett christens the Macon, built by Goodyear, the fifth airship to join the
US Navy fleet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">31 March 1933 – President Franklin
D. Roosevelt signs bill creating CCC that continued until 1942 – Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees, controlled soil erosion, constructed
roads, dams, bridges and fire towers, operates reception, training and
discharge center with two forestry companies, a physical conditioning company
and cook and baker’s school. The CCC built the first airplane runway at
Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">April 1933 – Brigadier General
Howard L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3 April 1933 – Under command of
Commander Frank McCord, with Admirla W. A. Moffett, Chief of Navy Bureau of
Aeronautics as a guest, the Akron left Lakehurst on test mission, was caught in
a storm and plunged into the sea. Only three of the 76 aboard survived, two
enlisted men and Lt. Commander Wiley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">October 1933 – Macon assigned to the
new Moffett Field airbase at Sunnyvale, California. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">December 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel Torrey
B. Maghee commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">March 1934 – Brigadier General
Howard Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">August 1934 – Brigadier General John
L. DeWitt commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">October 1934 – Major Ford Richardson
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1934 – The German company that built
the Los Angeles and Graf Zeppelin began construction of the Hindenburg, with
much improved aerodynamics and speed of 80 mph, a library, bar, individual
cabins, dining room with a grand piano and smoking salon sealed off from the
rest of the ship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">April 1935 – Lieutenant Colonel
Albert S. Williams commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">12 February 1935 – While engaged in
a fleet drill off California, a squall tore the upper fin and rudder and debris
punctured three rear helium cells. The crew donned life jackets as the ship
settled into the sea. As the helium gas was inhaled by the crew’s vocal cords,
“bass voices turned soprano and strong men sounded like babies. The men
clinging to the sinking aircraft suddenly exploded into uncontrollable laughter
at the strange sound of themselves, despite their perilous condition. Only two
of the 83 men aboard were killed. The ZR-5 sank. (Note: On June 24, 1990 the wreckage of the
Macon was found by US Navy three man submersible Sea Cliff, off Point Sur, at
depth of 1,450 feet). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">4 March 1936 – Hindenburg takes
maiden flight, then makes ten trips to Lakehurst that year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">22 March 1936 – Graf Zeppelin and
the recently completed LZ-129 the Hindenburg, take a duel flight across
Germany. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">November 1936 – Colonel Robert S.
Knox commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1936 – Telephone switchboard
installed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1937 – Civilian Conservation Corps
completes concrete runway – Fort Dix airstrip - Rudd Field, dedicated to 2<sup>nd</sup>
Lt. Guy K. Rudd – who lost his life on December 11, 1932 when his plane struck
a tree and crashed in Bernardsville during a low altitude dive. Rear observer Cpl.
Robert W. Junemann was also killed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3 May 1937 – Hindenburg began first
ocean crossing of the year, to Lakehurst, Captain Max Pruss flying over New
York City to give passengers view of Statue of Liberty and Empire State
Building. Commander Charles Rosendahl at Lakehurst radioed Captain Pruss to
delay scheduled landing because of high winds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">6 May 1937 – 7:25 pm Hindenburg dirigible
disaster at Lakehurst. 13 passengers, 22 crewmen and one Navy ground crew,
Allen Hagaman died, 72 survived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">23 October 1937 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1938 – Works Progress Administration
and Public Works Administration funds construction of new buildings – Building
5416 – housed field grade officers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 March 1939 –
Camp Dix named a permanent installation and renamed Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1940 – Graf Zeppelin retired from
service and dismantled. In nine years it made 590 flights over 1,033,618 miles.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">9 January 1940 Colonel Bernard Lentz
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">13 May 1940 – Colonel John W. Downer
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1940 – Federal government purchases
17,000 additional acres of adjacent land and constructs new runways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 September 1940 – President
Roosevelt declares limited national emergency and approved the first peacetime
draft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 September 1940 – Peacetime draft
inductees begin arriving at Fort Dixreception, training and deployment
center. 44th Infantry Division assigned to Fort Dix for training. Ten
other divisions trained at Fort Dix before being deployed overseas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">25 October 1940 Major General
Clifford R. Powell commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1941 – Pointville cemetery and town
acquired by government for base expansion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">18 March 1941 Colonel Cassius M.
Dowell commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1941 – McGuire leaves Georgia Tech
to join US Army Air Corps, Randolph Field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1942 – U.S. Army ground forces
relinquish control of the air base to the U.S. Army Air Force under
jurisdiction of 1<sup>st</sup> Air Force as key anti-submarine base. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">14 January 1942 – wartime airship
K-3 under command of Lt. Walter Keen, made the first MAD (Magnetic Airborne
Detection) contact with a submarine along the eastern shipping route, diverting
a convoy away and marking the spot by flare so a nearby destroyer could drop
depth charges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">May 1942 – Women’s Army Auxiliary
Corps established <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">15 July 1942 – K-9 under command of
Lt. Commander Raymond Tyler, rescued survivors of the torpedoed merchant ship
S.S. Moldanger, who had been adrift at sea for 18 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1943 – B-24s arrive for anti-sub
warfare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">April 1943 – Dodgers and Giants play
a baseball game at Fort Dix baseball field. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">July 1943 – Auxiliary Corps renamed
Women’s Army Corps (WACS), working as administrative clerks, truck drivers,
photographers and mechanics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">18-19 August 1943 – McGuire with
431st Fighter Squadron Wewak, New Guinea, shoots down five Japanese Ki-43 and
Ki-61 fighters, eventually scoring 38 aerial victories, second only to Maj.
Richard I. Bong, US AF all time ace (40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1943 – Commercial artist Sfc. Zola
Marcus painted many murals around the base. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1943 – September – U.S. Navy takes
over anti-submarine warfare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 October 1943 – Colonel Holmes G.
Paullin commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">25-26 December 1943 – McGuire downs
seven Japanese fighter aircraft over Luzon, Philippines, and earns Medal of
Honor for action on these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">19 January 1944 – Brigadier General
Madison Pearson commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">7 Jan 1945 – McGuire killed when his
P-38 crashes over Fabrica aerodrome, Negros Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1945 VE Day – first documented open
house at the base. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1945 – At war’s end
Fort Dix becomes demobilization center processing 1.2 million
soldiers back to civilian life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">26 October 1945 – Major General
Leland S. Hobbs commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1945 – First air base named after
McGuire at Mindoro, Philippines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 March 1946 – Major general
Frederick A. Irving commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">7 August 1946 Major General W. W.
Eagles commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1946 August – Maj. Thomas B.
McGuire, Jr. receives the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously in citation
sighted by President Truman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1946 – Civil engineers prepare to
close the base for mothball status. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1947 – United States Air Force
established and air base transferred to Air Force <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">15 July 1947 –
Fort Dix becomes a Basic Training Center and home of 9th Infantry
Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">8 April 1948 Major General Arthur A.
White commander of Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1948 – January 13 – Congress approves
the name of McGuire AFB <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1948 July – B-29s from 91<sup>st</sup>
Strategic Reconnaissance Wing use McGuire as a staging area for Berlin airlift.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1949 – McGuire’s remains recovered
and returned to the United States<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">17 September 1949 – USAF base at
Fort Dix officially renamed McGuire Air Force Base<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 October 1949 – Major General John
M. Devine commander. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 October 1949 – McGuire home to 1<sup>st</sup>
Air Force, Continental Air Command, 52<sup>nd</sup> Fighter Wing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">17 May 1950 – McGuire buried with
full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">25 June 1950 – Korean War begins,
basic training reduced from 14 to 8 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 September 1950 – Major General
William K. Harrison commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 September 1950 – McGuire AFB
transferred to the Eastern Air Defense Force. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1951 December – 141<sup>st</sup> Fighter
Bomber Squadron (108<sup>th</sup> Fighter Bomber Wing) bring their F-47
Thunderbolts to McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">January 1952 – Major General
Roderick R. Allen commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">July 1952 – Major General Homer W.
Kiefer commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">31 July 1953 Major General C. E.
Ryan commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1954 July 27 – Activation of 1611<sup>th</sup>
Air Transport Wing commemorated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1954 2 September – 18<sup>th</sup>
Air Transport Squadron performs first ever airlift mission from McGuire – Operation
Ice Cube – airlift of dry ice to Boston for hurricane relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1954 – 9th Infantry Division
assigned to Europe and 69th Infantry Division moves in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1954 - First C-118 Liftmaster
assigned to 18<sup>th</sup> Air Transport Squadron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">28 February 1955 – Major General
John W. Harmony commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1955 – McGuire Mardi Gras with Duke
Ellington, child virtuso Glenn Derringer and actress Cleo Moore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1955 April – Atlantic Division,
Military Air Transport Service HQ (21<sup>st</sup> AF) relocated to McGuire,
becoming the aerial port of embarkation for the eastern USA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 September 1955 – Major Robert W.
Ward commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1956 – McGuire chapel constructed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1956 – Chubby Checker entertains the
troops<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">16 March 1956 – 69th deactivated and
Fort Dix renamed U.S. Army Training Center, Infantry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1956 July – C-118 crashes three
miles from takeoff in thunderstorm, 46 fatalities, 20 severe injuries, first
major accident in McGuire’s history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 November 1956 – Majro General Earl
C. Bergquist commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1957 – 1959 – F-102A Delta Daggers
with the 339<sup>th</sup> Fighter Interceptor Squadron at McGuire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1957 – May – Robert Risner
commemorates the 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Charles Lindberg’s solo
crossing of the Atlantic from McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">20 March 1959 – The Ultimate Weapon
statute unveiled – designed and constructed at Fort Dix by soldiers
Steven Goodman and Stuart Scheer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">May 1959 – Dick Clark’s American
Bandstand host Dick Clark entertains the troops with singer Cathy Linden and
Jimmy J. and the J’s on Armed Forces Day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1959 30 May – Maj. William H.
Champion of 539<sup>th</sup> Fighter Interceptor Squadron becomes the first
F-106A pilot to fire an operational Gene missile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 September 1959 – Major General
Sidney C. Wooten commander at Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1959 – Computer directed unmanned BOMARC
anti-missile missiles with nuclear warheads activated and become operational
under the 46<sup>th</sup> Air Defense Missile Squadron. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">5 June 1960 – BOMARC anti-missile
missile catches fire and two nuclear warheads melt in Broken Arrow event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1961 16 March – Fairchild C-119
Flying Boxcars arrive for the 514<sup>th</sup> Troop Carrier Wing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">10 June 1961 - Major General
Reuben H. Tucker, III commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 February 1962 – Major General
Charles E. Beauchamp commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1962 February 17 – C-97s from
McGuire deliver dairy cattle to Afghanistan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3 September 1964 –
Fort Dix chapel dedicated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1 May 1966 – Major General John M. Hightower
commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1966 – WWII 8<sup>th</sup> Army Air
Force General Ira Eaker guest speaker at 19<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the
USAF at McGuire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1967 –
Fort Dix Information Office publishes a History of
Fort Dix New Jersey – 50 Years of Service to the Nation 1917-1967<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1967 7 August – C-141 Starlifter
arrive at McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2 November 1968 – New York City
students picnic at Wrightstown-Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">5 June 1969 – 250 prisoners in
Fort Dix Stockade riot over conditions and torture. 38 were
prosecuted and became known as the Fort Dix 38.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1969 – John Levitow, then the lowest
ranking airman to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, stationed at McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1973 – New brick reception center
opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1973 – The 21<sup>st</sup> Air Force
moves into big brick building that formerly housed the 462<sup>nd</sup> Air
Defense Wing that operated the Semi-Autonomous ground Environment (SAGE)
computer – the first operation digital system with a magnetic memory core that
controlled the F-106A and BOMARC missiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1973 November – Operation Nickel
Grass airlifted supplies and reinforcements to Israel during the Yom Kippur
War.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1975 – Operation New Life airlift
after fall of Saigon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1977- President Jimmy Carter visits McGuire.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1978 – First female recruits enter
basic training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1981 21 May – McGuire receives P-38
to replicate McGuire’s “Pudgy V.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1982 – Pudgy V – a P-38J with
McGuire’s markings and kill flags was hoisted in place on a pedestal at the
McGuire gate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1982 – 10 Stained glass
windows installed in the Fort Dix chapel honoring WW I soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">20 May 1982 – Last train to
Fort Dix ends rail service that began in 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1983 – The first all-women crew to
complete a transatlantic mission received special praise from President Ronald
Reagan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1983 October – Operation Urgent Fury
– Grenada rescue mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1985 –
Fort Dix Headquarters renamed Sharp Hall in honor of Gen. Richard
Sharp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1987 – USAF Security Police Air Base
Ground Defense School moved from Camp Bullis Texas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1988 – Base Realignment and Closure
Commission recommends ending basic and advanced individual training at
Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">17 August 1990 – A new The Ultimate
Weapons statute constructed of bronze replaces original<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1990 – Around the clock operations
begin mobilizing and deploying troops for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1991 – January - Kuwaiti civilians
trained in basic military skills <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1991 – March – Combat operations
cease and Operation Desert Calm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1991 – March – Bob Hope, Connie
Stevens, Lee Greenwood and Barbara Eden entertain the troops at McGuire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1991 – May – Operation Provide
Comfort – fly aide to Kurd refugees in Turkey and Iraq. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1991 – Active Army training mission
ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – Military Airlift Command
combined with the tanker forces of the former Strategic Air Command become the
Air Mobility Command, assigning KC-10A Extenders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – Air National Guard 170<sup>th</sup>
Refueling Group merged with the 108<sup>th</sup> Fighter Wing to become the 108<sup>th</sup>
Air Refueling Wing (141<sup>st</sup> / 150<sup>th</sup> ARS) fly KC-135E. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – Fort Dix begins
mobilizing, deploying and demobilizing soldiers and providing training areas
for Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – December – McGuire supports
Operation Restore Hope in Egypt and Mogadshu, Somala. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – Reception center that opened
in 1973 transferred to Air Force as Air Mobility Warfare Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – Department of Defense Police
replace military police<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1992 – US Department of Justice –
Bureau of Prisons opens a federal prison <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1993 – July Air Mobility Wing base –
24 McDonald Douglas KC-10 Extenders arrive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1993 – Somalia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1993 – December – Fort Dix Army
Reserve Base named Air Mobility Warfare Center (AMWC). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1994 – June - AMWC opens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1994 – September – C-12 Huron
aircraft arrive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1994 1 October – 305<sup>th</sup>
Air Refueling “Can Do” Wing relocates to McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1995 – Bosnia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1995 September – 335<sup>th</sup>
Military Airlift Squadron flies the C-141B for the last time at McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1995 – October – Personnel and
aircraft from McGuire deployed to Germany and Balkins in support of Operation
Joint Endeavor for Bosnia-Herzegovina peace initiative. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1995 – Telephone switchboard,
installed in 1936 replaced with fiber optic system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1998 – Hurricane George relief in Central
America and Caribbean <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1999 – Albanian, Kosovo refugees
resettled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">August 2000 – Range 65 tank training
area opens. Bryant Range named after Larry Bryant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2000 8 November – Airman first class
John Levitow, Congressional Medal of Honor, dies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2001 11 September – Tanker aircraft
from McGuire transitioned from training mission to emergency support mission in
midair, with no modern precedent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2002 1 March – Brig. Gen. Teresa
Mame Peterson becomes the first women to command the base and 305<sup>th</sup>
AMW. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2005 – Joint
Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst – JBMDL Established <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2007 – A memorial to McGuire placed
at his fatal crash site on Negros Island by former fighter pilot David
Mason <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2010 – Census 7,716 people living in
784 households with 590 families residing in CDP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2016 – Cassidy and Associates issue
report on the future of the base and the state of NJ grant them another
contract to continue their work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2016 – DOD and USAF Recommend JBMDL
as one of the bases for new air refueling tankers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2017 – JBMDL Tankers refuel B2
bombers that attack ISIS bases in Libyan desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">July - 2017 – 100th Anniversary of
Camp Dix-JBMDL <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-74706390537444096952017-05-16T10:44:00.000-07:002017-05-22T11:56:41.567-07:00JBMDL Chronology <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX –
JBMDL CHRONOLOGY <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1798 – John Adams Dix born
in Boscawen, New Hampshire <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1812 – Dix serves in War
of 1812<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1861 – Dix named chairman
of the Union Defense Committee in New York and made Major General in US
Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1872 – Dix elected
Governor of New York <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 April 1879 – Dix dies in
New York City <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1909 – A.D. Irwin and A.O. Leighton
form Philadelphia construction company<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1915 – Eddystone Ammunition
Corporation establishes the Lakehurst Munitions Storage facility for Imperial
Russian Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 April 1917 – US enters World War I
– Congress authorizes the construction of 16 Army Camps to be built.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1917 – Camp Kendrick established at
Lakehurst, home of the 1<sup>st</sup> Gas Regiment, a chemical weapons unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 May 1917 Selective Service
Act <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 June 1917 – Major Harry C.
Williams named first commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1917 – Irwin & Leighton
given $13 million contract to convert New Jersey corn fields into army
mobilization and training camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1917 – First American troops
arrive in France <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 June 1914 – Construction begins
on 1,655 buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 July, 1917<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1917 – Harker family house sold to
government and converted to the residence of the base commander. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23 August 1917 – Major General Chase
W. Kennedy named commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1917 – First 17,000 troops
arrive at Camp Dix. Eventually 35,000 troops in training, filling all
barracks and tents used to house the rest, including 87th and 34th Infantry
Divisions, 349th and 350th Field Artillery Battalions of the 92nd Division, and
15th Infantry of New York (369th). 311th Ambulance Company. 153rd Depot
Brigade. British, French and Scottish solders at Camp Dix to advise US
soldiers on the role of tanks and trench warfare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1917 –
Camp Dix Fire Company organized by soldiers, and the library opens
with volunteers from the American Library Association. Howard L. Hughes, Harold
F. Brigham librarians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 October 1917 –
Camp Dix base hospital opens with 61 buildings with 1,000 bed
capacity, located east of the Wrightstown Circle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 November 1917 – Brigadier General
John S. Mallory (ad Interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 December 1917 – Brigadier General
James T. Dean (ad interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 January 1918 – Major General Hugh
L. Scott assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1918 – 78th Infantry Division,
under Maj. Gen. Chase Kennedy leaves Dix and sails to Europe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1918 – YMCA, Red Cross and
Knights of Columbus begin providing programs and services to entertain the
soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 1918 – Fort Dix has
55,000 soldiers in training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September - October 1918 – 7,970
cases of influenza and pneumonia reported, 774 deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11 November 1918 – War ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 December -
Camp Dix demobilization center opens that processes over 300,000
soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 March 1919 –
Camp Dix becomes Fort Dix – named permanent Army
post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 May 1919 – Major General Harry C.
Hale assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1919 – Contractors and workman
arrive at Lakehurst to begin the excavation for the world’s largest aircraft
hangar, the first to be built in America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1920 – 26 men, eight officers and
eighteen enlisted men sent to England for training on British airships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1920 – Congress approves military
budget that includes construction of two rigid airships, one to be built in
this country and the other in UK, along with a “station in which to erect and
operate a dirigible.” With this directive the US Navy took over the Army’s Camp
Kendrick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 July 1920 – Commander Hale
promoted to Brigadier General.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 August 1920 – Thomas Buchanan
McGuire, Jr. born in Ridgewood, N.J. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 September 1920 Brigadier General
William S. Graves assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1920 Brigadier General
Clarence R. Edwards assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 November 1920 Major General
Charles C.P. Summerall assume command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10-11 1920 – 1st Infantry Division
observes first anniversary of end of WWI at ceremony presided over by Gen. John
J. Pershing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1920 – Camp Dix used as a
training center for Army Reserves, National Guard and the Citizens Training
Camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1920-21 – Design studies initiated
for the construction of airship – ZR-1 – Zeppelin, Rigid #1. Basic parts
constructed in Philadelphia. Commander Ralph Weyerbacher named project manager,
assisted by Anton Heinen, a German airship expert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1921 – Navy establishes Lakehurst
Naval Air Station <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1921 - Animal Transportation School
operating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1921 – ZR-2 completed in
England. 695 feet long, 85 feet in diameter, and six engines, the airship was
designed by the British, who basically followed the German design. Design flaws
resulted in buckling, and with American Naval Commander A. H. Maxfiled, broke
apart on a test flight and crashes into the Humber River in the City of Hull,
England. Maxfiled and 43 crew killed. Crewman Charles Broome of Toms River, was
not aboard, witnessed the crash and took a boat to the scene, swimming into the
sinking ship in an attempt to rescue survivors. Broome awarded a medal for
heroism, but died in the crash of the Shenandoah four years later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1921 – Major General David C.
Shanks assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1921 – Major General
Charles T. Meneher assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1921 – Major General Harry
C. Hale returns to command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1922 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 January 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 May 1923 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4 September 1923 – First test flight
of ZR-1, Frank R. McCrary and Anton Heinen joint commanders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 September 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killiian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1923 – Camp Kendrick is open at
Lakehurst Proving Grounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11 September 1923 – ZR-1 makes
publicity flight over New York city and Philadelphia, huge crowds watched and
cheered from the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 October 1923 – ZR-1 officially
christened the Shenandoah by Marion Denby, wife of the Secretary of the Navy,
Edwin Denby. “Shenandoah” is an American
Indian term meaning, “Daughter of the Stars,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 January 1924 – Shenandoah breaks
away from the mooring mast at Lakehurst during a storm and sustains nose
damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 April 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 May 1924 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 June 1924 – Colonel Charles
Gerhardt commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 June 1924 – Colonel John J.
Bradley commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 July 1924 – Brigadier General
Frank Parker assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 July 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 August 1924 – Shenandoah makes the
first mooring to a Navy vessel, the USS Patoka, a tanker ship outfitted with a
mooring mast. Lt. Charles Rosendahl was in command. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 October 1924 – Shenandoah begins
trip across the USA flying over the Rocky Mountains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 15 1924 – ZR-3 Los Angeles
delivered to Lakehurst from Germany as part of post-war reparations agreement,
carrying highly volatile hydrogen fuel, declared unsafe by Navy standards. The
hydrogen fuel vented off into the pinelands air and refitted with helium from
the Shenandoah. The transoceanic flight of 5,000 miles took 81 hours with an
average speed of 61 mph. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27 April 1925 – Colonel Stanley Ford
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 May 1925 – Brigadier General
Preston Brown assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 August 1925 – Lieutenant
Colonel James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 September 1925 – Major Nicholas
W. Campanole commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 September 1925 – Shenandoah
embarks on flight to Midwest, runs into storm over Ohio and breaks apart. The
control cabin plunged to earth killing Commander Zachary Lansdowne. The bow
section descends safely to earth under guidance of Lt. Cmdr. Rosendahl. 21 of
the crew of 43 survive. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Charles H. Broome of Toms River and George C. Schnitzer
of Tuckerton die in the accident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 October 1925 – Captain Herbert D.
Gilison commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 November 1925 – Captain Richard
L. Pemberton commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 November 1925 – ZR-3 flown to
Washington DC where the President’s wife, Grac</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">e Coolidge, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">christened her the
Los Angeles. Navy Lieutenant Charles E. Rosendahl boarded her for the return
flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1925 – Mock Invasion staged at
Fort Dix – first landing of an airplane on base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 March 1926 – Lt. Commander
Rosendahl replaced Commander George W. Steele as skipper of the Los Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 May 1926 – Captain George Rankin
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 June 1927 – Brigadier General
Frank McCoy commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 August 1927 – while moored to the
mast at Lakehurst, strong winds lift the tail of the Los Angeles until it stood
vertically from its nose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 July 1928 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1928 – The Los Angeles attempted a
landing on the aircraft carrier Saratoga, but high winds prevented it from
doing so, though Lt. Commander Herbert Wiley jumped aboard the Saratoga deck
and was left behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 September 1928 – Brigadier
General Otho B. Rosembaum commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11 October 1928 – The Graf Zeppelin
(LZ-127) begins transatlantic flight from Germany to Lakehurst. Built at
Friedrichshafen, Germany, where the Los Angeles was built, as a private venture
by Hugo Eckener, who believed in the commercial success of airships for
passenger, mail and cargo. US Navy Lt. Commander Charles E. Rosendahl was on
board when violent storm damaged the horizontal stabilizer, and repairs were
made over the rough seas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 October 1928 – Graf Zeppelin
arrived at Lakehurst after 112 hours at sea, flying 6,200 miles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 August 1929 – Graf Zeppelin,
financed by American publisher William Randolph Hearst, began an “Around the
World Cruise” from Lakehurst. It flew to Germany, over Russia, Tokyo and across
the Pacific to Los Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">29 August 1929 – Graf Zeppelin
arrives back at Lakehurst after circling the globe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1929 – Construction of the
fourth airship authorized by US Navy began by Goodyear Zeppelin Company, in
Akron, Ohio. 785-feet long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1930 – Captain Charles
Perfect commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 October 1930 –
1st Lieutenant Richard T. Mitchell commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 December 1930 – Major Andrew G.
Gardner commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1930 – Federal Bureau of Prisons
establishes prison on site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1930s – Citizens Military Training
Camp (CMTC) offers signal, infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineering
training. After 4, 30 day courses qualify for commission in Army Reserve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 August 1931 – the Akron, designed
to carry airplanes within its framework, was christened by the wife of
President Herbert Hoover. It carried five Navy scouting planes on initial test
flights under the command of Lt. Commander Charles Rosendahl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1931 – Captain Samuel L.
Metcalfe commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1932 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 May 1932 – The Akron flies west. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11 May 1932 – Akron arrives at Camp
Kearney, San Diego, California. Two ground crewmen killed in an accident while
mooring and a third left dangling until rescued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1932 – Brigadier General Howard
L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1932 – The Los Angeles was
retired during the Great Depression for economic reasons, after making 331
flights and 4,320 flying hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1932 – Captain Horace K.
Heath commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1932 – Major Alexander C.
Sullivan commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1933 – Wife of Navy Admiral
Moffett christens the Macon, built by Goodyear, the fifth airship to join the
US Navy fleet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 March 1933 – President Franklin
D. Roosevelt signs bill creating CCC that continued until 1942 – Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees, controlled soil erosion, constructed
roads, dams, bridges and fire towers, operates reception, training and
discharge center with two forestry companies, a physical conditioning company
and cook and baker’s school. The CCC built the first airplane runway at
Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1933 – Brigadier General
Howard L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 April 1933 – Under command of
Commander Frank McCord, with Admirla W. A. Moffett, Chief of Navy Bureau of
Aeronautics as a guest, the Akron left Lakehurst on test mission, was caught in
a storm and plunged into the sea. Only three of the 76 aboard survived, two
enlisted men and Lt. Commander Wiley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1933 – Macon assigned to the
new Moffett Field airbase at Sunnyvale, California. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Torrey B. Maghee commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1934 – Brigadier General
Howard Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 1934 – Brigadier General John
L. DeWitt commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1934 – Major Ford Richardson
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1934 – The German company that built
the Los Angeles and Graf Zeppelin began construction of the Hindenburg, with
much improved aerodynamics and speed of 80 mph, a library, bar, individual
cabins, dining room with a grand piano and smoking salon sealed off from the
rest of the ship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1935 – Lieutenant Colonel
Albert S. Williams commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 February 1935 – While engaged in
a fleet drill off California, a squall tore the upper fin and rudder and debris
punctured three rear helium cells. The crew donned life jackets as the ship
settled into the sea. As the helium gas was inhaled by the crew’s vocal cords,
“bass voices turned soprano and strong men sounded like babies. The men
clinging to the sinking aircraft suddenly exploded into uncontrollable laughter
at the strange sound of themselves, despite their perilous condition. Only two
of the 83 men aboard were killed. The ZR-5 sank. (Note: On June 24, 1990 the wreckage of the
Macon was found by US Navy three man submersible Sea Cliff, off Point Sur, at
depth of 1,450 feet).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4 March 1936 – Hindenburg takes
maiden flight, then makes ten trips to Lakehurst that year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 March 1936 – Graf Zeppelin and
the recently completed LZ-129 the Hindenburg, take a duel flight across
Germany. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1936 – Colonel Robert S.
Knox commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1936 – Telephone switchboard
installed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 May 1937 – Hindenburg began first
ocean crossing of the year, to Lakehurst, Captain Max Pruss flying over New
York City to give passengers view of Statue of Liberty and Empire State
Building. Commander Charles Rosendahl at Lakehurst radioed Captain Pruss to
delay scheduled landing because of high winds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 May 1937 – 7:25 pm Hindenburg dirigible
disaster at Lakehurst. 13 passengers, 22 crewmen and one Navy ground crew,
Allen Hagaman died, 72 survived. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23 October 1937 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1938 – Works Progress Administration
and Public Works Administration funds construction of new buildings – Building
5416 – housed field grade officers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 March 1939 –
Camp Dix named a permanent installation and renamed Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1940 – Graf Zeppelin retired from
service and dismantled. In nine years it made 590 flights over 1,033,618 miles.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 January 1940 Colonel Bernard Lentz
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">13 May 1940 – Colonel John W. Downer
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1940 – Federal government purchases
17,000 additional acres of adjacent land and constructs new runways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 September 1940 – President
Roosevelt declares limited national emergency and approved the first peacetime
draft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 September 1940 – Peacetime draft
inductees begin arriving at Fort Dixreception, training and deployment center.
44th Infantry Division assigned to Fort Dix for training. Ten other
divisions trained at Fort Dix before being deployed overseas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 October 1940 Major General
Clifford R. Powell commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1941 – Pointville cemetery and town
acquired by government for base expansion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18 March 1941 Colonel Cassius M.
Dowell commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1941 – McGuire leaves Georgia Tech
to join US Army Air Corps, Randolph Field <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">14 January 1942 – wartime airship
K-3 under command of Lt. Walter Keen, made the first MAD (Magnetic Airborne
Detection) contact with a submarine along the eastern shipping route, diverting
a convoy away and marking the spot by flare so a nearby destroyer could drop
depth charges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1942 – Women’s Army Auxiliary
Corps established <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 July 1942 – K-9 under command of
Lt. Commander Raymond Tyler, rescued survivors of the torpedoed merchant ship
S.S. Moldanger, who had been adrift at sea for 18 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1943 – Dodgers and Giants play
a baseball game at Fort Dix baseball field. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1943 – Auxiliary Corps renamed
Women’s Army Corps (WACS), working as administrative clerks, truck drivers,
photographers and mechanics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18-19 August 1943 – McGuire with
431st Fighter Squadron Wewak, New Guinea, shoots down five Japanese Ki-43 and
Ki-61 fighters, eventually scoring 38 aerial victories, second only to Maj.
Richard I. Bong, US AF all time ace (40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1943 – Colonel Holmes G.
Paullin commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25-26 December 1943 – McGuire downs
seven Japanese fighter aircraft over Luzon, Philippines, and earns Medal of
Honor for action on these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 January 1944 – Brigadier General
Madison Pearson commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 Jan 1945 – McGuire killed when his
P-38 crashes over Fabrica aerodrome, Negros Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1945 – At war’s end
Fort Dix becomes demobilization center processing 1.2 million
soldiers back to civilian life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 October 1945 – Major General
Leland S. Hobbs commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 March 1946 – Major general
Frederick A. Irving commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 August 1946 Major General W. W.
Eagles commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1947 – United States Air Force
established and air base transferred to Air Force <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 July 1947 –
Fort Dix becomes a Basic Training Center and home of 9th Infantry
Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 April 1948 Major General Arthur A.
White commander of Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1948 – USAF names McGuire
AFB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1949 – McGuire’s remains recovered
and returned to the United States<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 September
1949 – USAF base at Fort Dix renamed McGuire Air Force Base<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1949 – Major General John
M. Devine commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 May 1950 – McGuire buried with
full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 June 1950 – Korean War begins,
basic training reduced from 14 to 8 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 September 1950 – Major General
William K. Harrison commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">January 1952 – Major General
Roderick R. Allen commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1952 – Major General Homer W.
Kiefer commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 July 1953 Major General C. E.
Ryan commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1954 – 9th Infantry Division
assigned to Europe and 69th Infantry Division moves in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 February 1955 – Major General
John W. Harmony commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 September 1955 – Major Robert W.
Ward commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1956 – Chubby Checker entertains the
troops<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 March 1956 – 69th deactivated and
Fort Dix renamed U.S. Army Training Center, Infantry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 November 1956 – Majro General Earl
C. Bergquist commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 March 1959 – The Ultimate Weapon
statute unveiled – designed and constructed at Fort Dix by soldiers
Steven Goodman and Stuart Scheer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 September 1959 – Major General
Sidney C. Wooten commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 June 1960 – BOMARC anti-missile
missile catches fire and two nuclear warheads melt in Broken Arrow event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 June 1961 - Major General
Reuben H. Tucker, III commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 February 1962 – Major General
Charles E. Beauchamp commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 September 1964 –
Fort Dix chapel dedicated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 May 1966 – Major General John M.
Hightower commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1967 – Fort Dix Information
Office publishes a History of Fort Dix New Jersey – 50 Years of
Service to the Nation 1917-1967<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 November 1968 – New York City
students picnic at Wrightstown-Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 June 1969 – 250 prisoners in
Fort Dix Stockade riot over conditions and torture. 38 were
prosecuted and became known as the Fort Dix 38.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1973 – New brick reception center
opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1978 – First female recruits enter
basic training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1982 – 10 Stained glass
windows installed in the Fort Dix chapel honoring WW I soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 May 1982 – Last train to
Fort Dix ends rail service that began in 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1985 –
Fort Dix Headquarters renamed Sharp Hall in honor of Gen. Richard
Sharp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1987 – USAF Security Police Air Base
Ground Defense School moved from Camp Bullis Texas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1988 – Base Realignment and Closure
Commission recommends ending basic and advanced individual training at
Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 August 1990 – A new The Ultimate
Weapons statute constructed of bronze replaces original<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1990 – Around the clock operations
begin mobilizing and deploying troops for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1991 – Kuwaiti civilians trained in
basic military skills <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1991 – Active Army training mission
ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Fort Dix begins
mobilizing, deploying and demobilizing soldiers and providing training areas
for Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Reception center that opened
in 1973 transferred to Air Force as Air Mobility Warfare Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Department of Defense Police
replace military police<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – US Department of Justice –
Bureau of Prisons opens a federal prison <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1993 – Somalia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1995 – Bosnia </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1995 – Telephone switchboard,
installed in 1936 replaced with fiber optic system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1999 – Albanian, Kosovo refugees
resettled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 2000 – Range 65 tank training
area opens. Bryant Range named after Larry Bryant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2005 – Joint
Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst – JBMDL Established <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2007 – A memorial to McGuire placed
at his fatal crash site on Negros Island by former fighter pilot David
Mason <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2010 – Census 7,716 people living in
784 households with 590 families residing in CDP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2016 – Cassidy and Associates issue
report on the future of the base and the state of NJ grant them another
contract to continue their work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2016 – DOD and USAF Recommend JBMDL
as one of the bases for new air refueling tankers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2017 – JBMDL Tankers refuel B2
bombers that attack ISIS bases in Libyan desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July - 2017 – 100th Anniversary of
Camp Dix-JBMDL <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-19854183884585848772017-05-11T12:08:00.003-07:002017-05-11T12:08:51.828-07:00Moored to the Mast - The Navy Airships at Lakehurst <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Moored To The Mast – The U.S. Navy’s
Lighter-Than-Air Program at Lakehurst, New Jersey <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Compiled by Thomas M. Williams <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">(For the Ocean County Historical
Society – Toms River, 1996) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“With the eruption of the Civil War
in America in 1961, President Abraham Lincoln commissioned the use of hot-air
balloons with manned gondolas for observation use. This also brought about our
first “air-craft carrier,” the oval, flat-decked ‘Washington’ which was used to
launch the balloons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In passing, it is noteworthy that a young
German fought for a short time with the Union Army. His name was Ferdinand Von
Zeppelin and while in America he enthusiastically took his first balloon ride
at St. Paul, Minnesota. Later, in Germany on the eve of his sixty-second
birthday, July 2, 1900, Von Zeppelin took the controls of his airship, Zeppelin
#1, and with four others on board sailed over Lake Constance. <br />
<br />
The major impetus to airship development occurred with the German use of the
zeppelins against Britain in World War I. The dirigibles were used in the
bombing of London and the industrial centers of England, effectively interrupting
the manufacturing of war materials there. The use of airships for military
objectives did not go unobserved by other countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">With the defeat of Germany the
allied nations feasted on the spoils of war: the German secrets of dirigible
construction, hydrogen use and in-flight techniques. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Rigid Airships – The Zeppelin Comes
to America <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lakehurst, New Jersey <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In the United States the military effectiveness
of the zeppelins did not go unnoticed. As part of its 1920 budget, our Navy
Department received approval from congress to construct two rigid airships, one
to be built in this country and one in Britain. A number of non-rigids, or
blimps, were also authorized, along with a “station in which to erect and
operate a dirigible.” With this latter directive the Navy took over command of
Camp Kendrick, a U.S. Army training station at Lakehurst. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Objective: to build
America’s first dirigible, to be designated the ZR-1 (Zeppelin, Rigid, number
1). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">This site had been used by the
Eddystone Ammunition Corporation between 1915 and 1917, as a proving ground to
test munitions destined for the Imperial Russian Army. During World War I it
became a military base, Camp Kendrick, where U.S. soldiers were trained in gas
warfare, and later, as a discharge base following the war. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In recognition of its proximity to
naval operations in Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C., then acting
Secretary of the Navy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, authorized this 1700 acre
site in the pine barrens as the Navy Air Station – Lakehurst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Contractors and workmen arrived in
the bitter cold winter of 1919 to begin the excavation for the world’s largest
aircraft hangar, the first to be built in America. It would have a length of
nearly three football fields and stand 224 feet high. The Barnegat Lighthouse
could stand inside with twenty feet to spare. An associated plant to process
hydrogen gas (used to lift airships before the advent of the safer helium) was
constructed nearby. Construction took all of the following year and official dedication
was made on June 28, 1921. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZR-1 Shenandoah <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The first of the two rigid dirigibles
authorized by Congress in 1919 was designated the ZR-1, Zeppelin, Rigid, #1.
Under the same authorization Lakehurst was designated the site to assemble the
ZR-1, with basic structure parts manufactured at the Navy Aircraft Factory in
Philadelphia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Commander Ralph Weyerbacher was
designated the project manager. To assist him he brought from Germany Anton
Heinen, an airship expert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Design studies took all of 1921 and
1922 and included the review of German as well as British construction
techniques. The parts and fabric manufacture began in Philadelphia in 1920. The
first test flight of the 680 foot airship took place on September 4, 1923 with
Weyerbacher, Commander Frank R. McCrary and Anton Heinen in joint command.
Heinen served as pilot. A second flight was made on September 6, and a third on
the 10<sup>th</sup>. On September 11, a publicity flight was made over New York
City and Philadelphia, where huge crowds watched and cheered from the streets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On October 10, 1923 the ZR-1 was
officially christened the Shenandoah by Marion Denby, wife of the Secretary of
the Navy, Edwin Denby, at a ceremony at Lakehurst. The name derived from the
American Indian term meaning “Daughter of the Stars.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">That November, Heinen lost
considerable prestige by insisting on a mooring mast method that he devised but
that proved very troublesome. On January 16, 1924 the Shenandoah sustained nose
damage when it broke away from the mooring mast at Lakehurst during a storm.
Later, on August 8, the Shenandoah made the first mooring to a Navy vessel, the
USS Patoka, a tanker ship fitted with a mooring mast. Let. Charles Rosendahl
was in charge of the mooring on the ship. (He later devised improved mooring
procedures). On October 7 the airship began a trip across the United States to San
Diego, flying over the Rocky Mountains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">When the ZR-3 Los Angeles, was
delivered from Germany in October, 1924, as part of the post-war reparations agreement
with Germany, it carried the highly volatile hydrogen fuel. Declared unsafe by
Navy standards, this was vented off into the pinelands air near Lakehurst and,
due to the shortage of helium, the helium of the Shenandoah was transferred to
the Los Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Almost a year past before the
Shenandoah returned to the skies. In the summer of 1925 she flew several
training missions, including sea maneuvers with the battleship Texas. On
September 2, she embarked on a flight to the Midwest. The following day she ran
into a severe storm over Ohio and the airship broke apart. The control cabin
plunged to the earth killing Commander Zachary Lansdowne. The bow section, now
free of the cabin weight, was able to descend safely to earth under the
guidance of Lt. Cmdr. Rosendahl. The stern section crashed some distance away. Twenty-nine
of the crew of forty-three aboard survived. Charles H. Broome of Toms River and
George C. Schnitzer of Tuckerton, both New Jersey, were not so fortunate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In July 1919 – British airship R-34
crossed the Atlantic to Roosevelt Field, Long Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The US Navy commissioned the
construction of ZR-2 in 1919 and eight officers and eighteen enlisted men were
sent to England for airship training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In June of 1921 ZR-2 was completed –
695 feet long, 83 feet in diameter and six engines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The airship was designed by the
British, who lacked experience in airship construction and basically followed
German design. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The ZR-2 crashed in test flight in October
1921. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZR-3 Los Angeles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Under a post-war reparations
agreement with Germany, a third U.S. airship, the ZR-3, was constructed in
Germany by the Geramn Zeppelin Airship Construction Company headed by Hugo
Eckner. Eckner personally delivered the 638 foot ZR-3 to Lakehurst on October
15, 1924. The transoceanic flight covered 5000 miles in 81 hours at an average
speed of 61 mph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On November 25<sup>th</sup> it was
flown to Washington where the president’s wife, Grace Coolidge, christened her
the Los Angeles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A young Navy Lieutenant, Charles E. Rosendahl boarded her for
the return flight to Lakehurst. On March 15, 1926 Lt. Commander Rosendahl
replaced Commander George W. Steele as skipper of the Los Angeles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-89587832393757358512017-05-11T10:08:00.003-07:002017-05-11T10:08:37.858-07:00McGuire AFB - From Ballon to the Moon - NJ's Amazing Aviation History <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">From the <i>Balloon to the Moon – New
Jersey’s Amazing Aviation History </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">(HV Publishers, Oradell, NJ, 1992, p.
234-235) by H.V. Pat Reilly – (Forward by Astronaut Walter M. Schirra) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">McGuire Air Force Base <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On September 17, 1949 the Fort Dix
Army Air Base was renamed the McGuire Air Force Base in honor of Thomas B.
McGuire, Jr., a Ridgewood, N.J. native, a World War II Medal of Honor winner
and America’s second all-time leading flying ace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The air base had its beginnings in
1937 as a single sod runway on property owned and maintained by the U.S. Army,
adjacent to Fort Dix, near Wrightstown, N.J. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">As war clouds loomed on the horizon
in 1940, the Army acquired 17,000 additional acres for the airport and paved
runways were installed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">By 1942, the Fort Dix Army Airfield
was a beeh</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">ive of activity. The Anti-Submarine Command’s B-25s moved onto the
field, and the base provided for the overhaul, servicing and preparing of
aircraft for overseas shipment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Parachute jump training and a secret
mission for the development of guided missiles were all part of the activity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1945, the air base was the
western terminus for the return of wounded military personnel from Europe, and
for returning veterans, who were then flown to separation centers throughout
the United States. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">When the field became the McGuire
Air Force base in 1949, the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron moved in. <br />
<br />
Then the air base became the home of the 611th Military Air Transport Wing
(MATS). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1954 C-118 aircraft arrived with
the 18th and 30th Air Transport Squadrons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">By the late 1980s, McGuire Air Force
base occupied 4,000 acres in Burlington Country. Like a small city, it had a
population of 5,200 military and 2,000 civilian personnel with approximately
8,500 dependents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">One of the 22 major tenant
organizations based at McGuire was the New Jersey Air National Guard. The Guard
had been organized at Newark Airport and was based there until 1965. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">An appropriate memorial to Major
Thomas McGuire, a P-38 fighter plane painted with the same markings as those on
the plane he flew in combat, was erected on a pedestal in the center of a
traffic circle near the main gate of the base. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It had been through the determined
efforts of William J. Demas of Wrightstown, that money was raised for the
memorial. Demas had negotiated with the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum for
the P-38, one of only five left in the world in flying condition. It was flown
from California. Then, under the direction of Lt. Patricia Harem at McGuire,
the fuselage was stropped to its original aluminum finish. The words “Pudgy V”
(a term of endearment to McGuire’s wife) and 38 Japanese flags representing the
planes the ace shot down were painted on the fuselage. The plane was then ready
to mount. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On May 5, 1982 the P-38 memorial was
dedicated. Present at the ceremony were U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar W.
Weinberger, U.S. Rep. H. James Saxton, (R.13), Governor Thomas H. Kean and
Marilynn Beatty, formerly Mrs. Thomas B. McGuire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Standing on the sidelines that day
was F. J. Kish, who had been McGuire’s crew chief in the Pacific. To reporters
he told the story of McGuire’s last evening alive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“Tommy was due to go back to the
States in a week,” he said. “He had hoped to bag enough Japanese planes the
next day to assure himself of the ‘leading ace’ title.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“He told me that he wasn’t taking
his own plane up, but some other fellow’s, and I said to him, ‘Major, why
change horses in the middle of a stream?’ You know what he said to me then? He
said he thought he’d pushed his luck in ‘Pudgy’ and that his number might be
up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Kish was at another airfield the
next morning when McGuire took off. When Kish returned later, a fellow mechanic
called him over, placed a hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Your boy’s not coming
back.’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The year the memorial was dedicated,
the people of Ridgewood, under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Cipriano and
Gerald DeSimone, raised funds for the creation of a bronze bust of McGuire and
donated it to the small museum dedicated to the ace’s memory in the Welcome
center at the Air Force base. At the presentation, in January of 1983, Col.
Larry D. Wright, Commander of the 438th Military Airlift Wing Command, said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“A country which has no heroes is
wanting. A country which has heroes but forgets them is sorry. With this
presentation here today, we can be assured that this hero will not be
forgotten.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-32659219184985841642017-05-09T11:24:00.002-07:002017-05-09T11:40:18.756-07:00History of Fort Dix - Part I - 1917 - 1967 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">History of Fort Dix New Jersey – 50
Years of Service to the Nation 1917-1967 <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_gjdgxs"></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Prepared
by the Information Office, United States Army Training Center, Fort Dix, New
Jersey 08640<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">CONTENTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">PREFACE
v.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
I – THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
II – SELECTION OF SITES FOR MOBILIZATION CAMPS 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
III – MAJOR GENERAL JOHN ADAMS DIX, U.S.V. 9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
IV – THE CONSTRUCTION OF CAMP DIX 13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
V – CAMP DIX ACTIVITIES IN WORLD WAR I 19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter VI – CAMP DIX AND DEMOBILIZATION 29<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
VII – CAMP DIX BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS 33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER
VIII – FORT DIX DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR 47<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER
IX – POST – WORLD WAR II 71<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER
X – IN THE SIXTIES 99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">CHAPTER XI – FORT DIX TODAY 123<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Appendix 1 – FORT DIX COMMANDERS 129<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Appendix 2 – ROSTER (31 December 1966) 131<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">BIBLIOGRAPHY
133<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">PREFACE <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
history of Fort Dix, New Jersey, is a striking example of the changing attitude
of the American people and their elected representatives toward the United
States Army in the 20th Century. The United States has traditionally maintained
a small standing army in times of peace and relied heavily on citizen militia
and conscription in times of national emergency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
was the case at the outbreak of World War I. The United States Army at the time
of the declaration of war could not claim a single organized division. Its
total strength numbered only 200,000, most of whom were recent enlistments in
early stages of training. A crash program to build an Army of 1,000,000
authorized by Congress demanded new training facilities. Sixteen camp sites
were selected throughout the United States, and Camp Dix in central New Jersey
was designed as the focal installation for the heavily populated northeastern
United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
camp site, although well selected, was constructed in haste in an atmosphere of
impermanency within a few months after the United States entered the war.
Throughout the war, the camp and its personnel did a prodigious job of training
and processing troops for the American Expeditionary Forces as well as for other
training camps in the United States. The camp reached a peak population of
55,000 men in August 1918. With the armistice, Camp Dix became the principal
separation center of the entire United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Following
demobilization, there was no longer a national emergency – the world was
already made “safe for democracy.” In the 1920s and early 1930s, Camp Dix was
left to fall into almost utter decay. Were it not for the need for barracks to
house members of the Civilian Conservation Corps and other programs developed
during the “Great Depression,” the camp site might not have survived. There was
constant pressure to return the rich farmland to meet growing agricultural
needs of the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
the threat of another war in Europe becoming more acute each passing year in
the late 1930s, the American people and the Congress began to sense the need
for greater preparedness than exited prior to World War I. Caught up in this
changing reaction, Camp Dix became Fort Dix, and a spirit of permanency became
apparent almost immediately. Careful plans were made for the rebuilding and
expansion of facilities, but Hitler and his blitzkrieg forced drastic
acceleration of many projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">However,
when the United States entered World War II, Fort Dix was ready to fulfill its mission.
In mid-January 1942, less than five weeks after the United States had declared
war on the Axis Powers, elements of the 34<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division
had received final processing at Fort Dix and were already on the high seas
bound for Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">During
World War II, Fort Dix trained and processed personnel, including 10 full
divisions, for operations in every theater throughout the world. Peak loads in
all respects exceeded those of World War I. The Columbia Encyclopedia credits
Fort Dix as “the largest army training center in the country” during the Second
World War. With surrender of the Axis powers, the fort again became the largest
separation center in the country – more than a million soldiers were processed
for return to civilian life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Post
World War II showed slight resemblance to the complacent attitude that had
prevailed 25 years previously. One national crisis after another convinced the
American people of the need for constant vigilance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Berlin Airlift, invasion of South Korea, Hungarian Revolt, Lebanon Affair,
Berlin Crisis, Cuban Missile Confrontation, United States participation in the
Dominican Republic, escalation of assistance to the South Vietnamese – these
and more have proven beyond any doubt the continuing role that the ground soldier
must play in the conduct of our nation’s foreign policies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fort
Dix today is known as “The Home of the Ultimate Weapon.” There are many who see
this as incongruous in relation to the atomic and hydrogen bombs,
intercontinental ballistic missiles, advances in chemical and biological
warfare, and developments in the use of outer space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">To
the infantryman, each new war or military conflict introduced weapons which at
the time convinced many that the ultimate had been achieved – witness the spear
to the club, the longbow to the bow and arrow, shrapnel to cannon, machine gun
to the rifle, tank to the horse, atom bomb to the blockbuster. Each had its
time and place and yet the mission of the infantryman to take and hold the
objective has remained unchanged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
poisonous gases have remained in storage since their use in World War I. The
atomic bomb has not dropped on an enemy for more than 20 years. But the
infantryman turned the tide in Korea and remains in his age-old role in South
Vietnam. Who knows how many times in the future his singular mission will have
to be carried out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite
all the man-hours and dollars that go into research, science has yet to find a
substitute for the Ultimate Weapon – the Human Soldier. It is he who ultimately
must protect that for which we are fighting. It is he who must close with and
destroy those who seek to destroy us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Who
is this man, the Ultimate Weapon, this highly trained and skilled practitioner
of the art of War? You know him….and know him well. He is the boy next door,
the lad down the street, a son, a husband, a father. He is a career soldier, a
member of the National Guard or the Army Reserves, the mayor, the drug store
clerk, the bank teller. HE is THE ULTIMATE WEAPON.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
need for him has never abated. Our country needed him at Concord Bridge and
Remagen Bridge, at the banks of the Delaware and the banks of the Mekong, from
Trenton to Seoul. He held the line at Gettysburg and stormed the ramparts at
Vicksburg, took Guadalcanal and planted Old Glory atop Mt. Suribachi. He
marches in parades in Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle, and patrols the
Demilitarized Zone at Panmunjom and Taesong Dong. He recently crouched in an
alley in Santo Domingo and today is successfully meeting the challenge to end
communist aggression in Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is every alert, every ready for the fight he prays will never come. But he is
there, poised, because he knows he must be there, ready to make whatever
sacrifice is needed to preserve that which gave him his life’s first ever-free
breath. Although he is trained for his job, the learning process for this man’s
task at hand never ceases. But it does have a beginning. This beginning usually
comes by visiting the local recruiting sergeant or by receiving an official
envelope from the local board of the Selective Service System. From that
beginning it is but a short trip to the haircut, combat boots, chow line and
long hours of drill and marksmanship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
thousands of young men each year, the first taste of military life and training
comes at the “Home of the Ultimate Weapon.” Fort Dix…just a memory to some,
nostalgia to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is the story of Fort Dix and how it has provided, from 1917 to today, men for a
man’s job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is the story of one camp, which continues to play a large role in perfecting
THE ULTIMATE WEAPON.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter 1 </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THE UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR I </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the Imperial German Armies invaded Belgium and
France in August 1914, the military reservation now known as Fort Dix, New
Jersey, did not exist. In fact, even at the time the United States declared war
on Germany on 6 April 1917, no definitive action had been taken by the War
Department to locate any of the 32 new training camps that would provide the
bulk of the troops for the American expeditionary Forces in Europe.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, in the short period of five months, training
camps capable of handling more than a million soldiers sprouted throughout the
United States. To understand this phenomenal development, it is necessary to
review the events leading to United States participation in the “war to end all
wars.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The war in Europe in the summer of 11914 came as a
complete shock to the American people. Almost every shade of American opinion
had assumed that a general European war was unthinkable. Numerous seemingly
successful international conferences had lulled the American public into
believing that small wars between petty princes might continue but the “big”
war was a thing of the past.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The initial reaction was horror, disgust, and
determination to keep out of it. President Wilson proclaimed American
neutrality on 4 August 1914, and in a message to the Senate on the 19<sup>th</sup>
declared, “The United States must be neutral in fact as well as in name…” 1.
(1. Samuel Eliot Morision, The Oxford History of the American People, p. 848) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Throughout the early years of the war, President
Wilson and a majority of the American people held firmly to the principles of
neutrality. In the Presidential election of 1916, Wilson won reelection by a
narrow margin, largely on the campaign slogan, “He Kept Us Out of War.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although Wilson made no promises to keep the United
States out of the war, he was convinced that by determined efforts to serve as
arbiter, he could bring the warring nations to the conference table. In
carrying out his idealistic program to achieve “Peace without Victory,” Wilson
even discouraged Untied States military preparedness “fearing least too much
build-up would suggest to Germany that we really were preparing for war.” 2.
(Ibid. pp. 857-858) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was not until the German Government openly
announced in early February 1917 that it would pursue a policy of attack on all
shipping, whether combatant or neutral, in a zone around the British Island and
the Mediterranean that even Wilson began to realize “neutrality is no longer
feasible or desirable.” 3. (3. Ibid. p. 859) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the sinking of a number of unarmed United States
merchant ships in March 1917, the interception and publicity of a plot by the
German Government to form an alliance with Mexico against the United States,
and the discovery of large-scale propaganda and espionage activities within the
United States, the American people demanded retaliation. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To a special session of Congress assembled on 2 April
1917 for the purpose of formalizing a state of war with the Imperial German Government,
President Wilson set the stage for the establishment of a wartime army. In his
message, Wilson outlined the measures which would have to be taken to mobilize
for war. He stated in part, “It will involve the immediate addition to the
armed forces of the United States already provided for by law in case of war at
least 500,000 men, who should, in my opinion, be chosen upon the principle of
universal liability to service, and also the authorization of subsequent
additional increments of equal force so soon as they may be needed and can be
handled in training.” 4. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A joint resolution was passed by the Congress and on 6
April 1917, the President signed the document declaring that a state of war
existed with the Imperial German Government. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In his message to Congress, Wilson had referred to
“the immediate addition to the armed forces of the United States already
provided by law.” 5. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This law was the National Defense Act of 3 June 1916
which erected the framework for the expansion of the military establishment in
the event a conflict were to come. Insofar as it pertained to the United States
Army, the act recognized four elements in the land forces: the Regular Army,
the National Guard, the Reserve Corps, and in wartime, the Volunteer Army. When
the act was passed in June 1916, the possibility of the United States entering
the war in Europe was still remote. The Congress in considering the law had
assumed that in the event of hostilities, the bulk of the men needed to pursue
a war would come as volunteers as they had throughout the history of the United
States. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the day that war was declared, the strength of the
United States Army was slightly more than 200,000, of which 67,000 were
national guardsmen. The latter were still on active duty after being called
into service for protection of the Mexican border against Pancho Villa’s raids.
The training camps in existence in April 1917 had a capacity for only 125,000
men. It was from this base that the United States would have to recruit the
manpower and construct the facilities to develop an army of a million and a
half, which the General Staff estimated would be needed for participation in
the war in Europe. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the months immediately preceding the United
States’ entry into the war, President Wilson and the War Department came to
recognize that only a conscript army could provide the quantities of men needed
to wage trench warfare as it had been carried out in Europe for almost three
years. As early as February 1917, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker made the
statement to the Army War College, “We are going to raise our Army by draft.”
6. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was a new concept for a nation that had always
relied on volunteers in times of national crisis. Conscription had been tried
only once before by the Federal Conscription Act of March 1963. The draft riots
of New York City in July 1863 demonstrated the utter failure of the system.
However, President Wilson was convinced that this method was the only fair one
for all the American people; hence, his reference in the 2 April message: “men,
who should, in my opinion, be chosen upon the principle of universal liability
to service.” 7. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A universal conscription law, whatever its merits,
required the approval of Congress. Following the declaration of war, a bill to
this effect was introduced. The debate over the new concept was long and often
bitter. It was not until 13 May 1917 that the bill “An Act to authorize the
President to increase temporarily the Military Establishment of the United
States” was approved. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the meantime, the War Department and the US Army
General Staff could not make final plans for the organization and training of
the increased army until it had assurance that the manpower was to be made
available. Consequently, it was not until mid-May 1917, almost a month and a
half after United States entry into the war, that orders were sent out to
select sites for the training camps and negotiate for construction of
cantonments for the new army. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The draft law that gave the go-ahead to the War
Department was signed by the President on 18 May 1917. It provided for the
drafting of an army of 500,000 men, between the ages of 21 and 30, both
inclusive. It also provided for raising the Regular Army and National Guard of
the United States to their full legal strength, for the incorporation into
national service of the National Guard of several states, and for a day of
general registration. By proclamation, the President assigned 5 June 1917, as
the day of registration. Despite the views of many that a draft would not work,
9,660,000 men were registered in an atmosphere of patriot calm on 5 June 1917. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the morning of 20 July, Secretary Baker presided at
the drawing of the “national lottery.” Baker drew number “258,” which
designated the first man in each precinct throughout the United States to
report to his local draft board. Sufficient numbers were drawn to provide
687,000 men -- the total estimated to fill vacancies in the National Guard. The
first contingent of the draft received subsequent orders to report to their training
camps on 1 September 1917. The term
“Volunteer Army” as defined in the National Defense Act of 1916 was scrapped,
and the draftees became the “National Army” to distinguish them from other
elements of the land forces. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The date for the reporting draftees set the deadline
for the War Department. On 1 September, the National Army camps would have to
be ready to receive and train the hundreds of thousands of men. One of these
camps was to be named Camp Dix, New Jersey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter II</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SELECTION OF SITES FOR
MOBILIZATION CAMPS </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the spring of 1917,
the US Army had barracks space sufficient to house only troops of the Regular
Army. The problem facing the War Department was to provide facilities for the
new increments to the Regular Army, then for the 16 divisions of the expanded
National Guard when they were called to active service, and finally the
additional 16 divisions planned for the National Army of draftees. The camps
for the National Army had to be completed by the 1 September date established
by the secretary of war as the initial reporting date for the drafted men.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The US Army General
Staff had early developed plans to expand the existing facilities for the
National Guard and National Army would have to be situated at new sites on
newly acquired lands with complete new construction. In order to take best
advantage of climatic conditions for training purposes and to utilize tentage
already available to the US Army, the southern states were selected as the
location for National Guard divisions. Political considerations, population
distribution and other factors indicated that the camps for the National Army
should be located in areas from which the draftees came.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The decision as to
the camp sites rested with the Secrtary of War. His was the power to say where
all the millions of money for construction and camp supplies should be spent;
his the power to gratify local pride and civic patriotism, to give government
approval to the realtors’ exploiting of suburban subdivisions.” 1 (Frederick
Palmer, Newton D. Baker – America at War, vol. I, p. 239)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Secretary Baker early
decided that an arbitrary selection of sites would be unwise. He delegated his
authority to the US Army Department commanders who were advised to appoint
boards of officers to survey locations “known to them or suggested to them and
to select for recommendation to the (War) Department the best sites.” 2. (Ibid.
p. 240)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even though no secrecy
was attached to the adoption of this procedure, the secretary of war, the War
Department and even the President were deluged with delegations, applications
and letters from committees and individuals seeking the location of camps near
their cities or in their states. In late May 1917, President Wilson received a
letter from an old friend in New Jersey suggesting the location of a camp in
that state. In his reply, the President advised his friend that “he knew
nothing about the War Department’s plans for mobilization camps, but observed
that he would like to serve New Jersey in any way practicable.” 3. (Ibid., p.
239)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The letter was
referred to Secretary Baker who in a subsequent memorandum to the President
advised that he had delegated the authority to the department commanders. He
added, however, “Whether New Jersey sites will be recommended I do not know,
but I shall be glad to ask General Bell (department commander for the area
including New Jersey) to have his board consider carefully any such sites as
may be suggested.” 4. (Ibid., p. 240)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was not until 7 May
1917, when the draft law was well along to receiving congressional approval,
that the War Department directed the commanding generals of the seven military
departments to select sites for the construction of cantonments for the
National Guard and the National Army. Major General J. Franklin Bell, commander
of the Department of the East, on receipt of the order, appointed a board of
officers under the chairmanship of Colonel W. C. Brown to survey possible sites
in his department. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">After careful
consideration, the board selected several sites, one of which was located in
Burlington County, New Jersey, near the village of Wrightstown. This site was
recommended to the War Department, and late in May 1917, it was approved as the
location of the 78<sup>th</sup> National Army Division’s mobilization
camp. It is not known if political influence played a part in the selection of
the site in Burlington County, but the passage of time has revealed the vision
and foresight of the men who recommended this location for a military camp.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The area near
Wrightstown was only 30 miles from Philadelphia and fewer than 100 miles from
New York City with their vast port and rail facilities. Additionally, a spur of
the Pennsylvania Railroad connecting both cities ran adjacent to the planned
campsite and the city of Trenton, New Jersey, only 18 miles distance by road.
Located in the heartland of the “Garden State” (New Jersey) and the extensive
agricultural regions of Pennsylvania, the area provided a ready access to
markets to feed the anticipated thousands of soldiers. With a good supply of
surface water only three miles from the proposed cantonment site and an
underground water table at reasonable depths, water posed no major
problem. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Other physical
characteristics of the area were equally favorable, Extensive cleared land as well
as an expanse of Jersey pines lay within short hikes. Terrain of the type
needed for training in trench warfare as fought in Europe was easily
accessible. The soil of this region – a mixture of clay, sand and gravel
extending to depths of hundreds of feet – was ideal for drainage, and the
sloping terrain was suitable for the use of a gravity sewage system. With
respect to the climate, the survey group concluded that the area was not
“cursed with an overabundance of humidity in summertime,” was relatively free
of mosquitos, and in general provided “a very healthful location.” 5 (Camp Dix
News, vol. i, no. v 1917, 2. )</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Historically, the land
comprising the modern Fort Dix had been settled by a group of English Friends,
or Quakers, from Yorkshire and London, England, in the year 1677. The region
was first part of the Province of West Jersey. The nearby city of Burlington
frequently served as a meeting place for the provincial assembly until 1702
when the boundaries of New Jersey were established along the lines as they
exist today. To hear the sounds of marching feet would not be something new to
Burlington County. In August 1757, a draft of Burlington County militia was
mustered and reviewed at Mount Holly prior to its service in the French and
Indian War. This was the first recorded military information within the county,
although a number of men from the area had served within the New Jersey militia
in King George’s War against France, 1744-1748.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">During the long
struggle for independence from Great Britain, Burlington County witnessed the
movement of elements of both the British and Continental armies across its
soil. Communities, particularly Burlington City and Bordentown, were frequently
occupied by British regulars and their Hessian mercenaries. Mount Holly, nearby
to present Fort Dix, was occupied on Christmas Eve, 1776, as continental
Militia drew Hessian troops away from Bordentown. This action was in
preparation for General Washington’s historic crossing of the Delaware River
and the defeat of the Hessian troops in Trenton on 26 December 1776. Mount
Holly was again occupied for several days in June 1778 by 15,000 British troops
with 1500 wagons under the command of General William Clinton. This force
destroyed the town’s iron works which had been supplying the Continental Army
with weapons.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">After the defeat of
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, it was a Burlington man, Elias Boudinot, who as
“President of the Congress” signed preliminary articles of peace with Great
Britain on 30 November 1782.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since the Revolution,
thousands of Burlington County men and women have served the nation with
distinction. Captain James Lawrence,</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">commander of the
American frigate in the War of 1812 and famed for his dying order, “Don’t give
up the ship!,” was born in Burlington City. His home still stands, as does that
of James Fenimore Cooper, author of the famous Leatherstocking Tales and The
Last of the Mohicians, who was born in the house next door.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1917, today’s Fort
Dix joined this proud heritage to make its contribution to the history of
Burlington County. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">History of Fort Dix 3 - Maj. Gen.
John Adams Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix History<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter III <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">MAJOR GENERAL JOHN ADAMS DIX, U.S.
V. 1. (United States Volunteer)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“In the early morning of June 1,
1917, Captain George W. Mulhern 2. (Offical post return lists Captain George W.
Mulheron, Commander of Company C, 1st Battalion Engineers New Jersey,
arriving on 25 June 1917) and a small band of 19 officers and privates from
Company C of the 26th New Jersey Engineers arrived at the quaint, sleepy,
straggling village of Wrightstown.” 3 (Quoted by Camp Dix Pictorial Review,
January 1918, p. 1, from William Maxwell, Historical Record of Camp Dix
1917). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This advance detachment was the
first unit to look over the area which would one day become the largest
military installation in the north-eastern United States. When these personnel
arrived at what was to be the cantonment site, no name had yet been given to
the Army reservation. During the ensuing weeks, they and the construction
workers who soon followed their arrival referred to the site by various names
such as “Camp Wrightstown” and “Wrightstown Cantonment.” It was not until 18
July 1917 when construction already had been under way for some weeks that a
War Department general order designated the area to be known as Camp Dix in
honor of Major General John Adams Dix, soldier, politician, statesman, foreign
diplomat and railroad pioneer who had ably served his country for a period of
more than 60 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dix was born in the village of
Boscawen, New Hampshire, on 24 July 1798. His father, a prosperous storekeeper,
was instrumental in the formation of a local militia. Young Dix at a very early
age became intrigued by the activities of these hometown “heroes.” In his
memoirs, he described how they fired his imagination to the point where he
“caught the contagion, and made to myself a sacred vow that, if ever I grew
into manhood, I would become a soldier or perish in the attempt.” 4 (Morgan
Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix, vol. i. p. 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following the death of his mother in
childbirth, Dix was sent away to a series of boarding schools including
Phillips Exeter Academy and the College of Montreal. His dream of becoming a
soldier did not diminish. With the approach of the War of 1812, Dix’ father
received an appointment as a major in the infantry and became commander of a
battalion in Baltimore. Although his father wanted young Dix to continue his
education, the latter succeeded in becoming a cadet in the US Army in 1812 and
managed to join his father’s unit in Baltimore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1813, four months shy of 15 years
of age, Dix received a commission as an ensign in the infantry. In April of
that year, father and son were in Sackett’s Harbor, northern New York,
performing duty at what was later to become Madison Barracks. In autumn, their
unit joined with a force from Plattsburg for a march up the St. Lawrence River
to meet the British at Montreal. The combined force failed to reach its
destination, but on the march, they fought several skirmishes with British troops
which gave young Dix his first view of battle and death in combat. During the
return march to Lake Ontario, the older Dix fell ill with pneumonia and died en
route to Sackett’s Harbor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A succession of military posts and
duties followed for Dix including, at the age of 16, an assignment as
aide-de-camp to Major General Jacob Brown, commander of the Northern Department
of the US Army. In this capacity, Dix came into contact with many important
personages of the times. Jefferson, Madison, Calhoun, Van Rensselaer were only
a few of the many described by Dix in his memoirs. In 1919, Dix began to read
law with an eye to resigning his commission and setting up practice in New York
State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 29 May 1826, Dix married
Catherine Morgan, the daughter of a distinguished citizen of New York, John
Jordan Morgan. After a European honeymoon, Captain Dix and his wife were
stationed at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and then West Point, New York. At the
latter post, he became increasingly disenchanted with peacetime military life
and resigned in 1828.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dix and his wife settled in
Cooperstown, New York, where he pursued the life of a country squire managing
his father-in-law’s lands and practicing law. He was appointed adjutant general
of New York State in 1830, and in 1833 Dix took on the additional duties of
secretary of state and served in these capacities until 1839. During this
period, he became a leading member of the so-called “Albany Regency” – the
controlling group in the state Democratic Party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the victory of the Whig Party
in 1838, Dix became politically inactive until 1845, when he was appointed to
fill out the term of Senator Silas Wright. In a complicated political maneuver,
Wright had been elected in 1844 to governorship of New York State and as
governor appointed Dix to fill out his term in the Senate. As US Senator, Dix
aligned himself with antislavery Democrats, and the resulting antagonism of the
southern wing of the party led to his temporary retirement from politics when
his term was completed in 1849.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the next decade he was active
in railroad promotion and law practice in New York City. He continued his
contacts with the Democratic Party, and in January 1961, he was appointed
secretary of the treasury by President James Buchanan and served until March of
that year. In this short period of time, Dix rallied reluctant northern
financers to support what they thought was a failing government. While in this
post he coined the memorable phrase, “If anyone attempts to haul down the
American flag, shoot him on the spot.” 5 (Ibid,., p. 371)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The words were part of a message
sent to treasury agents in New Orleans, ordering the arrest of the captain of a
revenue cutter for his refusal to sail his ship to New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the outbreak of the Civil War,
Dix, as head of the Union Defense Committee, organized 17 regiments and was
commissioned a major general of volunteers. Although he saw no fighting, he
helped to save Maryland for the Union cause by his active defense measures.
Historians have termed the refusal of Maryland to secede crucial to the North’s
eventual victory. In May 1663, Dix was sent to Fortress Monroe in Virginia as
commander of the VII US Army Corps. The highlight of his tour come when he
marched several thousand troops up the peninsula toward Richmond in an
unsuccessful move to cut off Lee from his headquarters. General Lee then was
preparing for the attack at Gettysburg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the New York draft riots in
July 1863, Dix was appointed commander of the US Army Department of the East in
New York City. He served in this capacity until his retirement on 15 July 1865.
Despite his advancing years, Dix continued serving as the first president of
the Union Pacific Railroad, United States minister to France (1866-69), and,
though a staunch Democrat, was elected governor of New York on the Republican
ticket in 1872. Defeated for reelection in 1874, Dix finally retired from the
public scene until his death 21 April 1879.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The memory of John Adams Dix and his
many accomplishments are largely forgotten. The perpetuation of his
contribution to the American heritage rests principally with the Army
reservation that now bears his name, as it has for the past 50 years. Fort Dix
today continues to train young men for the task of protecting that to which
John Adams Dix devoted his entire life – the United States of America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">History of Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter IV <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THE CONSTRUCITON OF CAMP DIX<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the area southeast of
Wrightstown, New Jersey, seemed ideally suited for a mobilization camp, the
task of completing sufficient facilities at the site to receive the first
draftees by 1 September 1917 seemed impossible. The few Army personnel who
began to arrive at Wrightstown in early June expected to see construction
underway or at least in an advanced stage of preparation. When these soldiers
saw only vast expanses of carefully cultivated fields devoid of any activity,
it is easy to understand their disappointment. The weeks of June and early July
1917 passed as they had for more than two centuries with only the crops in the
fields showing any signs of growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major Harry C. Williams, who
reported as the first camp commander on 12 June 1917, later described the early
weeks as ones of inactivity in which “make-work” projects had to be created to
prevent boredom among the troops. Williams summed up the frustration of all in
an article which later appeared in the Camp Dix News when he stated, “the
visions of mushroom growth were painfully dissipated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The discouragement of Major Williams
and his men was understandable, but the slow start in construction was not
without good reasons. The War Department faced the almost unbelievable task of
constructing within a period of three months not only Camp Dix and 31 similar
camps but more than 500 other military posts of varying sizes. The problems of
procurement of building materials, labor, transportation, and other equipment
were of a magnitude beyond any previous experience of the American people. Yet,
even though it was not apparent in Wrightstown, progress had been made in
laying the groundwork for the building of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The quartermaster general of the
State of New Jersey was negotiating with owners of farms and forests to use
their land for the military reservation, and on 17 June 1917, a one-year lease
on 6,500 acres was arranged and signed by the parties concerned. Additional
land was procured later by other leases and outright purchase. Of the $700,000
allocated for land acquisition, only $550,000 was ever spent. Some landowners,
especially those whose families had occupied their land for generations, were
understandably hesitant to leave their homes. Most, however, displayed a high
degree of cooperation with the war effort. One prosperous farmer, when asked by
a newspaper reporter what his reaction was to vacating his premises gave a
reply that revealed the feeling of patriotism which most Americans had during
those days of World War I. He answered simply, “If I had a boy in the new Army,
I’d want him to live in a decent place; wouldn’t you?” 1. (Camp Dix News, vol.
i, no. I 1917 7.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Concurrent with negotiations for
land were those for construction of buildings and camp facilities. A contract
was signed with the firm of Irwin and Leighton of Philadelphia on 4 June 1917.
It was the same type of contract made with all construction firms for the 16 National
Army camps. It called for construction of buildings and facilities required to
provide for an infantry division of three regiments, known as a triangular
division, on a “cost-plus basis with a graded scale of percentages decreasing
from 10% to 6% on the cost of the work as the total cost increased.” 2. (Erna
Risch, Quartermaster Support of the Army. A History of the Corps 1775-1939, p.
607)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These terms were favorable to the
contractors and were undoubtedly an important factor in the rapid deterioration
of the National Army camps once the contracts were completed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Irwin and Leighton had only two and
one-half months in which to complete sufficient buildings and facilities to
provide for the first draftees. The size of the task in this short time was gigantic
in proportion. More than 7,000 carpenters, electricians, plumbers and laborers
had to be assembled, housed, fed and cared for at the campsite. Millions of
board feet of lumber, miles of piping and wire, plumbing fixtures in the
thousands, plus a myriad of other supplies, tools and equipment had to be
purchased, transported and assembled at Wrightstown. This was accomplished at a
time when skilled workers were in demand throughout the country, building
materials were in short supply, and transportation already was overtaxed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To further complicate the
construction problem, the War Department on the recommendation of General
Pershing and his staff revised the organization of the infantry division in
late July 1917. The new division, commonly referred to as the “square”
division, called for an addition of a fourth regiment and half again as many
troops. As one writer commented, “The effect upon the cantonment arrangements
was much the same as building a tall building, then adding ten stories, putting
the elevators in a new place, and lowering the ceilings on each floor by a
foot.” 3 (Frederick Palmer, Newton D. Baker-America at War, vol. i., p. 255)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The changes in the number of
buildings to be constructed resulted in the contract continuing long after Camp
Dix was to have been completed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By mid-July 1917, the campsite began
to see “visions of mushroom growth,” of which Major Williams dreamed. Workers
began to arrive by the hundreds each day. More than 30 million board feet of
lumber and 28 miles of various sized piping for the water system arrived in the
railway siding in a few days time. Buildings began to appear in the cornfields
at a fantastic rate of speed. On 5 September, sufficient buildings had been
erected to receive the first draftees to Camp Dix. During the month of
September, 17,000 draftees arrived and were processed at the camp. However,
even after their arrival, construction went on throughout the fall and into the
winter of 1917. Oftentimes, the new soldiers moving into their bleak barracks
had to clean up debris from the carpentering before they could set up cots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Construction of the largest single
facility at the camp was not begun until late in August. The Camp Dix Base
Hospital during the early days was housed in buildings intended for use as
troop barracks. By giving top priority to construction of the medial
installation, a 61-building, 1,000 bed hospital was completed in record time
and received its first patients on 29 October 1917. During construction of the
hospital, a system of teams of workers was best demonstrated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Contractors were constantly plagued
by a shortage of skilled workers. To overcome this problem, unskilled workers
were organized into teams similar to those working on manufacturing assembly
lines. On 24 September 1917, 200 men operating in teams of carpenters
established an unofficial record when they erected seven barracks buildings,
24’ x 157’, in a seven-hour period. The buildings were complete in every detail
– floors laid, stairs placed, doors hung, windows fitted, and even screens
emplaced. In addition, all scaffolding was removed, and the workmen had gone to
new sites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The influx of thousands of
construction workers with plenty of money in their pockets quickly created
pressures in the villages and towns of the area surrounding Camp Dix. The horde
of hard-working builders looking forward each evening to the gaiety of night
life in the few populated areas that prior to the war had been nonexistent. It
was only natural that Wrightstown, the nearest village, developed quickly into
a boomtown. The village, which claimed a population of less than 200 before the
war, within a few weeks in July 1917 grew into the thousands. Gamblers quickly
arrived on the scene to help workers spend their “excess” money with such
devices as poker, dice, faro and three-card monte games. As all boom times, the
philosophy of “wine, women and song” quickly became the standard of
Wrightstown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This situation developed in the
vicinity of nearly all developing National Army camps, and the federal government
recognized that something had to be done before the young men of the new Army
entered the service. The result was a federal order prohibiting the sale of
liquor either in camps or within a radius of five miles of the campsites. In
the Camp Dix area, aid for enforcing the newly passed bans came from the
Philadelphia office of what is now the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Two
special agents were sent to Camp Dix to work with the military police in
determining the source of apparently illegal whiskey which somehow seemed to
find its way to soldiers’ hands. The agent in charge of the operation at Camp
Dix was Richard Hughes, father of the present governor of New Jersey, Richard
J. Hughes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vice and corruption were not the
only problems that faced the area municipalities. Housing workers and the many
families accompanying them became a matter of deep concern. Within a few days,
there was no available lodging within miles of the encampment, and the few
stores in the formerly quiet country village were literally swamped with
customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix itself rapidly became a
fair sized, self-sufficient city capable of handling its own problems and many
relating to neighboring communities. Adjoining townships delegated by ordinance
to the Army the right to police, regulate and restrict traffic within
reasonable regulations on the Wrightstown-New Lisbon and Pointville-Pemberton
Roads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Camp Dix Fire Department was
organized in October 1917 and operated six stations and a fire truck and hose
company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A huge bakery with a daily capacity
of 36,000 pounds of bread per day was built. A complete water system was
installed, including a pumping station on the Rancocas Creek which supplied the
cantonment area with 3,000 gallons of water per minute. A series of water
storage tanks also were constructed to facilitate the system. One, a
200,000-gallon steel tank, built on the Wrightstown-Pemberton Road, is still in
service today, 50 years later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A sewage disposal plant and a sewage
system also were constructed. Stables and horse shops were built to house and
care for the 7,000 horses and mules assigned to the camp. Approximately eight
and one-half miles of standard gauge track were laid into the camp by the
Pennsylvania Railroad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By 15 December 1917, the contractors
reported that in the period since 14 June, the company had employed a maximum
of 11,000 workers operating in 400 teams and utilizing 40 trucks. They had
constructed a total of 1,660 buildings of 143 types and sizes. At the time,
Camp Dix consisted of 7,474 acres, of which 3,500 acres were used for artillery
and rifle ranges. In the winter of 1917-18, the strength of Camp Dix averaged
about 25,000 men per month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">New construction at Camp Dix
continued well into the year 1918. Events in Europe such as the loss of Russia
as an ally, the defeat of the Italian army at Caporetto, and the terrific
losses of French and British forces in the spring of 1918 forced the War
Department to revise its estimates of US forces to be committed in Europe from
one-half million to a million and then a million and a half.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix was destined to do its
share in providing for this increase. The strength of the camp gradually rose
until it reached a peak of almost 55,000 men in August 1918.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Insofar as the cost of construction
is concerned, War Department records indicate that $13 million had been
expended on construction of Camp Dix by 30 June 1919.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almost 50 years later some of it
still would be in use….for escalation of the War in Vietnam. In 1967 Congress
appropriated more for a single brigade complex than the entire original
construction cost of Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">IRWIN & LEIGHTON <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The two men who started the company
that built the original military cantonment at Wrightstown NJ were both of
Scottish and Irish descent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Alexander Dickson Irwin (also known
as “AD”), was born in Philadelphia in 1881 to an early merchant family that
became quite prominent in society social circles. His father owned a mill and
manufactured wool goods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Archibald Ogilvie Leighton (aka
“AO”) was born in Ballycarry, Ireland, near Belfast, the son of an Irish mother
and Scottish lawyer –the son of a barrister who became a construction
craftsman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was while working on the
construction of the Sligo Post office in William Butler Yeats country, where he
met Gertrude Ann Hamilton, and became engaged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In April, 1906, in the wake of the
great San Francisco earthquake, Leighton decided to go to California to help
rebuild the city. When he got to Philadelphia however, he was asked to appraise
a construction project by a family friend. It was while working on the
construction of the Germantown Junction train station, designed by Theophilus
Chandler, Jr. in north Philadelphia he met Irwin, who was working on the same
project. They became fast friends and decided to go into business together,
forming Irwin and Leighton in 1909, drawing straws to determine whose name would
go first. It wasn't for 50 years that Leighton made it to San Francisco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leighton sent for his fiancé they
were married in Philadelphia and lived in Abington as the company completed its
first major construction projects “down the shore” in Atlantic City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the 100 Year History of Irwin
& Leighton Company book. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[ </span></b><a href="http://irwinleighton.com/images/IL100Years%20C1.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">http://irwinleighton.com/<wbr></wbr>images/IL100Years%20C1.pdf</span></a><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> ] <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The United States Army Cantonment at
Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Camp Dix project, although one
of Irwin & Leighton’s earliest, stands even today as one of its most
meaningful because of the significance and importance of the project to the
World War I effort, and the speed in which it was built.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Irwin & Leighton was chosen to
build the Cantonment at Camp Dix when the site’s installment began in 1917. The
initial project was required to be completed under a very aggressive time
schedule to meet the impending demands of World War I. To do this, Irwin and
Leighton directly employed and/or coordinated the efforts of hundreds of
workers who, in accordance with the custom of the day, arrived at work in shirt
and tie, changed into work clothes and changed again to go home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Irwin & Leighton established an
onsite Employment Office where seventeen clerks screened applicants who arrived
by train and motorcar. A fleet of autos was required to make the weekly
commutes to the Philadelphia National Bank for the worker’s payroll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The project was started in July
1917, in farm fields. The scope involved ten sections of multiple barracks and
support building as well as an extensive infrastructure work.<br />
<br />
In less than sixty days, the entire project was substantially complete. In that
time, Irwin & Leighton used forty million board feet of lumber, which was
brought to the site by rail and erected in production fashion. When the company
hit stride, it was completing one barrack per day. Irwin & Leighton’s
onsite superintendent was E. M. Campbell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The company further organized the
project with “Heads of Departments” for survey, concrete, carpentry, sheet
metal, plumbing, electrical, road construction, water and sewers, a pumping
station, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 31,000 acre complex is located
inside the Pineland National Reserve in Central New Jersey, and was named for
Major General John Adams Dix, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civiil War.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Used as a staging ground and training
area for units during World War I, it was made a permanent Army post in 1939
and was renamed Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1921, the Navy established
Lakehurst Naval Air Station to serve as its headquarters for lighter-than-air
flight after the pioneering use of zeppelins by the German forces in World War
I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In order to house large
helium-filled dirigibles, the Navy hired Irwin & Leighton to build
Lakehurst’s Hanger No. 1, a massive structure measuring 961 feet long, 350 feet
wide and 200 feet high. The great spans and clear height were achieved through
state-of-the-art design. Inside it, Naval engineers assembled the first
American-built airship, the Shenandoah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lakehurst was also the location of
the now-infamous Hindenburg disaster. The crash of the Hindenburg dirigible on
May 6, 1937 over Lakehurst was the 20thcentury’s first transportation disaster
widely captured by newsreel, audio recordings and still photos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix V -
WWI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">History of Fort
Dix 1917-1967<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter V<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX ACTIVITIES IN WORLD WAR I<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the United States entered World
War I, the US Army could not claim a single active division. At the time, the
largest operational element of the Army was the infantry regiment. Of these,
only 31 Regular Army regiments and 110 National Guard regiments existed. The
later varied considerably in strength and number of battalions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The War Department had prepared
plans and drawn up tables of organization to assign various regiments to
infantry divisions using the triangular principle, i.e., elements grouped in
threes. However, shortly after General John J. Pershing and his staff arrived
in France, they determined that the square division, elements grouped in fours,
demonstrated far greater power to penetrate the system of trenches peculiar to
the Western Front. On 8 June 1917, two months after the US declared war, the
Army activated the 1st Infantry Division in France utilizing four infantry
regiments, the 16th, 18th, 26th, and 28th. The “Big Red One” became the
prototype for all US Infantry divisions, which were subsequently organized in
World War I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Pershing in his analysis of
tactical organizations in an official report to the secretary of war, 20
November 1918, stated: “After a thorough consideration of allied organizations
it was decided that our combat division should consist of four regiments of
infantry of 3,000 men with three battalions to regiment and four companies of
250 men each to a battalion and of an artillery brigade of three regiments, a
machine gun battalion, a signal battalion wagon trains and the headquarters
staffs and military police. These, with medical and other units, made a total
of over 28,000 men, or practically double the size of a French or German
divisions.” 1 (Francis A. March, History of World War I, p. 702)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The changes in size and organization
of the infantry division recommended by General Pershing and employed by him in
organizing the 1st Infantry Division presented problems to the War
Department. Not only would all of the tables of organization have to be
re-written but National Guard and National Army cantonments which already were
under construction would have to be adjusted and expanded to provide for the
added units and the increased strength. There was considerable opposition in
the War Department to revising the organization of the Army in mid-summer 1917
just at the time that the National Guard and the first draft of selective
service men were being called. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, the secretary of war let it be known
that the commander in chief in France who was to command our Army in battle
should have the size division he wanted. Largely because of the strong support
given to General Pershing by the secretary of war, the square infantry division
concept was quickly adopted by the War Department and published in a series of
tables of organization beginning on 8 August 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just prior to that date, on 5
August, official announcement was made by the War Department of the
establishment of 16 infantry divisions of the National Army. Among these was
the 78th Infantry Division, scheduled to organize and train at Camp Dix,
Wrightstown, New Jersey. The division was allocated draftees from the first
contingent as follows: Delaware, 1,202; New Jersey, 20,665; and New York,
21,160. On 13 August, the War Department directed that the 78th Infantry
Division Headquarters be organized and the commissioned officers report for
duty on 15 August. The next day, the division commander was directed to
organize sub</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ordinate units of the division in accordance with Tables of
Organization, dated 8 August 1917.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major General Chase W. Kennedy
assumed command of the division on 23 August and at the same time became the
first commanding general of Camp Dix. He was destined, however, to command this
New Jersey installation and its units only three months because of policies
being developed in France.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In November 1917 from his
headquarters in France, General Pershing wrote to the War Department of his
concern regarding age of the generals who had been assigned for duty as
division commander with the American Expeditionary Forces. He pointed out that
the average age of the French and British division commander was 38 to 45. They
had found this necessary because of the extreme mental and physical demands
placed on combat commanders at the Western Front, even at the division level.
Pershing requested he be assigned generals of comparable age to that of the
French and British commanders. His request was honored, and one of those
selected was General Kennedy at Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kennedy was relieved from assignment
at Camp Dix on 28 November 1917 and soon after sailed for France. Following his
departure, Brigadier Generals John S. Mallory and James T. Dean served ad
interim assignments as commander of Camp Dix and the 78th Division until 2
January 1918 when Major General Hugh L. Scott assumed both responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Scott had been chief of
staff, United States Army, until 22 September 1917 when he was placed on a
retired list but continued on active duty. Following a visit to Russia as an
observer with the Root Mission, General Scott was assigned to the A.E.F. in
France. By coincidence, he was one of the older generals whom General Pershing
specifically had mentioned in his letter to the War Department. On 20 April
1918, Brigadier General James H. McRae, later to become major general, was
assigned as commanding general of the 78th Division and served in that
capacity throughout the remainder of World War I. General Scott continued as
camp commander until 12 May 1919 at which time he was relieved of the post and
placed on full retirement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To return to the activities of the
78th Division, the organization of its subordinate units began during the
last week of August 1917 from a cadre of Regular Army officers and organized
Reserve Corps and National Army officers from the First Officers’ Training Camp,
Madison Barracks, New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 78th Division consisted of
two infantry brigades, the 155th and `56th with the 309th,
310th Infantry Regiments, the 308th Machine Gun Battalion,
respectively, the 153rd Field Artillery Brigade with the 307th and
308th Field Artillery Regiments (75mm), the 309th Field Artillery
Regiment (155mm) and the 303rd Trench Mortar Battery; 303rd Engineer
Regiment; 303rd Signal Battalion; 303rd headquarters and Military
Police Trains; 303rd Supply, Ammunition, Engineer, and Sanitation Trains;
the 309th, 310th, 311th, 312th Ambulance Companies and Field Hospitals,
and the 153rd Depot Brigade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At each of the National Guard camps,
a depot brigade with the mission of training draftees as replacements was
assigned as a component part of the National Guard divisions. The
153rd Depot Brigade was activated on 17 August 1917 with six training
battalions, which became a part of the 78th Division after its formation.
In October, three provisional training regimental headquarters were formed by
the brigade, and these assumed direct supervision of the training battalions.
The brigade remained subordinate to the 78th division until the
78th departed for France. At that time, it became an independent command,
expanding to 10 training battalions, which was its organization throughout the
remainder of the war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the
78th Division, other major organizations were activated at Camp Dix and
carried on training simultaneously with the division. The largest of these was
the 167th Field Artillery Brigade (Negro), which was activated in November
1917. The 167th Brigade was part of the 92nd Infantry Division, which
had its headquarters at Camp Funston, Kansas. The brigade remained in training
at Camp Dix until the 92nd Division left for France in June 1918.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other units were the
24th Engineer Regiment, activated in November 1917, and the 34th and
54th Engineer Regiments, activated in February 1918. All of these
regiments departed for France in June 1918. Camp Dix also operated a Cooks and
Bakers School, which provided personnel for units throughout the US Army. It
was activated in September 1917 and remained in operation until long after the
end of the war. It was inactivated in April 1922.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">US Army medical activities began at
Camp Dix with the arrival, on 27 August 1917, of an ambulance company of the
22nd Field Hospital and several medical officers. A month later the first
group of 20 nurses reported from a Red Cross training center. Initially, a
temporary field hospital was established in troop barracks during the
construction of the Camp Dix Base Hospital. On 22 October, the Base Hospital
opened in the area just to the east of the Wrightstown-Camp Dix entrance. The
original structures was expanded throughout the war until it reached a maximum
capacity of 2, 184 beds. At that time, the total assigned strength consisted of
104 officers, 650 enlisted men and 158 nurses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first draftees reporting to Camp
Dix were confronted with military supply problems similar to the construction
supply problems that faced contractors. Quartermaster records of September 1917
show the following items on hand for issue to the incoming soldiers: 204 cotton
shirts, 84 service hats, 614 pairs of shoes and 500 pairs of leggings. Also on
hand were 47,430 cotton undershirts, 39,350 cotton stockings and 24, 600 wool
stockings. With this shortage and imbalance, it is understandable why many of
the first men had to continue wearing their civilian clothes during the early
stages of training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The same situation existed with
respect to food supplies. The records show available for issue: 135,000 rations
of bacon, 169,000 of corned beef, 1,135,000 pounds of sugar and 2,575,000 of
salt. With weapons it was the same. The first rifles used by the soldiers were
the Krag, .30-40, which first came into use during the Spanish-American war,
and the 1903 Springfield .30-06, went into full production that the US soldiers
had a common rifle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The training day for the doughboys
of World War I was not much different from that of the infantrymen today. First
Call came at 5:45 a.m., with Assembly 15 minutes later. Breakfast began at 6:20
a.m., followed by sick Call at 6:45 a.m., and stable Call at 7 a.m. First Call
for drill was sounded at 7:20 a.m., with Assembly at 7:30 a.m. The noon break
lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Recall was blown at 5 p.m. Retreat was
held at 5;35 p.m., with the evening meal following immediately. Night classes
were conducted each evening during the week from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and Taps
closed out the day at 10 p.m. A six-day work week was followed, and only on
Sundays and holidays was there a break in training, when Revelle sounded
one-half hour later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The doughboys’ training consisted of
heavy emphasis on close order drill, calisthenics, marches and bivouacs, filed
inspections, range firing, bayonet drill, and defense and attack of mock
trenches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite the rigorous and long hours
of training, it was not all work and no play” for the soldiers at Camp Dix. The
moral and welfare of each soldier were considerations that occupied the time of
many individuals and organizations. Personalities from the entertainment world
visited the post to perform for the troops. The first well-known comedian to
appear at the camp was Sir Harry Lauder whose Scottish brogue, put to tune in
the inaugural act, was followed by other noted musicians, singer and actors of
the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While all of the events were given
on a large scale, there was no central agency such as today’s United Service
Organization (USO) to organize and coordinate entertainment activities This
lack of central organization did not affect the quality or quantity of
entertainment supplied to the army camps. Private welfare agencies military
personnel assigned to provide for the morale, welfare and entertainment of the
soldiers filled the gap. Although their activities were not centralized, a
number of agencies and facilities was in operation at Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Y.M.C.A. maintained nine huts
and an auditorium, which was the largest building on post. The Knights of
Columbus had three huts and an auditorium, the latter located near the camp
swimming pool at 8th Street and New Jersey Avenue. This site presently is
occupied by the Army Education Center. The pool also was built by the Knights
of Columbus but not completed in time for use in World War I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Jewish Welfare organization’s
building was located at 5th Street and New Jersey Avenue, and the
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey operated the Saint George Club in Pointville.
The latter building later was sold to the government for one dollar and converted
to a guesthouse. The Red Cross building was located at 8th Street and New
York Avenue. It was later torn down, and the A.R.C. constructed a new building
in 1942 near the old site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Salvation Army operated a club
in Wrightstown as it does today. Fire consumed the first building, and the
organization moved into quarters of the “Mole Tequop Club,” an Army service
club located on the main corner of Wrightstown. The Mole Tequop operated under
the Commission Training Camp Activities of the War Department and was one of
three service clubs located in Wrightstown. The club’s unusual name was derived
from an Indian phrase meaning “Sign Talker” which had been given to Major
General Hugh L. Scott, camp commander, by an Indian tribe many years before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Christian Scientists maintained
a facility near New Jersey and 8th Street; the Camp Community Service had
a lodge near Wrightstown and there were two Hostess Houses for the
entertainment of Negro troops, one of which was later converted into an
officer’s club. Among other activities at the camp were a dramatic club, a post
library with 2500 volumes, a full-time camp song instructor, a camp athletic
director and a camp boxing instructor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each evening the latest silent films
were presented at the post’s first theater. Often doubling as a sports arena,
the spacious Liberty Theater could seat nearly 1,000 persons. Such classics as
“West of Today,” and “Six Feet Four” were among the many films presented. “West
of Today” starring William Russell was considered a film intended “only for
people with red blood in their veins.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To keep informed of the news, the
soldiers had a variety of camp newspapers to choose from. “The Trench and Camp
Weekly, “ “The Camp Dix Times,” “The Camp Dix News,” and “The Camp Dix
Pictorial Review,” were printed by the “Trenton Times” for such agencies as the
contractors and Y.M.C.A. for issue to workers and soldiers. One item the men
read in August of 1918 concerned 370 Italian soldiers who had arrived at Camp
Dix after crossing more than half the world on their return to Italy. It was an
unusual story!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Austria declared war in 1914,
many Italians living in the provinces of Southern Tyrol, Treseste, Friuli,
Istria and Dalmatia were compelled to join the Austrian Army. The impressed
soldiers were sent to fight on the Russian front against a nation allied with
their homeland. Taking advantage of every opportunity to surrender, the
Italians fell into the hands of the Russians who held them prisoner until the
arrival of an Italian military mission to Moscow. After release in December
1917, the men began a long and adventurous journey across Siberia. Eventually,
they reached China and obtained passage to the United States. Upon reaching the
US, the soldiers were sent to Camp Dix to await their voyage to Italy. At Dix,
the Italians were joined by about 2,000 aliens who had requested return to
Europe to join in the fight against the Germans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Italians were acclaimed to be
the “bravest of the brave,” who would, when they finally reached front, “fight
like demons because they have been through hell.” 2. (Camp Dix Times, vol.
I, no. xxxxiv 1918, pp. 1 & 18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Germans never saw the fighting
mettle of these spirited soldiers for, ironically, the war ended before they
reached the front.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By the end of October 1917 the
78th Division still had not reached full strength, it numbered only 16,000
men. In the last drafts of 1917, which reported to Camp Dix during the period
19-24 November, only 5,000 additional men were furnished to the camp. During
this period, the division was called on to provide fillers for units shipping
to France. By 10 November, transfers had reduced the size of the division to
less than half its authorized strength. It remained at the same level
throughout the winter of 197-18, but in April and early May, the division was
brought up to full strength by transfers from New England, New York, New Jersey
and Illinois. This occurred just before the division’s movement to France,
where it arrived in early June. After two and one-half months training with the
British in Flanders, the division joined the First US Army and participated in
the St. Mihiel and Meuse operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the departure of the
78th Division, the War Department designated Camp Dix as an embarkation
point for units departing overseas. The first division to use the camp as a
staging area before movement to points of embarkation was the
87th Infantry Division (National Army), which had been activated at Camp
Pike, Arkansas, at the same time as the 78th Division. The 87th or
“Acorn” Division was composed of soldiers from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi
and Alabama. It’s troops began to move into Camp Dix on 18 June 1918 and
remained until 18 August when its advanced elements began their movement in
France. During its stay at Camp Dix, the division received 10,000 replacements
from the 153rd Depot Brigade. The division did not see action in the war;
it still was in training in France when the armistice was signed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almost immediately after departure
of the 87th Division, parts of the 67th and 68thInfantry Brigades of
the 34th Division (National Guard) began to arrive at Camp Dix. The
34th “Sandstorm” Division had trained at Camp Cody, New Mexico, and was
composed of National Guard units called into service from Iowa, Minnesota,
North and South Dakota, and Nebraska.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was while the 34th Division
troops were staging at Camp Dix that the influenza epidemic struck the
reservation. The epidemic had been rampant throughout the United States
resulting in the death of more than 500,000 people in a 10-month period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The camp was placed under strict
quarantine from early September to 12 October 1918. In this period, more than
12,000 cases of influenza and pneumonia were reported, and at one time, the
Base Hospital had a peak load of 7,943 patients. The hospital had to utilize 18
barracks normally used for housing troops to provide for the overflow from the
wards. Approximately 900 soldiers died during the epidemic. At the height of
the attack, as many as 70 to 80 deaths occurred a day.<br />
<br />
According to a newsman at Camp Dix during the epidemic, the first deceased
soldiers were shipped to their homes in flag-covered coffins with military
escort. However, the deaths occurred at such a high rate that eventually
escorts could not be provided, and soon the post’s supply of flags ran out.
During the latter stages of the epidemic, only plain wooden coffins carried the
dead to their final resting place. In early October, the number of cases
diminished, and the infantry brigades of the 34thDivision began their embarkation
for France.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the movement of the
34th Division to ports of embarkation, Camp Dix was preparing for the
activation of the 102nd Infantry Division, one of the new divisions the
War Department planned to commit in France for the big offensive scheduled in
1919. However, the abrupt end of the war in Europe came with only a small
number of cadres of lower ranks assembled at Camp Dix. With the armistice,
plans for activation of the division were dropped, and cadre personnel were
reassigned to existing units. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus Camp Dix ended it task as a
training and later an embarkation center of World War I, but its service in the
war was not finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Soon would begin the gigantic task
of returning to civilian life a good share of the four million men to be demobilized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although Camp Dix began to serve as
a discharge point within a few days after the end of the war, it was not until
3 December 1918, when it was designated a Demobilization Center, that full
impact of the problem was felt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix
Chapter VI - Demobilization<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter VI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX AND
DEMOBILIZATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The collapse of the Central Powers
came more quickly than even the best-informed military experts believed
possible.” 1 (U.S. Secretary of War 1tr. To U.S. Senator James A. Reed, 3 April
1919.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus, wrote Secretary of War Newton
D. Baker in a letter to Senator James A. Reed about the suddenness of the
armistice on 11 November 1918. The abrupt end of the war found the United
States even less prepared for demobilization than it had been for mobilization
in April 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the war ended, there was only
one officer, Colonel C. H. Conrad, Jr. in the entire United States Army
actively working on plans for personnel demobilization, and he had received the
assignment only one month previously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Peyton C. March, chief of
staff, US Army, in speaking of the planning for demobilization said, “…There
were no precedents afforded by the experience of our former wars which were of
value in determining policy.” 2 (Peyton C. March, The Nation at War, p. 312)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Except the Civil War, no war in
which the United States previously participated had involved the mass of
personnel comparable to the millions who served in World War I. Then, too, the
opportunities of economic and territorial expansion in the nation that existed
after the Civil War were not available to the men released in 1918-19.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The War Department planners
considered the welfare of the nation as well as the Army and concluded that
demobilizing the emergency troops could be best accomplished in one of four
ways: soldiers could be separated by length of service, by industrial needs or
occupation, by locality (through the use of local draft boards), or by military
units.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The decision favoring the military
unit method of demobilization was made on 16 November 1918 and immediately
announced to the press. The secretary of war, describing the plan in his report
for 1919, said, ‘…the policy adopted was to demobilize by complete
organizations as their services could be spared, thus insuring the maximum
efficiency of those organizations remaining, instead of demobilizing by special
classes with the resulting discontent among those not given preferential
treatment and retained in the service, thus lowering their morale and
efficiency and disrupting all organizations with the attendant general
discontent,’ 3 (U.S. Secretary of War, War Department Annual Report 1919, vol.
I, pt. I, p. 14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Demobilization Centers, such as Camp
Dix became on 3 December 1918, performed the task of discharging the troops. At
these centers camp personnel conducted physical examinations, made up the
necessary papers to close all records, checked property, adjusted financial and
other accounts, and generally completed the processing. Many units in the
United States were not immediately released. They manned ports of embarkation,
convalescent and demobilization centers, supply depots, base and general
hospitals, garrisons along the Mexican border, and bases outside the United
States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix personnel had a taste of
the inactivation process even before it was designated a Demobilization Center.
This occurred on 30 November 1918 with the official inactivation of the
102nd Infantry Division, the new division scheduled for formation at Camp
Dix that never got beyond assignment of cadre. In December 1918 demobilization
got underway in earnest with the inactivation of the 333rd, 334th, 338th,
339th, and 346th Light Tank Battalions; the 351st 382nd,
383rd Heavy Training and Replacement Companies; and the
319th,,320th,321st Tank Repair and Salvage Companies. These tank units
were elements of the 309th and 310th Tank Centers, which only had
been transferred to Camp Dix in November 1918. They were part of the final war
plan to augment tank participation of the A.E.F. in France during the scheduled
1919 buildup of United States forces. Although these organizations had received
cadres of some trainees, systematic training barely began before the units were
inactivated. The two Tank Center Headquarters remained at Camp Dix for a time,
but they, too, were inactivated in June 1919.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Demobilization really got underway
at Camp Dix beginning in January 1919</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">. In quick succession, seven entire
infantry divisions or their major elements were inactivated in the next six
months. They were the 87th Infantry Division, January to March;
41st Infantry Division, February to March; 28th Infantry Division,
April to May; 42nd Infantry Division, May; 29th Infantry Division,
May; 78th Infantry Division, the first occupants of Camp Dix, May to June;
and the 79th Infantry Division, May to June.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the same period, inactivation
of the following smaller units was accomplished at Camp Dix; 10 engineer
regiments, two engineer trains, 26 transportation corps companies, three
pioneer infantry regiments, one infantry brigade headquarters, six machine gun
battalions, 30 base hospitals, four military police companies, two butchery
companies, eight sales commissary units, and 14 U.S. guards battalions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More than 300,000 men were
discharged at Camp Dix by 31 July 1919. Of this number 16,485 were officers and
39 field clerks (similar to today’s warrant officer). In addition, 76,124
officers and men were transferred to other stations for reassignment or further
processing prior to discharge. The largest number of discharges for a day was
5, 231 and transfers 4, 617.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the size and number of
units inactivated during the period 1 July to 31 December 1919 began to fall
off, the scale of inactivations continued to be significant. They included:
nine engineer regiments, 63 transportation corps companies, two pioneer
infantry regimens, six base hospitals, five ambulance service sections, 25
military police companies, 13 butchery companies, and eight sales commissary
units. By October 1919, the demobilization requirements at Camp Dix had slowed
to a point where no more than 500 men were handled per day. The War Department
already had acquiesced in the requirement that a man be discharged within 48
hours of his arrival at the center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was in October that Camp Dix was
chosen by the Treasury Department to be the site for filming of movies in
support of the “Fifth Liberty Loan Drive.” More than $100,000 was invested in
filming simulated battles with doughboys dressed in German battle dress.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Scenes took place in the mock trench
area near the filtration plant at New Jersey Avenue beyond 8th Street. The
trench area, which circled eastward toward Pointville and included heavily
wooded terrain, afforded an ideal setting for producing battle scenes
reminiscent of those fought on the Western Front.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By the end of January 1920,
demobilization at Camp Dix had come to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dix Chapter VII - Between the Wars<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter VII <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the 1920s and early 1930s,
World War I continued to have a tremendous impact on the size and structure of the
United States Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Civilian Americans were determined
to economize after the tremendous costs of World War I and try to forget
warfare altogether. With almost four million men under arms in November 18, the
authorized strength of the US Army slid to less than 150,000 by mid-1920. Even
then the number of personnel the Army was able to retain n service fell well
below that figure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Regular Army facilities in the
United States provided adequately for existing Army units; consequently there
was little need for the original National Army Camps, such as Camp Dix, in the
post-war military establishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Were it not for a decision by the
assistant secretary of war in March 1919, it is doubtful if Camp Dix would had
survived as a military reservation. He decided to purchase 14 leased National
Army cantonments, one of which was Dix, to try to recoup a higher part of the
war’s cost by selling all buildings and other assets in combination with the
lands. Selling the combinations, he estimated, would result in 12 times more
gain to the government. After the Camp Dix land was purchased, however, no
information is available that any real attempt was made to sell the Army post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When demobilization had ended, the
caretaking responsibility for Camp Dix was placed in the hands of a
quartermaster detachment, which at times consisted of as few as one officer, 10
enlisted men and five civilians. The quartermaster officer in charge of the
detachment also doubled as commanding officer of the camp. For these few
soldiers, Camp Dix in those years was a lonely place and well deserving of the
name, “Military Ghost Town,” given to the quiet reservation by local residents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was the 1st Infantry
Division, headquartered at Fort Hamilton, New York, that gave Camp Dix its last
big moment of glory during the post-World War I period. In observance of the
second anniversary of the armistice, the 1st Division assembled all of its
units, which were spread widely along the east coast, at Camp Dix to put on a
demonstration for a gathering of 1st Division veterans. Among the guests
was General of the Armies John J. Pershing, as the division “went over the top”
on the night of 10 November 1920.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also present were 35 disabled
veterans of the 1st Division who lay in ambulances to watch the show. They
had been brought by special train from Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington
D.C., where for more than two years, they had been under treatment for war
wounds. The demonstration consisted of a night attack from trenches employing
all of the implements for such an attack. Soldiers with blackened faces made up
wire-cutting parties, and the attackers were supported with star shells to
heavy artillery and protected by tanks and machine guns. On the next day 11
November, a reunion of the 1st Division Society, held on the parade
grounds, was attended by thousands of veterans from all parts of the United
States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a result of this visit, the
commanding general of the 1st Division, Major General Charles P.
Summerall, wrote to the adjutant general. US Army, requesting an allocation of
$5,000 to repair and modernize a building suitable for housing visitors to the
post. In his request, he stated that the camp was located 18 miles from
adequate hotel accommodations. He also noted the quarters provided for officers
at the camp were so small, poorly constructed, and ill equipped that it was
necessary to provide some place for guests of the officers and other visitors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no evidence to indicate
General Summerall ever got the money. Few appropriations were made by Congress
for maintenance of buildings on the post. Consequently, the inevitable
resulted. Nature, lack of repair, and insufficient guard personnel took their
toll. Supplies were open to looting. Even gasoline was stolen from the fire
engine, and on one occasion the vehicle had to be towed to a fire. Building
after building burned to the ground. During the five-year period from
1917-1922, the camp’s fire loss was approximately $287,000. Much of the camp’s
equipment, particularly motor vehicles, had long passed the point of efficient
use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major General David C. Shanks, who
had replaced General Summerall as commanding general of the 1st Infantry
Division, visited Camp Dix in August 1921. He later wrote to the adjutant
general, US Army, complaining of the camp’s deficiencies. He noted the
buildings were “all of the cheap and flimsy type” and apparently suffering from
leaky roofs, extensive rotting, and general deterioration attributable to
“hasty construction.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Shanks observed that the
camp’s water supply was poor, no family housing existed, and the general
isolation of the location was contributing to a high desertion rate. He
endorsed General Summerall’s views that Camp Dix should not be retained as a
permanent camp and recommended no further building programs be considered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite the views of the two
commanding generals, the 1st Division continued to use Camp Dix for its
annual summer field training and range firing. Regiments of the division’s
1st Brigade, the 16th Infantry Regiment from Fort Jay, Governor’s
Island, New York City, and the 18th Infantry Regiment from Fort Wadsworth,
Staten Island, New York, were the most consistent users of the camp’s training
areas. Additionally, in the summer months, units of the New Jersey Guard took
their two-weeks active duty training at the camp along with reserve officers of
the 77th and 78th Infantry Divisions (Reserve) and officers of other
Organized Reserve Corps (ORC) units whose home stations were close to Camp Dix.
In the 1930s, students in training under the Citizens Military Training Corps
(CMTC) in the II Army Corps Area made up a large part of the men assembled at
the camp from June through August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The small arms ranges were the most
active facilities on post during these training periods. More than 3,000 men,
not including CMTC and ORC groups, spent considerable time on the ranges
qualifying and improving their marksmanship. In 1926, the firing range at Fort
Hancock, New Jersey, was closed because of accidents, so troops from that post,
principally engineers, completed their small arms firing at Camp Dix. During
the summer of that year, approximately 400 marines stationed at Lakehurst, New
Jersey, as part of the ground crew for the naval airship “Los Angeles,” came to
Camp Dix for range practice. The marines continued to use the camp’s ranges for
several more years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix as it existed in those days
can be best understood through the reflections of soldiers returning to the
“old” post after years of absence. One was Sergeant First Class John F. Nolan,
who returned to Fort Dix in 1964 for an assignment with the Light Vehicle
Driver Course of the 5th Common Specialist Training Regiment. Back in May
1934, then Private Nolan had reported to Camp Dix to staff a summer training
camp for the Reserve Officers Training Corps, CMTC, and Civilian Conservation
Corps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking at the permanent, brick
barracks of a basic combat training regiment, Nolan recalled that his company
30 years previously had been housed in tents during the summer period. “The
only barracks on post,” he said, “housed about 18 members of the permanent
party. Once we were ordered to move our tents so a road could be built.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reminiscing on changes that have
occurred in Army life, the sergeant recalled, “Every outfit did its own
recruiting. You just signed up and went straight to work. Until you were
assigned overseas, you received no formal training. One day you might learn how
to carry or fire a rifle, while another time they might teach you ‘right
face.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a private, Nolan was paid $17.65
a month. His first stop most paydays was the orderly room, where a book of 10
haircut coupons could be bought for a $1.50. In his unit in those days, a
private first class was entrusted with handling payroll and personnel records.
Mess halls were different, too. Service was family style, with heaping platters
of food on the table. Mess sergeants did their own marketing, and they could be
seen at nearby farms, haggling over the price of vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Frequently during the
post-demobilization period, the governments had expressed its intention of
abandoning the camp and returning all property to the original owners. However,
due largely to the efforts of General Hugh L. Scott, the second commanding
general of the 78th Infantry Division and Camp Dix, such a proposal was
not carried out. He and many other farsighted military and government officials
argued that the camp must be retained in the event of another mobilization. It
was further pointed out that the reservation was the largest in the
northeastern United States and well-fortified by its ideal location. It was
near the large eastern cities and had great potential as an aviation center or
training site for pilots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After hearing these and other strong
arguments, Calvin Coolidge decided to set aside most of the tract as a national
forest preserve and any idea of vacating the camp apparently was dropped – at
least so far as the federal government was concerned. By executive order in
1925, most of the land area making up the reservation was renamed Dix National
Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even though the government had no
intention of giving up the land, rumors of plans to abandon the property were
often heard. Most of the rumors were based on expressed opinions of certain
ranking individuals in the federal and local governments that the properties at
Dix were needlessly being held by the government. The rumors brought a flood of
inquiries to congressmen from local residents. The property and land at Dix
became the subject of many such congressional inquiries in 1926. Late in the
year, Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis answered these inquiries by announcing
plans to reopen Camp Dix as the 11 Corps training area. He also announced the
proposal of a million dollar construction project at the post. Thus, Dix’
retention as a military installation by the federal government was assured, and
the tide of rumors and queries subsided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the post was not very
active after 1922 and no regular forces, other than the small caretaker
detachment, were stationed there, the Army still received a number of claims
for property damage from irate citizens. For example, an Asbury Park bus struck
and killed an Army mule while the bus was traveling across the reservation on
the Wrightstown-Pemberton-Camden Highway. After determining the amount of
damage to the bus and cost of repair, the company filed a claim against the
government in the amount of $54.45. But, to the dismay of the company, the
government submitted a counterclaim for $160 – the cost of the mule. It was
pointed out that the driver of the bus had exceeded the posted speed limit of
12 miles per hour. A witness had stated the bus was traveling a reckless 25
miles an hour and the driver apparently ignored the waring of a soldier to slow
down. The disposition of the case is not known nor is it really important.
However, it was typical of many such claims submitted to the government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There were more serious claims during
the early between-wars period. Field fires started from the narrow-gage
railroad were frequent. One fire in the early 1920s resulted in more than
$10,000 in claims for damage to cranberry bogs. In 1930, another fire was
started from the railroad resulting in claims totaling $2,500. Finally it was
discovered that the fires were caused when sparks from the train’s wheels
ignited the nearby brush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The largest fire during the period,
however, was not caused by wheels of the railroad train. In 1932, soldiers of
one of the reserve divisions were clearing brush from the track for a firebreak
and began burning it. At noon, the soldiers took time out for lunch, leaving
the burning brush unattended. In a short time, with the assist of a summer
breeze, the fire spread to adjoining bogs. The result was one of the worst
fires known in the vicinity, according to a letter received by the secretary of
war from a civilian. The blaze could not be controlled, and a civilian fire
department had to be called in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the fire, which caused
extensive damage to the woodland area in the section that later became known as
the Reception Center. This company did excellent work fighting soil erosion on
the farms in the neighboring communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CCC – Civilian Conservation Corps <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By August 1934, general supervision
of CCC camps in southern New Jersey was administered by headquarters at Dix.
Public opinion was divided as to whether material benefits accomplished by the
CCC were worth the cost. However, it was generally accepted that improvement of
workers’ personal character and knowledge was of tremendous value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Character buildup, however, was
sometimes questioned by the local populace. One incident took place on the
afternoon of Friday the 13th of April 1934. On that day, 75 CCC workers on
their way home from Camp Dix created a disturbance at the Bordentown, New
Jersey railroad station. They removed a clock from the waiting room wall,
damaged a candy vending machine and became involved in other miscellaneous
malicious actions. State police were summoned and after quelling the outbreak
permitted the men to go on to their homes. No arrests were made. This was not
the only incident of bad conduct involving CCC workers. They were frequently
involved in fights, brawls, thefts and acts of immorality. Although the
majority of the conservation corps men did not display such immature behavior,
the reputation of the entire CCC was quite a topic of conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, CCC authorities at Camp
Dix continued to point out advantages of the corps. They shattered all charges
of pacifists that the recruits were given military training. Dix authorities
denied that the young men were undergoing training for the Army in the event of
a future emergency. It also was stressed that while a civilian reserve officer
directed each of the CCC camps, all other executive positions were held by men
promoted from the ranks of the CCC recruits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All CCC men enlisted had the
privilege of quitting any time they were needed by their families.
Transportation costs to return home in such cases were furnished, considering
that pay of the ordinary CCC workman was only $30 a month, $25 of which was
sent to dependents or families back home. This left the CCC worker $5 in pocket
money each month, hardly enough to cover both transportation costs and other
necessary purchases. In addition to educational, recreational, and religious
benefits and activities, the worker received clothing and medical services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In January 1935, 300,000 young men
still were employed in camps scattered throughout the United States. For the
most part, they worked in forest conservation. In the spring of 1935,
preparations were made by the Department of Conservation and Development for
reforesting state forests. This was accomplished by planting a total of 832,700
seedling trees of several different types. The plans were carried out, and the
planting done by CCC. The Green Bank State Forest Nursery of Burlington County
provided 210,200 seedlings, while the Washington Crossing State Forest Nursery
of Mercer County furnished an additional 125,000 for the cause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Bass River State Forest of
Burlington County, the Lebanon State Forest in Cape May County, the Jenny Jump
State Forest in Warren County and Stokes State Forest in Sussex County all
received seedling trees. In all cases the planting was done by the CCC. The CCC
also was employed in road building and other jobs throughout the country. These
jobs aided in the construction of various projects designed to improve living
and recreational conditions in assigned areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In spring 1935, it was directed that
New Jersey’s quota for the CCC be boosted from 9,343 to 19,700. This was the
result of a federal government decision to enroll 600,000 youths and war
veterans beginning 15 June 1935 to build up the number of personnel, which then
stood at 353,000. Factors in determining the state’s quota were population and
relief needs, each weighing equally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of the 600,000 youths and war
veterans, 545,000 were juniors and the remainder veterans. The enrollment
increase was completed on 31 August 1935. It was estimated that during the
enrollment period, approximately 350,000 men, including replacements for men
who had dropped out prior to 1 July, were sent to camps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From March 1933 to July 1936,
115,000 CCC enrollees arrived and were processed at Camp Dix. During the same
period, the camp, which also operated as a discharge center, sent out 43,000
men, who eventually returned to Dix and were mustered out of the corps to
civilian life. In all, more than 200,000 men passed through the camp in the CCC
program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Activity at Camp Dix steadily
increased, and in 1937 the CCC Discharge and Replacement Center was
established. The center handled approximately 10,000 enrolments and discharges
every quarter. At the beginning of every period 5,000 men were received from
camps on the West Coast, processed for discharge and returned home. At about
the same time, approximately the same numbers was received, enrolled, processed
and shipped to camps on the West Coast as replacements. In September 1940, the
Discharge and Replacement Center was moved temporarily to Sea Girt, New Jersey.
It remained there until early in 1941 when it was returned to Fort Dix and
inactivated. Because of the military buildup, workers at the post, more of whom
were involved in soil conservation, were transferred to the Schenectady, New
York, area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile the CMTC and ORC continued
to use the camp regularly each summer, and training was more efficient because
of the many improvements made by the CCC with government funds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1937, General Hugh L. Scott’s
foresightedness of the 1920s became a reality. During that year ground was
broken for the Army’s first airfield at Dix. A small landing strip was built
for light planes to be used in support of the post’s activities. Although
hardly as extensive as today’s McGuire Air Force Base, the tiny single dirt
strip was McGuire’s forerunner. Later, the strip expanded to a major air base
and for years was known as the Fort Dix Army Air Field. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The military had its problems in
keeping the lid on classified information. A breach of security, which could be
used as an example in an intelligence lecture, occurred on the post in 1938.
World War II was just taking form in other parts of the world, even though the
United States was not involved. Washington, however, was anticipating the
country might become entangled; consequently mobilization and contingency plans
were being prepared. Military installations were taking stock of their
properties and making recommendations for improvement in the event facilities
and equipment had to be used for building of our military strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In May 1938 a request carefully
itemizing some $150,000 in needed repairs and constructions at Camp Dix was sent
from Congress to the War Department. Congress felt the repairs were considered
necessary for mobilization should the need arise. The list included all areas
ranging from improvements of tent floors and a hay shed to renovations of an
electronic power station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Such a request may not seem out of
place to most people. There was, however, one extraordinary factor – the
request came from Congress and not through channels from Camp Dix. A security
leak was suspected. This disturbed the War Department, considering that
requests in channels from Dix at the time amounted only to $18,000. The War
Department wanted to know why civilians apparently knew more about the
mobilization readiness of the post than the Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix’ commander was hard pressed
to explain how this restricted list of needed repairs got to Washington before
it was received at II Corps headquarters. After investigation on the part of
military authorities at the camp, the answer was learned. At the time there
were some 2,500 Works Projects Administration (WPA) workers on the post. They
were involved in all types of projects and administrative functions at the
camp. It was discovered that these civilians were not fully aware of their
knowledge of security information. Because most of them were political
appointees, it was not difficult for congressmen to obtain any information they
wanted. After this discovery, the security leak was plugged here and at other
posts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the late 1930s, War Department
officials began to recognize that Dix was becoming an important permanent
station. Permanent barracks and officers’ quarters were being constructed, and
the post had the potential of becoming one of the largest training centers for
ground forces in the county.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In view of this, the War Department
believed the installation should be given the more appropriate designation of
“Fort Dix,” so on 8 March 1939, the post was officially renamed – giving it an
air of permanence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the time several permanent
structures already were in existence and others in construction, using Public
Works Administration and Works Projects Administration funs. Included in the
million-dollar building project were an electric power substation, a 375-man
barracks, eight sets of officers’ quarters, 13 NCO quarters, a fire station, bakery,
guard houses, quartermaster warehouse, quartermaster utility shops, garage and
motor repair shop, gas and oil storage area, headquarters building and an
administration building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Begun in 1938 the project was not
completed until 1940. Most of these facilities are being used today. The post
headquarters building are probably the most familiar to those currently
stationed at Dix. Among the permanent-type buildings in existence prior to 1939
were the mess halls built for the Civilian Conservation Corps and the two
infantry companies in 1934. These buildings on Maryland Avenue are still in use
today – but not as mess halls. One is now used by the provost marshal and the
other by the Communications and Pictorial Service Division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Little change occurred in the routine
at Dix by its redesignations as a permanent installation. The CMTC and the ORC
continued with their regular training activities. War clouds were beginning to
form on the horizon, but it was to be some time before their existence would be
recognized by any variation in Fort Dix’ schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the summer of 1939, 21,000 young
men were inducted into the CMTG regiment on the parade grounds, which marked
the spot where the barrack’s famed “Lighting Division” stood. The regiment’s
training was conducted by officers of infantry, quartermaster, signal and
medical branches, who arrived regularly during the summer for two-weeks active
duty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1939 found Fort Dix the center
of a controversy that raised a nationwide hue and cry. It concerned nine old
mules, condemned to die after having been found guilty of the charge of
“senility.” The over-age age of the animals was 25 years, and one had been in
service with General Pershing on the Mexican border and in France. Publication
of the sentence was picked up by the national press series and resulted in an
avalanche of letters directed to the post quartermaster officer, Major David R.
Wolverton, under shoes supervision the sentence was to be carried out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Suggestions for pensioning the
animals streamed in from all sides. Finally, in 1940, General Hugh A. Drum,
commander of the II Corps Area, issued a reprieve. One newspaperman wrote that
this decision brought “great joy” to the post. The mules were given extra
allotments of feed. They were brushed and curried to an extent unknown in a
tough mule’s life, and private citizens brought sweets to the favored
beasts.<br />
<br />
Even a radio news bulletin was issued, and it was thought that the old
campaigners would spend the rest of their days on green pastures. But the
reprieve came to an end, and the Army’s regulations prevailed. It was
considered inadvisable to sell the mules to farmers, and no other recourse was
available but to complete the sentence of the court martial. Decrepit mules
could not live on an Army post, and the animals were given a ceremonial
dismissal from the service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PORTRAITS OF GENERALS HUGH L. SCOTT
AND DIX <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The portrait of Major General Hugh
L. Scott, the second commander of the installation and the man who was in great
part instrumental in persuading the government to retain the camp after World
War I, was presented to Fort Dix at appropriate ceremonies in July 1939. The
portrait, painted as a WPA project by artists from New York, was presented by a
group from the 78th Division Veterans Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the same month, a portrait
was presented of the birthplace of General Dix. This presentation was made by
Mrs. Margaret Dix Lawrence, a granddaughter of the general. In 1956 Mrs.
Lawrence presented a near-century-old oil portrait of General Dix, which is
presently displayed in post headquarters. The portrait, exceeding four-by-three
and encased in a heavy gilt frame of the period, was painted by Peter Hansen
Balling of Norway. Balling was noted for his portraits of President Lincoln,
Generals Sherman and Grant, Admiral Farragut and other Civil War leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Late in 1940, quite a few Americans
realized the United States might become physically involved in a second world
conflict. It was at this time the federal government heartily welcomed the
existing facilities at Fort Dix. The War Department had a place to train and
stage troops in the event of mobilization – again thanks to General Scott and
his farsighted colleagues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The between-wars period was a time
when Dix almost had passed out of existe</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">nce only to snap back with the
initiation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” CCC program. Upon
entering the 1940s, the post was to be charged with other important roles –
again in defense of the country for liberation of suppressed peoples. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter VIII - WWII<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FORT DIX DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the 1930s, the United States
recovered slowly from its major crisis, the Great Depression. The minds of the
nation’s people were preoccupied with earning basic necessities of food,
clothing, shelter. There was no time for more than mild interest in the power struggles
of Europe and Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">United States direct involvement in
a second global conflict was far from the thoughts of this vast majority of
American people, even though objectives of Japan’s ruling clique, Germany’s
“Fuehrer” Adolph Hitler and Italy’s “Duce” Benito Mussolini were clearly
evident. Generally in the late ‘30s, the US public was paying little heed to
the world’s systematic dissection by the Axis powers – Japan, Germany and
Italy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Japan’s armies had overrun Manchuria
(1931) and were storming China. Germany had reoccupied the World War I
demilitarized zone of the Rhineland (1936) and annexed Austria and the
Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia (1938). Italy had invaded and annexed the
independent nation of Ethiopia (1935-36).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two days after Germany invaded
Poland (1 September 1939), France and England declared war on Hitler’s “Third
Reich,” and the Second World War began. In the same month, Russian forces
struck into Poland to insure a share of that country. A year later, with the
war proceeding badly for the Allies, President Roosevelt proclaimed a limited
national emergency -- this country’s first real step in preparing for active
participation in the world struggle. Immediately after the 8 September
proclamation, an effort was made to expand the nation’s military forces. The
Selective Service Act of 1940 was enacted to strengthen the Armed Forces, with
the largest percentage of men to be inducted into the Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix felt the impact of the
buildup almost immediately. To meet requirements of building the largest Army
in the history of the United States, new military installations had to be
constructed and existing facilities expanded. By the end of 1940, Dix had
become one of the largest posts in the country with a population of 17,929.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The “Battle of Britain” raged in the
skies, and the British Commonwealth stood alone against Germany’s onslaught.
But Germany changed direction and pointed her efforts, along with several other
unlimited national emergency, and all-out efforts were made to build one of the
strongest Armed Forces in the world. Fort Dix came into its own as one of the
busiest Army training centers in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the next few years, the post
became a primary staging and training area for troops shipping to the war
fronts of North Africa and Europe. Army Air Corps units and men used the
installation as a stopover before proceeding overseas. In addition, the huge
military post was used as the air base in defense of Atlantic shipping and the
North American continent itself. Fort Dix bustled with military buildup
activity in preparation for the big push across North Africa, up the Italian
Boot, and the invasion of “Fortress Europe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The land and facilities at Dix,
however, were inadequate to handle the volume of men and materials necessary for
the post to accomplish maximum results desired by the Army. Already the largest
Army installation in the Northeast, more land had to be acquired and a great
number of buildings constructed. America’s effort in the crash program at Fort
Dix was completed just in time but not without a great deal of difficulty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The acquisition of land was one of
the most difficult undertakings of the expansion program at Fort Dix. Beginning
in October 1940, the Post Judge Advocate’s Office held repeated conferences
with farmers and their representatives to negotiate amicable acquisition by
purchase, lease, or trespass rights of thousands of acres needed for airfields,
maneuvers, range work and training facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Condemnation proceedings were
instituted, and approximately 16,000 acres acquired in November 1940. There
was, however, considerable dissention among the farm owners affected. This was
particularly true of occupants of the Pinewoods, an area to be used as an
artillery impact zone. The Pinewoods people had been firmly rooted to the area
for many years and required considerable persuasion before they would vacate
their land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, expansion activity
brought Fort Dix into the limelight of national news. Because of this, the War
Department invited newsmen from the eastern United States to the post for
briefings and inspection of facilities and equipment. This was done to help
newsmen interpret the needs and actions of the Army at one of its most
important camps. To give them an idea of the size and importance of the camp,
the newsmen were permitted to tour the entire post, which at the time covered
approximately 25,000 acres. During their stay they inspected the Garand
semi-automatic rifle, latest models of military vehicles, 155mm artillery
pieces, antiaircraft weapons, and a host of other up-to-date items of war
equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FORT DIX EXPANSION <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By March 1941 federal expansion of
Fort Dix resulted in an increase of nearly five million dollars in tax-exempt
real estate property. The more valuable properties were located mainly on
acquired land in New Hanover Township, site of many buildings. After repeated
conferences with these and other property owners, the government acquired
17,000 acres of local land needed for infantry maneuvers. Tresspass rights were
negotiated for an additional 70,000 acres. This tract encompasses the
reservation extending south to the Lakehurst Road between Pemberton and Browns
Mills and north to New Egypt, Jacobstown, Georgetown and Jobstown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition, 2,500 acres bordering
the water pipeline from Fort Dix to New Lisbon were condemned. Including in
this acreage was the Clifford Borden farm on the Wrightstown-Jobstown Road and
129 properties in Pemberton and New Hanover townships. The Borden Farm was
selected to be the site of a million-dollar hospital, later known as Tilton
General Hospital. Approximately $200,000 was allotted to the War Department to
purchase the properties, which included 71 houses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The condemned property boundary
extended from the Burlington County Farms eastward along the Browns
Mills-Pemberton Road to Browns Mills. Included was everything north of the road
except for one Lyman’s Hornor’s house. A large number of bungalows in Sherwood
Forest also were included. The boundary cut cross country from Anderson’s
gravel pit on the outskirts of Browns Mills to the Deborah Sanitorium woods. It
continued along the Trenton Road and included Billingham’s garage and the Lake
Tresing Housing development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the outskirts of Pointville,
the line followed an irregular course to Lemmontown, continued westward to a
farm occupied by a Mr. Baker, then southward to the Burlington County
Institution Farm at New Lisbon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 14 August 1941, the United States
Government formally took possession of 285 acres of land, which was part of the
Burlington County Institution Farm. The land was sold by the Burlington County
Board of Freeholders to the federal government for Fort Dix expansion at the
offered price of $5,700. Most of the land constituted low woodland not used by
the county farm system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of the seemingly impossible
tasks in connection with the acquisition of land was determining individual
owners of respective tracts. There were few maps or surveys to use as a guide.
In order to obtain some idea of where the boundary might be, aerial photography
was necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AIRERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND LAND TITLES</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <br />
<br />
The photographs this provided title examiners with a practical means of
checking description of the land as written in public records against lanes,
paths, water courses and other physical boundaries. Many titles to the land
were based on possession by members of a family for generations -- a possession
often originated without deed but in the form of squatters rights. In order to
trace the authenticity of titles to these properties, family histories also
were also examined, for many titles had to be traced back to original
proprietary grants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In one of these searches, an
interesting fact was uncovered. Near the boundary of the Fort Dix reservation
(now the Fort Dix-McGuire Air Force Base military complex) ran the
Quintipartite Line, which formed the division between East Jersey and West
Jersey. Under the deed, the eastern half of the New Jersey Colony was conveyed
to Sir George Carteret and the western half to William Penn, Gamen Lawrie,
Nicholas Lucas and Edward Byllinge. Some of the sheepskin deeds, which proved
transfers from these original owners, were still in existence and examined by
title searchers early in 1941.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The record of titles to the land now
comprising Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base as itself a history of the law
and legend of New Jersey. Titles to more than 1,000 separate land ownerships
were painstakingly examined. Each was an interesting story of the changing
times and progressive development of the state. All of this research had to be
accomplished within a year, the time set by the government for completion of
the title searching. Size of the project to analyze and abstract title
documents for this vast area of 25 square miles can be better understood by
considering that almost 4,000 recorded documents existed in a single
development. Each was examined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix expansion faced other
problems. For instance, extension of the reservation included the site of the
famous Hanover Bog Ore Iron Furnace that had manufactured cannon balls during
colonial days. Burlington County Historical Society induced Army officials to
set aside, as a marked enclosure, the small area that still retained visible
reminders of an almost forgotten spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While land acquisition took place,
the 44th Division, made up of New Jersey national guardsmen, was inducted
into federal service on 16 September 1940 by executive order of President
Roosevelt. Immediately, organizations and individuals of this unit began to
move to Fort Dix. At first only small detachments arrived, while company
commanders, first sergeants, supply sergeants and men of all grades labored
vigorously at their home stations to make the transition from state to federal
service and to prepare for the move to the post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As each unit completed preparations,
it was released by its federal instructor. Orders were received, and the units
were sent by truck and train to their new home, Fort Dix. First to arrive were
the 104th Engineers, the 119th Quartermaster Regiment and batteries
of the 157th Field Artillery. These units were in camps by 18 September,
two days after being activated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the next few days other units
of the division, and some from out of the state to be attached to the division,
rolled in, from as near as Mount Holly and others as far as Niagara Falls. By
25 September, all were here – 11,000 strong. Construction of buildings in the
area to be occupied by the 44th Division began about 1 September, but the
troops were assembled at Dix before the barracks and other facilities were
completed. A tent city was erected to serve as living quarters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, new volunteers began
arriving daily. Men were enlisted for one year’s service with the division
under a War Department ruling that permitted the unit to sign men on. The
division’s recruitment station was set up at the Wrightstown entrance to the post.
As new men came, they were temporarily housed in a special segregated area for
the customary two weeks of quarantine. On 10 October, troops of the division
had their first pay day since induction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then came the draft, and on 29
November the first bewildered selectees arrived on post to become members of
the 44th Division, a unit already considering itself a veteran
organization. By 4 December, more than 1,400 selectees were received by the
unit. The men joined regiments and after two weeks of quarantine began 13 weeks
of basic training. By February 1941 the division had “adopted” 6, 115
selectees, or 36 percent of its total strength. The men were drawn from New
York, New Jersey and Delaware.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At its peak the division totaled 754
officers, seven warrant officers and 17,762 enlisted men. This figure was
gradually whittled away by discharges, but the division was able to maintain an
overall strength of about 16,500. When it was transferred from the post in
December 1941, its strength was more than 16,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Considerable food and supplies were
needed by the men at Fort Dix. In early 1941 it was estimated that 60 tons of
food were required to feed the men on post each day. It was also reported that
13,000 pairs of footgear were issued to arriving soldiers each month. In a
month’s time, 12,000 replacements of other garments were made to equip the
modern soldier. Gasoline consumption was another item that ran into
astronomical figures. In April 1941, 44th Division trucks consumed 160,000
gallons of gasoline, and this figure was expected to double considering more
than 5,000 vehicles were to be added later in the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 20 April 1941, the division’s
training was interrupted when one of the worst fires to hit the area broke out,
destroying hundreds of acres of woodland and parts of several towns and
villages. In an area between Lakewood and Medford, the blaze came perilously
close to the sprawling Army post. Some 10,000 men of the division teams up with
civilian fire fighters and national guardsmen to battle the inferno, which
lasted several days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Army trucks carried food to weary
fire fighters, and temporary kitchens were set up to supply coffee and
sandwiches. The infantrymen worked in shifts and were “on call” constantly,
while alternate shifts remained at their barracks ready to be transported
anywhere needed. After days of fire fighting, the flames were checked, and the
reservation untouched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The job of physically preparing the
post was ably performed by Major David R. Wolverton, post quartermaster. It was
completed with speed and efficiency, and in a relatively short time, the fort
was ready for the men inducted into service and assigned for training. Six
million dollars were appropriated for the development of the post in 1940.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the construction contract awarded
to the George A. Fuller Company, approximately 850 buildings were erected in
the area to accommodate troops of the 44th Division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other items included in the contract
were construction of two theaters, miscellaneous signal barracks, roads,
drains, waterlines and electrical distribution system. Additional funds were
appropriated for building a new station hospital. The hospital contract was
awarded to LaFountain, Christenson and Arace of Hackensack, New Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Improvements costing more than a
million dollars were made to the water and sewerage facilities. The daily
capacity of the water plant was increased from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 gallons.
These improvements consisted of enlarging the filtration plant, constructing an
additional water tower, installing additional pumps at the New Lisbon station
and doubling the size of the sewerage plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The gigantic task of land
acquisition was perhaps equaled by the extensive construction projects on the
post since the beginning of 1940. A recapitulation of buildings erected in the
short period of two years presents and astounding picture. In all, more than
1,600 buildings were completed in this time. Included were 531 barracks, 173
day rooms, 178 dining halls, 172 buildings for company administration and
storage, 35 recreation buildings, 41 administration buildings, 13 chapels, 14
infirmaries, 23 hospital barracks, 18 hospital quarters, 26 motor repair shops,
28 warehouses, 10 fire stations, 12 gasoline stations, six theaters and two
morgues. The Fort Dix Station Hospital also was built in 1940 and consisted of
a 1,000-bed cantonment-type structure of 80 buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TILTON GENERAL HOSPITAL <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Within a year, another medical
facility, Tilton General Hospital, was built on Florida Avenue. The completion
of this hospital in July 1941 was the prototype of the Army’s World War II
hospital building program throughout the country. Tilton construction was
rushed by three shifts working day and night throughout the unusually server
winter of 1940-41. The original construction schedule of 60 days could not be
met because of heavy snowfalls and severe storms. Except for grading and
surfacing, construction was completed in 87 days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The original plan called for 79
buildings, including wards, mess buildings, warehouses and quarters. Nine
additional buildings were added later that year. Finally, because of the
ever-increasing war load, many more structures were needed, and by 1944, the
main hospital comprised 178 buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tilton General Hospital, named in
honor of James Tilton, surgeon general of the US Army from 1813 to 1815, was
built to care for individuals in the II Army Corps Area requiring definite
treatment or prolonged hospitalization. This was done on the basis of bed
allotments to some 14 separate camps, posts and stations, including the New
York Port of Embarkation. The first year’s peak load was attained on 29
December 1941 when 559 patients were being treated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The organization of Tilton General
Hospital began when orders were published assigning Colonel S. Jay Turnbill to
duty at Fort Dix in January 1941. However, it was not until March that Colonel
Turnbill was ordered to take command of the unfinished hospital. A few days
later, other officers reported for duty, and on 25 March 1941, the first
contingent of 75 enlisted medical specialists arrived from the Army Medical
Center, Washington D.C. The enlisted medical detachment for Tilton was
activated on 29 March and authorized a strength of 250.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prior to 2 April 1941, Tilton
officers were quartered at the Fort Dix Station Hospital, pending completion of
the general hospital. During the next several months, additional officers and
nurses arrived, and sufficient personnel were available during the early years
of World War II to meet all problems as they developed. Medical Department
officers were originally assigned to Tilton by the Surgeon General’s Office,
but Second Service Command headquarters took over personnel assignments in
mid-1942.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Officers were selected on the basis
of professional qualifications, and each specialized position for the original
staff was properly filled. During 1941, no significant losses of the hospital’s
Medical Corps officer personnel occurred, primarily because the staff increased
during the period to bring it to an authorized strength of 75.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first nurses assigned to Tilton
arrived in the spring of 1941 from Pine Camp (Now Camp Drum), New York. They
supervised setting up wards and equipment in anticipation of the arrival of
patients. The first civilians were authorized and assigned as early as March
1941 - - prior to arrival of the enlisted cadre. The civilians included
professional as well as non-professional workers, who occupied clerical,
administrative, fiscal and unskilled labor positions. The peak number of
civilians at the hospital before the 1944 consolidation of Tilton and the Fort
Dix Station Hospital was 323. After consolidation, the number increased rapidly
to an August 1945 peak of 1,030.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During 1942 and 1943, it
periodically became necessary to obtain replacements for transferred Medical
Corps officer personnel. During these years, many Fort Dix doctors were sent to
overseas assignments. Personnel assignments were made from Second Service
Command Headquarters, and replacements for Medical Corps officers loses were
adequate. At that time, the turnover was not excessive, and specialized
assignments were well covered. However, in 1944 and 1945, personnel loses
caused by overseas commitments and separations increased appreciably, resulting
in the inability to meet replacement needs. These difficulties were felt,
especially in the highly specialized fields.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first overseas casualties,
survivors of the Philippine Defense Campaign, were admitted to Tilton in March
1942, chiefly because of the surgeon general’s policy of sending general
hospital cases to installations near their homes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In late 1944, Tilton General
Hospital was assigned the services of between 225 and 300 German
prisoner-of-war workers. They were selected for hospital work on the basis of
previous civilian and military training, and to some extent, the POWs compensated
for existing personnel shortages. The scope of the activities in which POWs
took part were commensurate with their backgrounds and training. While a number
performed menial tasks at the hospital, others with specialized skills and
training were assigned to duties in the laboratory, x-ray room, utilities
section and orthopedic brace shop. A small number, who had medical training,
were assigned to two German POW wards, which served the sick and wounded
prisoners on post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 7 July 1944, Tilton absorbed the
Fort Dix Medical Station Hospital, which was then named Tilton Annex. This
resulted in the added responsibility of Tilton to function as a station
hospital. The combined facilities had a normal capacity of 3,000, with an
emergency expansion capability of 5,500.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the height of activity during the
war, 195 of the hospital’s 215 acres were used for buildings and tents. Tilton
General Hospital was situated in the northwest quarter of the reservation, just
west of the old remount area, and Tilton Annex was just inside the main
entrance to Fort Dix from Wrightstown. This amalgamation of facilities came
none too soon, for in December 1944 with an end of hostilities in sight, it
became apparent that a large number of patients who then were hospitalized in
the European Theater of Operations would be transferred to Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In fact, in early 1945 an emergency
expansion to 4,100 beds was authorized to accommodate the increasing number of
patients from overseas. Services were further expanded to receive and care for
patients air evacuated from the war zones of Europe and Africa. Another
contributing factor was the increased availability of shipping facilities from
overseas areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The expansion of facilities was
accomplished by converting all available buildings into wards. Converted
buildings included enlisted men’s barracks and such miscellaneous buildings as
clinics and dispensaries that could be readily converted to 50-bed wards. By
the middle of 1945, 4,448 beds were made available for patients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the Fort Dix Army Air Field,
later to become McGuire Air Force Base, workmen had been employed on a $300,000
project to apply concrete surface to the three long runways.<br />
<br />
These were soon to be used by the 119th and 126th Observation
Squadrons, National Guard units inducted into federal service in 1941.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the expansion of
flight facilities, many other improvements were made and temporary buildings
constructed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The field, under control of the Army
Ground Forces at the time, was turned over to the Army Air Corps in 1942. Under
jurisdiction of the 1st Air Force, the airfield was used in antisubmarine
patrol operations. It afforded protection against German U-boats, not only for
American ships and coastal points but for allied shipping as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later in 1942 the Air Services
Command, located at the Middletown Air Depot in Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic
Overseas Air Services Command used the field. In 1944, the Fort Dix Army Air
Field was used by the Air Transport Command as the eastern terminal of the
Ferry Command. The airfield was one of the few that could base B-29s, the
Army’s heaviest bomber at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Late in the war many such planes
left Fort Dix for service overseas. Toward the end of the war, casualties were
returned from Europe for hospitalization in this country by way of the Fort Dix
airfield. In 1945, control of the airfield was returned to Fort Dix until the
creation in 1947 of the third branch of service - - the United States Air
Force.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The effect of post expansion and
construction on neighboring townships in 1941 was reminiscent of World War I
days. Early announcement that more than 20,000 soldiers would be trained at
Fort Dix created a real estate boom in the surrounding towns of Pemberton,
Wrightstown, Browns Mills, New Egypt, Jobstown and Cookstown, where housing
shortages already existed. Rents jumped, sometimes as much as two-fold, and the
necessity for low-cost housing projects to satisfy the requirements of officers
and noncommissioned officers was immediately apparent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hanover Homes, located on the
Jobstown-Wrightstown Road, was a result of this need. The project was
constructed by the Federal Works Agency at a cost of 4350,000. It was named in
honor of the historic Hanover Bog Ore Iron Furnace. Dedication ceremonies were
held on 4 July 1941. It was one of 30 housing projects throughout the country
dedicated at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix expansion affected the
neighboring communities in still another way. For many years, residents of
Burlington County enjoyed driving leisurely along the highways and secondary
roads in this part of New Jersey. However, Fort Dix had become heavily
populated and a virtual beehive of activity. Traffic on the highways leading to
the post doubled and tripled. Traffic accidents increased as a result.
Officials at Fort Dix were asked, along with state police and other enforcement
agencies, to concentrate their efforts and facilities to eliminate rural
highway slaughter. It was obvious that old roads had to be improved and new
roads constructed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In April 1941, such a task was
begun, but conflicting applications to the Works Progress Administration (WPA)
for a project to provide 47 miles of new highways on access roads to Fort Dix
resulted in a delay. The reason given was that two conflicting project
proposals were sent to the Washington WPA office. The first project, seeking
release of funds to provide access roads to Fort Dix, estimated the cost of
repairing the 47 miles at $200,000. However, that figure was too low for the
long mileage of reconstruction needed. The type of paving to be laid would
raise the coast to $800,000. The second project was submitted with the $800,000
estimate. The delay, caused by that mixup, was straightened out in a short
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 9 August 1941, the road project
began. Nine country roads were reconstructed to provide better access to the
Army post. Finally, the estimated cost of $800,000 was confirmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First of the nine-road-improvement
program was the Pemberton-Fort Dix Road. A short while later, construction
began on the military highway from Fountain Green at Fort Dix to Route 39 at
Mansfield Square, via Georgetown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The expansion of Fort Dix in 1942
caused another dire need for access roads to handle increased traffic in the
immediate area of the installation. Existing roads were not adequate to handle
civilian traffic, much less heavy military vehicles and other war machines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cooperating with the Army in the war
program, State Highway Commissioner Spencer Miller, Jr., approved the alignment
of an access road to Fort Dix through Burlington Country in May 1942. The
concrete thoroughfare was 10 miles in length and left route 39 at Mansfield
Square, two miles south of the Bordentown to Georgetown Road intersection. It
followed the Mansfield-Georgetown Road to Georgetown at Hutchinson’s Corner.
From that point it was carried over a new right-of-way to a traffic circle on
the Pemberton-Wrightstown Road at Fountain Green, near the residence of the
fort’s commanding general.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the week of 12 July 1942,
additional steps were taken to relieve traffic conditions in the Fort Dix area
when the New Jersey State Highway Department announced that a
three-and-a-half-mile section of dual highway between Mansfiled and Georgetown
would be built. The federal government was to pay for the work. Meanwhile,
following United States Public Roads Administration approval, Route 39 from
Bordentown to Mansfield Square was widened, and four and a half miles of road
from Georgetown to the Pemberton-Wrightstown Road, skirting Fort Dix, was
constructed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">POINTVILLE PASSES OUT OF EXISTENCE -
1942<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As roads to Fort Dix were being
planned and constructed, the town of Pointville passed out of existence during
the week of 31 August 1942. The United States Army moved in to take over New
Hanover village, which for months had been surrounded by the constantly
expanding Fort Dix reservation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday, 31 August, was the last day
for civilian business there. Efforts by the residents and by township officials
to change the Army’s intentions had proven fruitless the week before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As Pointville was drafted for
military service, two old landmarks passed from the scene. One was the
Pointville Methodist Church, which had been built in 1848, and the other was
old Tom Harvey’s hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A number of Army and Navy uniform
and equipment stores also closed their doors. However, they weren’t “old timers,”
having opened for business since Fort Dix expansion began in 1940. As Fort Dix
gained more land, Burlington County lost some settled areas, and the
townspeople had to find a different way of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The expansion of Fort Dix in the
early 1940s affected the area’s telephone services. The increased training
program resulted in heavier phone traffic through the Mount Holly office.
District Manager Paul A. Coffee and his business office staff moved out of the
Main Street building and into a larger facility in the Robert Peacock building
at 105 High Street. Coffee stated, “Since designation of Fort Dix as a major
Army training station, telephone traffic through the Mount Holly exchange has
grown steadily. Nearly 9,000 calls on the exchange are made each weekday,
compared with less than 5,800 a day in the first week of September 1940. About
2,000 calls a day are toll calls. More than 1,200 of the daily toll calls are
made from Fort Dix coin telephones.” 1 (Mount Holly Herald, vol. cxvi, no. 50
1941.1.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also, with the expansion of Fort Dix
in 1940, Burlington County officials prepared themselves for a crime wave. It
was no secret that law enforcement authorities expected a great increase of
crime from the Army post. Advocates of enlarging the Burlington County Prison
in Mount Holly, built in 1810, used this theory as one of their most forceful
arguments. Until the beginning of the war in December 1941, the crime wave had
not materialized, and, considering the area’s great influx of civilian and
military personnel, increased crime was nominal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Until 29 January 1942, civilian
authorities had jurisdiction in criminal cases occurring within the boundaries
of Fort Dix. After that date all criminal acts on the installation were handled
by military or federal authorities. Burlington County authorities were no
longer asked to assume the responsibility. The most frequent complaint
regarding soldiers during those days was auto theft. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many persons, both
civilian and military, felt that such thefts were due mainly to the carelessness
of the car owners. In almost all cases, keys were left in ignitions after
vehicles were parked. The few soldiers who did steal cars were punished, and
the reputation of Fort Dix suffered little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RECEPTION CENTER <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, the huge job of
classifying selectees was placed into the hands of the 1229<sup>th</sup> Service
Command Unit, later renamed the 1262nd Reception Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each man entering the center was
given an intelligence test and interviewed by enlisted men specially trained
for the job. The marking of papers was completed by machine, a report was made
by the interviewer, and all results of the examination were fully cataloged.
The method employed at the post was used as a model for other reception centers
throughout the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Reception Center itself was
divided into battalions and a number of companies. In addition to the problem
of adjusting the newly inducted men to the change from civilian routine, the
center had the tremendous job of satisfying appetites of men who were
accustomed to a variety of foods. To accommodate the inductees, there were 11
mess halls, three of which had a capacity of 1,000 men each. Often they fed
more than this capacity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1941, it was not unusual for any
one of the mess halls to serve more than 100,000 meals per month. All of the
center’s cooking and baking was done by permanently assigned enlisted
personnel. The mess staff consisted of approximately 200 soldiers, including
officers, cooks, warehousemen and other permanent party enlisted men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to regular mess
facilities, the center also was responsible for feeding selectees who were
shipped from the Reception Center to training centers throughout the country.
Kitchen cars were attached to each train when the distance involved more than
24 hours of travel. Sometimes the cars would serve as many as 14 different
meals en route.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Good food is but one factor in
maintaining the health and morals of troops. Equally important is the
furnishing of entertainment and recreation, and these needs received
considerably more attention during World War II than during the days of World
War I. A unique branch to handle this function was created, and the Army’s
Special Services became most important in providing for the welfare and morale
of the troops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Special Services branch at Fort
Dix coordinated the functions of government agencies with those of the United
States Service Organization (USO), the Red Cross, and other welfare
organizations. Under Special Service’s supervision, project after project was
initiated and completed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The list of visiting personalities
brought to Dix by Special Services and the cooperating agencies contains
outstanding people of the theatrical, musical and athletic world. Mischa Elman,
Yehudi Menuhin, Albert Spalding, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lhevinne, Leopold
Stokowski, Ossy Renardy, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dorothy Kirsten and Nelson Eddy are but a few who gave
their time and talent to entertain troops of the post. To these are added
Robert Woods, Igor Gorin, Lucy Monroe, Lucille Manners, Conrad Thibault, and
Kay Kaiser and Vaughn Monroe with their orchestras. There were hundreds more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Mount Holly, plans for a
soldiers’ retreat, where men of the fort could gather for relaxation and
amusement, were discussed by ex-servicemen and clergymen in January 1941. Such
a place existed during World War I when a building on the southwest corner of
White and Washington Streets was made available as a local headquarters for
visiting soldiers. The VFW post headquarters on Main Street was selected for
this purpose and made available throughout World War II.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the week of 22 August 1941,
construction of three community buildings in the Fort Dix vicinity was approved
by President Roosevelt as part of the Defense Public Works Program. The program
was to provide facilities or services necessary for the health, safety and
welfare of servicemen. The three buildings, costing the government $82,195
each, were operated by the USO.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By 1942, facilities on the post for
entertainment functions and activities were numerous and varied. Plans were
well under way to construct a large indoor Sports Arena. During the latter part
of January 1942 the mammoth building was completed at a cost of $86,000. On 7
March, the Sports Arena, located on the parade grounds, officially opened with
an exhibition tennis match featuring Helen Jacobs, former women’s singles
champion. The arena is 217 feet by 131 feet with a n 8,000-square-foot sports
floor - - large enough to accommodate three athletic games, such as basketball,
simultaneously. Regimental and battalion dances often were held within its
walls. Sergeant Joe Louis, world’s heavyweight boxing champion, used the arena
for exhibition and training in preparation for his fight with Abe Simon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other athletic facilities operated
by Special Services included a nine-hole golf course, seven tennis courts and
several softball and baseball fields, for which the necessary equipment was
supplied to commissioned and enlisted personnel alike. Organized unit
intramural sports of all kinds took place on Special Services facilities.
Softball and basketball were perhaps the most popular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">SOLDIER’S ISLAND – BROWNS MILLS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was a swimming pool on post
for wives and children of the men stationed at Dix. In addition, complete
swimming facilities were made available at Soldier’s Island in nearby Browns
Mills and Hanover Lake in Fort Dix Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Four service clubs, four cafeterias
and four libraries also came under Special Services supervision. Two open air
theaters with unlimited seating were sites for entertainment during the summer
months. Special Services also operated a guesthouse for relatives of the
enlisted men. However, the facility, which charges 75 cents per person for
overnight accommodation, was later closed because of its location within
staging areas of task forces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To accommodate the growing influx of
personnel, a gymnasium and an outdoor swimming pool were under construction in
June 1945. Both of these structures were built on Tilton Annex area. To aid the
off-duty leisure of post enlisted personnel further, a swimming pool located
just west of the Sports Arena was reopened. This pool was built in 1918, but
had fallen into disuse in the Twenties. At one time it had been used as a wash
well for tanks and other heavy vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shortly after the infamous Japanese
bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the 44th Infantry Division left the
post for extensive combat training. It remained in the country at various camps
for three more years before shipping overseas. In September 1944, the division
embarked for the European Theater of Operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Its first major assignment with the
Seventh US Army was to secure passes in the Vosges Mountains. After
accomplishing this and nullifying a German counteroffensive, the unit worked
with the French 2nd Armored Division and advanced through Alsace-Lorraine,
taking Laintrey, Avricourt and Sarrebourg. Elements of the division reached the
Rhine River at Strasbourg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Halting a savage German panzer
attempt to retake Sarrebourg, the 2nd Battalion, 114thInfantry,
44th Division, was credited with saving the division from annihilation and
checking a possible major Seventh Army defeat. By December the division reached
the Maginot Line. In March 1943 the unit was relieved from its position. In the
succeeding months, the division rolled deep into Fortress Europe, capturing
Mannheim and slashing into Austrian Tyrol. VE-Day found the unit established at
Imst, Austria. On that day elements of the 44th made contact with the
Fifth US Army, which had fought north from Italy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 1 January 1942, the
34th “Red Bull” Division, activated National Guard unit made up of men
from Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, had arrived at Fort Dix from Camp
Glaiborne, Louisiana. After completing staging procedures, the division
departed for overseas in three increments. These first troops from Fort Dix to
arrive in Europe since World War I went to northern Ireland in February 1942.
By then of May the entire division was in Ireland. The unit eventually entered
combat in north Africa late in 1942. From there it landed at Salerno and for
the next 500 days took part in the liberation of Italy. At the war’s end the
division was in north Italy. It returned to the United States on 3 November
1945 and was inactivated a week later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A short time after the departure of
the 34th Division from Fort dix in early 1942, other units streamed
through the post in rapid succession. The 1st Armored Division, a Regular
Army unit nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” arrived from Fort Knox, Kentucky, on 10
April 1942 for traditional training. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Activated on 15 July 1940, the division
already had completed considerable training at Knox. In addition, the unit
participated with the Second US Army in maneuvers throughout Louisiana and the
Carolinas. Upon arrival at Dix, the division underwent additional training and
in May 1942 departed for Ireland. The division saw action in north Africa,
where it joined with the 34th Infantry Division and later the British
Eighth Army. After a short second stay in Ireland in 1943, the division went to
French Morocco where it reorganized before participating in the Italian
campaign. After the war, the unit traveled to Germany where it was assigned to
occupation duty. It remained there until April 1946 when it returned to Camp
Kilmer, New Jersey, for inactivation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shortly after departure of the
1st Armored Division and during the staging of the 8thComposite Air Force
at Fort Dix, the 2nd Armored Division rolled into the post. Activated on
15 July 1940, this Regular Army unit, nicknamed “Hell on Wheels,” received its
initial training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and held maneuvers in Tennessee,
Louisiana and the Carolinas. In late 1941 the division participated in special
amphibious training off the east coast of the United States and then reported
to Camp Hood, Texas, for additional training. On 27 October 1942, the
division’s Combat Command “B” departed Fort Dix for North Africa. The command
was later joined by the remainder of the division in December. After taking
part in the assault of Casablanca and prior to the invasion of Sicily, the
division underwent intensive amphibious training in north Africa. Later, after
activity in Sicily, the unit shipped to England and prepared for the invasion
of Normandy. Fighting through Normandy, northern France, the Rhineland,
Ardennes and central Europe, it fulfilled a three-year-old pledge in July 1945
when it became the first American division to enter Berlin. In early 1946, the
division returned to Camp Hood for retraining.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also active in north African battles
was the 756th Tank Battalion, which had been assigned to Dix on 28
November 1942, processed overseas in February 1943, and joined the famed
3rd “Marine” Infantry Division during the African campaign. Later in
Germany, the battalion distinguished itself on two occasions while still a part
of the 3rd Infantry Division. In these actions, the tank units swept
through the Vosges Mountains in August 1944 and cleared the Colmar Pocket from
23 January to 18 February 1945.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many miscellaneous groups passed
through Fort Dix in 1942. Among them were the 22nd Quartermaster Regiment,
551st Signal Air Warning Battalion, 382nd, 384th and
389th Quartermaster Battalions, 177th and 827th Engineer
Battalions, 397th and 398th Quartermaster Port Battalions,
90th Quartermaster Railhead Company and 187th Quartermaster Depot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">POST NATURALIZATION OFFICE <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Post Naturalization Office,
established in 1942 as an adjunct of the Post Judge Advocate’s Office, played
an important part during World War II. Approximately 5,000 recruits became
citizens in its first year of operation. During 1942 and 1943, an average of
400 persons per month were naturalized. Most of them were natives of European
countries who later fought with other American troops overseas and again
returned to the US.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 4th Mechanized Division,
another regular Army unit, arrived at Fort Dix in April 1943. Activated on
1st June 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia, the division moved to Dix. While
at the New Jersey post, the unit was redesignated the 4thInfantry Division. The
“Ivy” (IV) Division left Dix in September for amphibious training at Camp
Gordon Johnson, Florida. In December the unit moved to Fort Jackson, South
Carolina, and then was ordered to England for further amphibious training. This
intensive waterborne training proved invaluable, for on 6 June 1944, elements
of the division became the first allied units to hit the beaches at Normandy.
From there, the Ivymen fought through Normandy, northern France, Rhineland, the
Ardennes and central Europe. By war’s end, the division had suffered 21,550
casualties. Shortly after VE-Day, the 4th began returning to the US for
retraining. However, before the division could be redeployed to the Pacific,
VJ-Day was announced, and on 5 March 1946, the unit was inactivated at Camp
Butner, North Carolina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the spring of 1943, the
80th Division, an Organized Reserve unit made up of men from the Blue
Ridge states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, arrived at Fort Dix.
A serious transit strike in Philadelphia, which affected the military war
effort by hampering the transport of men and materials, occurred during the
stay of the 80th. With the authority of the President and orders from the War
Department, a regiment of the division was dispatched to that city to
participate in the handling of the strike-bound transportation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Activated on 15 July 1942, the
division had trained at Camp Forest, Tennessee. Upon completion of its
organization and training, the 80th was shipped to Fort Dix where it
stayed until July 1943.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From there it was sent back to
Tennessee to participate in maneuvers and then to Camp Phillips, Kansas. After
participating in a number of maneuvers in California and Arizona, the Blue
Ridgers were sent to France where they entered combat on 8 August 1944. After
239 days of combat, fighting their way through northern France, Rhineland, the
Ardennes Forest and central Europe, the division returned to the United States.
On 5 January 1946, the Blue Ridge Division was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New
Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, in September 1943, many
smaller specialized unites were staging in preparation for overseas shipment.
Among them were the 741st Tank Battalion, 245thQuartermaster Battalion,
44th and 106th Evacuation Hospitals, 818th Tank Destroyer
Battalion, 719th Military Police Battalion and 11th Combat Engineer
Battalion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Soon after the departure of these
units in October, the 85th Infantry Division, another Organized Reserve
unit, arrived at Fort Dix for staging. During its stay at the post, several
smaller units also were staged, including the 2nd and 5th Ranger
Battalions, 211th Field Artillery Battalion and the
537th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 85th, nicknamed the “Custer
Division,” remained at Dix until December 1943, when it was sent to Hampton
Roads, Virginia for overseas shipment. The division had received its nickname
from activities in August 1917 at Camp Custer, Michigan. The unit adopted the name
of its post and at the same time honored the famous General George A. Custer,
who was killed during the great Sioux War. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Debarking overseas, the
85th Division went to north Africa for amphibious training and then to
Italy. Entering combat in March 1944, it fought in the Rome-Arno, northern
Apennines and Po Valley battles. In August 1945, the division returned to
Hampton Roads where it was inactivated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shortly after the departure of the
85th Division from Fort Dix, the 90th Infantry Division, an Organized
Reserve unit made up of men from Texas and Oklahoma, arrived at Dix. After its
activation on 25 March 1942, the men of the division, nicknamed “Tough
‘Ombres,” trained at Camp Barkley, Texas. Later they moved about the country
participating in various maneuvers. Exactly two years to the day after
activation, the division departed Dix for England where it underwent two months
of amphibious assault training. In June, elements of the division took part in
the landing at Normandy, and by the 10th of the month, the entire unit was
in combat. From Normandy, after 308 days of combat, the Tough ‘Ombres had
fought through northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and central Europe. On
16 December 1945, the division returned to the States and was inactivated at Camp
Shanks, New York, on the 27th of the month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other units arriving at Fort Dix in
early 1944 were the 628th and 807th Tank Destroyer Battalions,
15th General Hospital, 460th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion,
297th General Hospital, Headquarters Special Troops of the XIII Corps,
179thEngineer Battalion, 3468th Ordnance Company, 628th Engineer
Company and 168thQuartermaster Trucking Company. These units stayed only long
enough to stage to the European Theater of Operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In July 1944, the 102nd “Ozark”
Infantry Division arrived at D</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ix from Camp Swift, Texas, where it had been
participating in maneuvers. Activated 15 September 1942 at Camp Maxey, Texas,
the 102nd had taken part in extensive training exercises in Louisiana. The
“Ozark” division, which originally included men from the Ozarks, remained at
Dix until a September 1944 shipment to the European Theater of Operations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Arriving at Cherbourg, France on 23
September 1944, the 102nd again trained for combat, which began 26 October
in a northward drive to the Rhine area between Duisberg and Dusseldorf. In
March 1945, the division captured the Rhine objective after a six-month battle
that cost the Nazis 86 towns, a rocket factory, and numerous railroad and
communications centers. The 102nd continued its push until VE-Day, when
units were in position at Gotha. In late February 1946, the division returned
to the United States and was inactivated on 12 March at Camp Kilmer, New
Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At war’s end, it was estimated that
almost 430,000 prisoners of war were in the United States. The Germans numbered
370,000, Italians 55,000, Japanese 3,000, and the remainder were from other
Axis nations. It was further estimated that of the German POWs, 70,000 were
officers and noncoms who either elected not to work or were refused the
opportunity by US military authorities in the interest of military and national
security. However, the others were permitted to engage in work not related to
America’s war effort. Some 85,000 worked in agriculture, 55,000 in industry,
and the remainder at military posts or stations throughout the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix was one of the major
holding areas for prisoners of war. On 5 January 1944, the post’s POW camp
opened, and soon the first POWs entered the compound. Although the prisoners
held at Dix during the war were mainly Germans, there were some Italians, and
surprisingly enough, a few Russians. The Russians were captured by American
forces on the western front of Europe. During the early part of the war, many
Russians had defected to the Axis powers and elected to fight for Germany.
Donning uniforms of the “Wehrmacht” and assigned to units in western Europe,
they had fought in France against the liberation armies of Americans, British,
French and Canadians. Upon capture, some of them were sent to prisoner-of-war
camps in the United States – 154 of them to Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The POW camp at the post was often
cited as a model camp. Officials of the International Red Cross and the State
Department verified this after making frequent inspections of the camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the latter part of 1944, German
prisoners of war were allocated from the POW camp to various facilities on the
reservation. Almost all of the prisoners were employed in a pay status, serving
in the laundry, hospital, quartermaster supply, and camp maintenance. Tilton
General Hospital received 225 to 300 of these prisoners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prisoner duties at the hospital
varied from orderlies and administrative work to skilled medical functions.
Their presence at the hospital contributed, to some degree, to the efficient
operation of the facility, especially during a shortage of US Army medical
personnel. POW doctors, working with US Army Medical Corps officers, were used
to care for sick and injured prisoners. In addition to medical service provided
by the post’s Station Hospital, the prisoners enjoyed recreation facilities and
religious activities. The rations issued the prisoners were the same as those
given to the troops on the post. They also received a full issue of
quartermaster clothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With cessation of World War II hostilities
in Europe, plans were made to repatriate American-held prisoners of war. All
prisoners would be returned to their homeland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In several issues of June and July
1945, the New York Times reported an astounding story. In late June 1945, after
learning they would be sent back to the motherland and fearing retribution as
traitors, the 154 Russian POWs at Dix rioted. In an attempt to force their way
out of the compound, they attacked camp security personnel with mess kit knives
and clubs made from chair legs. As they rushed their guards, the Russians were
fired at with carbines and submachine guns. In the ensuing struggle, one
prisoner was killed and several others wounded. One prisoner was injured while
trying to scale the wire enclosure surrounding the compound. After this attempt
for freedom was thwarted, three of the Russians committed suicide by hanging
themselves from the rafters of their buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 29 June 1945, the remaining 150
prisoners were taken to Camp Shank, New York, each escorted by a military
policeman, to board an Italian merchant marine vessel bound for Russia. The
heavy escort was provided to prevent escapes and to forestall further attempts
at suicide. Shortly after their 1:30 p.m. arrival at Camp Shanks and prior to
the 3:30 p.m. scheduled sailing of the vessel, the escort received President
Truman’s order to return the prisoners to Fort Dix. They were to be held at the
post’s POW camp until a State Department study could be made of the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The men were returned to the Fort Dix
POW camp, still escorted man for man. Upon arrival at Dix, the POW camp was
stripped of all furniture and equipment. The only item left was a mattress on
which each Russian could sleep. It was then learned that apparently others had
previously planned to commit suicide when an additional 15 lengths of rope and
belts were found hanging from the rafters. The men were kept at Dix a while
longer and eventually shipped somewhere. Final outcome of the incident is
vague; government records still are classified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In June 1946, the prisoner-of-war
camp at Dix began to phase out. All remaining prisoners were readied for
overseas shipment. In two and a half years, more than 15,000 POWs had been held
at the post, the highest number at any one time totaling 5,580. These included
prisoners at branch camps in Centerton, Bridgeton, Dias Creek and Glassboro,
all of whom worked in canneries and on farms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During World War II the post
experienced a rapid growth of buildings, facilities and population. The growth,
which started with the mobilization of the 44th Division and the arrival
of the first conscripts at Fort Dix, continued to the time World War II
hostilities ceased. Hundreds of thousands of Americans passed through the
fort’s portals to train and prepare for shipment to combat areas across the
Atlantic. With the war’s end, activities at this New Jersey post did not cease.
Thousands of American soldiers were returning to Dix from overseas for
separation processing or reassignment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without breaking stride, the post, which
had more than tripled in total acreage during the World War II period,
continued to bustle with debarkation and separation activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix History - Post WWII - 1950s</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter IX<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">POST-WORLD WAR II<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As the war swung decidedly in favor
of the Allies, thoughts were directed to future dismantling of America’s
powerful war machine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a start, a small separation
center was ordered into operation at Fort Dix by the War Department in April
1944 to hasten the discharge processing of enlisted men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An experiment at the time, this
embryonic organization was the first of a series to be established in each
service command in the United States. The center was charged with processing
and discharging enlisted men within 48 hours after their arrival. This program
was a marked improvement over earlier discharge procedures, which had required
several weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All men on the East Coast eligible
for discharge were transferred to Fort Dix, where original induction procedures
were reversed. First, the soldiers underwent physical examinations. Then they
were classified for civilian occupations according to their Army duties and
former civilian positions. They also received orientation and, in some cases,
civilian clothing. Lastly, they received discharge papers, final pay and travel
tickets home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To provide operating personnel for
these centers, a school was activated in July 1944 at Fort Dix. The school
trained officers and enlisted men for duty at separation stations planned
throughout the nation. Training consisted of a four-week course in interviewing
and counseling soldiers being separated from the service. After the school
operated at Dix for about six months, it moved on 22 January 1945 to Fort Sam
Houston, Texas, where it became part of the Adjutant General’s School. While at
Dix the school graduated a total of 746 officers and enlisted men and women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Separation centers were not the cold
impersonal disassembly lines one would imagine. Several personal guidelines
were considered at all times. Before individuals were returned to civilian
life, center operators attempted to bring the separate face-to-face with the
realization that their home communities were probably changed by war, and that
their own interests also may have changed. Men wishing to use Army-acquired
skills in civilian life were informed how these skills could be used. Each
separatee was provided a record of his military experiences to help him get a
job. Those with handicaps or physical limitations, who needed rehabilitation or
development of a proper mental outlook, were given counsel. Thus, those
operating the centers guided soldiers from the world they knew before the war
into the post-war contemporary world. This was the humanitarian approach
followed during the maximum 48 hours allotted each individual prior to his
release from active service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The system was set up none too soon.
Separation activities steadily increased until it seemed they would be
overwhelmed by the hordes of troops returning from the war. Separation Center
26, which had begun operations at Dix in April 1944, processed only 323 men
that month. The volume slowly increased, and at the year’s end, 38,554
officers, enlisted men and WACs had been separated. This number was but a
trickle preceding the later flood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the cessation of hostilities in
1945, Fort Dix took on a new prominence. During that year, the Separation
Center expanded and became the largest in the nation. “R” (Redeployment) Day,
12 May 1945, was a notable date at Fort Dix when more than 2,000 troops in
process for overseas shipment were screened for eligibility and placed in the
separation stream. In order to separate as many eligible men as possible that
day, all military and civilian personnel who could be spared were put to work
in the Separation Center. Separations on R-Day were given worldwide coverage by
news and motion picture services with two national radio hookups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In September 1945, the Separation
Center was placed on a 24-hour schedule, with 16 hours of actual processing and
eight hours preparation of materials and administrative work. This was made
possible by the assignment of additional military personnel to the Fort Dix
Personnel Center and station complement. During the following month, daily
discharges passed the 4,000 mark. The all-time national high for one month was
reached in October when 113,401 personnel received their releases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The present Post Headquarters
Administration building played a key role in the separation process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In March 1946, the
1262nd Reception Center returned to Fort Dix, and this Army post was not
the site of the Second Service Command’s only reception and separation center.
The famous 1262nd formerly had been located at Dix but was moved to Fort
Hancock on 17 October 1945 after Fort Dix became inundated with a flood of
returning servicemen awaiting separation. During its previous five years at Dix
before moving to Hancock, the 1262nd had processed 712,740 inductees. When
the tide of returning personnel had receded, there was again room at Dix for
the 1262nd Reception Center. There also was room for the
1220th Reception Center from Fort Monmouth. This unit was inactivated and
its personnel transferred to the 1262nd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix discharged 508,069 in 1945,
and another 556,697 were returned to civilian life in 1946. In September 1946,
Staff Sergeant Albert Cuchessi of Newark, New Jersey, a veteran of five and one
half years and a prisoner of the Japanese for three years, five months, became
the 1,000,000th World War II veteran to be separated at Fort Dix.
Altogether Dix separated 1,182,118 World War II vets. Even this was a costly
venture; total disbursements at the post for only a two-year period ending 31
March 1947 amounted to well over a half-billion dollars ($556,415,450.92) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the cessation of hostilities in
Europe and the evacuation of fewer casualties from that theater of operations,
the number of admissions to Tilton General Hospital from overseas dropped
markedly during the last half of 1945. However, the work load of Tilton
Hospital remained at capacity because of the rapidly increasing activities at
the Fort Dix Separation Center. The daily tally at the hospital rarely fell
below 4,000 for 1945, and the average was closer to 4,500 each day during the
later months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1945, cadet nurses of the Army
attended the Second Service Command Nurses Basic Training School at Tilton to
complete their final six months of training. Although the average number of
cadets attending was 90, the graduating class of May 1945 numbered 400. Upon
graduation some were assigned to Tilton and the remainder transferred to other
medical facilities throughout the world. The program at Fort Dix was completed
in the spring of 1946.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the post-war years, Tilton
General Hospital suffered an extremely high turnover among enlisted personnel
when many qualified for overseas duty were so assigned. Replacements returned
at a slow rate from overseas theaters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The most rapid turnover in officer
personnel came in the latter months of 1945 with the cessation of hostilities.
Large numbers of Medical Corps officers returned from overseas, but many were
eligible for release from active duty. Because of this, difficulties were
encountered in filling hospital vacancies. This led not only to a critical
shortage of medical officers at the hospital but difficulty in disposition of patients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Towards the end of 1945, almost
every chief of service, chief of section and qualified specialist became
eligible for release from active duty, resulting in the assignment of
practically a complete new staff. For quite some time, a definite shortage of
personnel continued to exist in many specialties, including the Orthopedic
Section, which alone had a monthly work load of 1,200 to 2,100 patients. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The history of the Tilton General
Hospital shows a peak load in January 1946 when there were 4,250 admissions and
3,650 dispositions. However, because of the sharply reduced level of activity
in spring of that year, some of the converted ramp wards were closed and the
remainder held ready for emergency use. But, the closed wards at Tilton had to
be reopened late in 1946 because of a sudden increase in hospital admissions
and the closing of other general hospitals in the East.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus, Tilton General Hospital
continued to maintain a patient load of approximately 4,000. Difficulties were
increased during the latter part of 1946 when turnover figures for the
hospital’s medical officers reached a new high. Despite these setbacks, Tilton
General continued to perform efficiently with a nucleus of skilled officer
personnel and through the untiring efforts of all personnel assigned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Medical Administration Branch of
the Army had a prominent role in the history of Tilton. It performed the many
administrative duties necessary in so great an undertaking. During the first
two and a half years of the war, a relatively small number of Medical
Administrative Corps officers were assigned to Tilton. As more administrative
officers became available upon graduation from Officers Candidate School, the
number assigned to Tilton greatly increased until 85 were members of the Tilton
staff. They relieved Medical Corps officers of a large share of administrative
duties, thus giving the doctors more time to spend on their growing
professional commitments. However, buy 31 December 1946, the number of medical
administrative officers had been reduced to 52.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In January 1947, the average daily
patient load of Tilton General Hospital was 4, 277, but as the year progressed,
this figure gradually decreased. By the end of 1947, the daily average had
dropped to 1, 590 patients and remained at that figure until the end of 1948.
The decrease of patients solved many problems caused during peak periods. Among
these had been overcrowding of available bed space for patients and limited
housing facilities for duty personnel.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TILTON GENERAL REDESIGNATED FORT DIX
STATION HOSPITAL - 1949<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1949, Tilton General Hospital was
redesignated Fort Dix Station Hospital and its functions as a general hospital
terminated. Its area of responsibility for service was limited to that of a
station hospital. During the next ten years, little change in the status,
buildings or staff organization took place. Even during the Korean War, when
large numbers of troops were trained on the post, few changes were made in
hospital facilities. Buildings and contents were maintained and repaired. But
the aging material and equipment gradually became increasingly more difficult
to maintain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, a significant addition
occurred in October 1958. To supplement the post’s Station Hospital complement,
the 4th Field Hospital was transferred from Fort Devens to Dix. Activated
on 30 June 1942 at Camp Young, California, the 4th Field Hospital was
attached to the Desert Training Center and later shipped to north Africa.
Arriving in Cairo, Egypt, on 11 November 1942, the unit saw service in Libya,
Tripoli, Tunisia and Italy before inactivation on 10 September 1945.
Reactivated 5 August 1949, the 4th Field Hospital completed assignments in
Colorado, Canada, Alaska and finally Korea. Inactivated a second time on 1
November 1951, the unit was recalled again on 11 February 1952 and sent to Camp
Rucker, Alabama. The 4th stayed there for a year before its transfer to
Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where it remained until being ordered to Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In March 1946, the Army Service
Forces had instituted a basic training program, and Fort Dix, along with its
responsibilities as a separation center, was named a Signal Corps Replacement
Training Center. Primarily designed to teach military fundamentals to recent
inductees who had been assigned military jobs immediately on entering the
service, the program included all men who had not received a minimum of six
weeks’ basic training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On a higher training level, a
leadership school for enlisted men opened in September 1946. Its purpose was to
prepare potential noncommissioned officers for promotion to the top three
enlisted grades, which then were master sergeant, technical sergeant and staff
sergeant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Fort Dix Army Field became an
Air Force installation in 1947 when the unification act of that year made the
US Air Force a separate department. The modern history of the base began on 17
September 1949, when it was officially dedicated in honor of Major Thomas B.
McGuire, Jr., one of the leading fighter aces of World War II. Although McGuire
Air Force Base is no longer an integral part of Fort Dix, the sight and sound
of jet aircraft in the air over the post are a constant reminder of its
presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 15 July 1947, the
9th Infantry Division was reactivated and assumed responsibility for all
post activities. With this move, Fort Dix and the 9th Division became one
and the same. Units of the division had earned fame in World War I at
Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Mouse-Argonne and Alsace-Lorraine. In World War II,
the division fought in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sicily, Normandy, Falaise
Gap, the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland and the Ruhr. It spearheaded the
breakthrough at St. Lo, earning the nickname “Hitler’s Nemeis.”<br />
<br />
While at Dix, the 9th Infantry Division’s primary mission was to train
newly enlisted personnel of the Army Field Forces in basic military subjects
for a period of 14 weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To provide for the continuing influx
of troops, several modifications appeared in the structure of units on the post
in 1948. In January, the 364th Infantry Regiment, which had been activated
at Dix as part of the 9th Division in November 1947, began to cycle
individual companies. In June, the 47th Infantry Regiment, which had been
returned to the training picture eight months earlier but remained at zero
strength, was named as the 9th Infantry Division Specialist Training
Regiment. Its mission was to train mechanics, clerks and cooks. The unit had
the capability to train more than 1,700 students at a time. Because of the
growing numbers of trainees entering Fort Dix, the division increased to six
training regiments in July. Later, in November 1948, the first contingent of New
Jersey selectees arrived at Dix under the Selective Service Act of 1948, and in
the same month, reenlistments at Fort Dix hit an all-time high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, for months several
hundred acres of woodland that surrounded the airfield at Fort Dix were used
for target practice by jet fighter units from Andrews Field, Maryland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In line with an economy program,
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, was inactivated and its Personnel Center ordered to
Dix in 1949. Upon completion of the move, which started 15 November, the center
began operations at Dix as a separate headquarters under the commanding
general, 9th Infantry Division. However, following the outbreak of the
Korean War on 25 June 1950, the Personnel Center closed its activities at Fort
Dix and returned in September to a reactivated Fort Kilmer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because the Korean War had increased
the flow of personnel to the post, the 364thInfantry Regiment, which had been
inactive since July 1949, was reactivated at Dix in March 1951 to assist in the
training load.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Among the influx of young men
reporting to the post were 31 aliens who enlisted in Germany and started basic
training at Fort Dix in October 1951 under a rather effective “buddy system.”
Upon arrival in their basic training companies, they were assigned to
individual trainees who guided and helped them adjust to the American way of
life, both in military and in social spheres. In addition, special classes at
the Fort Dix Information and Education Center were started in November 1951 to
qualify them for citizenship before completion of their enlistments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the world tensions of the
early 1950s, Fort Dix not only received men in ever increasing numbers but
shipped them overseas at a greatly increased rate. Consequently, the
installation experimented with a somewhat different overseas replacement
concept. Under the system, adopted by the Army in July 1953, trained companies
were shipped intact, and once at their new assignments, personnel served
together, if possible. It was felt this system would inspire morale, instill
men with a higher espirit de corps, and allow them to adjust more easily to
overseas conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Earlier, in 1952, President Harry S.
Truman announced that men of the Regular Army, Enlisted Reserve and National
Guard, whose expiration dates to active service were between 1 July 1952 and 1
July 1953, would be extended for nine months. However, during the closing days
of the Korean War, the men were not required to fulfill the entire length of
the extension. While some of the men were beginning to serve the extended time,
reserve officers from 10 units in New York and New Jersey arrived at Dix in
July 1952 to start a 15-day period of Organized Reserve Corps schooling. The
schools were established for officers who desired to fulfill their summer camp
obligation but for whom no vacancies existed in reserve organizations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the closing months of the
Korean War starting in April 1953, the number of authorized permanent party
personnel with the 9th Infantry Division was increased by almost 350. The
Food Service School at Dix enlarged and became the only school of its kind in
the First Army area. Immediately, the number of students in this course
doubled. Later in October, personnel increased again when the Reception Center
at Fort Devens and Camp Kilmer were discontinued and reestablished at Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The basic training mission of Dix
further expanded in July when it began to train men scheduled to attend such
schools as transportation, quartermaster, chemical and adjutant general. Previously,
most men slated for specialty schools of this type received their initial
training at the posts that conducted the schools. For example, a soldier going
to the Transportation School at Fort Eustis, Virginia, went there directly from
a reception center to receive eight weeks of basic training before starting
school. Under the revised procedure, a soldier would first come to Dix,
complete his basic training, and then be shipped to Fort Eustis. This change
insured greater training efficiency and proved more economical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An important change took place at
Dix in April 1954. The 9th Infantry Division was transferred to US Army
Europe (USAREUR) to become part of the European Command. The transfer was
strictly on paper, the movement of personnel was not involved. At the same
time, the 69th Infantry Division was activated at Dix by the Department of
the Army. All personnel and organic units previously assigned to the
9th Infantry Division were redesigned and assigned to the
69th Infantry Division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Originally activated in May 1943,
the 69th Division was assigned to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and then sent
overseas to the European Theater of Operations in November 1944. Entering
combat in the Morichau sector under V Corps of the Fifteenth US Army, the
division helped crack the Siegfried Line in that area. On 25 April 1945,
the 69th made the war’s first American contact with the Russians at the
Elbe River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In May 1954, the 365th Infantry
Regiment was reactivated to assist in training and an expected increased number
of inductees assigned to fort Dix due to the stepped-up summer draft and
closing down of several other training installations. The 69th Infantry
Division was tasked to conduct basic and advanced individual training. Training
was divided into two phases, the first, eight weeks of basic combat training
and then advanced individual training, qualifying soldiers in Army skills. The
second phase of training was divided into two distinct groups, advanced and
technical. Trainees assigned to advanced infantry training were molded into
well-disciplined, physically conditioned soldiers with sufficient military
training to enable them to be integrated into coordinated teams, such as rifle
squads, mortar crews or machine gun squads. Trainees assigned to advanced
technical training attended one of a variety of schools: administration,
supply, bandsman, mechanic, radio operator or cook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the year the 69th was
reactivated at Dix, the post was the site of several important raining methods
research projects. In January, more than 1,000 trainees were involved in a
six-month Department of the Army study aimed at discovering more efficient
procedures for improving the Army’s basic training program. Several companies
of the 47th Infantry Regiment were chosen for the study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dix was named one of six posts
during February 1954 to organize transitional training units for inductees who
in civilian life did not have the chance to raise their education above the
fourth-grade level. Men in these transitional units were given two to four
weeks of schooling preceding their basic training. This schooling further
increased the men’s capacity to assimilate the basic training program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">According to the installation
newspaper, the Fort Dix Post, 63 percent more soldiers completed basic training
during Fiscal Year 1954, which ended 30 June 1954, than the previous year. But
there was more to come. Fort Dix had a November 1954 population of more than
40,000, of which 25,000 were basic trainees in 74 companies. In addition,
approximately 3,000 were taking specialized training in various schools. The
largest input for any peacetime month occurred at the Reception Station during
January 1955, when 8,910 processed into the Army. Of these, 4,310 were
draftees, 4, 346 first team regulars; and the remainder enlisted reservists.
The busiest day was 28 January, when 717 recruits filled the station – 554
enlisting for service as the Korean GI Bill deadline neared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the meantime, a radically
different concept to replace major overseas units had been adopted by the
Department of the Army in 1954. Dubbed “Operation Gyroscope,” entire overseas
divisions and separate smaller units were replaced by like units stationed in
the States. To meet the manpower requirements of these units destined for
overseas, a great number of personnel was shuttled within the Continental Army
Command.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nine hundred trainees shipped from
the Reception Station at Fort Dix to the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg,
North Carolina, during the first week of February 1955. The shipment of trainees
brought the total number of off-post shipments since the first of this year to
more than 3,500. Earlier, January shipments had gone to the 10th Infantry
Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; 101st Airborne Division, Fort Jackson, South
Carolina; and the 5th Armored Division, Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. The
10th Division, after receiving additional Dix shipments in March and May,
later was transferred to Germany, replacing the 1st Infantry Division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Late in May, the input of the
Reception Station dropped about 30 percent, and only four instead of the normal
eight Fort Dix basic training companies began to cycle each week. The deceased
number of trainees coming through the center resulted from a cut of Selective
Service calls. The nation’s draft call dropped from an average of about 23,000
per month to 11,000, decreasing Fort Dix’ monthly training load of draftees
from 4,500 to 2,500. However, the number of enlistees received and trained at
the post each month remained at 1,500.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 331st Military Police
(Criminal Investigation) Detachment, which had been at Dix since March 1951,
was transferred to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in February 1955. The
40th Military Police Detachment (CI), a unit that would stay at Dix until
its reassignment to Vietnam in August 1965, was activated in its place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Fort Dix Noncommissioned
Officers Academy opened its first class on 23 May 1955. Designed to train
noncommissioned officers as cadre and junior leaders, the six-week course
offered refresher or preparatory training to its classes. The first four weeks
consisted of academic study and the final two weeks practical training in a
unit.<br />
<br />
When first activated, personnel of the NCO Academy, which included students in
the Advanced Leaders Course, were housed in the 879th Field Artillery
Battalion of the 69th Infantry Division Artillery. In retraining top
three-graders, who were in over strength noncombatant fields, to a combat
military occupational specialty. The next month, the NCO Academy was placed
under supervision of the Specialist Training Regiment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, it was announced that
Camp Kilmer’s Personnel Center activities would shift to Fort Dix around the
first of July 1955. Making the move to Fort Dix gradually and without a massive
influx of personnel, the center took over areas formerly occupied by the
inactivated 271st and 273rdInfantry Regiments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The move of the 1264th Service
unite from Camp Kilmer started on 18 June 1955, as 128 officers, 15 warrant
officers and 1,083 enlisted men arrived at Dix on a permanent change of
station. With the move, Fort Dix’ 1299th Service Unit was disbanded and
its personal and activities made a part of the 1264th. While at Camp Kilmer,
the 1264th had processed men en route to Europe and the Caribbean,
received returning troops from those areas, and processed them for leave,
reassignment or separation. The same missions remained with the unit while at
Dix. The move to inactivate Kilmer, a temporary World War II camp near New
Brunswick, New Jersey, was expected to save the Army about $1,400,000 with manpower
reduced by 1,150 military and 400 civilian personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In July 1955, Dix transferred
approximately 1,000 operating personnel to the 74th Infantry Regimental
Combat Team at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The move was made in an attempt to
bring all general reserve unites in the First Army area to full strength and
combat readiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Early in January 1956, Department of
the Army issued orders directing major units and installations to reclassify or
retrain enlisted personnel in the top three grades (master sergeants, sergeants
first class and sergeants) holding military occupation specialties in excess of
the Army’s needs. The Armywide program transferred thousands of NCOs into the
combat arms, e.g., infantry artillery, armor. At Fort Dix this reclassification
affected administrative and military police NCOs and specialists. In line with
this action to balance skills with requirements in the upper pay grades, the
top three specialist grades, whose military functions were in the excess
category, had an opportunity to regain noncommissioned officer status by
volunteering for a number of critical specialties. Volunteers for the critical
fields were either retrained or reclassified administratively if their previous
training or experience qualified them for another job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the weeding out of excess
personnel, a reorganization of the post’s Service Troops, 1262ndArea Service
Unit, went into effect on 16 January 1956. The major change was the
redesignation of two detachments and the discontinuance of two others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Under the reorganization, Service
Troops consisted of a Headquarters Company, a Faculty Detachment, the
69th Military Police Company and a WAC Detachment. Two other units were
attached to the 1st Battalion – the 40th Military Police Detachment
(CI) and the 19th Finance Disbursing Section, included in the
2nd Battalion were a Headquarters Company, 69th Replacement Company,
first US Army Training Aids Subcenter, 1195th Service Unit,
664th Ordinance Company (Ammunition) and the 553rd Ordnance
Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Demolition). Under a separate organization, and
on a battalion level was the Post Stockade. The 716th Military Police
Battalion, which was assigned to Vietnam in early 1965, and the
86th Engineer Battalion, a unit that remained on post until embarkation
for Vietnam in September 1966, also were subordinate units of Service Troops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This organizational structure,
however, was short-lived, for in April 1956 another change occurred in Service
Troops as the two battalion headquarters and their detachments were
discontinued. All subordinate units, regardless of size, were placed directly
under the commanding officer of Service Troops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shipments of recruits to Dix dropped
off sharply and “Operation Gyroscope<’ which sent many men from induction
centers in the East directly to the 8th Infantry Division at Fort Carson,
Colorado. Because of the basic training reduction at Fort Dix, gradual
suspension of training activities was ordered in February 1956 as each company
of the 272nd Infantry ended its cycle. After the March closure of the
unit, the 364th and 365th Infantry Regiments assumed the full
training load.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, on 16 March 1956, all
Army training center divisions, including the 69th Infantry Division at
Fort Dix, surrendered their numerical designations. On this date, the Army
installations at Wrightstown became the United States Army Training Center,
Infantry, Fort Dix, New Jersey, and the 69th was inactivated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The change in terminology provided a
designation that clearly indicated the center’s basic mission of training, and
in no way affected the strength of the post. The three training regiments took
on other numerical designations, with the 365th becoming the
1st Training Regiment, the 364th and 2ndTraining Regiment, and the
272nd and 3rd Training Regiment Operation of common specialist
courses was taken over by the Specialist Training Regiment. In July 1957,
because of the increased number of recruits to arrive on the post, the
4th Training Regiment was formally activated. The increase was partly due
to an added option of the Reserve Forces Act of 1956k - - the six-month program
for reservists and guardsmen. A new era had begun at Fort Dix earlier in August
1956 when the first Reserve Forces Act trainees arrived to start basic
training. The initial figure of 315 men arriving that month was greatly
multiplied during the ensuing years as the six-month program grew in popularity
and scope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, a welfare committee was
organized at Fort Dix in July 1957 to study and eliminate local regulations found
to be unnecessary and particularly irritating to officers, enlisted men, and
their dependents. The committee was established to implement an order issued to
all installations in the First US Army area. According to the order, the
committee must pay “special attention to those directives which are irksome and
tend to take the joy out of life in the military service.” It was thought these
unnecessary regulations seriously impaired the reenlistment program and that
young officers were returning to civilian life for more enjoyable and rewarding
careers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Previously, in April 1956, the
post’s NCO Advisory Council had been established. Its main function was to
serve as a means of presenting to the commanding general problems, suggestions
and recommendations concerning the welfare of enlisted men. Later, in November
1956, the First Army commander had directed installation commanders to take
vigorous action to cut down on the high rate of resignations among junior
officers by assigning these officers to duties commensurate with their rank,
experience and educational background. Typical of the problems such committees
considered were the allocation of post housing and excessive requirements to
sign certificates indicating completion of a responsibility. Married personnel
received special consideration from the committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix was chosen in October 1957
by the Department of the Army to test the formation of “carrier companies,”
which were shipped overseas intact upon completion of advanced military
training. The companies were built around four-man teams, whose members were
chosen by common backgrounds. Although the companies were sometimes dismantled
upon arrival overseas, the teams normally remained intact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An important phase of today’s basic
training requirements originated in June 1958. Introduced for the first time
was a training area called “Proficiency Park,” where basic trainees were tested
on subjects they had learned during the previous weeks. The part placed
trainees in an environment similar to the subject matter, such as barbed wire
enclosure to simulate a miniature prison and a station to test aptitude with
weapons. Each of the 15 stations at Proficiency Park was as realistic as
possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A revised and accelerated eight-week
basic combat training program returning bayonet and hand-to-hand combat
instruction to the trainee was reintroduced to Fort Dix in January 1959. While
the length of the cycle was not extended, the hours were readjusted to place
greater stress on fundamentals of military training. Emphasis was placed on
motivational training, in history and traditions of the Army and country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also stressed was increased
proficiency in the use of weapons, drill and ceremonies and the physical
fitness program. Tactical training, including anti-guerilla warfare,
anti-infiltration warfare, and camouflage and concealment, was condensed into
14 hours. This enabled recruits to spend more time, from eight to 16 hours, on
marching and tactical bivouac training. Dismounted drill (today known as Army
drill) also was emphasized when training in the subject increased from 16 to 25
hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of disturbing reports
concerning reports concerning poor marksmanship per volume of fire in World War
II and Korea, Continental Army Command officials in 1953 began studying proposals
to revive rifle training in the interest of realism and motivation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TRAINFIRE SYSTEM <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was noted during the Korean War
that as many as 50,000 rounds were expended for every enemy casualty. The study
resulted in the Trainfire system, which later became the Army’s Basic Rifle
Marksmanship Course, replacing the Known Distance (KD) system. Under the old
concept, a soldier would fire at a standard bull’s-eye from distances of 100,
200, 300 and 500 yards – which was great for precision shooting but not for
combat practice. The combat-type silhouette Trainfire targets of the new system
were concealed in woods and seen only fleetingly. Electrically operated, they
popped up unpredictably at ranges from 50 to 350 meters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first part of the four-phase
program was the 60-point and 110-point, 25-meter range. Without the aid of
slings, trainees fired at semi-circular bull’s-eyes from sitting, kneeling and
standing positions immediately after learning each position. The next
part was the 35-point, filed firing range. Here the trainee fired at silhouette
targets, which popped up in full view at 75, 175 and 300 meters. The third area
of instruction was target detection in which trainees scanned the woods for
concealed human targets that they detected by sight, movement and sound. The
final phase was the 16-point, record-fire range which tested the trainee’s
ability to use the instruction received during phases two and three. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
480-meter firing line simulated an actual combat firing line. Each firer was
responsible for concealed pop-up targets in a 30-meter wide sector. Sixty-four
first-round hits on 112 targets qualified a firer as an expert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Construction of the Trainfire ranges
at Fort Di began late in 1958, and they were ready for use on 11 May 1959.
Located along Range Road, the ranges were from five to eight miles from the
post headquarters. Trainfire permitted an eight-hour reduction in rifle
training and saved man-hours by eliminating pit details. When all of the
programmed ranges were in operation, five companies could be handled each week
with no problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Between the years 1952 and 1959, the
1387th Replacement Company underwent several redesignations before
assuming its present nomenclature. In 1952, the unit was designated
9thReplacement Company, 9th Infantry Division, only to be renamed two
years later the 69thReplacement Company, 69th Division. It remained the
69th until 1956 when it was redesignated Replacement Company, United
States Army Training Center, Infantry. The year 1959 saw the unit renamed
Replacement Company (1387-1), USATC, Infantry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 60th Explosive Ordinance
Disposal Squad was activated 27 January 1952 at Raritan Arsenal, Metuchen, New
Jersey. On 15 March, shortly after completing basic unit training, the squad
moved to Fort Dix, where it was attached to Detachment 13, 1262nd Area
Supporting Unit. On 8 March 1954, the 60th took on an added duty of
providing explosive ordinance disposal support for Burlington County as well as
Fort Dix. In June 1954, the unit was reorganized and its name changed to the
60th Ordnance Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As Fort Dix gained in importance as
a training center, a considerable amount of capital improvement was undertaken.
In September 1945, a post-war utilization study of Fort Dix by the Office of
Chief of Engineers concluded that the post was considered “satisfactory for
post-war retention.” The report noted that major improvements considered
essential to maintain a permanent active installation with a strength of 25,015
men would include installation of concrete curbs and sidewalks and drainage
structure as part of soil erosion control. Bridges needed to be strengthened
and roads improved. The cost of providing permanent troop barracks, housing for
married officers and NCOs, and remodeling of existing mobilization-type billets
for post-war use was estimated to be in the neighborhood of $16 million. At
that time, 90 percent of the post’s facilities had been constructed hastily
during World War II and were of a temporary nature, made of wood and not meant
to last more than five years. But with diligent maintenance, the five years
were stretched to 20 and today many still are being used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the early post-World War II era,
Fort Dix was bustling with activities of the Separation Center, Reception
Center, and the training of new troops. But little construction activity took
place. During the summer and fall of 1945, five tent areas housing 11,000 men
were used. By the end of the year, the Separation Center included 223 World War
II temporary barracks, 333 hutments, and 142 other buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other signs of the times were
apparent at Dix as the old began to give way to the new. The Fort Dix
narrow-gauge railroad, which had been constructed during World War I to move
troops to the firing ranges and used during World War II, was retired from
service after its last run in 1945. This miniature railroad was considered too
costly to repair and maintain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In October 1948, the Army attacked
the housing shortage at Fort Dix by proposing construction of permanent
facilities for both training and permanent party. The Army wanted to replace
existing wooden barracks with permanent structures. The old barracks not only
lacked comfort but required costly rehabilitation every few years. The new
barracks, it was decided, should offer reasonable privacy, with troop bays
divided into “units” of four to eight persons each. Existing open barracks
housed 52 or more persons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nest to be considered was
construction of sufficient permanent quarters for officers and senior NCOs.
More than 700 officers had been forced to live off post, some as far as 65
miles away. More than 100 families of officers and enlisted men were living on
post in trailers. Aside from new construction, the program called for a general
rehabilitation and modernization of facilities then in use.<br />
<br />
During the Korean War, actual construction began on new barracks and homes and
continued at a rapid pace. An additional 398 family units were provide in June
1951 by converting unused facilities of the old Station Hospital (Tilton Annex)
to accommodate enlisted personnel and their dependents. In addition, in the
fall of 1951, natural gas came into use for kitchen appliances and water
heaters, replacing coal. While only in the testing stage, utilization of gas
was studied carefully for possible post-wide use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To meet the continuing need to
relieve crowded housing conditions caused by the swelling military population,
Department of the Army authorized the addition of 300 family quarters for
married personnel at Dix. These homes, built in the northwest sector of Fort
Dix in the vicinity of Hanover Homes under the Wherry Housing Act, were opened
for assignment to post personnel with families in February 1952. The Wherry
complex, known as Sheridanville, was named after Private First Class Carl V.
Sheridan, who was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving in Germany in 1944
with Company K of the 47th Infantry Regiment. Private Sheridan was killed
while making the final assault on Frenzenburg Castle, Weisweiler, Germany, on
26 November 1944. As a bazooka gunner, Sheridan advanced alone under constant
fire across the castle courtyard to the drawbridge entrance. There he calmly
blasted the great oak door by firing three bazooka shells into it. As a final
gesture he beckoned to his comrades to follow and charge through the opened
entrance. Although his .45 cal. pistol was blasting, he was cut down by enemy
fire that greeted him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other construction completed during
the early ‘50s included a new officers open mess, a new fire headquarters, a
civilian personnel building and a 21-classroom school for dependents, near the
junction of the Juliustown Road and the Pemberton-Pointville Road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In December 1952, construction of
garden apartments at Fort Dix was completed, and 300 units became available to
military families. This development, constructed under provisions of the Wherry
Housing Act and named Nelson Courts, is located on Lexington Avenue between
Sheridanville and the warehouse and railroad siding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1955, Nelson Courts was dedicated
in honor of Sergeant William L. Nelson, who had been posthumously awarded the
Medal of Honor for bravery during World War II. Sergeant Nelson was mortally
wounded at Djebel Daydys, northeast of Sedjenance, Tunisia, on 24 April 1943.
Nelson had led his section of heavy mortars to a forward position. He then
crawled alone to an advance observation point and directed a concentrated
mortar barrage that repulsed the initial enemy counterattack. After sustaining
a mortal wound during that action he advanced to another observation position
and directed additional mortar barrages. He died only 50 yards from the enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The problem of housing during the
Fifties was an ever-present one. In December 1956, construction of a bachelor
officers’ quarters on the corner of Maryland Avenue and West First Street was
completed. Four hundred Wherry family units also were completed in 1956, taken
over by the Army, and paid for by occupants from their monthly rental
allowances. This project, known as Kennedy Courts, is located northeast of the
post school in the area bounded by West 17th Street, New Jersey Avenue,
Juliustown Road and Pemberton-Pointville Road. It was named in honor of Major
General Case W. Kennedy, the first commanding general of Camp Dix and commander
of the 78th “Lightning” Division when it was mobilized at Dix in August
1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Three years later, a 702-unit
Capehart duplex housing development, located in a triangular section between
the Pemberton-Pointville Road and Juliustown Road, to the rear of the post
school, was completed. The 702 units, together with 90 company grade officers’
quarters and 100 NCO quarters were constructed earlier, brought to 892 the
total number of units in the development. This complex, known as Garden
Terrace, was the last housing project prior to 1960.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, during the middle
Fifties, Fort Dix began a long-range troop housing project under the Military
Construction Army (MCA) Program. Twenty-seven permanent barracks with mess
facilities were constructed in two different complexes, as part of $31 million expansion
program. Included were 11 barracks between Alabama Avenue and Pennsylvania
Avenue, which are now occupied by Special Troops, its attached units, and
Committee Groups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The second complex includes 16
permanent company-sized barracks and a motor pool along Texas Avenue, currently
occupied by the 1st Advanced Individual Training Brigade. Each
dormitory-type barracks in the two complexes houses a complete company,
equipped with a game room, stereo room and TV lounge. The barracks offer a
greater degree of privacy to the soldier than the old open barracks. Platoons
are housed in bays, which are divided into eight-man cubicles. Banks of wall
lockers divide the bay down the center. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1955, a $3.1 million improvement
program to modernize 181 temporary wooden barracks at Dix took place. Automatic
heating and hot water systems were among the improvements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The construction of other capital
structures during the latter half of the Fifties accounts for several of
today’s large buildings. In October 1956, the quartermaster administration
building, which now houses the clothing store, was completed. In addition to
its normal stock of military attire, the store services the First US Army area
for WAC uniforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In August 1956, groundbreaking took
place for the Lakeside Service Club in the 1stTraining Regiment Area at
Nashville and Tennessee Avenue. Dedicated 22 November 1957, the
27,000-square-foot, air-conditioned structure included all up-to-date service
club facilities. At the same time, ground was broken for the $322,000 John S.
Marshall Dental Clinic, which was opened 7 June 1958. The Main Post Exchange on
New York Avenue was completed in October 1957. Another 60-man bachelor
officers’ quarters was constructed at Maryland Avenue and First Street. Holly
Crest, a development of 17 family housing units for colonels, and Grove Park,
family housing area for 66 lieutenant colonels, also were built in 1957 and
1958. Groundbreaking for the new modern 500-bed Walson Army Hospital took place
on 18 February 1957. Completed in 1960, this nine-story structure originally
contained a gross floor area of 327,820 square feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FIRST LIEUTENANT KARL H. TIMMERMAN,
INFANTRY <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In August 1959, a newly constructed
theater with seating capacity of 1,004 was dedicated to the memory of First
Lieutenat Karl H. Timmerman, Infantry. The air-conditioned theater contained
the largest stereophonic and cinemascope facilities, plus a large stage
completely equipped for live performances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lieutenant Timmermann had been
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action at Remagen Bridge,
Germany, 7 March 1945. During the action he was commander of Company A,
27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division. Timmermann’s
leadership was instrumental in Company A securing Ramagen Bridge, the first
bridge over the Rhine River to fall into Allied hands. He received little
personal publicity, though much has been given to capture of the bridge and its
strategic consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In The Battle at Ramagen, Ken
Hechler vividly relates Lieutenant Timmermann’s heroic efforts and lack of
national recognition. To quote in part from the final chapter: “The first
officer across the Rhine, Lieutenant Karl Timmermann, returned to his hometown
of West Point, Nebraska, after the war, a lone figure trudging into town with
his barracks bag slung over his shoulder. His reception committee consisted of
one little dog who snarled and snapped at his heels. The silence was
oppressive. Lieutenant Timmermann rejoined the Army in 1948, fought in the
Inchon Invasion of Korea, but then cancer struck him down and he died in an Army
hospital in 1951. West Point, Nebraska, has no tablet to his memory. 1 (Kenneth
W. Hechler, The Bridge at Remagen, pp. 189-190)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the way of range facilities, 11
small arms ranges, three projectile ranges, and a Trainfire range were built
during the post-war era and 1950s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In March 1953 a new moonlight firing
range, the first of its type to be built in the United States, was placed in
operation at Dix. The range was created to train soldiers to fire accurately at
night under simulated battle conditions. An automatic electronic firing course,
including stationary and moving targets, was put into operation in May 1953 on
Range 1A, the small arms night marksmanship range. The 1959 construction of the
first Trainfire range marked the beginning of the Army’s Basic Rifle
Marksmanship Course, which replaced the Know Distance system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Much of the post maintenance and
construction was handled by the 86th Engineer Battalion, a unit that
supported engineering requirements of the First US Army. Assigned to Dix in
March 1954, the 86th was stationed here until September 1966, when it left
for Vietnam. During its 12 years at Dix, the unit constructed and maintained
the post’s ranges and repaired utilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In September 1954, two companies
from the 86th, then a construction battalion, saved the Army more than $100,000
by building two ranges themselves instead of contracting for outside firms to
do the job. Not only were the ranges built for less money than was originally
estimated, they also were finished in record time. In 1956, the battalion
gained recognition by rapidly refurbishing Camp Kilmer for use by Hungarian
Revolt refugees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 15 years after World War II saw
the building of 48 storage facilities and warehouses, two dispensaries, 17
administration buildings, approximately 2,000 family housing units, 20 detached
garages, 27 troop barracks with messes, and other miscellaneous projects and
major structures already mentioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not the least to be recognized was
creation of the giant, charging infantryman known as “The Ultimate Weapon,” who
stands tall in Infantry Park across the street from Timmerman Theater. The
3,000-pound statute of a foot soldier in action was unveiled by General Bruce
C. Clarke, commander of Continental Army Command, on 20 March 1959.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The statute was created by two
soldier-sculptors, Specialist Four Steven M. Goodman and Private First Class
Stuart J. Scherr of Headquarters Company, Specialist Training Regiment, who
worked for nine months to create The Ultimate Weapon from a photograph and an
18-inch clay model. They were assisted by Private Emilio V. Gamba and Theodore
Dittmer, both of the same unit. The statue memorializes the modern infantryman
in attack and stands 14 foot tall. On its 11-foot pedestal is inscribed, The
Ultimate Weapon – The Infantryman.” Statistics of The Ultimate Weapon statue
note a 13-inch broad forehead, a 40-inch neck, a 90-inch chest, 56-inch arms,
70-inch waste and six-foot legs. He carries 185 pounds of combat equipment,
including a six-foot M-14 rifle and ammunition. This Fort Dix landmark honors
infantry soldiers past and present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 1950s saw much of the
construction that transformed Fort Dix into a permanent concrete post. However,
this changeover still is not completed, and it may be left to the decade of the
Seventies to see it finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the Fifties, Fort Dix
headquarters made greater efforts to encourage those who wished to improve
their education. Opportunities for schooling were improved and library
facilities enlarged.<br />
<br />
In June 1950 plans were made to open an extension of Rutgers University at Fort
Dix. Rutgers agreed to organize and conduct a program of schooling in liberal
arts and business administration. Open to all Fort Dix personnel, excluding
trainees, classes started in September 1950. To further the cause of advanced
education on the post, it was announced in September 1956 that Temple
University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, would offer extension courses in
education, investments and mental hygiene at the Army Education Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In support of the post’s expanding
educational program, a Special Services Post Library had been opened in the
fall of 1950. It was located in former Chapel #6 on Pennsylvania Avenue, which
had been redecorated and furnished with the latest library equipment. The early
Post Library offered more than 15,000 volumes, with thousands more in various
branch units throughout the post. By 1956, the entire Post Library system
contained 50,000 volumes. A system of bookmobiles supplied patients in Fort Dix
Station Hospital wards with books. The library provided its avid readers with
56 newspapers plus magazines and duplicate subscriptions that numbered 386.
Twelve hundred classical and light classical phonograph records were available
for listening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Post Library moved its
facilities on 15 August 1957 across from the old chapel site to a renovated
building, which it continues to occupy. The new site, located next to the
current Pennsylvania Avenue bowling alley, comprised 10,500 square feet and
could seat 200 persons. It includes a music room, catalog room, reference room,
MOS library, three administration offices and the main book shelf area. Branch
libraries also were opened during the post-war period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Besides libraries, Special Services
operated various other facilities for the relaxation of troops, including
service clubs, hobby shops and movie theaters. During the 1950s, service club
facilities were improved and increased. Four Dix service clubs were completely
refurnished and redecorated in 1955, and the new Lakeside Services Club (mentioned
previously) was built in 1957. The clubs, enhanced by a pleasant atmosphere,
provided television viewing rooms, music rooms with phonograph and musical
instruments, games, writing desks, typewriters, branches of the post library,
and a snack bar. During one quarter alone in 1955, the four older clubs handled
194,000 visiting civilians and soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other forms of Special Services
entertainment for soldiers included traveling showmen who performed in the
Sports Arena or one of the theaters. Some of the entertainers were Louis Prima
and his orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra, featuring vocalist Eleanor Powell;
Dorothy Collins, the sweetheart of Lucky Strike’s “Your Hit Parade”: the famous
television personality, Dagmar; number of others. Guy Lombardo and his
orchestra; Blue Barron and his orchestra; Stan Kenton’s orchestra; and a number
of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the growing number of privately
owned vehicles on post, mechanically inclined military personnel at Dix on 1
May 1957, with the opening of a Special Services six-bay Automobile Crafts Shop
for use by Dix military personnel. Mechanics were present at the Special
Services shop to advise and instruct car owners in the repair of their
vehicles. The car owners, however, did their own work, and tools and equipment
for all minor repairs were loaned in the shop. In addition, wash racks, grease
pits and an outside ramp were available to Dix-stationed personnel. By 1967, an
average of 2,500 car buffs made use of the facility monthly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For those on the post with a spark
of creativity, a Special Services Arts and Crafts Center, with 18,600 square
feet of floor space, was opened in June 1959. With the opening, personnel
discovered the center as a haven for creative activity, and novice craftsmen
attended the center each evening. Before trying their hands at one of the
crafts, most soldiers visited the center out of curiosity. Many stayed to
develop unsuspected talents. Some cut and polished semi-precious stones to give
as jewelry to wives or friends. Others tooled leather, made enameled jewelry,
printed on textiles, spun potter’s wheels, built model airplanes, developed and
enlarged film, painted, worked with wood and power tools, and repaired car
radios and television sets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Visitors entered the huge workshop
through a lobby and gallery showplace for soldier art and photography. The
gallery was softly lit in contrast to the flouorescent lighting of the main
workroom, where benches, cabinets, pottery kilns and show cases were grouped by
activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Operated by a full-time staff of
soldiers and civilians and a few part-time instructors, the opening of the
crafts center was fulfillment of an idea that began in 1942 when Special
Services and Dr. Boris Blau of the Tyler Art School, Temple University of
Philadelphia, organized an Arts and Crafts Center at Dix to sere men facing or
returning from World War II combat. In a letter received for dedication of the
center on 11 June 1959, Dr. Blau wrote that the idea for a certain center born
at Dix was later adopted in many hospitals and centers for the Armed Forces. He
expressed his happiness that the idea did not perish as evidenced by the
dedication of the Fort Dix Arts and Crafts Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the late Fifties and early
Sixties, for movie theaters operated on post, including the modern Timmermann
Theater. These theaters were open each night with frequent changes of first-run
movies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Post Exchange facilities expanded to
include today’s main exchange, which was constructed in 1957. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The PX, similar to any civilian
department store, adequately served the needs of post personnel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Earlier, in
March 1955, more than 300 families in storm-flooded New Jersey coastal areas
were evacuated from their homes to safe havens by 22 artillerymen and five
amphibious vehicles from Fort Dix’ 9th Infantry Division. They were
dispatched to the disaster areas of Sea Bright, Keansburg and the Highlands
were more than 1,000 persons were stranded by high waters. While operators were
quickly drenched in near-freezing rain and lashed by bitter winds, the huge Army
DUKW amphibious vehicles covered more than 30 miles of open highway, stopping
at Fort Mamouth, where they were dispatched to the flooded areas to rescue
marooned families from their homes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again, in mid-December 1953, 24 men
were alerted for a similar mission. However, the new storm narrowly missed the
north Jersey coast, and the men were not needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix, together with other First
US Army units, supplied food, equipment and rescue teams on 20-21 August 1955
to aid civilian communities on the eastern seaboard hit by the worst floods in
years. Directly responsible for rescuing scores of flood victims were two
amphibious rescue teams from the 69th Division Artillery. Consisting of
two DUKW’s each, the teams operated in the upstream Delaware area of Pennsylvania
– around Doylestown and Upper Black Eddy – and the western part of Trenton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the active part
played by Dix troops, the post supplied hundreds of blankets, mattresses and
cots to the stricken of an area extending from Camden, New Jersey to
Lambertville on the upper Delaware River. Trucks also rushed 1,000 cases of
C-rations to Hartford, Connecticut, for emergency feeding of flood victims.
Fort Dix, together with other First US Army units, won high commendation from
General Maxwell D. Taylor, Army chief of staff, for its part in disaster relief
work during the floods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A black Friday the 13th weekend
struck the area in July 1956. Fort Dix troops speedily responded to
emergencies, which included the crash of an Air Force MATS C-118 in the southwest
area of the post during the afternoon and a freak storm which shook the
northeast corner of Fort Dix Saturday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The plane crash, which took 45 lives
and injured 21 others, was responded to by alert troops, medics, military
policemen and Fort Dix volunteers, all of whom abandoned weekend plans to offer
aid in the tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another mishap occurred the next
afternoon when a freak storm hit the area of the Fort Dix Bus Station, then
located just inside the post entrance at Wrightstown. Swooping down on the
terminal, the wind caught a portion of the roof hurling it into Fort Dix Street
and causing considerable damage. Several power lines were snapped in the area
and a number of drivers trapped in their vehicles until the current could be
turned off. Post officials coordinated with the mayor of Wrightstown and state
police to render necessary aid. Military police were called on to reroute
traffic around the blowdown. Luckily, only a few civilians and no military
personnel were injured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">DR. JONAS E. SALK – 1946-1954 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dr. Jonas E. Salk, who gained world
fame with his discovery of polio vaccine, headed extensive field studies at
Fort Dix from 1946 until 1954. He is credited by medical authorities with a
major contribution to the Army’s battle against influenza. As director of a commission
on influenza, Dr. Salk tested the preventive effect of several types of
influenza vaccine on hundreds of soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After months of research and complex
laboratory tests, the Salk Commission, in close cooperation with the Fort Dix
Army Health Center medical staff, was successful in finding a most effective
combination of tested influenza vaccines now in use throughout the Armed
Forces. While directing the development of better vaccine in cooperation with
the Fort Dix research program, Dr. Salk also carried on his research for a
polio vaccine. As success in this field came within reach, the Army released
him from his contract as a consultant to the Surgeon General’s Office, and, in
July 1954, the influenza study was transferred to Columbia University.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The war against mosquitoes,
initiated at Fort Dix in August 1953, reduced the number of winged nuisances by
more than 85 percent, in addition to reducing the mosquito population in
neighboring communities. To control mosquitoes at Dix, a team operation was necessary.
First, the Preventive Medicine Service conducted insect surveys. Light traps
were used nightly during the breeding season to check the types and numbers of
mosquitoes in different areas of the post. Once the breeding sites were
located, the Insect and Rodent Control Section of the post engineer was called
to move in with powerful insecticides. The engineers then eliminated trouble
spots by filling in water holes, draining ditches and clearing the underbrush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Best evidence of the campaign’s
success was offered by mosquito “traps.” During a check in 1952, the Post
Surgeon’s Office said each trap had netted more than 11 mosquitoes on an
average night. The 1954 average was one and a half. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An episode charged with suspense
took place on 4 November 1955, when Dix demolition experts of the
60th Ordnance Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) were called to
Raritan Beach, South Amboy, New Jersey. Their mission was to remove 164
anti-personnel mines jeopardizing the safety of Raritan Beach. These mines were
remnants of a tremendous ammunition explosion five years earlier. They had been
buried into shallow water and covered over by shifting sands. They remained
hidden until November 1955, when the sea uncovered them. The mines were gently
placed in a truck and taken on an extremely hazardous journey back to Fort Dix
where they were exploded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1955, as part of a nationwide
move to strengthen civil defense units, the explosive ordnance units of Fort
Dix conducted a series of lectures for 66 civilian plant safety and security
officers from 59 New Jersey industries. The purpose was to develop a nucleus of
explosive ordnance reconnaissance (EOR) agents. During an aerial attack, their
job would be to spot and report any missiles with time fuses or duds that might
land on or around their factories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the Fifties, Fort Dix
displayed its community spirit annually with participation in the Community
Chest fund raising campaign. Contributions by troops and personnel, plus fund
raising events featuring famous entertainers, raised $100,000 each year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FORT DIX TV <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The post’s public image was further
enhanced during the Fifties by the appearance of Dix personnel on various
television programs. In 1955, the all-soldier chorus of the 69th Infantry
Division Band and frequently on Gary Moore’s TV show. In addition, the
69th Infantry Division Band, plus the all-soldier chorus, performed
several times on Ed Sullivan’s national TV show “Toast of the Town.” The
69th Infantry Division Demonstration Platoon inactivated in December 1955,
also performed on national TV several times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In March 1956, the “Fort Dix TV
Show” celebrated its second anniversary. The program was televised over station
WFIL-TV, Philadelphia, on time donated by the station as a public service. The
show featured musical entertainment and demonstrations furnished by Fort Dix.
The year 1957 saw Fort Dix entries dominate the all-Army entertainment
competition, with the winner appearing on the Ed Sullivan TV show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the post-war era and Fifties,
Fort Dix reflected the new role of the United States as a responsible world
military power. America, confronted by a cold war, was not allowed to disband
her military might and retreat again into isolation. Thus, Fort Dix did not
stagnate into the ghost town it had been after the Great War of ’17-18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The US needed a large standing Army,
and Dix became a permanent training center to help provide the necessary
troops. By 1960, Dix’ role as a concrete and steel training center was accepted
as a vital 20th Century institution. At the close of the Fifties, Fort Dix
had lost much of its make-shift World War II appearance. A smoothly operated
training machine, it reacted as a seismograph to every tremor in the East-West
shift of power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter X – The Sixties <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THE SIXTIES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the first months of the
Sixties, it was apparent Fort Dix would develop at a pace even greater than
that of the previous decade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One international crisis after
another, in which the United States was involved, convinced the nation of the
great necessity for a strong and ready Armed Force. Just two years before the
Sixties, on request of Lebanese President Chamoun, US forces were ordered to
occupy parts of that Middle East nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 1 January 1959, President Batista
fled Cuba, and revolutionist Fidel Castro began to communize that island, only
90 miles from the US. In 1960, a series of coups in the former Indo-Chinese
country of Laos troubled the US government, resulting in significant increases
of US aid and advisors to that nation. Again nearby in Cuba, the ill-fated Bay
of Pigs fiasco on 17 April 1961 stunned the American people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The “Berlin Crisis” in 1961 and the
Cuban missile confrontation of 1962 brought the United States and Soviet Union
face-to-face. In late 1962, the US provided massive support to India after its
invasion by Communist China. Every ripple in the waters of the Cold War placed
significant demands on the US Armed Forces, including Fort Dix, which was
responsible for providing its share of any soldiers required.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">VIETNAM <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also in 1962, developments in South
Vietnam reached a stage in which US had little choice but to increase its
assistance. During the next four years, US Army strength in that war torn
country escalated from a handful of advisors to more than a quarter-million
combat troops. As if the Vietnamese situation were not a significant burden on
the training responsibilities of Fort Dix, the 1965 revolution in the Dominican
Republic and the continual buildup of American troops in Thailand added more.
From June 1965 to the beginning of 1967, the number of trainees in the Infantry
Training Center on any given day almost doubled – from 11,000 to 21,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WALSON ARMY HOSPITAL – 1960 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At first glance, the construction
program at Fort Dix provided the most visible changes during the Sixties.
Opening of the post’s multi-million dollar Walson Army Hospital was the first
significant step in this program. More than 600 guests were present on 15 March
1960 as Secretary of the Army Wilber M. Brucker dedicated the modern 500-bed
hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The facility was named in honor of
Brigadier General Charles M. Walson, whose widow was present at the dedication
ceremony to unveil the commemorative plaque. General Walson had been born in
Laurel, Delaware, on 24 August 1883 and was graduated from the Jefferson
Medical College in Pennsylvania in 1906 and the Army Medical School in 1912.
During World War I, he served as a major with the American Expeditionary Forces
in France and the Army of Occupation in Coblenz until 1922. For his service as
surgeon general of Second Service Command from November 1940 to July 1945,
General Walson was awarded the Legion of Merit. He had fulfilled a significant
role in the processing of 145,000 Americans and 7,000 prisoners-of-war patients
who had passed through the port of New York during World War II. After his
retirement, he served as administrator of the American Red Cross blood program
for the greater New York area until his death in 1947.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The ultra-modern hospital, located
at New Jersey Avenue and West Third Street, make use of the latest medical and
recreational equipment and facilities. Patients are accommodated in one-to-four
bed rooms or operating rooms plus and emergency operating room located near the
ambulance entrance. A central food service section to the hospital prepares and
serves all food, thus eliminating the need for special diet kitchens. In its
first full year of operation, Walson admitted 22,999 patients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">REDEVELOPMENT <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lack of adequate billets for troops
was still an acute problem in the early 1960s. At the time, approximately 75
percent of the enlisted men at Fort Dix were still housed in “temporary”
barracks, built in 1940-41, with an original life expectancy of only five
years. Because of this, a special committee of four congressmen arrived on 12
June 1961 to investigate troop housing conditions. At the conclusion of their
tour, they were convinced building appropriations should be increased for Fort
Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Representative Frank C. Osmers, Jr.
of New Jersey stated that renovation of the 20-year-old buildings would be as
“polishing rotten apples,” 1. (Fort Dix Post, vol. xx, no. xxiv 1961) and said
a three-to-four year program to replace temporary troop housing should be
carefully considered by the House Appropriations Committee. The other
representatives, Richard E. Langford of Maryland, agreed with Osmers “that the
Fort Dix staff had done a remarkable job keeping these old things on their feet
at all times.” 2. (Ibid)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The acutance of the barracks
situation was further aggravated in late 1961 with the call-up of the Army
Reserves and National Guard. At that time, the post received hundreds of
activated Reserve Forces personnel. The earlier congressional analysis led to a
June 1962 announcement that an $11 million project for construction of nine
permanent barracks and six mess halls. Then in November 1963, Congress
appropriated more than $19 million for further troop billeting improvements at
Dix during the Fiscal Year 1965. These were important steps in continuing the
long-range Military Construction Army (MCA) plan to relocate and rehouse all
personnel in permanent barracks by 1971.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Construction of an entire regimental
complex was started in the area along Texas Avenue near McGuire Air Force Base
in September 1963. Eventually occupied by the 2nd Basic Combat Training
Regiment in 1964, it included 11 barracks, four mess halls, four battalion
headquarters and classrooms, four supply and administrative buildings,
regimental headquarters, dispensary, post exchange, chapel and gymnasium. A
motor pool complex supporting this area was completed in July 1966.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another regimental complex was begun
along the Pemberton-Pointville Road in March 1964. The space allocated was
almost entirely occupied by cleared training areas and drill fields. The new
complex included eight barracks, each housing 326 men, regimental headquarters
and classroom buildings, supply and administration buildings for each of the
four battalions, post exchange branch, gymnasium, chapel, motor pool area,
dispensary and central heating plant. Two-thirds of the complex was completed
in the fall of 1965, and construction on the remaining one-third began in
December 1965. This area was occupied by the 3rd Basic Combat Training
Brigade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix suffered a major setback in
its long-range troop housing improvement program in 1965. During that year,
Congress appropriated $21 million for building additional permanent structures
at Fort Dix. However, because of unprecedented costs of the Vietnam War, $17
million of the total was deferred by the secretary of defense late in 1965 only
to be reinstated in February 1967.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All told, MCA projects, other than
family housing units, completed since 1 January 1960, included 31 barracks, 12
administration and storage buildings, Post Chapel and Religious Education
Center complex, two other chapels, three motor pools, 11 battalion mess halls,
11 battalion headquarter buildings and classrooms, three brigade headquarters,
three post exchanges, three dispensaries, two gymnasiums, and addition to
Walson Army Hospital for clinics and an Air Evacuation Center, quarters for 80
nurses, and an addition to the Telephone Exchange. Construction started but not
completed by 31 December 1966 included three barracks, an administration and
storage building, chapel, battalion headquarters building, battalion mess hall
and a gymnasium.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the first half of the decade,
additional family headquarters were constructed, and a concentrated effort was
made to improve the appearance of the post. Construction began on the first of
a 200-unit Capehart housing project for noncommissioned officers in February
1961, which was partially available for occupancy in December. The project,
located in the area west of 17th Street and extending to Gum Street along
the Juliustown-Browns Mills Road, contained two-, three- and four-bedroom
apartments. Costing $3,610,630 and completed in January 1962, the project – now
known as Laurel Hill – consists of 43 two-story duplexes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1963, enlisted men in pay grade
E-4 (corporals or specialists four) with four or more years’ service were
permitted to apply for family housing a Sheridansville, Nelson Courts or
Kennedy Courts. Previously, the requirement for E-4s was seven years of active
service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Plans were drawn to beautify Fort
Dix. Through the efforts and skills of the 86thEngineer Battalion, Dogwood
Lake, Willow Pond, Deer Lake and Meadow Lake were completed by the summer of
1960. Dogwood Lake, one of the first man-made lakes to be constructed under the
program, extends from Pennsylvania Avenue past Theater #5 to the Post Golf
Course. It consists of a system of lakes connected by culverts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LAKES <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not only did the lakes add to the
beauty of the installation, they also assisted in irrigation, water
purification training, and served as sources of water supply in the event of
emergency. They could be tapped to extinguish nearby brush fires. In addition,
their construction was a practical exercise for members of the 86thEngineer
Battalion. The use of heavy construction equipment and the skills of moving,
compacting, and making earth hold water were required. Other lakes already in
existence were Brindle Lake, Hipp’s Folly, Lake of the Woods, and Hanover Lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD
ACTIVATED – 1961 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the summer of 1961, increased
tension in Berlin and other parts of the world caused President John F. Kennedy
to ask Congress for standing authority to call 250,000 reservists and national
guardsmen to active duty. In August, 14 such units were alerted to report to
Dix. Arriving on post in October, the activated Reserve Components personnel
represented seven states from Main to Indiana. First to arrive was the
920th Transportation Company from New York. Traveling in buses, the
reservists received a warm welcome from the installation commander and an Army
band as they passed through the post entrance. After the greeting, men of the
920thsettled down to the routine of Army life, which lasted until August 1962.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 24 October 1961, Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 173rd Medical Battalion of South Portland, Maine,
and the 114th Surgical Hospital Detachment from Patterson, New Jersey,
were assigned to Walson Army Hospital. The remaining Army Reserve or National
Guard units were attached to Special Troops. Units arriving at Fort Dix
included the 366th Medical Detachment from Cleveland, Ohio;
141st Transportation Company, Rochester, New York; 306th Medical
Detachment, New York City; 435th Finance Disbursing Section, Indianapolis,
Indiana; 834thSignal Company, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; 134th Ordnance
Company, Albany, New York; 445th Ordinance Company, Kearney, New Jersey:
340th Military Police Company, Garden City, New York; 322nd Military
Police Detachment (Criminal Investigation), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania;
618th Transportation Company, White River Junction, Vermont: and the
321st Adjutant General Post Office of Troy, New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Approximately 14,000 reservists
underwent summer training at Fort Dix in 1961, as did some 10,000 in 1962. The
following year, 35,323 reserve personnel participated in weekend drills and
field exercises at the post, and an additional 10,482 underwent two weeks of
annual active duty training. In 1964, 44,137 reservists received weekend drill
and marksmanship training at Fort Dix, and 12,534 underwent annual training.
Personnel from 39 non-divisional unites, three training divisions and five Army
Reserve schools, participated in annual active duty training programs during
the summers of 1963 and 1964.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix supported and coordinated
the training of 12,423 citizen soldiers who arrived for their annual active
duty between 5 June and 11 September 1965. During 1966 Dix units supported the
summer training of 13,890 reservists and national guardsmen from four divisions
and 39 separate units, representing 13 states from Main to Louisiana and as far
west as Illinois. Following the 16-week summer training period that ended on 10
September, Reserve Forces Division of G3 hosted an additional 25,000 officers
and enlisted men from 33 Army Reserve and National Guard units, who
participated in weekend drills at Fort Dix during the remainder of 1966.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">INFORMATION BUREAU <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the convenience of visitors and
new arrivals to the post, the Information Bureau was opened 19 August 1961 on
Route 68, replacing the one located in the Sports Arena. Operated to expedite
the location of individuals, units and facilities on post, the bureau assisted
more than 14,500 visitors during its first two months of operation. Staffed by
the post’s military police, it operated seven days a week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paralleling dramatic improvements to
the Fort Dix physical plant was the modernization of training methods and aids.
In 1960, a Fort Dix-originated modification of Trainfire targets earned the
government a net saving of $7,000 during the first year of adoption. The
modification resulted in an all-weather, moisture-proof target, which was as
durable as the fiberglass targets originally designed for the range. Cardboard
targets were coated with paraffin, and tests revealed that the 19-cent
replacement had a usable period equal to those of fiberglass, which cost $1.75
each. Other advantages of the inexpensive targets were resistance to breakage
in strong wind or heavy firing and elimination of patching, refacing and
repairing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix implemented another
suggestion in October 1963 that saved $58,000 Army wide. Previously, each range
contained as many as 35 marker panels, located approximately 300 meters from
the firing line. Over a period of time these panels, which cost $6.20 apiece,
suffered many hits and required replacement, which meant a constant expense to
the government. The even-numbered panels that designated firing lines were
eliminated, doing away with as many as 17 panels. The idea was forwarded to
Headquarters First US Army, and then, Fort Benning, Georgia, where it was
tested by students of The Infantry School. From there, the system went on to
Department of the Army for Army wide adoption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In June 1960, it was announc</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ed that
Fort Dix was scheduled to receive its initial shipment of M-14 rifles and M-60
machine guns – the general purpose weapons of today’s modern Army. Some 550
M-14s and 40 M-60s arrived later that year. Both weapons fire the standard 7.62
millimeter (civilian .308) round adopted by NATO countries in December 1953. In
1954, the round was formally accepted in the United States as the standard
military rifle cartridge. The M-14 replaced the (Garland) M-1 rifle, Browning
automatic rifle, .30 caliber carbine and the .45 caliber machine gun. Today,
all trainees at Dix are issued M-14s. Familiarization with the new M-16 rifle
is given to personnel leaving for Vietnam.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Additional heavy weapons training
was introduced to the curriculum of the 1st Advanced Individual Training
Regiment in January 1962. The regiment, which had been conducting advanced
eight-week courses in basic unit and individual training, began teaching the
106mm recoilless rifle and the 81mm and 4.2-inch mortars. To accommodate the
new training program, four ranges and five training areas were built. The
regimental Training Committee was increased in strength and new lesson plans
written.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, constant research and
evaluation by Department of the Army in training potential enlisted leaders
resulted in the establishment of a trainee leadership school at Fort Dix in
January 1962. The program of instruction, encompassing 10 weeks, was designed
to train privates (E-2) to become effective leaders. The first two weeks of the
program were devoted to formal leadership instruction in the school’s
classrooms, and the remaining weeks were used for practical application in an
advanced individual training company. In 1963 and 1964, average weekly
enrollment at the school was 25 to 30 students, with more than 1,000 students
graduating both in 1963 and 1964.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PORTAGBLE FOXHOLE <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Instead of merely wondering who
trainees could fire higher scores on the ranges, cadremen of Company K,
4th Basic Combat Training Regiment, put their heads together, pooled their
ideas, and came up with a training aid called a wooden portable foxhole.
Adopted in 1962, this training aid – three feet square and almost six feet high
– made a noticeable difference in the scores of the regiment’s trainees. The
foxhole was used mainly to instruct trainees in the correct firing positions before
they went to the ranges. Once they had a basic knowledge of the proper
positions, the soldiers were able to “make themselves at home” in the range
foxholes. A higher percent of trainees qualified on the ranges when the
portable foxhole was used. Built in June 1962, the ingenious training aid was
the only portable foxhole on post and often loaned to other units.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 6 June 1964, the chief of Faculty
Group was assigned the responsibility of establishing an Expert Infantryman
Badge test for Fort Dix. In addition, to improve the trainee test program of
Faculty Group, a proficiency testing area was established on 15 July 1964. The
earlier area could not absorb the necessary changes, and a new area, comprising
eight permanent-type test stations and four other buildings, was built.
Stations were set up for such subjects as first aid, bayonet, hand-to-hand
combat, guard duty, and other exercises and techniques that every trainee must
know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In August 1964, the Faculty Group
was assigned to teach field sanitation, a subject previously taught by the
training regiments. To aid in the two hours of instruction, an elaborate
three-station field sanitation display area was constructed. One station
exhibited liquid waste disposal devices, another involved sold waste, and the
third station displayed field expedients for washing, showering and laundering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BASIC RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP COURSE <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During September 1964, the present
Basic Rifle Marksmanship Course replaced the Trainfire concept. Today, every
basic trainee is taught the name of various parts of the rifle and to assemble
and disassemble the M-14. He is told how and when to clean the weapon and to
fire from proper positions. A period involving sighting and aiming was added to
the marksmanship program. To accommodate this change, a new 100-point preliminary
rifle instruction area was built behind Faculty Group headquarters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In an effort to provide the most
highly skilled cadre for training brigades, a Drill Sergeant School was
established at Fort Dix and other training centers in October 1964. The school
was the result of a study by the Secretary of the Army Stephen Ailes concerning
the need for highly effective NCOs, under whose guidance the recruit would be
turned into a top-notch soldier. Identical schools existed in each of the six
other permanent basic training centers in the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first 70 men to graduate from
the Fort Dix Drill Sergeant School received their distinctive campaign hats at
the post’s Timmermann Theater on 30 November 1964. The class had begun with 90
noncommissioned officers from the basic combat training regiments, advanced
individual training regiment, common specialist training regiment, US Army
Personnel Center, and Faculty Company. The school’s cadre of 20 instructors and
there tactical NCOs were picked prior to the start of the course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the five-week school,
abilities of prospective drill sergeants were taxed physically and
academically. Intensive study was designed to acquaint them with the general
knowledge and specific skills required in handling training problems while
performing duties as leaders, instructors or administrators at platoon level.
Graduates were placed in a specialty classification and permitted to wear the
famous Army campaign hat, which had been eliminated from service in 1940. For
years, many top Army officials sought to have it reinstated because of the
espirit de corps it imparts to the wearer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In December 1964, consolidation of
enlisted leadership training was effected within the fort Dix Leaders Academy.
The academy was assigned the mission of conducting the Drill Sergeant School,
the five-week NCO Academy Senior and Basic Courses, the two-week Trainee
Leadership Training Corps. Effective 1 July 1966, Fort Knox, Kentucky, assumed
sole responsibility for operation of the First US Army NCO Academy. All of the
above Leaders Academy courses remained at Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1965 a shortage of qualified
cadre instructors existed because of increased trainee loads and the Vietnam
buildup that required transfer of drill sergeants overseas. To provide
immediate remedy, Major General Charles E. Beauchamp, commanding general,
initiated a Drill Sergeant Assistant Course at Dix and submitted the proposal
to Headquarters, United States Continental Army Command (USCONARC). The first
class at Fort Dix – composed of candidates who had completed basic training,
attended the Leadership Preparation Courses, and graduated from advanced
infantry training – began in October 1965. The program, designed to provide
cadre personnel who would assist drill sergeants in the training of recruits,
was approved by USCONARC and adopted by the other Army training centers. Late
in June 1966, the Drill Sergeant Assistant Course was redesignated the Drill
Corporal Course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, the five Fort Dix
training regiments underwent modernization on 1 August 1965, when they were
redesignated training brigades. The 1st Training Regiment was redesignated
the 1st Advanced Individual Training Brigade, while the 2nd and
3rd Training Regiments became basic combat training brigades. The 5thTraining
Regiment was renamed the 5th Common Specialist Training Brigade. Under the
reorganization, the 4th Basic Combat Training Brigade was activated on
11th October 1965 and its companies assigned to the 2nd and
3rd brigades. The change, result of a study made by former Secretary of
the Army Stephen Ailes the year before, placed five companies in each of the
brigade’s five battalions. Each company had a capacity of 220 trainees. In
addition, each of the basic combat training brigade’s headquarters and
headquarters companies were redsignated as headquarters detachments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With reorganization of the training
brigades came the announcement that Faculty Group would be redesignated
Committee Group on 2nd October 1965. Faculty Company, then attached to the
post’s Special Troops, was transferred to Committee Group, with the group
becoming a major command reporting directly to Infantry Training Center
Headquarters. Its mission was to conduct standardized training through the
committee system for units undergoing basic combat training, in conformance
with programs published by USCONARC. It also conducted instruction of the
Leaders Training School (NCO), Leaders Training School (Trainee) and later the
Special Training Company (BCT).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 10 December 1965, Special
Training Company was activated within Committee Group to provide extra training
for men having trouble with the requirements of basic combat training. The
assignment of 23 cadre, including three drill sergeants to each platoon,
provided personnel and time for special physical programs, counseling to
enhance confidence and motivation, and close personal supervision. Special
Training Company offered extra individual attention that an ordinary basic
combat training company could not afford because it would distract from the
overall training mission. During its first eight months of operation, 142 of
the 200 men assigned to the company mastered their individual areas of weakness
to the point that they were able to return to the basic combat training cycle
to complete training. However, trainees requiring the completion of only one
specific phase of training to graduate often were shipped to new assignments
directly from Special Training Company once that phase was mastered. Most
common deficiency was the lack of ability to pass physical training
requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 19 March 1966, the
5th Common Specialist Training Brigade was redesignated the
5th Combat Support Training (CST) Brigade, in accordance with a message
from USCONARC. It was felt that the title “common specialist training” did not
accurately describe the mission of the brigade, which provides the Army with
competent combat support specialists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Five months later, in August 1966,
expansion plans were announced that would make the 5th CST Brigade the
largest of the four training brigades at Fort Dix, with an anticipated 75
percent increase in personnel. General Orders 276, issued on 19 August by
Infantry Training Center Headquarters, organized five battalions within the
brigade – an increase of three over the two provisional battalions – consisting
of 25 companies in place of the previous eight. In mid-October, the brigade’s
trainee strength had more than doubled, increasing from 3,500 to 7,300. As
examples of the expansion, the number of students in the Supply Clerk Course
almost quintupled, while enrollments tripled in another course and doubled in
two others. This reflected the increased number of Selective Service calls
during the preceding months, which were needed to provide trained individual
replacements and to active new Army units, particularly for Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amid the expansion, the 5th CST
Brigade launched its ninth annual “Operation Santa Helpers,” a project to
collect outgrown or discarded toys, repair and repaint them, and distribute the
“new” toys to needy military families and orphanages and charitable
institutions in the surrounding communities. Toy pickup points were established
in September. As in the past eight years, the toys – ranging from games and
dolls to children’s cars, trucks and bicycles – were repaired by student-mechanics
at the brigade’s Wheeled Vehicle Mechanical Course who had completed training
and were awaiting orders. The cadre also aided in the project when not engaged
in instruction. Members of the brigade took an unusual interest in the project
and received a great deal of personal satisfaction from using all of the tools
and equipment in the repair shop. More than 4,500 toys of an estimated value of
$40,000 were repaired and distributed prior to Christmas 1966.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 30 June 1963, a new unit, Special
Processing Detachment, was activated and assigned to the
1387th Replacement Company. Currently the detachment administers AWOLs,
deserters, and persons apprehended by military and civilian authorities in New
York and New Jersey who are confined at Dix. The detachment also arranges their
subsequent assignments or discharges. Its parent organization, the
1387thcontinues to process all incoming personnel returning from overseas for
duty on post and reenlistees who do not require basic training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 60th Ordnance Detachment
(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) received orders on 6 April 1965 assigning it to
Special Troops. Operational control remained with the 542nd Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Company, Fort Jay, New York, as it had since August 1957.
Today’s 60th Ordinance Detachment is capable of detecting, identifying,
rendering safe, recovering, field evaluating and disposing of unexploded United
States and foreign explosive items. Such items include bombs, shells, mines,
rockets, pyrotechnics, demolition charges, guided missiles, and special weapons
that have been launched, dropped, placed or armed in such a manner that they
constitute a hazard to personnel or material. They also include the disposal of
explosive items rendered unsafe due to damage or deterioration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Training explosive ordnance
reconnaissance personnel, both military and civilian, is another responsibility
of the 60th Ordnance Detachment. It provides instruction for explosive
ordnance reconnaissance agents throughout New Jersey. Considering that the unit
at any time may be called on to aid civilian communities in the event of a bomb
threat or similar emergency, the importance of the 60th Ordnance
Detachment is recognized well beyond the gates of Fort Dix. In such instances,
the danger is just as great as if the unit were performing its mission on an
actual battlefield or at some training camp where artillery firing is taking
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just such an incident occurred
during 1965, when a rumor spread across the country that a number of Vietnamese
dolls in the possession of United States residents might be booby trapped.
Experts from the 60th aided civilian authorities in disposing of the
dolls, once such action had , County on 25 October. It collected and destroyed
68 eight-to-15-inch dolls that had been turned in to police departments in the
area. Authorities at Fort Benning, Georgia, said the rumor apparently began in
Vietnam and spread to the United States in letters from servicemen. The
oriental dolls turned up in almost every part of the country, but none was found
to be booby trapped. Explosive experts at Fort Benning x-rayed and examined
nearly 200 dolls without finding anything other than straw and rubber.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HOME OF THE ULTIMATE WEAPON STATUE <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To provide the “Home of the Ultimate
Weapon” with a distinctive musical symbol representative of the training
mission and the pride and spirit of the trainee, CWO Samuel F. Brown, Jr., then
commanding officer of the 19th and 173rd Army Bands, composed “The
Fort Dix Proud Trainee” in April 1965. The song, which is heard at appropriate
occasions involving trainee participation, was created to ease the transition
from marching with cadence to marching with Band music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FORT DIX MARCH <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Commanders of major and separate
units were urged to compose a second verse, symbolic of their unit. With this
musical addition, the Fort Dix trainees appeared to march with snappier cadence
and more pride and spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The words of the song are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’re training, fighting men of the
Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The rifle is our friend, in the
Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We train to be prepared and never to
forget,
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The training on the rifle range and
with the bayonet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’re the Army, the marching Army.,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Proud of our training, fighting team
esprit de Corps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Proficiency Park becomes the final
test,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Where every soldier strives to be
the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prepared for all eventuality, is the
FORD DIX PROUD TRAINEE,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to fight for right and
freedom,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to fight ‘till victory’s won.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to serve Old Glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Serve her proudly, ‘till the day is
done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to fight on hill or lowland,
in the defense of Liberty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to die, if it is Thy Will, Be
Done,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">IS FORT DIX PROUD TRAINEE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, Fort Dix had made several
contributions to civilian as well as military, life. Projects included medical
research, support of the Project Advent Satellite Communications System, law
enforcement assistance in riot-torn Mississippi, and the President’s youth
opportunity programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Working in conjunction with the post
medical service in 1960, a civilian research unit from Columbia University made
a definite health contribution by developing an adenovirus vaccine for the
reduction of influenza. To carry out research, two Columbia technicians worked
closely with medical personnel assigned to the Fort Dix Health Center. The
development of a vaccine illustrated the close relationship between Army
medical services and civilian agencies in the joint search for better means to
protect the nation and its soldiers from disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PROJECT ADVENT <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix had a minor part in the
“space race in 1961 by providing limited logistical support to one of two
“Project Advent” instantaneous global communications ground stations in the
United States. In July of that year, one of the stations was erected near dix
and the other placed near Camp Roberts, California. A shipboard terminal,
operating at sea in many parts of the world, tested communication capabilities.
The system permitted simultaneous worldwide transmission of high speed radio
teletype and voice broadcasts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Project Advent called for stringent
reliability requirements in space technology. Advent satellites were designed
to remain operative for at least one year without failure. In addition,
altitude control and tracking capabilities were built into each satellite to
permit adjustment of its positon to synchronize with the earth’s rotation
Horizon sensors were used to keep the satellites’ antennas continuously turned
toward the earth. The satellites contained several receivers and transmitters
for microwave communications with ground tracking stations and receiving
signals. The communications and telemetry antennas were located on one end of the
satellite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JAMES MEREDITH – FORMER USAF COLLEGE
STUDENT <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A year later, fort Dix’
716th Military Police Battalion was tasked to maintain law and order in
riot-struck Mississippi community. The riot-control-trained battalion was
airlifted on 30 September 1962 from McGuire Air Force Base to Oxford, Mississippi,
to enforce desegregation at the University of Mississippi and to escort James
Meredith, the first Negro ever to enroll in “Ole Miss,” to classes. The
716thwas the second Army unit to arrive at the university following rioting and
other disturbances designed to prevent a Negro from enrolling in the previously
all-white institution of higher learning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first unit to arrive was the
503rd Military Police Battalion from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Upon arrival, the
716th bivouacked near the Oxford airport and immediately set up road
blocks around the campus and sent out patrols to prevent further rioting. In
addition to escorting Meredith, the Fort Dix military policemen safeguarded the
dormitory and other campus buildings, issued passes to students and faculty
members, and patrolled not only the campus but parts of Oxford. Relieved of
their chores in October, three of the 716th companies returned to Fort
Dix. On 20 November 1962, the officers and men of Company B returned to the
post. While at Oxford, Company B had patrolled the own and campus and secured
Baxter Hall, on-campus residence of James Meredith. The 720th Military
Police Battalion from Fort Hood, Texas took over the vigil at Oxford upon
departure of the 716th.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FOREST FIRE FIGHTING <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In April 1963, Fort Dix again was
called on to provide assistance to a civilian community – this time in the
local area. Men and equipment from Fort Dix battled raging brush and forest
fires that swept through southern New Jersey for four days. Area fire fighters
had been unable to contain the wind-whipped flames and asked Fort Dix for
assistance. Within 45 minutes of the first distress call, the Fort Dix Fire
Department and soldiers of Company L, 1st Training Regiment, were
dispatched to the scene. They were backed up by men of Company K,
1st Training Regiment, and assisted by the 716th Military Police and
86th Engineer Battalions. Military policemen aided local police officials
in controlling traffic and establishing traffic control points. Using military
radio patrol jeeps, a radio communications network coordinated civilian and
military efforts. Men of the 86th Engineer Battalion battled the fires
with giant bulldozers by cutting fire breaks and clearing away charred debris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The two main areas of conflagration
nearest the post were in Jackson and Pemberton Townships. The fire blazed its
way south, leaving 60,000 acres of charred and smoldering woodland in and
around Lebanon State Forest. At the height of the fires, almost 1,000 Fort Dix
soldiers and miscellaneous military fire fighting equipment were at the scenes.
The bulk of the men were from Company K and L of the 1stTraining Regiment and
Companies D and P of the 4th Training Regiment. In addition 200 beds and
mattresses and more than 400 blankets were sent to the Toms River Courthouse
Annex to help the homeless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the interests of civil defense,
another community service was provided the surrounding areas by Fort Dix
personnel. On 1 January 1964, the post’s chemical officer was delegated the
responsibility of training local civilian radiological defense monitors. The
first class was conducted at Margate, New Jersey, on 25 January 1964.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When President Johnson’s Youth
Opportunity Campaign was initiated at Fort Dix in June 1965, the Civilian
Personnel Office announced that the post could hire 25 youths. This was in
accordance with the federal government’s policy of hiring one extra civilian
trainee for every 100 employees on the payroll to stimulate more than 500,000
work-training opportunities lcontinuing essential and critical operations, it
was decided an additional 175 youths could be used during the summer. The
request was forwarded to the Department of the Army for consideration. Upon
receiving approval, the jobs were filled, resulting in Fort Dix exceeding the
President’s requirements to create additional positions for young men and women
between the ages of 16 and 21. In 1966, the Civilian Personnel Office at Fort
Dix hired 310 economically or educationally disadvantaged youths, who worked
during July, August and September as part of the President’s “War on Poverty”
program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">OPERATION ENTERTAINMENT <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 1960s saw a continued program to
improve morale, health and welfare services and facilities for military
personnel and their dependents. Enhanced were Special Services programs and
facilities, medical care, Army education opportunities, religious facilities,
post exchanges, sports programs, and open messes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More than 8,000 basic trainees from
all of the basic combat training regiments at Fort Dix were entertained in 1960
by “Operation Entertainment,” which brought soldier variety shows to bivouac
areas for infantrymen undergoing field training. Initiated by the post
entertainment director, the shows provided relaxation and amusement for
trainees who, while spending a week in the field, had little opportunity for
recreation. The first of these shows took place in June 1960, and the project
continued through September. A troupe of 16 performers in each show entertained
trainees on bivouac, using the back of an Army truck as a stage. The group also
entertained patients in Walson Army Hospital and went on to perform in service
clubs. The program continued during summers of the next six years, with more
than 10,000 bivouacking troops entertained in 1966.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The addition to Fort Dix of Walson
Army Hospital in 1960 was not the end of new medical facilities built on this
post in the Sixties. Quarters for 80 nurses, constructed in an area adjacent to
the hospital at a cost of $750,000, were ready for occupancy in March. A huge,
modern red-brick barrack, costing $691,000 and designed to house 326 medical
enlisted men, was ready for occupancy near Walson the following year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In June 1965, a $1.3 million
construction program began on a two-story addition for clinics and a one-story
Air Evacuation Center for Walson Army Hospital. The two-story addition
increased medical facilities at the hospital by 32,000 square feet. Opened 22
June 1966, it was occupied by preventive medical facilities for Army health
nurse programs of immunization, physical examinations, and child and adult
health care and the following clinics: dental, dermatology, neuropsychiatric,
pediatrics, pharmacy, surgical and medical, and eye, nose and throat. After
these facilities moved into the addition, the builders returned to expand the
areas vacated by some of the clinics and modify activities remaining on the
first floor of the original hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JOINT AIR EVACUATION CENTER <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Air Evacuation Center, a joint
operation involving Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, moved into its newly
built facility at the hospital in May 1966. The addition is 14.5 feet high and
expands floor space by 6,000 square feet. Responsible for giving medical care
to air evacuation patients en route to their final destination, the center
handled between 750 and 825 patients a month between July and October.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite the expansion of the
Sixties, not all medical facilities are located in the hospital complex. The
Medical Activities Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, formerly known as the
Health Center, houses facilities for the Mental Hygiene Consultation Service, the
First US Army Medical Personnel Procurement Office, the veterinarian, and the
Columbia University Research Team. The Medical Processing Center of the
Department of Hospital Clinics, located on Florida Avenue, conducts physical
examinations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During 1966, a staff coordinator
from Walter Reed Hospital arrived at Walson Army Hospital to develop plans for
WRAIN-University of Maryland, a program for training student nurses at the
hospital. Plans call for the first group of student-nurses from the University
of Maryland to arrive at Fort Dix in July 1967 under the WRAIN (Walter Reed
Army Institute of Nursing) program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Army Education Center located at
8th Street and New York Avenue, offered a variety of services to raise an
individual’s education level through collegiate training, on-and off-duty
instruction, self-study and examination. Additionally, high school and college
courses through the United States Armed Forces Institute were offered. Nearby
colleges, including Rutgers, Trenton State, Temple, Rider, Princeton and the
University of Pennsylvania, offered evening courses, which permanent party
soldiers could attend. In 1964, Trenton Junior College offered a program of
courses to Dixans to complement those already available. By 1965 a broad field
of courses ranging from sociology to data processing was available to post
personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Continued emphasis on education
brought a marked increase in the number of high school graduates or equivalent
among the ranks of enlisted personnel. With a goal of at least a high school
education for enlisted men in the Army, a general educational development test
was administered and diplomas issued. In February 1961 alone, a record of 413
permanent party enlisted personnel successfully completed the high school
equivalency test.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">POST LIBRARIES <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the Sixties, the post’s six
libraries continued to serve the interests of Fort Dix personnel. By the end of
1966, the Main Post Library contained 30,000 volumes with more than 1500
phonography records in the music room. In addition to the main library, branch
libraries are located in four of the service clubs and Walson Army Hospital.
Also, a library bookmobile serves personnel at Nike Army Air Defense Command
sites in Clementon and Swedesboro, New Jersey and Edgemont, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pennsylvania. The total number of
volumes in the Fort Dix Library system exceeds 65,000. On-post libraries serve
the entire Fort Dix community, with emphasis on nonfiction and reference
materials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The time-worn cleche, “better late
than never,” properly describes an incident involving the Post Library in 1964.
Bruce Williams of Westfield, Massachusetts, was a civilian employee at Camp Dix
in 1917, At that time he “borrowed” a book from the Post Library. In mid-1964,
a small package arrived at the Post Quartermaster’s Office. In it was a book of
John Greenleaf Whittier’s Complete Poems, along with a note from the man who
had borrowed the book 47 years before. Said Williams in his letter, “I would
rather return the book now than have folks think I failed to return it to its
rightful owner. Please forward this to the librarian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today the library’s scope is
supplemented by arrangement with New Jersey’s Public and School Library
Services Bureau. This arrangement provides practically everything in the way of
reference material. A microfilm viewer has been purchased, and microfilm of the
New York Times and several periodicals, spanning the years 1961 to the present,
are available for viewing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Religious facilities on the post
received a major boost on 11 April 1963 when groundbreaking ceremonies were
held for a 600-seat Post Chapel and Religious Center. The center, featuring
complete religious education facilities, was dedicated on 3 September 1964.
Earlier, on 29 June, construction of a 300-seat regimental chapel had begun in
the 2nd Training Regiment Area. At the time the post chapel opened, 13
others were in operation. Each had chaplains available to servicemen and their
families. Regular services were scheduled for Protestants, Catholics and Jews.
In addition, services were conducted for specific denominations, such as
Christian Scientists, Episcopalians, Latter-Day Saints and Lutherans. Each of
the chapels provided an active religious program, which included religious
instruction, baptism, and marriage, in addition to general programs of Sunday school,
catechism classes and Hebrew School.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, after extensive
renovation, the Main Post Exchange was reopened in June 1964. Two snack bars,
two filling stations, a beauty shop and tailor pick-up point were added to the
exchange system. Sales of all exchange facilities during 1965 totaled $13
million and in 1966, almost $15 million.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other changes were made on post to
improve morale and welfare programs and facilities. Among them were revision of
the Army sports program, opening of additional Special Services facilities,
refurbishing the Fort Dix Officers Open Mess, and construction of a new Fort
Dix NCO Open Mess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The post golf facilities were
complemented in 1962 with construction of a driving range. In 1963, five
softball fields, two tennis courts, a baseball field, and a football field were
added to Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also during 1963, a 24-lane bowling
alley was constructed. When it neared completion, a wire service story with a
Washington D.C., dateline was carried in the local newspapers quoting the mayor
of Wrightstown, New Jersey, the community adjoining Fort Dix. He stated he
would appear before the Senate Armed Forces Committees to air his complaints
against ‘unfair competition by the services.” News stories in the local papers,
including publications in Philadelphia, Trenton and Newark, followed. Although
queried by many press representatives, Fort Dix officials did not comment on
the mayor’s remarks. Opening on 30 September 1963, the $338,000 Fort Dix Bowl
was considered one of the finest bowling alleys on any military installation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since its 1917 inception, Fort Dix
has had successful sports programs, and this was well exemplified during the
1960s. however, a 1965 change in the Army sports program eliminated many of the
post-level teams and interinstallation competition. Too much military training
time was used by individuals to train, travel and compete in such sports. Until
this change, Fort Dix had excelled in competition between installations.
Presently only those sports that lead to international competition, such as
boxing, basketball, wrestling, track and field, triathlon and soccer, are
supported. Teams travel only once – to the site of the Army’s area
championships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the last 10 years of
interinstallation competition, Dix captured 61 First US Army championships, 42
runner-up awards and 12 third-place finishes. In 1960 Fort Dix won the First US
Army basketball, boxing, volleyball, table tennis, flag football, bowling and
horse shoes championships. 1961 saw the post-level teams repeat in the first
five sports above and add the baseball title to their string of victories. Fort
Dix athletic teams won six of nine First Army championships in 1962 and
continued their winning performances in 1963. Softball, baseball and horseshoe
championship laurels were added in 1964, although the track and field team
failed to retain its championship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1965, Fort Dix won First US Army
championships in boxing and basketball, the two sports during the Sixties in
which Dix athletes always excelled. At the time of the Army sports program
change, the boxing team had won six consecutive championships and the
basketball team an even more impressive 11 straight. On their way to the First
Army basketball championships, the “Borros” had posted some phenomenal season
records, such as 43-2 in 1960 and 34-1 in 1962.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1960 - US OLYMPIC BOXING SQUAD –
CASSIUS CLAY <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix also played host to a
number of important sporting functions during the Sixties. The post was the
headquarters and training camp for the 1960 United States Olympic Boxing Squad,
which faired so well in the Olympics at Rome. Among the team members was a
classy young boxer named Cassius Clay, later to become the professional world
heavyweight boxing champion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In May 1961, the 14th Conseil
International du Sport Militaire Boxing Championships were held in the Sports
Arena at Fort Dix. Nine countries were represented in the bouts conducted from
9 through 12 May. The teams represented Italy, West Germany, United Arab
Republic, Belgium, France, Iraq, Austria, Tunisia and the United States. The
United States team won the championship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">SPORTS STARS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Famous professional athletes also
have trained or been stationed at Fort Dix. Pole vault star Don Bragg was
assigned to Fort Dix when he was a member of the 1960 Olympic track team and
holder of the world’s indoor pole vault record.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The football world has been
represented by such all-pro standouts as linebacker Jim Houston of the Browns
and former Giant tackle Roosevelt Grier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers might
have been in trouble during recent years if they had two of their “Dix-trained”
stars. Trading baseballs for hand grenades did not seem to bother Dodger
hurlers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nor did it seem to hinder 1965
American League home run leader Tony Conigliaro of the Boston Red Sox.
All-American cagers Sihugo Green from Duquesne and Al Ferrari of Michigan State
trained here before making successful transition to professional basketball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, Fort Dix offers an excellent
and varied sports program for the athletically included soldier. Currently
there are 18 major sports in the installation’s sports program. Offered are
bowling, basketball, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, track and field,
tennis, golf and swimming. Also included are softball, horseshoes, flag
football, boxing, wrestling, soccer, weight lifting, skeet shooting and
handball. The current Army sports encourages maximum participation by personnel
for physical development, teamwork, and the enhancement of the esprit de corps.
This is accomplished through company intermural competition. At the discretion
of the commanders, a maximum of two hours daily during duty hours is authorized
for sports training at installation level and below. All competition between
teams is held during these two hours and off-duty time only. Two fully
enclosed, lighted softball fields were completed at Dix in October 1966, making
it possible for soldiers to participate in softball games during the hours of
darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Both the NCO and officers’ open
messes witnessed major improvements in their facilities in 1963 and 1964. In
the last quarter of 1963, the bar, cocktail lounge and TV room at the officers’
open mess were completely renovated and refurbished. On 1 December 1964, ground
was broken for a new $650,000 NCO open mess. The air-conditioned structure,
which had its grand opening in February 1966, contains a ballroom with a
seating capacity for 550 persons. The building is complete with bandstand,
performers’ dressing room, 175-place dining room, 20-man stag bar, barber shop,
snack bar, cocktail lounge, television lounge and service bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In February 1965, the Fort Dix
Community Service Center was established to assist in meeting the social
welfare needs of military personnel and families who live at Fort Dix or in the
surrounding communities. Located in the old hospital area in Building S3648,
the center is staffed by professional military social service workers and a
host of volunteers. The center is guided by a board of governors and meets
family needs through two broad programs: family services and youth activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The family service program is
designed to assist families on an emergency basis, when hardships result from
illness, death, moving, financial crisis or other unexpected events. A
committee was established to provide information to newly arrived families
about services available, such as the location of the commissary, post
exchange, theaters, hospital and religious facilities. Referral services are
provided in the areas of marriage, finance and welfare services in New Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The broadest of the programs is the
youth activities program, which operates on a year-round basis for children of
all ages. Activities include the Fort Dix Teen Club, brownies and girl scouts,
cubs and boy scouts, and youth sports such as bowling, baseball, football and
basketball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A youth employment bureau was
established to provide such summer jobs as camp and recreational counselors, as
well as on-and off-post employment for interested teens and college students.
The service of volunteers in every activity – recreation, arts and crafts,
athletics and baby siting – illustrates the service center’s slogan, “The Army
Takes Care of Its Own.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Community Service Center, which
had been singled out in the summer of 1966 for having the best operation of a
major installation in the First US Army area, was commended as outstanding in
the US Continental Army Command. In August, its record reviewed again, it was
proclaimed “best in the United States Army” by Department of Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Dix center was cited by the
Department of the Army for assistance given servicemen and their families
“during the 1966 expansion of the Army which necessitated moves on short notice
for thousands.” In winning the Continental Army Command award several months
earlier, the center’s activities had been judged outstanding in all areas of
management and in the use of professional personnel, community resources,
volunteer workers and an advisory council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As the first half of the 1960s drew
to a close, a change affecting all installations in the eastern United States
took place. It was decided by Department of the Army to merge Second US Army
with First US Army. The merger added a larger area, New Jersey and parts of New
York and eastern Pennsylvania, to Fort Dix in its responsibilities of
supporting off-post units and activities. However, its mission of training
troops continued as if no merger had taken place. The phase-in of the merger,
which inactivated Second US Army, began in July 1965 and was completed on 1
January 1966. First US Army headquarters moved from Governors Island, New York,
to Fort Meade, Maryland, previously the home of Headquarters, Second US Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the Phase-in period, Fort Dix
hosted the visit of civilian aides to the secretary of the army from the then
First and Second Army areas. On 28 and 29 September 1965, they met with the
commanding generals of the two armies as well as those of the II, XX and XXI US
Army Corps. During their stay at Dix, members of the group were briefed on the
merger of the armies and the training mission and activities of the United
States Army Training Center, Infantry, Fort Dix. They also visited training and
other activities on the post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The aides are civilian advisors to
the secretary of the army, the Army chief of staff and the commanding general
of the Army areas in which they live. Their function is to interpret Army
missions and objectives to the community and civilian views and reactions to
the Army. The group’s visit came at the end of the first half of the Sixties –
a period when the nation faced perplexing crisis. Cold War activity and the
challenge to freedom’s frontiers had continued throughout the five years, then
exploded with active combat in the Vietnam War.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again the American soldier was
called on to fight in a land thousands of miles away from home. Young men in
increasing numbers were inducted to fulfill their obligation in the military
service of their country. Fort Dix’ continuing mission of training such men and
preparing them for combat never diminished during the sixth decade of the
20th Century. Just as their older brothers and uncles in the Korean War,
their fathers in World War II and their grandfathers in World War I, the Fort
Dix-trained soldier of the 1960s displayed the courage, loyalty and love of
country for which US Army men long have been noted. Never had the US Army
received men who responded so well to training and assimilated it so fast.
Perhaps this speaks well for the training abilities and dedicated of their
trainers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And so, the primary mission of
training troops did not change over the years – only the methods to perform
that mission. In a world where different types of war – nuclear, conventional
and unconventional – could be fought, lighter and more efficient weapons and
equipment plus up-to-date methods and tactics were furnished and taught the modern
soldier – America’s Ultimate Weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter XI -
Fort Dix Today - 1967<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FORT DIX TODAY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Let, then, each and every
individual connected with the Wrightstown Cantonment make high resolve to put
into the work every ounce of intelligence, energy and ability that he can call
into play, to the end that when the story of Wrightstown is written we may
point with justifiable pride to our part in its accomplishment.” Thus wrote
Irwin and Leighton, the original contractors, in the first issue of the “Camp
Dix News,” published on Thursday, 16 August 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, 50 years later, a brief trip
around Fort Dix is enough to convince any observer that the plea of the first
builder has been answered. Although little remains of their work, they laid the
foundation and instilled the spirit of dedication that has characterized the
efforts of the thousands of “builders” – military and civilian – who followed
them to construct the Fort Dix of today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the final analysis, however, the
true value of the “Home of the Ultimate Weapon” can be measured only through
the men who trained at this post – - the millions that Fort Dix readied to
serve with distinction in every armed conflict in which the United States
participated since World War I. Throughout a half century, the primary mission
of the post has been to prepare US soldiers for the defense of their country.
This purpose is still paramount and will continue so long as American soldiers
are needed in Vietnam or any other place in defense of freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In order to carry out its mission in
1967, Fort Dix is organized into four major activities: Infantry Training
Center, US Army Personnel Center, Walson Army Hospital, and the US Army
Garrison. Although each of these activities plays a singular role, the one most
directly concerned with the development of the individual soldier is the
Infantry Training Center. It conducts four separate programs, which, in
progressive stages, mold the raw recruit into a finished soldier prepared to
take his place in a combat unit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of the four programs, the most
fundamental is the eight-week basic combat training program conducted by the
2nd Basic Combat Training Brigade “Proud Rifles” and 3rd Basic Combat
Training Brigade “Pioneers.” These two brigades provide the initial training to
produce a soldier well grounded in basic military subjects and principles of
ground combat. Reports from commanders in Vietnam confirm that this training is
the best they have noted during their long Army careers. Under the expert
leadership and guidance of his drill sergeant, the trainee masters those combat
skills that instill confidence in himself, his individual weapon, and his
ability to meet an enemy in ground combat and destroy him. Currently, more than
10,000 trainees in 50 companies of the two brigades are undergoing basic combat
training. In 1966, more than 50,000 men were graduated from this course at Fort
Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following completion of his basic
combat training, the soldier moves on to more technical training in his field.
He may be assigned to advanced branch or combat support training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At Fort Dix, the advanced infantry
training program is conducted by the 1st Advanced Individual Training Brigade –
the “Blue Bolts.” This brigade provides the trainee with eight weeks of general
instruction in the organization, mission, and functions of the infantry, to
include general subjects, light weapons, heavy weapons, and tactical training.
Upon successful completion of the course, trainees are assigned to regular
units as light weapons infantrymen, infantry indirect fire crewmen, or infantry
direct fire crewmen. At the beginning of 1967, more than 2,300 men were
receiving advanced infantry training in nine companies of the brigade.
Beginning in April 1967, both the number of trainees and companies are expected
to double. In 1966, some 12,000 soldiers completed this type of training at
Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Combat support training is conducted
by the 5th Combat Support Training Brigade (the “Crusaders”), which
instructs trainees in nine specialist fields as basic administration and
personnel specialists, supply clerks, chaplain’s assistants, cooks, field
communication crewmen, radio operators, light vehicle drivers, and wheeled
vehicle mechanics. In 1966, almost 25,000 combat support trainees were
graduated from the 5th Brigade. At the beginning of 1967, 7,000 students
were attending formal courses and another 500 men were receiving on-the-job
training. In early 1967, the number of students is expected to increase to
9,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Committee Group (the “Paragons”)
provides all committee-taught subjects to basic combat trainees. These include
marksman-ship, hand grenades, night firing, close combat,
chemical-biological-radiological warfare, and individual tactical training.
Committee Group also directs the Leaders Academy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To provide a corps of qualified
instructors, the Fort Dix Leaders Academy trains specially selected enlisted
personnel as leaders for the training brigades. The Academy, under the
direction of the Fort Dix Committee Group, conducts a seven-week Drill Sergeant
Course, four-week Drill Corporal Course, and a two-week Leaders Preparation
Course. Periodically, the Leaders Academy also holds a two-week Effective
Military Instruction Course and a one-week Drill Sergeant Orientation Course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the above regular
programs, the Infantry Training Course also provides for training of US Army
Reserve (USAR) and National Guard units. The 78thInfantry Division, the first
to make its home at Camp Dix, is now a USAR training division from New Jersey,
which has conducted its annual active duty training (ANACDUTRA) at Fort Dix.
The 76th and 98th Training Divisions, from New England and New York,
respectively, also perform ANACDUTRA at the post. Elements of the
80th Training Division have trained at the fort each year since 1960. In
1966, some units of the 85th Training Division from Illinois spent two
weeks at Fort Dix. In addition to the Army Reserve, a considerable number of
National Guard units train at the post on weekends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another major activity of Fort Dix
is the United States Army Personnel Center (the “Centermen”), which is
concerned with processing men as they enter the Army from civilian life, when
they ship overseas, and as they leave the service. During 1966, almost 200,000
were processed in one way or another through the Personnel Center – Reception
Station. 68,907; Overseas Replacement Station, 88,713; and Transfer Station,
39,481.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The newly inducted or enlisted
soldier can expect to stay at the Reception Station for three to five days.
During this time he is given special medical and dental examinations,
classification and aptitude tests, personal interviews to help determine his
future army training and assignment, his new military clothing, and orientation
on military justice, PX privileges, pay scale, and conduct and discipline in an
effort to make his transition to military life as smooth as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Overseas Replacement Station
processes and assembles personnel for overseas shipment. Means of
transportation to the new unit is coordinated with Eastern and Western Area of
the Military Traffic Management Terminal Service, and is determined by the
availability of spaces aboard military or civilian aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of a tour of active duty,
many officers and enlisted men receive final processing for retirement,
separation, or transfer to reserve units at the Transfer Station. The wide
range of personnel passing through this activity include persons arriving by
air at McGuire Air Force Base, from units in the vicinity of Fort Dix, and
individuals permanently assigned to this Army post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The personnel commitments of the
Army are extensive and variable. In times of crisis, buildups, and reductions,
the Personnel Center has a ready organization through which it can react
quickly and effectively with the personnel requirements of any situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walson Army Hospital and the post’s
health facilities provide medical care and hospitalization for Fort Dix,
McGuire Air Force Base, and Lakehurst Naval Air Station military personnel and
their dependents, military personnel overseas, and retired military
personnel and their dependents living in New Jersey – Pennsylvania area.
Staffing the medical complex are 1,357 military and civilian personnel,
including 104 doctors, 68 nurses, 447 medical specialists, two veterinarians,
236 administrative personnel, and 500 civilians. Specialized clinics include
dermatology, cardiology, radiology, radioisotope therapy, gastroenterology,
internal medicine, pulmonary functions, obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics,
urology, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, surgery, preventive medicine,
anesthesiology, veterinary medicine, and eye, ear, nose and throat. The
hospital provides training residency programs in general practice, pre-specialty
surgical and preventive medicine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During 1966, the hospital had a
total of 32,780 admissions, an increase of almost 10,000 over the previous
year. The number of major and minor surgical procedures performed during the
year was 16,980. Outpatient clinic visits reached a total of 586,028, an
increase of 200,000 over 1965. Even with completion of the new wing, pressure
of an ever increasing patient load eventually will necessitate further
expansion of the Fort Dix medical facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Attached to the hospital to assist
its normal staff are the 4th Field Hospital and the 461st Medical
Detachment. These units maintain themselves in a state of operational readiness
for deployment elsewhere, if needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Dental Service Unit, which
staffs six on-post clinics, provides complete care and treatment to all
eligible persons, with emphasis on maintaining military personnel ready for
combat. The unit also conducts the preventive dentistry program and the dental
intern and dental resident training program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another major activity of the post
is Special Troops, US Army Garrison. This unit houses and administers the
servicemen and women who perform thousands of administrative and supporting
tasks required for the smooth functioning of this 45,000-man training center.
Special Troops (the “Garrisoneers”) comprises more than 20 separate units,
including communications and ordnance units; engineers, military police, and
band units; Women’s Army Corps Company, which supplies stenographers, medical
aides, and receptionists; and units that supply all the administrative
personnel to operate the training center headquarters, garrison headquarters,
and all post agencies. In addition, Special Troops receives, processes,
prepares, trains, and ships units departing for overseas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These organizations, operating under
the direction of the Headquarters, United States Training Center Infantry,
commanded by Major General John M. Hightower, carry out their duties at the
largest military organization in the northeastern United States. Fort Dix today
has come a long way from the 7,500-acre, 1,600-building camp that existed in
the early days of World War I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The post has grown in size until it
comprises 32,605 acres, of which 1,566 acres are improved lad, 13,274 acres
unimproved, and 17,765 woodland – all used for training. Fort Dix can take
pride in a total of 2,611 major buildings, including 397 barracks without mess
halls, 27 barracks with mess halls, 56 separate mess halls, 283 supply
buildings, 197 administrative and personnel structures and 742 on-post housing
units. There are also 12 chapels, the hospital complex, five theaters, 32 post
exchanges facilities, and a variety of small administrative, supply and
maintenance structures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the beginning of 1967, there were
approximately 33,000 military personnel and 4,097 civilian dependents of
military personnel living on- and off-post and several thousand retired
personnel and their families living in the area. Military population of the
post will increase because of additional requirements by higher headquarters,
particularly in the advanced individual training brigades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The economic impact of this military
establishment on the New Jersey communities surrounding the post is
considerable. For the last six months of calendar year 1966, $50.7 million was
disbursed by the Post Finance Office. Of this amount, $32.1 million was for
military pay, $1.9 million for travel pay, $8.9 million for civilian pay and
$7,8 million for commercial payments. For the month of November 1966 alone, the
total disbursed was $14 million, which was $3 million more than was disbursed
for the month of May 1966. A large part of this money was fed into businesses
of the local community, and over the years, Fort Dix spending has been credited
as a major contributing factor in the prosperity and continued growth of the
cities and towns of the surrounding area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This brings to a close the story of
50 years at Fort Dix. By no means, however, will the post’s essential service
to the nation end here. Perhaps the first 50 years will prove only a
superficial beginning compared to its future. Although Fort Dix has experienced
good years and lean years since its humble beginning in the cornfields and
cranberry bogs of central New Jersey, the post today exudes and aura of
permanency – not only in the construction of its buildings but in the expansion
of its programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For five decades, Americans at Fort
Dix have served their nation well. To their successors, they leave a legacy of
accomplishment and a challenge to carry on with ardor and dedication in
furthering the cause of freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX –
JBMDL CHRONOLOGY OF THE FIRST 100 YEARS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1798 – John Adams Dix born
in Boscawen, New Hampshire <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1812 – Dix serves in War
of 1812<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1861 – Dix named chairman
of the Union Defense Committee in New York and made Major General in US
Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1872 – Dix elected
Governor of New York <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 April 1879 – Dix dies
in New York City <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1909 – A.D. Irwin and A.O. Leighton
form Philadelphia construction company<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1915 – Lakehurst Munitions Storage
facility opens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 April 1917 – US enters World War I
– Congress authorizes the construction of 16 Army Camps to be built<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 May 1917 Selective Service
Act <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 June 1917 – Major Harry C.
Williams named first commander of CampDix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1917 – Irwin & Leighton
given $13 million contract to convert New Jersey corn fields into army
mobilization and training camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1917 – First American troops
arrive in France <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 June 1914 – Construction begins
on 1,655 buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 July, 1917<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1917 – Harker family house sold to
government and converted to the residence of the base commander. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23 August 1917 – Major General Chase
W. Kennedy named commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1917 – First 17,000 troops
arrive at Camp Dix. Eventually 35,000 troops in training, filling all
barracks and tents used to house the rest, including 87th and 34th Infantry
Divisions, 349th and 350th Field Artillery Battalions of the 92nd Division, and
15th Infantry of New York (369th). 311th Ambulance Company. 153rd Depot
Brigade. British, French and Scottish solders at CampDix to advise US
soldiers on the role of tanks and trench warfare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1917 –
Camp Dix Fire Company organized by soldiers, and the library opens
with volunteers from the American Library Association. Howard L. Hughes, Harold
F. Brigham librarians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 October 1917 –
Camp Dix base hospital opens with 61 buildings with 1,000 bed
capacity, located east of the Wrightstown Circle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 November 1917 – Brigadier General
John S. Mallory (ad Interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 December 1917 – Brigadier General
James T. Dean (ad interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 January 1918 – Major General Hugh
L. Scott assumes command of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1918 – 78th Infantry Division,
under Maj. Gen. Chase Kennedy leavesDix and sails to Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1918 – YMCA, Red Cross and
Knights of Columbus begin providing programs and services to entertain the
soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 1918 – Fort Dix has
55,000 soldiers in training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September - October 1918 – 7,970
cases of influenza and pneumonia reported, 774 deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11 November 1918 – War ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 December -
Camp Dix demobilization center opens that processes over 300,000
soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 March 1919 –
Camp Dix becomes Fort Dix – named permanent Army
post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 May 1919 – Major General Harry C.
Hale assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 July 1920 – Commander Hale
promoted to Brigadier General.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 August 1920 – Thomas Buchanan
McGuire, Jr. born in Ridgewood, N.J. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 September 1920 Brigadier General
William S. Graves assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1920 Brigadier General
Clarence R. Edwards assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 November 1920 Major General
Charles C.P. Summerall assume command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10-11 1920 – 1st Infantry Division
observes first anniversary of end of WWI at ceremony presided over by Gen. John
J. Pershing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1920 – Camp Dix used as a
training center for Army Reserves, National Guard and the Citizens Training
Camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1921 – Navy establishes Lakehurst
Naval Air Station <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1921 - Animal Transportation School
operating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1921 – Major General David C.
Shanks assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1921 – Major General
Charles T. Meneher assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1921 – Major General Harry
C. Hale returns to command of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1922 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 January 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 May 1923 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 September 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killiian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1923 – Camp Kendrick is open at
Lakehurst Proving Grounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 April 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 May 1924 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 June 1924 – Colonel Charles
Gerhardt commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 June 1924 – Colonel John J.
Bradley commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 July 1924 – Brigadier General
Frank Parker assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 July 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27 April 1925 – Colonel Stanley Ford
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 May 1925 – Brigadier General
Preston Brown assumes command of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 August 1925 – Lieutenant
Colonel James T. Watson commander of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 September 1925 – Major Nicholas
W. Campanole commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 October 1925 – Captain Herbert D.
Gilison commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 November 1925 – Captain Richard
L. Pemberton commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1925 – Mock Invasion staged at
Fort Dix – first landing of an airplane on base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 May 1926 – Captain George Rankin
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 June 1927 – Brigadier General
Frank McCoy commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 July 1928 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 September 1928 – Brigadier
General Otho B. Rosembaum commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1930 – Captain Charles
Perfect commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 October 1930 –
1st Lieutenant Richard T. Mitchell commander of CampDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 December 1930 – Major Andrew G.
Gardner commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1930 – Federal Bureau of Prisons
establishes prison on site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1930s – Citizens Military Training
Camp (CMTC) offers signal, infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineering
training. After 4, 30 day courses qualify for commission in Army Reserve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1931 – Captain Samuel L.
Metcalfe commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1932 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1932 – Brigadier General Howard
L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1932 – Captain Horace K.
Heath commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1932 – Major Alexander C.
Sullivan commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 March 1933 – President Franklin
D. Roosevelt signs bill creating CCC that continued until 1942 – Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees, controlled soil erosion, constructed
roads, dams, bridges and fire towers, operates reception, training and
discharge center with two forestry companies, a physical conditioning company
and cook and baker’s school. The CCC built the first airplane runway at
Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1933 – Brigadier General
Howard L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Torrey B. Maghee commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1934 – Brigadier General
Howard Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 1934 – Brigadier General John
L. DeWitt commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1934 – Major Ford Richardson
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1935 – Lieutenant Colonel
Albert S. Williams commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1936 – Colonel Robert S.
Knox commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1936 – Telephone switchboard
installed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 May 1937 – Hindenburg dirigible
disaster at Lakehurst <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23 October 1937 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1938 – Works Progress Administration
and Public Works Administration funds construction of new buildings – Building
5416 – housed field grade officers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 March 1939 –
Camp Dix named a permanent installation and renamed FortDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 January 1940 Colonel Bernard Lentz
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">13 May 1940 – Colonel John W. Downer
commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1940 – Federal government purchases
17,000 additional acres of adjacent land and constructs new runways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 September 1940 – President
Roosevelt declares limited national emergency and approved the first peacetime
draft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 September 1940 – Peacetime draft
inductees begin arriving at Fort Dixreception, training and deployment
center. 44th Infantry Division assigned to Fort Dix for training. Ten
other divisions trained at Fort Dix before being deployed overseas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 October 1940 Major General
Clifford R. Powell commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1941 – Pointville cemetery and town
acquired by government for base expansion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18 March 1941 Colonel Cassius M.
Dowell commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1941 – McGuire leaves Georgia Tech
to join US Army Air Corps, Randolph Field <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1942 – Women’s Army Auxiliary
Corps established <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1943 – Dodgers and Giants play
a baseball game at Fort Dix baseball field. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1943 – Auxiliary Corps renamed
Women’s Army Corps (WACS), working as administrative clerks, truck drivers,
photographers and mechanics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18-19 August 1943 – McGuire with
431st Fighter Squadron Wewak, New Guinea, shoots down five Japanese Ki-43 and
Ki-61 fighters, eventually scoring 38 aerial victories, second only to Maj.
Richard I. Bong, US AF all time ace (40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1943 – Colonel Holmes G.
Paullin commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25-26 December 1943 – McGuire downs
seven Japanese fighter aircraft over Luzon, Philippines, and earns Medal of
Honor for action on these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 January 1944 – Brigadier General
Madison Pearson commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 Jan 1945 – McGuire killed when his
P-38 crashes over Fabrica aerodrome, Negros Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1945 – At war’s end
Fort Dix becomes demobilization center processing 1.2 million
soldiers back to civilian life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 October 1945 – Major General
Leland S. Hobbs commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 March 1946 – Major general
Frederick A. Irving commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 August 1946 Major General W. W.
Eagles commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1947 – United States Air Force
established and air base transferred to Air Force <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 July 1947 –
Fort Dix becomes a Basic Training Center and home of 9th Infantry
Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 April 1948 Major General Arthur A.
White commander of Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1948 – USAF names McGuire
AFB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1949 – McGuire’s remains recovered
and returned to the United States<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 September
1949 – USAF base at Fort Dix renamed McGuire Air Force Base<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1949 – Major General John
M. Devine commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 May 1950 – McGuire buried with
full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 June 1950 – Korean War begins,
basic training reduced from 14 to 8 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 September 1950 – Major General
William K. Harrison commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">January 1952 – Major General
Roderick R. Allen commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1952 – Major General Homer W.
Kiefer commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 July 1953 Major General C. E.
Ryan commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1954 – 9th Infantry Division assigned
to Europe and 69th Infantry Division moves in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 February 1955 – Major General
John W. Harmony commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 September 1955 – Major Robert W.
Ward commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1956 – Chubby Checker entertains the
troops<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 March 1956 – 69th deactivated and
Fort Dix renamed U.S. Army Training Center, Infantry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 November 1956 – Majro General Earl
C. Bergquist commander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 March 1959 – The Ultimate Weapon
statute unveiled – designed and constructed at Fort Dix by soldiers
Steven Goodman and Stuart Scheer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 September 1959 – Major General
Sidney C. Wooten commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 June 1960 – BOMARC anti-missile
missile catches fire and two nuclear warheads melt in Broken Arrow event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 June 1961 - Major General
Reuben H. Tucker, III commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 February 1962 – Major General
Charles E. Beauchamp commander at FortDix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 September 1964 –
Fort Dix chapel dedicated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 May 1966 – Major General John M.
Hightower commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1967 –
Fort Dix Information Office publishes a History of
Fort Dix New Jersey – 50 Years of Service to the Nation 1917-1967<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 November 1968 – New York City
students picnic at Wrightstown-Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 June 1969 – 250 prisoners in
Fort Dix Stockade riot over conditions and torture. 38 were
prosecuted and became known as the Fort Dix 38.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1973 – New brick reception center
opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1978 – First female recruits enter
basic training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1982 – 10 Stained glass
windows installed in the Fort Dix chapel honoring WW I soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 May 1982 – Last train to
Fort Dix ends rail service that began in 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1985 – Fort Dix Headquarters
renamed Sharp Hall in honor of Gen. Richard Sharp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1987 – USAF Security Police Air Base
Ground Defense School moved from Camp Bullis Texas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1988 – Base Realignment and Closure
Commission recommends ending basic and advanced individual training at
Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 August 1990 – A new The Ultimate
Weapons statute constructed of bronze replaces original<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1990 – Around the clock operations
begin mobilizing and deploying troops for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1991 – Kuwaiti civilians trained in
basic military skills <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1991 – Active Army training mission
ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Fort Dix begins
mobilizing, deploying and demobilizing soldiers and providing training areas
for Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Reception center that opened
in 1973 transferred to Air Force as Air Mobility Warfare Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Department of Defense Police
replace military police<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – US Department of Justice –
Bureau of Prisons opens a federal prison <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1993 – Somalia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1995 – Bosnia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1995 – Telephone switchboard, installed
in 1936 replaced with fiber optic system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1999 – Albanian, Kosovo refugees
resettled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 2000 – Range 65 tank training
area opens. Bryant Range named after Larry Bryant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2005 – Joint
Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst – JBMDL Established <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2007 – A memorial to McGuire placed
at his fatal crash site on Negros Island by former fighter pilot David
Mason <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2010 – Census 7,716 people living in
784 households with 590 families residing in CDP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2016 – Cassidy and Associates issue
report on the future of the base and the state of NJ grant them another
contract to continue their work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2016 – DOD and USAF Recommend JBMDL
as one of the bases for new air refueling tankers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2017 – JBMDL Tankers refuel B2
bombers that attack ISIS bases in Libyan desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July - 2017 – 100th Anniversary of
Camp Dix-JBMDL <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-59698051000576698522017-05-01T08:13:00.001-07:002017-05-02T10:03:52.969-07:00Irwin and Leighton <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Irwin and Leighton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">The
two men who started the company that built the original military cantonment at
Wrightstown NJ were both of Scottish and Irish descent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">Alexander
Dickson Irwin (also known as “AD”), was born in Philadelphia in 1881 to an
early merchant family that became quite prominent in society social circles.
His father owned a mill and manufactured wool goods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"> Archibald Ogilvie Leighton (aka “AO”) was born
in Ballycarry, Ireland, near Belfast, the son of an Irish mother and Scottish lawyer
–the son of a barrister who became a construction craftsman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">It
was while working on the construction of the Sligo Post office in William
Butler Yeats country, where he met Gertrude Ann Hamilton, and became engaged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">In
April, 1906, in the wake of the great San Francisco earthquake, Leighton
decided to go to California to help rebuild the city. When he got to
Philadelphia however, he was asked to appraise a construction project by a
family friend. It was while working on the construction of the Germantown
Junction train station, designed by Theophilus Chandler, Jr. in north
Philadelphia he met Irwin, who was working on the same project. They became
fast friends and decided to go into business together, forming Irwin and Leighton
in 1909, drawing straws to determine whose name would go first. It wasn't for
50 years that Leighton made it to San Francisco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">Leighton
sent for his fiancé Gand they were married in Philadelphia and lived in
Abington as the company completed its first major construction projects “down
the shore” in Atlantic City, where they built boardwalk hotels and theaters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">Then in 1917, when the Army needed a good company to build hundreds of buildings and barracks at Wrightstown in a very short period of time - a few months, Irwin and Leighton got the contract, and they were up for the job. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">Many of the craftsmen who arrived at Wrightstown to work every day did so in suits and ties, and changed into work clothes and then after work put the suits and ties back on to return home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">After successfully completing the job at Camp Dix, Irwin and Leighton got other military contracts, including the construction of hangers and buildings at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, where the lighter than air ships were docked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">There was also an Army Chemical Corps unit at Lakehurst where they experimented on World War I era gases used in chemical warfare. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">In 1959 Irwin and Leighton sold their company to their employees who kept it going, and in 2009 published a history of the first 100 years of the company, that includes chapters on the construction of Camp Dix and Lakehurst. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><a href="http://irwinleighton.com/">Irwin & Leighton Home Page</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><a href="http://irwinleighton.com/history.htm" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">History</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif;">irwinleighton.com/history.htm </span><br />
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-42822892920210735482017-04-17T11:29:00.001-07:002017-04-17T11:29:28.513-07:00From Camp Dix to JBMDL - Outline <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">From Camp Dix to JBMDL – 100 Years
of Military Service to the Nation – 1917-2017 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Introduction –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Preface – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 1 – 1900-1920 – WWI <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 7 – 1970-1980 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 8 – 1980-1990 – Grenada <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 9 – 1990-2000 – Kuait <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 10 – 2000-2010 – Iraq –
Afghanistan <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 11 -2010-2020 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter 12 – The Future of JBMDL <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Appendix 1 – List of Base Commanders
1917-2017 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Appendix 2 – Chronology <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Appendix 3 –
Bibliography <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Appendix 4 –
Footnotes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Index <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-60956288951827911062017-04-17T11:26:00.002-07:002017-04-17T11:26:43.627-07:00Elvis Presley at Fort Dix - March 1960<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="irc_mi" height="379" src="http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/img/elvis/50s/army/army_march_3_1960_fort_dix_4.jpg" style="margin-top: 15px;" width="304" /><br />
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Elvis Presley at Fort Dix - March 3, 1960<br />
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<img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="_Uq7jObZgMYh2M:" 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Mwpem6BFRjMNnTAZCDh+MR3KGZVlqKVWmhGh4GF8GpyLTS4r17vlEk3Jx8WpKOOcl2Cn7YPBtxtEtVDDTCrdUSM5vZatq8eNoj9o4ebKcy5stpbjcwp4biOsRyTMBWhNxpASsicVmBxcVvFzn7BwaSudZ5uWgNsup0Aqt67tNK2FzQpc6tVPb4wuMezKFZiaWAJNAQKabrAeEBITGkBg6Z6BlIRspNmGrAAbuG+EsViOcOcjXQcOqI9ZtTT81/Ih3JIpAMJ8sFqAU4mLLybxkye6y5j9PIElO2tZZYqrHVgQSKm9l4RAyJfSaF5RKurKSGFDXga2p2QF0mysWZiyTn5xrBaCpHEHSnXpFz2dsJcFh3mNeYVOZtT/ACjgPnFA5Q7dxMvEYbGqxAMtcq1OQsLzUK8CGXy4CNA5QbflzsLLZbCbQ0OqgXYHsNBAVzZezcRNqJUsPlAqbb93SIqTTSIDakpc1SOkSMwItwIodCKRJ4fbU+Q7HDzCoYUYUBB4WYHxiKxmIqel0nY6nWpuT9YDokIl1VfAQJ6pvUEdYgT2/O+GeLm2pAWTZW1iCFNWXhWJSdi2FQJaU/mNOqKPhJ5U63/NIueF2estVYOWDjNQk1obg3Jqb07oCZGGtoLjjTdAGDoN1v4jEgqgqPZ0GoqYKVHFfCAi8TKygkXoCaBjciI1Nqm36NrcJhHbuidxEscQbN9mm4xAS06q90BK7JxhmYjD1BGV2F2LaqDvjkF2MlMRIsR0z92BFRjLsAAcNWgqC1Dv1iz8j9pS5WczWVBQAFiBUgnj3RTsBiaSslrkw0247ZVCqdSdBv4U+ZiWtH5S7VwE5KGdJcj7JOavV1Rne2MJhD0pE4qd8tgSO5qVHfWIFi2+vhHDm4GAcKxHbuhUTAe3f+IhkVbg3nB1mkCmXv3wEipqa9x7dxh4s3SIWXiN2kSmHS3XAPJkv7QggmdV4PhnIsLiHUyUCKiAj9p49mCKT0FqV6mamavE9FR2ARZ9k4n9CqtUmlQOANxFeXAZ2ybibjq3nqixs4AsL7gLf8CA5iJoUfIDUngIQlggZ29s+Cjco/HfAJFak5n0HAV3AfknyheXLCtWcrMtHACMAQ9OiT1A+MAihrWpiLxuI6QESGIxKhJa82EYBszBmbPU1BIPs0FrRAY6bQg9cBJynvWJnZeJbMr5uiopUnusOy3dFdlPmFqd8HSc+hao4DSA23YWOE+Urgmtwba0JFYkObPFvCKhyWJlSZVDfLXW1W6VOuucC3Dqi64Zw6q61oRUX8u0aQDDFyTSoLVv1bopq42Z+8f4jF+xUu1x/uiqS+Sk0knnEA7TAJbAns2Kk5mZqOaVJO7rgQ9wWyDIxWHJcNmY6bqAQIqMYrsuQGlljqNL07SRvgu1kHNqQ1b0I4W8oPLTmzlBtu7CAfrCW05eVb1GYg31FjuiWo6WoEPnqVERss3ESYY0gCTJirraG8/FIRQadkDHr0e+GaybVJp84AmYVrFjxU0ZxrdR8tYr6LYxJ4+ZR5bV+wAfKAmFw68yZompmzBea+3ShOfqApTvhEMwoTxH584IACtwK0+cJsnWaCAeSpzMyqikuxyrpcndBMbLnS3yTQValaE6g6GosR+EIZiCCCQQagixB3XhabPZ2zOxZuJNTaAPLxBFeIofCLPtSUiSsyNvUDozRUFSRd0At1E6xVGU1se2CuTvYnTeYCcm7MmAS2YKwnIzIASxAWh6QBGU06+PXFa5RSqTGWorWvRIIFQDS1RBsS9qa3tUk/PSGryCddIBxgZ1VFYkElq1CGA6jCWA2M3qj4oGqrOEtlp7IZKq9f5hl7xCHNQFpk4pzIWQCGowIIYWUVKi5qCCzHwjQ+QeLYy3lOQzKc1Sa1Da+fzjFxUG1SYmeT3KTEYSYHRcy/aUixG/sgN1mU/hjsunV4RH7I2umJkpOlk0bdS6kWKnsMSCt2wEftI/rGE/nbdT7Ijsc2kP1jCfztv/AIRAiox56W5Hd4UEJbUxBZKEkkFRc1tSwvuFIWwOJK2BIzAA03ggGhputDHaDVr/AGxLTSWYfKbQzXSHQIIgEsabd4hkTDvF6Q3SVasAaS1NPOHG1TZP5YQQaw42gKrLA4fhAO8JPqg7oeHS8RmDHRF+EPVcmANNMSe2kw2WUcOWzU/SZq60F76GtbC31j1pQlr2sOuFWwU4yzOWW3NA0L06NTur3iAQDU3wSc9oIXPu/kQmzA9UA5quu+EZzkiEFDHS8LNLNLwGpeibBSsRgMXImaM1DavtJY9xFYzGehVmU2Kkqe0Ghi4+i/avNGctaAhTeu4munbELy3lqmLd1AKTf0g7T7Q+IE94gIiRi3Hsnuh3K2jiK6KR1gGGUvHAfYhY46o6SW6mpAaFyE5aKjHDzJaDOaqRYZ9D4gDvAi54jajaqcvZ/mMW2djZa35qlKUJNb7ovy7UzqKaMB5iAm8DPL4uQT7zb6nQQIYbAeuLk9ppXsjsVGMYkH2T2fKBjSKEUvUX6oNgpebKCaWr20GkJ40a90S0hPoporVVlU9YqASp6wbd0LSmtDICHspejAFxTDLDIzSbQ6xA6MMjALIxNuApDraLDm5VOB+cMZR1hzif2SdrQCmGey9YMPJUymsMJVgsSUiXW0Aoj2oe4xKSNrTRI9XBHNmtqXubivCoiKeTTfSJTkzgpM6YyT5xlqFLAgqCTUUFWBA3nTdAMysEdl4COzJBDMAagE0PEVsabqi8E5jjWAMCL0oITmyuFzxJg64dOJjpkJuBPabQDvk1WXN6VMrAg3HdoYsPKjAGdKqq9OXcAXqv2h9e6KgJXYOyNS5KbSV8Op5qWzrZmIJJI0P54QGSyVhwsktdtBExy92W0vEc4i0SbU9GwVvtL1ce88IgZYZbLU8SdIByACRVrDdF65MYUzZQOZRlJFzTrHkYo0jPqVSg3mLzyBwonS5//byvShJIIItTs4QFk2Tg1TFSCJiuSxqButAg+yJQ5/CuNGZqdwgRUYw1FoB3R3GIcpalqgecLSxYdkEx4pXh/mJajlWHI0huWhyBW44QCM72YZw7nezCMrDs/sqT2C3jpAJyxWJEYZnloo1JNOzj2QfB7NINXIp7oue+kSExwbC26o4dUBHNhsgAN6b4NhcSVPf4iHSuK5Wbq3+cI47BHVNPz5QD9E502uTBUkZTuvaI3ZmOaW1D1ivbEtMYWvAcL3veOTa7riDOsJE5esQHWBF90BJg3wtJmDKL9X54wfmgd3ifwgG8yZuAiz8gMTR3l8RUdoI+hiIwGNaSs1VCHnUyNmFaDq/PDhA5PznlTC6EhqUqNb1t4gQF05XYQzsOwA6SEOKX0sa8LE+UZzKQ6Zo0LBbdLOBPnZFOvQqCCDUtx1Gtd8VTlPs3JO5xXVs5JV1INRY3y2rcQEZMmWobxonoUmL6xOU/alA3/hcf+0Z2ZnECvGLl6KlJxwUb5czyAP0gNR2xh5aTsIJYA/SzCacSKnzgR3bcnLPwn9R/uiBFRjzds+fTISAaDQ36oLjELV8YRwYsv53w/n5QjVrU6cL8YlqHTDknKoLG2kSUvZrAdNlTqrU+AgmFnH2Et2ak9cPXqvWYAsvCyhwc9ZB8hCxY7jSnCGsx0PtWPWPrBkVh7JzDgfofxgDTVNKi9PzrHGIN+y+kKLOG/onr/GEWShpu1H1EA3xkqEJc9l3w9MINKgAmIBYdEAnf9YTnzCSRWvA/KOCReE8SMooNTbsgJqUagHqrHXWEtnr+jXsp4QvWASXC3trC6VFoEpyDHWcG1IBFjDjZWJKTVcbmDfCQ30hvMEEQ0IgPUEvAyWUHm0IIBuoNiKxj3pZK+uCWiKqy0UdEAAlukTbqI8I1zk7Pz4WQ3GVL+6AYxX0pbRMzaU0OKLKCylHEBQ5PeXPlAVB1vF09EY/+xl/yTfuGKfiGBFZakddTFi9GWKMnaEhprUViyCtAaupVT2VIgNl5Sft8H/Uf7ogQOUv7fB/1H+6I7FRjzHgZJIUDU1HDfB8cTWm6HEtcpIIIIJF7EEHhCGLFT+eES01wE2jjt74kMRLYk3rc9sQ5+US+Cm1HGAQmMw6+28EWau8FeyJQJmGW2tYTxuFWtABaAaCbW2YN1EUtBJ70FBUcN47uEEMikJmoEA9lNmHzhaQACK8Yj0nnNWlt8OZs7h/x2wBcbMC6XJ0hgJJYEsb7u2FZpFa184NImA6HSAfYKuWh3fhDqa9TXs+UNcM+o3mkOWlGlaQHAYNaCqI6RAcZYSpeHOW0JBbwG/ejDEZ9nyq/ZLJ3A1+sUjk3s317a8+bORXlgzWYe0hFOaQeFPAxbPRPIPqLBgQrTGpuqMqgkd9fCLJye5PycHL5uSDf2mY1ZqaVPAbhAYFyz2T6lipuHlscgYFepHAZR3VpXqiDw8xlYMCa1HSOo6xwjUPTXs0CdJn09tGVu2WQR5P5RnOAwEya2SVLZ21CqKtpU0HYIDd8bizNGzZpsX6Z7WlqT5wIJPwhkrsyU3tJ0T2iWoPnAioxSvTfgUE6ROVQGdXVyAOlly5SeJoSOyMwmsbniKRPcsOVXr+J5wCktaqg/h3se36CITFAd1vC8S1FTF3jfu7KQaQ5UW7ovHKzYkpcOzSxQowYUU3DAZgxvoL67ooypW0A5l7QYe0DDj15SKwwKldTVeu8LIgN6UgGk3GPmJBIrHGxjU3eAg2Nk0uO+GZgF5jvQEnXhb5QVWOtYKWsOqAsB1oEh8prHQIJSAsGEZQQRcn/AJhdphOsROBmnwv3Q5n47L9kkdtIB2DB14xGjEs2lB5wpJlsfaYn5eUA9zXp/wAweWtT1QSUoEKBoD0B6OMTn2fJ/hzJ4MfoRFnigeh7EVwsxfdmV+JR/wCsX6Ar3LTkwMdLRM+RkbMGIqKEUYUr2eEN+TnITDYSYJyM7zAtKsRSpFCwAFiRbXfFqjlYCvcpv2+D/qP90R2Ocpv2+D/qP90QIqMeY9npp2xITJdyOqJCbyenyHaW0psysRxBFdRSBiNnzDWkttOES1eJ+DHMmWGdlmLRlJrTMNFBpa8ZW8vIWU3KkjvBpWL1LnTMlJrTCctKIpAAAsDYHzisYvZcxnJWVMoae0BWvGxMBHUsbVBEJNJaWBUdFrqeIqR8wfCJVdlTqfs28I7/AKTONjLah4iAiXUEUiNdL0iwNsWcDaWxHZCM3Yk86Sm8ICBpCiRKDYOI/ct4CDDYGI/dN4QEZSEiImv9CxH7pvCCnYOI/ct4QDbZzgP0tGFIdvLGh/PXHDsTEV/Yt4CHOF2TPGspvCAYmXkPVDyWeEPP9Mm6c23hBE2ZOU2luR2aQBM0CHHqM390/hHPUpv7p/D/ADAad6FcT0p8uuqq3wkg/ejVIwj0c7TOExOedLmqhRlJCFr2IsprqI0pvSFhB9meeyS31gLbWOExUP8A5EwtCebxHZzWv+6njBW9IuF/dYk//l+LQEjyk/b4P+o/3RAiDPKaXjMThlly5y5HZiZiBRcUtRjAioxbp8hCalVPaBCfqye4vwiBAgB6snuL8IgerJ7i/CIECAHqye4vwiB6snuL8IgQIAerJ7i/CIHqye4vwiBAgB6snuL8IgerJ7i/CIECAHqye4vwiB6snuL8IgQIAerJ7i/CIHqye4vwiBAgB6snuL8IgerJ7i/CIECAHqye4vwiB6snuL8IgQIAerJ7i/CIHqye4vwiBAgB6snuL8IgerJ7i/CIECAUkSEBqFUdgECBAgP/2Q==" style="height: 179px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 120px;" /><img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSqTexkRWhaEm9VlxVzMk7behU7iUYUPc4MLwhVIfc0caz_Gc1-" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="cSXOQMYe1suusM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSqTexkRWhaEm9VlxVzMk7behU7iUYUPc4MLwhVIfc0caz_Gc1-" style="height: 184px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -7px; margin-top: 0px; width: 275px;" /><br />
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<img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="dHwG24ZmWfysPM:" 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" style="height: 183px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -1px; margin-top: 0px; width: 131px;" /><img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxMnUG_u_kT6IPYP8rs2CQXEPfzLIs4wJ-uWV7sL6lZqVmBYUrig" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="HtB1lcBM7VNHWM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxMnUG_u_kT6IPYP8rs2CQXEPfzLIs4wJ-uWV7sL6lZqVmBYUrig" style="height: 198px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 148px;" /><img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFp1pj3X_9mAh7NL5jDyJMpBpYM0cBIo5aAyOpshwIohFoyhtgWA" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="IbGbZ2kTW0KJhM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFp1pj3X_9mAh7NL5jDyJMpBpYM0cBIo5aAyOpshwIohFoyhtgWA" style="height: 180px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 125px;" /><br />
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<img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWk1sjJXZktEMleSENQflukI5UJgb9_pDABVD8eDrqusjiO5H3bw" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="3gc4D303hfwfwM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWk1sjJXZktEMleSENQflukI5UJgb9_pDABVD8eDrqusjiO5H3bw" style="height: 155px; margin-left: -11px; margin-right: -3px; margin-top: 0px; width: 239px;" /><br />
<img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3R-itddy8-T3IXMZG3rrnbpMOZS6p1o1gDVas7-Uu0svx4HTB" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="EXkrskgsjQv-7M:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3R-itddy8-T3IXMZG3rrnbpMOZS6p1o1gDVas7-Uu0svx4HTB" style="height: 167px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 142px;" /><img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQeNrzyl4GeaCshe3YCiTF2g1tUeXvhEAB0mnZNuKdC1O2hH94T" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="vupTSChFsSh1zM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQeNrzyl4GeaCshe3YCiTF2g1tUeXvhEAB0mnZNuKdC1O2hH94T" style="height: 168px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 143px;" /><br />
<img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtgPlTZyfLmpcHi8jgQs12kD8oT8dbYvb30YXdBhaJXBaZOq2nDA" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="SwgAgu0yIFeH7M:" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtgPlTZyfLmpcHi8jgQs12kD8oT8dbYvb30YXdBhaJXBaZOq2nDA" style="height: 177px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 225px;" /><img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_A7rFT3SvuGsu6zSscXY2DctIfEpORY35DH9tlONAXQR8waCg" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="5My5wIz0bEW8vM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_A7rFT3SvuGsu6zSscXY2DctIfEpORY35DH9tlONAXQR8waCg" style="height: 155px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -3px; margin-top: 0px; width: 201px;" /><img alt="Afbeeldingsresultaat voor 1960" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT58zAAYrFFHAOSFaFqucMWjxLJLUS6H-h9HOtGxX6FUD4ZCkaGNA" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="5i8j59e3zk_dMM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT58zAAYrFFHAOSFaFqucMWjxLJLUS6H-h9HOtGxX6FUD4ZCkaGNA" style="height: 155px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -3px; margin-top: 0px; width: 129px;" /><br />
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-7218557432663849472017-04-17T11:21:00.001-07:002017-04-17T11:21:28.644-07:00Cassius Clay at Fort Dix 1960 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEx7Pzq0WhCDrikiy5F3d2EujmaSSoTSP0neAI5ttS_oz-i3ADzjVZO-dKU-Sx8RVNiwsJHzEcYcPJ82X4DmqA73acGe57a6bY1JTCURuYMKpUaYMl2KdAHOyiutv3JDTZK5IZlw3hog/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEx7Pzq0WhCDrikiy5F3d2EujmaSSoTSP0neAI5ttS_oz-i3ADzjVZO-dKU-Sx8RVNiwsJHzEcYcPJ82X4DmqA73acGe57a6bY1JTCURuYMKpUaYMl2KdAHOyiutv3JDTZK5IZlw3hog/s640/image.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Contributed photo In this photo taken on July 18, 1960, the 1960 U.S. Olympic Boxing team poses as Fort Dix, New Jersey, the headquarters for the team. Robstown native Humberto "Lefty" Barrera is second from the left, and Muhammad Ali, known then as Cassius Clay, is the second to the right of the sign. Photo by Pvt. Anthony Morrie</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Before “Muhammad Ali” became the
most recognizable name in sports, 18-year-old Cassius Clay was a fighting
phenom training for his upcoming Gold Medal performance in the 1960 Rome
Olympics. During a time of reflection, Clay penned this handwritten letter to
his friend Melvin D. Harrison, who trained for the Olympic Trials with him. The
personal letter reads, "Hello Mel, I hope this letter finds you and your
family well, I am here at Fort Dix getting ready for Rome, I am in the best of
shape, I hope to soon be home with the world Championship soon, I am still
hitting hard, Say look at here, We leave here on the 14 of august, so try to
write me before then and send me Connie address will you, and try to get a
picture of here, I stil dig her, so find here and let here know that I am still
talking about here, get that picture man, 'please' I will send her and you a
card from Rome Itly, Stay in training and you can't miss, tell all of the boys
that I said hello, don't let me down about Connie, Your Fighting Friend,
Cassius Clay, U.S. Champ." Included with the letter is the original
mailing envelope, featuring the return address "Cassius M. Clay, c/o
Special Service, U.S. Olympic Boxing team, Building 5434 Fort Dix, N.J."
If you didn’t guess it already, Clay won Gold Medal in the Light Heavyweight
division at the 1960 Rome Olympics and opened the door for him to become the
greatest fighter that ever lived. In our opinion, the two autographs (letter
& envelope) rate a 9 overall. Accompanied by a full JSA LOA, a full PSA/DNA
LOA and an LOA from the recipient of the letter.</span></div>
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the Caller-Times<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">June 07, 2016<a href="http://archive.caller.com/sports/local/robstown-olympian-barrera-remembers-ali-as-a-good-happy-person-348146af-c514-5cb0-e053-0100007fe85c-382145081.html" target="_blank" title="Share this via e-mail"> </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ROBSTOWN — Like most Americans,
Humberto "Lefty" Barrera learned of the death of boxing legend
Muhammad Ali from news reports beginning late last Friday and continuing into
this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Unlike most Americans, however,
Barrera had a front-row seat on the stage that sent Ali — then Cassius Clay — into
acclaim as one of, if not the, greatest boxers of all time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A lifelong Robstown resident,
Barrera and Ali were members of the Olympic boxing team that represented the
United States at the 1960 Rome Games. Ali, who died last Friday at 74 following
a decades long battle with Parkinson's disease, won the light heavyweight
championship. Barrera, from multiple news reports at the time, was victimized
by shoddy judging in Rome and lost in the flyweight quarterfinals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Barrera's first impression upon
meeting the then-18-year-old Clay was a precursor to what the world would
experience as the self-proclaimed "The Greatest" thrice won the world
heavyweight championship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"He's crazy," Barrera
said, laughing. "You've got to be crazy to be talking like that all the time
and never stopping. It gets old. I mean, if you listen to him once a day or
twice a day, it's fine. But if you listen to him all day ..."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Barrera, 74, got an early peek at
Ali's brash, garrulous and loquacious style, first at the National Golden
Gloves tournament in Chicago in March 1960. The two were together again
throughout the year at Olympic tournaments in Ali's hometown of Louisville,
Kentucky, and San Francisco before the final rounds of qualifying in Fort Dix,
New Jersey, then an Army training base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Behind all of Ali's rhetoric,
however, was just a fun-loving guy who happened to be a gifted boxer, Barrera
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"He was a good person.
Obviously, he was a friendly person, and he was a happy person," said
Barrera, who retired three years ago after a career as a civil structural
designer. "He was very friendly. He liked to joke a lot and have a good
time. His idea was to have a good time. I was concentrating trying to make the
team, and he was having a good time like it was nothing."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The two, as well as the rest of the
U.S. team, spent a lot of time together, especially when the training shifted
to Fort Dix. As with most military installations, civilians don't have much
access, and the boxers were bound together and friendships grew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"I would say we were thrown
into the situation. The thing of it is, when you're on a base with Army
soldiers, I couldn't socialize with the soldiers, I had to socialize with the
people around me," Barrera said. "He was around me. We were in the
same group, and we socialized together. We saw a lot of movies together, played
a lot of pool."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Barrera remembers being the better
billiards player although Ali did beat him on occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"I was not that good, but he
was lucky when he beat me, though," Barrera said, laughing. "He would
brag about it, of course."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In Rome, the boxers mingled with
fellow Olympians. All the while, Barrera said Ali was telling anyone and
everyone who would listen that he would win the gold medal. After doing so, the
verbiage that followed was vintage Ali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"He was like, 'I told you so, I
told you so.' One of the first things he said was, 'I'm going to win the
championship of the world. I'm going to beat Floyd Patterson,' who was the
champion at the time," Barrera said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"Incidentally, Floyd Patterson
came to the Olympic Village when we were there. He followed Floyd Patterson and
he said, 'I'm going to fight you, and I'm going to beat you.' He was letting
the world know who he was. You'd get old listening to all that stuff. You tried
to let it all go by."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">After the Olympics, the two went
their separate ways. Ali's career and life have been well-documented. In
addition to his championing civil rights, controversial opposition to the
Vietnam War and conversion to the Nation of Islam, there were the three world
heavyweight belts and 56-5 record — three of the losses came in the twilight of
his career — as well as legendary bouts with Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and
George Foreman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Barrera, who was nicknamed
"Little One" by Ali because Ali had difficulty pronouncing Humberto,
fought professionally for nearly four years. Before retiring from the ring,
Barrera compiled a 19-3 record and won the USA Texas featherweight title in
1964.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Barrera saw Ali only once since the
Rome Games. He traveled to Houston in 1967 before Ali's bout with Ernie
Terrell. It would be Ali's penultimate fight before a three-year-plus ban from
boxing for refusing to be drafted and fight in the Vietnam War because of
religious reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"I went to visit him at the
hotel. I went to his room," Barrera said. "I called and told him who
I was. He said, 'Yeah, Little One, come on over.' He said, 'You better win a
world title pretty soon because I'm going to beat you to it.' I said, 'Well,
fine.'"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Ali did just that, scoring a
15-round unanimous decision over Terrell to win the WBA heavyweight title.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Ironically, Barrera didn't think Ali
had the potential to be a world champion, at least not what he saw during their
Olympic days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"The way he would duck punches,
he would duck them like this," Barrera said, quickly rocking backward.
"I said, 'Eventually they're going to get him.' When you duck a punch like
this, you've got to come back forward, right? Somebody smart enough is going to
fake you and wait for you to come back and he's going to get you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"I was taught to go this
way," Barrera said, weaving left and right as if dodging punches.
"You're balanced and prepared, in a good balanced position. (His) was not
a good, balanced position. So my style and his style were entirely different. I
never thought he would make it that way. But evidently he was fast enough, and
he had a long reach that helped him. So he proved me wrong."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">After his retirement, Barrera said
he wanted to try and visit Ali in Arizona but couldn't locate an address or a
contact. While saddened at Ali's death, he said his lasting image of the
fighter will be positive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">"Well, it was the way he lived
his life and being happy all the time," Barrera said. "He was a very
happy individual in spite of the fact they wouldn't allow him to eat in a
restaurant in Louisville. In spite of all that, he did not have a lot of
negative attitudes about the United States."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">AP
File The winners of the light heavyweight boxing division pose during medal
ceremony at the Summer Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 14, 1960. Cassius
Clay won the gold medal at age 18. Silver medal winner was Z Pietrzykowski of
Poland (right), and the bronze medal winners were Tony Madigan of Australia and
Giulio Saraudi </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-86418355992820653502017-04-17T11:06:00.002-07:002017-04-17T11:06:54.569-07:00Evan Thomas at Fort Dix - February 1965 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Evan Thomas –</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The War at Home</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For a brief period
the new military equipment, and especially the introduction of helicopters in
large numbers, appeared to be stemming the Vietcong tied.” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Like everyone else
who read newspapers, I was reminded periodically of Vietnam…(But) the war did
not really force itself upon me until February 7, 1965, when LBJ ordered the
second bombing raid on North Vietnam following a Vietcong attack on American military
barracks at Pleiku.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Two days earlier I
had been inducted into the Army for National Guard training and had been
transported to the snowy, windy, flatland of Fort Dix, New Jersey.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The lights went out
at ten o’clock that night, but we all remained awake in the dark, covered by
green army blankets, staring in the dim lights at the ceiling of army barracks,
listening to transistor radios report the raids and half-believing (since
anything seems possible in the army) that we would be on an early plane to
South Vietnam.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The army, of course,
made maximum use of the heightened situation during our eight weeks of basic
training.”<br />
<br />
“’This is important,’ Sergeants snapped. ‘What are you going to do if your M-14
jams in Veet-Nam?’”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Since they jammed only
too frequently on the Fort Dix firing ranges, we took this more or less
seriously. We lay on the cold ground, looking at devastated areas where every
living thing had long since been shot to pieces. The trunks of trees razed even
twenty and thirty feet above the ground, the very ground itself literally
poisoned by millions of copper jacketed bullets. A sergeant in a wooden tower
shouted over a loud speaker system: ‘Ready on the right. Ready on the left.
Firers, lock and load one fourteen round magazine and commence firing.’”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“When the stiff olive
green silhouettes popped up behind the sand dunes and next to shattered tree
stumps, it was not too hard to believe this was leading towards the dark and
steaming jungles we imagined in Southeast Asia.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I was ‘against’ the
war in an abstract way, but its impact on me personally was more confusing, it
seemed possible the National Guard might be called up and that I might go. I’m
not all together certain if I feared this would happen, or I wanted it to happen.” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-5799946866461201222017-04-13T10:57:00.002-07:002017-04-13T10:57:44.123-07:00History of Fort Dix New Jersey - 50 Years of Service to the Nation 1917-1967 Cover <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-62623456753519232752017-04-13T10:54:00.002-07:002017-04-13T10:54:38.060-07:00Chapter XI Fort Dix Today 1967 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter XI <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FORT DIX TODAY <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Let, then, each and every individual connected with
the Wrightstown Cantonment make high resolve to put into the work every ounce
of intelligence, energy and ability that he can call into play, to the end that
when the story of Wrightstown is written we may point with justifiable pride to
our part in its accomplishment.” Thus wrote Irwin and Leighton, the original
contractors, in the first issue of the “Camp Dix News,” published on Thursday,
16 August 1917. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, 50 years later, a brief trip around Fort Dix is
enough to convince any observer that the plea of the first builder has been
answered. Although little remains of their work, they laid the foundation and
instilled the spirit of dedication that has characterized the efforts of the
thousands of “builders” – military and civilian – who followed them to
construct the Fort Dix of today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the final analysis, however, the true value of the
“Home of the Ultimate Weapon” can be measured only through the men who trained
at this post – - the millions that Fort Dix readied to serve with distinction
in every armed conflict in which the United States participated since World War
I. Throughout a half century, the primary mission of the post has been to
prepare US soldiers for the defense of their country. This purpose is still
paramount and will continue so long as American soldiers are needed in Vietnam
or any other place in defense of freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In order to carry out its mission in 1967, Fort Dix is
organized into four major activities: Infantry Training Center, US Army
Personnel Center, Walson Army Hospital, and the US Army Garrison. Although each
of these activities plays a singular role, the one most directly concerned with
the development of the individual soldier is the Infantry Training Center. It
conducts four separate programs, which, in progressive stages, mold the raw
recruit into a finished soldier prepared to take his place in a combat unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of the four programs, the most fundamental is the
eight-week basic combat training program conducted by the 2<sup>nd</sup> Basic
Combat Training Brigade “Proud Rifles” and 3<sup>rd</sup> Basic Combat Training
Brigade “Pioneers.” These two brigades provide the initial training to produce
a soldier well grounded in basic military subjects and principles of ground
combat. Reports from commanders in Vietnam confirm that this training is the
best they have noted during their long Army careers. Under the expert
leadership and guidance of his drill sergeant, the trainee masters those combat
skills that instill confidence in himself, his individual weapon, and his
ability to meet an enemy in ground combat and destroy him. Currently, more than
10,000 trainees in 50 companies of the two brigades are undergoing basic combat
training. In 1966, more than 50,000 men were graduated from this course at Fort
Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following completion of his basic combat training, the
soldier moves on to more technical training in his field. He may be assigned to
advanced branch or combat support training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At Fort Dix, the advanced infantry training program is
conducted by the 1<sup>st</sup> Advanced Individual Training Brigade – the
“Blue Bolts.” This brigade provides the trainee with eight weeks of general
instruction in the organization, mission, and functions of the infantry, to
include general subjects, light weapons, heavy weapons, and tactical training.
Upon successful completion of the course, trainees are assigned to regular
units as light weapons infantrymen, infantry indirect fire crewmen, or infantry
direct fire crewmen. At the beginning of 1967, more than 2,300 men were receiving
advanced infantry training in nine companies of the brigade. Beginning in April
1967, both the number of trainees and companies are expected to double. In
1966, some 12,000 soldiers completed this type of training at Fort Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Combat support training is conducted by the 5<sup>th</sup>
Combat Support Training Brigade (the “Crusaders”), which instructs trainees in
nine specialist fields as basic administration and personnel specialists,
supply clerks, chaplain’s assistants, cooks, field communication crewmen, radio
operators, light vehicle drivers, and wheeled vehicle mechanics. In 1966,
almost 25,000 combat support trainees were graduated from the 5<sup>th</sup>
Brigade. At the beginning of 1967, 7,000 students were attending formal courses
and another 500 men were receiving on-the-job training. In early 1967, the
number of students is expected to increase to 9,000. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Committee Group (the “Paragons”) provides all
committee-taught subjects to basic combat trainees. These include
marksman-ship, hand grenades, night firing, close combat,
chemical-biological-radiological warfare, and individual tactical training.
Committee Group also directs the Leaders Academy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To provide a corps of qualified instructors, the Fort
Dix Leaders Academy trains specially selected enlisted personnel as leaders for
the training brigades. The Academy, under the direction of the Fort Dix
Committee Group, conducts a seven-week Drill Sergeant Course, four-week Drill
Corporal Course, and a two-week Leaders Preparation Course. Periodically, the
Leaders Academy also holds a two-week Effective Military Instruction Course and
a one-week Drill Sergeant Orientation Course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the above regular programs, the
Infantry Training Course also provides for training of US Army Reserve (USAR)
and National Guard units. The 78<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, the first to
make its home at Camp Dix, is now a USAR training division from New Jersey,
which has conducted its annual active duty training (ANACDUTRA) at Fort Dix.
The 76<sup>th</sup> and 98<sup>th</sup> Training Divisions, from New England
and New York, respectively, also perform ANACDUTRA at the post. Elements of the
80<sup>th</sup> Training Division have trained at the fort each year since
1960. In 1966, some units of the 85<sup>th</sup> Training Division from
Illinois spent two weeks at Fort Dix. In addition to the Army Reserve, a
considerable number of National Guard units train at the post on weekends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another major activity of Fort Dix is the United
States Army Personnel Center (the “Centermen”), which is concerned with
processing men as they enter the Army from civilian life, when they ship
overseas, and as they leave the service. During 1966, almost 200,000 were
processed in one way or another through the Personnel Center – Reception
Station. 68,907; Overseas Replacement Station, 88,713; and Transfer Station,
39,481. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The newly inducted or enlisted soldier can expect to
stay at the Reception Station for three to five days. During this time he is
given special medical and dental examinations, classification and aptitude tests,
personal interviews to help determine his future army training and assignment,
his new military clothing, and orientation on military justice, PX privileges,
pay scale, and conduct and discipline in an effort to make his transition to
military life as smooth as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Overseas Replacement Station processes and
assembles personnel for overseas shipment. Means of transportation to the new
unit is coordinated with Eastern and Western Area of the Military Traffic
Management Terminal Service, and is determined by the availability of spaces
aboard military or civilian aircraft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of a tour of active duty, many officers and
enlisted men receive final processing for retirement, separation, or transfer
to reserve units at the Transfer Station. The wide range of personnel passing
through this activity include persons arriving by air at McGuire Air Force
Base, from units in the vicinity of Fort Dix, and individuals permanently
assigned to this Army post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The personnel commitments of the Army are extensive
and variable. In times of crisis, buildups, and reductions, the Personnel
Center has a ready organization through which it can react quickly and
effectively with the personnel requirements of any situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walson Army Hospital and the post’s health facilities
provide medical care and hospitalization for Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force Base,
and Lakehurst Naval Air Station military personnel and their dependents,
military personnel overseas, and retired
military personnel and their dependents living in New Jersey – Pennsylvania
area. Staffing the medical complex are 1,357 military and civilian personnel,
including 104 doctors, 68 nurses, 447 medical specialists, two veterinarians,
236 administrative personnel, and 500 civilians. Specialized clinics include
dermatology, cardiology, radiology, radioisotope therapy, gastroenterology,
internal medicine, pulmonary functions, obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics,
urology, neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, surgery, preventive medicine,
anesthesiology, veterinary medicine, and eye, ear, nose and throat. The
hospital provides training residency programs in general practice, prespecialty
surgical and preventive medicine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During 1966, the hospital had a total of 32,780
admissions, an increase of almost 10,000 over the previous year. The number of
major and minor surgical procedures performed during the year was 16,980.
Outpatient clinic visits reached a total of 586,028, an increase of 200,000
over 1965. Even with completion of the new wing, pressure of an ever increasing
patient load eventually will necessitate further expansion of the Fort Dix
medical facilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Attached to the hospital to assist its normal staff
are the 4<sup>th</sup> Field Hospital and the 461<sup>st</sup> Medical
Detachment. These units maintain themselves in a state of operational readiness
for deployment elsewhere, if needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Dental Service Unit, which staffs six on-post
clinics, provides complete care and treatment to all eligible persons, with
emphasis on maintaining military personnel ready for combat. The unit also
conducts the preventive dentistry program and the dental intern and dental
resident training program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another major activity of the post is Special Troops,
US Army Garrison. This unit houses and administers the servicemen and women who
perform thousands of administrative and supporting tasks required for the
smooth functioning of this 45,000-man training center. Special Troops (the
“Garrisoneers”) comprises more than 20 separate units, including communications
and ordnance units; engineers, military police, and band units; Women’s Army
Corps Company, which supplies stenographers, medical aides, and receptionists;
and units that supply all the administrative personnel to operate the training
center headquarters, garrison headquarters, and all post agencies. In addition,
Special Troops receives, processes, prepares, trains, and ships units departing
for overseas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These organizations, operating under the dirction of
the Headquarters, United States Training Center Infantry, commanded by Major
General John M. Hightower, carry out their duties at the largest military
organization in the northeastern United States. Fort Dix today has come a long
way from the 7,500-acre, 1,600-building camp that existed in the early days of
World War I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The post has grown in size until it comprises 32,605
acres, of which 1,566 acres are improved lad, 13,274 acres unimproved, and
17,765 woodland – all used for training. Fort Dix can take pride in a total of
2,611 major buildings, including 397 barracks without mess halls, 27 barracks
with mess halls, 56 separate mess halls, 283 supply buildings, 197
administrative and personnel structures and 742 on-post housing units. There
are also 12 chapels, the hospital complex, five theaters, 32 post exchanges
facilities, and a variety of small administrative, supply and maintenance structures.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the beginning of 1967, there were approximately
33,000 military personnel and 4,097 civilian dependents of military personnel living on-
and off-post and several thousand retired personnel and their families living
in the area. Military population of the post will increase because of
additional requirements by higher headquarters, particularly in the advanced
individual training brigades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
economic impact of this military establishment on the New Jersey communities
surrounding the post is considerable. For the last six months of calendar year
1966, $50.7 million was disbursed by the Post Finance Office. Of this amount,
$32.1 million was for military pay, $1.9 million for travel pay, $8,9 million
for civilian pay and $7,8 million for commercial payments. For the month of
November 1966 alone, the total disbursed was $14 million, which was $3 million
more than was disbursed for the month of May 1966. A large part of this money
was fed into businesses of the local community, and over the years, Fort Dix
spending has been credited as a major contributing factor in the prosperity and
continued growth of the cities and towns of the surrounding area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
brings to a close the story of 50 years at Fort Dix. By no means, however, will
the post’s essential service to the nation end here. Perhaps the first 50 years
will prove only a superficial beginning compared to its future. Although Fort
Dix has experienced good years and lean years since its humble beginning in the
cornfields and cranberry bogs of central New Jersey, the post today exudes and
aura of permanency – not only in the construction of its buildings but in the
expansion of its programs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For
five decades, Americans at Fort Dix have served their nation well. To their
successors, they leave a legacy of accomplishment and a challenge to carry on
with ardor and dedication in furthering the cause of freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-66999448047876627872017-04-13T10:51:00.002-07:002017-04-13T10:51:31.937-07:00Chapter X - The Sixties <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter X <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THE SIXTIES <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the first months of the Sixties, it was apparent
Fort Dix would develop at a pace even greater than that of the previous decade.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One international crisis after another, in which the
United States was involved, convinced the nation of the great necessity for a
strong and ready Armed Force. Just two years before the Sixties, on request of
Lebanese President Chamoun, US forces were ordered to occupy parts of that
Middle East nation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 1 January 1959, President Batista fled Cuba, and
revolutionist Fidel Castro began to communize that island, only 90 miles from
the US. In 1960, a series of coups in the former Indo-Chinese country of Laos
troubled the US government, resulting in significante increases of US aid and
advisors to that nation. Again nearby in Cuba, the ill-fated Bay of Pigs fiasco
on 17 April 1961 stunned the American people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The “Berlin Crisis” in 1961 and the Cuban missile confrontation
of 1962 brought the United States and Soviet Union face-to-face. In late 1962,
the US provided massive support to India after its invasion by Communist China.
Every ripple in the waters of the Cold War placed significant demands on the US
Armed Forces, including Fort Dix, which was responsible for providing its share
of any soldiers required. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also in 1962, developments in South Vietnam reached a
stage in which US had little choice but to increase its assistance. During the
next four years, US Army strength in that war torn country escalated from a
handful of advisors to more than a quarter-million combat troops. As if the
Vietnamese situation were not a significant burden on the training
responsibilities of Fort Dix, the 1965 revolution in the Dominican Republic and
the continual buildup of American troops in Thailand added more. From June 1965
to the beginning of 1967, the number of trainees in the Infantry Training
Center on any given day almost doubled – from 11,000 to 21,000. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At first glance, the construction program at Fort Dix
provided the most visible changes during the Sixties. Opening of the post’s
multi-million dollar Walson Army Hospital was the first significant step in
this program. More than 600 guests were present on 15 March 1960 as Secretary
of the Army Wilber M. Brucker dedicated the modern 500-bed hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The facility was named in honor of Brigadier General
Charles M. Walson, whose widow was present at the dedication ceremony to unveil
the commemorative plaque. General Walson had been born in Laurel, Delaware, on
24 August 1883 and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in
Pennsylvania in 1906 and the Army Medical School in 1912. During World War I,
he served as a major with the American Expeditionary Forces in France and the
Army of Occupation in Coblenz until 1922. For his service as surgeon general of
Second Service Command from November 1940 to July 1945, General Walson was
awarded the Legion of Merit. He had fulfilled a significant role in the
processing of 145,000 Americans and 7,000 prisoners-of-war patients who had
passed through the port of New York during World War II. After his retirement,
he served as administrator of the American Red Cross blood program for the
greater New York area until his death in 1947. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The ultra-modern hospital, located at New Jersey
Avenue and West Third Street, make use of the latest medical and recreational
equipment and facilities. Patients are accommodated in one-to-four bed rooms or
operating rooms plus and emergency operating room located near the ambulance
entrance. A central food service section to the hospital prepares and serves
all food, thus eliminating the need for special diet kitchens. In its first
full year of operation, Walson admitted 22,999 patients. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lack of adequate billets for troops was still an acute
problem in the early 1960s. At the time, approximately 75 percent of the
enlisted men at Fort Dix were still housed in “temporary” barracks, built in
1940-41, with an original life expectancy of only five years. Because of this,
a special committee of four congressmen arrived on 12 June 1961 to investigate
troop housing conditions. At the conclusion of their tour, they were convinced
building appropriations should be increased for Fort Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Representative Frank C. Osmers, Jr. of New Jersey
stated that renovation of the 20-year-old buildings would be as “polishing
rotten apples,” 1. (Fort Dix Post, vol. xx, no. xxiv 1961) and said a
three-to-four year program to replace temporary troop housing should be
carefully considered by the House Appropriations Committee. The other
representatives, Richard E. Langford of Maryland, agreed with Osmers “that the
Fort Dix staff had done a remarkable job keeping these old things on their feet
at all times.” 2. (Ibid)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The acutance of the barracks situation was further
aggravated in late 1961 with the call-up of the Army Reserves and National
Guard. At that time, the post received hundreds of activated Reserve Forces
personnel. The earlier congressional analysis led to a June 1962 announcement
that an $11 million project for construction of nine permanent barracks and six
mess halls. Then in November 1963, Congress appropriated more than $19 million
for further troop billeting improvements at Dix during the Fiscal Year 1965.
These were important steps in continuing the long-range Military Construction
Army (MCA) plan to relocate and rehouse all personnel in permanent barracks by
1971. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Construction of an entire regimental complex was
started in the area along Texas Avenue near McGuire Air Force Base in September
1963. Eventually occupied by the 2<sup>nd</sup> Basic Combat Training Regiment
in 1964, it included 11 barracks, four mess halls, four battalion headquarters
and classrooms, four supply and administrative buildings, regimental
headquarters, dispensary, post exchange, chapel and gymnasium. A motor pool
complex supporting this area was completed in July 1966. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another regimental complex was begun along the
Pemberton-Pointville Road in March 1964. The space allocated was almost
entirely occupied by cleared training areas and drill fields. The new complex
included eight barracks, each housing 326 men, regimental headquarters and
classroom buildings, supply and administration buildings for each of the four battalions,
post exchange branch, gymnasium, chapel, motor pool area, dispensary and
central heating plant. Two-thirds of the complex was completed in the fall of
1965, and construction on the remaining one-third began in December 1965. This
area was occupied by the 3<sup>rd</sup> Basic Combat Training Brigade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix suffered a major setback in its long-range
troop housing improvement program in 1965. During that year, Congress
appropriated $21 million for building additional permanent structures at Fort
Dix. However, because of unprecedented costs of the Vietnam War, $17 million of
the total was deferred by the secretary of defense late in 1965 only to be
reinstated in February 1967. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All told, MCA projects, other than family housing
units, completed since 1 January 1960, included 31 barracks, 12 administration
and storage buildings, Post Chapel and Religious Education Center complex, two
other chapels, three motor pools, 11 battalion mess halls, 11 battalion
headquarter buildings and classrooms, three brigade headquarters, three post
exchanges, three dispensaries, two gymnasiums, and addition to Walson Army
Hospital for clinics and an Air Evacuation Center, quarters for 80 nurses, and
an addition to the Telephone Exchange. Construction started but not completed
by 31 December 1966 included three barracks, an administration and storage
building, chapel, battalion headquarters building, battalion mess hall and a
gymnasium. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the first half of the decade, additional family
headquarters were constructed, and a concentrated effort was made to improve
the appearance of the post. Construction began on the first of a 200-unit
Capehart housing project for noncommissioned officers in February 1961, which
was partially available for occupancy in December. The project, located in the area
west of 17<sup>th</sup> Street and extending to Gum Street along the
Juliustown-Browns Mills Road, contained two-, three- and four-bedroom
apartments. Costing $3,610,630 and completed in January 1962, the project – now
known as Laurel Hill – consists of 43 two-story duplexes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1963, enlisted men in pay grade E-4 (corporals or
specialists four) with four or more years’ service were permitted to apply for
family housing a Sheridansville, Nelson Courts or Kennedy Courts. Previously,
the requirement for E-4s was seven years of active service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Plans were drawn to beautify Fort Dix. Through the
efforts and skills of the 86<sup>th</sup> Engineer Battalion, Dogwood Lake,
Willow Pond, Deer Lake and Meadow Lake were completed by the summer of 1960.
Dogwood Lake, one of the first man-made lakes to be constructed under the
program, extends from Pennsylvania Avenue past Theater #5 to the Post Golf
Course. It consists of a system of lakes connected by culverts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not only did the lakes add to the beauty of the
installation, they also assisted in irrigation, water purification training,
and served as sources of water supply in the event of emergency. They could be
tapped to extinguish nearby brush fires. In addition, their construction was a
practical exercise for members of the 86<sup>th</sup> Engineer Battalion. The
use of heavy construction equipment and the skills of moving, compacting, and
making earth hold water were required. Other lakes already in existence were
Brindle Lake, Hipp’s Folly, Lake of the Woods, and Hanover Lake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the summer of 1961, increased tension in Berlin and
other parts of the world caused President John F. Kennedy to ask Congress for
standing authority to call 250,000 reservists and national guardsmen to active
duty. In August, 14 such units were alerted to report to Dix. Arriving on post
in October, the activated Reserve Components personnel represented seven states
from Main to Indiana. First to arrive was the 920<sup>th</sup> Transportation
Company from New York. Traveling in buses, the reservists received a warm
welcome from the installation commander and an Army band as they passed through
the post entrance. After the greeting, men of the 920<sup>th</sup> settled down
to the routine of Army life, which lasted until August 1962. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 24 October 1961, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 173<sup>rd</sup> Medical Battalion of South Portland, Maine, and the
114<sup>th</sup> Surgical Hospital Detachment from Patterson, New Jersey, were
assigned to Walson Army Hospital. The remaining Army Reserve or National Guard
units were attached to Special Troops. Units arriving at Fort Dix included the
366<sup>th</sup> Medical Detachment from Cleveland, Ohio; 141<sup>st</sup>
Transportation Company, Rochester, New York; 306<sup>th</sup> Medical
Detachment, New York City; 435<sup>th</sup> Finance Disbursing Section,
Indianapolis, Indiana; 834<sup>th</sup> Signal Company, Fort Monmouth, New
Jersey; 134<sup>th</sup> Ordnance Company, Albany, New York; 445<sup>th</sup>
Ordinance Company, Kearney, New Jersey: 340<sup>th</sup> Military Police
Company, Garden City, New York; 322<sup>nd</sup> Military Police Detachment
(Criminal Investigation), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; 618<sup>th</sup> Transportation
Company, White River Junction, Vermont: and the 321<sup>st</sup> Adjutant
General Post Office of Troy, New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Approximately 14,000 reservists underwent summer
training at Fort Dix in 1961, as did some 10,000 in 1962. The following year,
35,323 reserve personnel participated in weekend drills and field exercises at
the post, and an additional 10,482 underwent two weeks of annual active duty
training. In 1964, 44,137 reservists received weekend drill and marksmanship
training at Fort Dix, and 12,534 underwent annual training. Personnel from 39
non-divisional unites, three training divisions and five Army Reserve schools,
participated in annual active duty training programs during the summers of 1963
and 1964. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix supported and coordinated the training of
12,423 citizen soldiers who arrived for their annual active duty between 5 June
and 11 September 1965. During 1966 Dix units supported the summer training of
13,890 reservists and national guardsmen from four divisions and 39 separate
units, representing 13 states from Main to Louisiana and as far west as
Illinois. Following the 16-week summer training period that ended on 10
September, Reserve Forces Division of G3 hosted an additional 25,000 officers
and enlisted men from 33 Army Reserve and National Guard units, who
participated in weekend drills at Fort Dix during the remainder of 1966. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the convenience of visitors and new arrivals to
the post, the Information Bureau was opened 19 August 1961 on Route 68,
replacing the one located in the Sports Arena. Operated to expedite the
location of individuals, units and facilities on post, the bureau assisted more
than 14,500 visitors during its first two months of operation. Staffed by the
post’s military police, it operated seven days a week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paralleling dramatic improvements to the Fort Dix
physical plant was the modernization of training methods and aids. In 1960, a
Fort Dix-originated modification of Trainfire targets earned the government a
net saving of $7,000 during the first year of adoption. The modification
resulted in an all-weather, moisture-proof target, which was as durable as the
fiberglass targets originally designed for the range. Cardboard targets were
coated with paraffin, and tests revealed that the 19-cent replacement had a
usable period equal to those of fiberglass, which cost $1.75 each. Other
advantages of the inexpensive targets were resistance to breakage in strong
wind or heavy firing and elimination of patching, refacing and repairing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix implemented another suggestion in October
1963 that saved $58,000 Armywide. Previously, each range contained as many as
35 marker panels, located approximately 300 meters from the firing line. Over a
period of time these panels, which cost $6.20 apiece, suffered many hits and
required replacement, which meant a constant expense to the government. The
even-numbered panels that designated firing lines were eliminated, doing away
with as many as 17 panels. The idea was forwarded to Headquarters First US
Army, and then, Fort Benning, Georgia, where it was tested by students of The
Infantry School. From there, the system went on to Department of the Army for
Armywide adoption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In June 1960, it was announced that Fort Dix was
scheduled to receive its initial shipment of M-14 rifles and M-60 machine guns
– the general purpose weapons of today’s modern Army. Some 550 M-14s and 40
M-60s arrived later that year. Both weapons fire the standard 7.62 millimeter
(civilian .308) round adopted by NATO countries in December 1953. In 1954, the
round was formally accepted in the United States as the standard military rifle
cartridge. The M-14 replaced the (Garland) M-1 rifle, Browning automatic rifle,
.30 caliber carbine and the .45 caliber machine gun. Today, all trainees at Dix
are issued M-14s. Familiarization with the new M-16 rifle is given to personnel
leaving for Vietnam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Additional heavy weapons training was introduced to
the curriculum of the 1<sup>st</sup> Advanced Individual Training Regiment in
January 1962. The regiment, which had been conducting advanced eight-week
courses in basic unit and individual training, began teaching the 106mm
recoilless rifle and the 81mm and 4.2-inch mortars. To accommodate the new
training program, four ranges and five training areas were built. The
regimental Training Committee was increased in strength and new lesson plans
written. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, constant research and evaluation by
Department of the Army in training potential enlisted leaders resulted in the
establishment of a trainee leadership school at Fort Dix in January 1962. The
program of instruction, encompassing 10 weeks, was designed to train privates
(E-2) to become effective leaders. The first two weeks of the program were
devoted to formal leadership instruction in the school’s classrooms, and the
remaining weeks were used for practical application in an advanced individual
training company. In 1963 and 1964, average weekly enrollment at the school was
25 to 30 students, with more than 1,000 students graduating both in 1963 and
1964. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Instead of merely wondering who trainees could fire
higher scores on the ranges, cadremen of Company K, 4<sup>th</sup> Basic Combat
Training Regiment, put their heads together, pooled their ideas, and came up
with a training aid called a wooden portable foxhole. Adopted in 1962, this
training aid – three feet square and almost six feet high – made a noticeable
difference in the scores of the regiment’s trainees. The foxhole was used
mainly to instruct trainees in the correct firing positions before they went to
the ranges. Once they had a basic knowledge of the proper positions, the
soldiers were able to “make themselves at home” in the range foxholes. A higher
percent of trainees qualified on the ranges when the portable foxhole was used.
Built in June 1962, the ingenious training aid was the only portable foxhole on
post and often loaned to other units. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 6 June 1964, the chief of Faculty Group was
assigned the responsibility of establishing an Expert Infantryman Badge test
for Fort Dix. In addition, to improve the trainee test program of Faculty
Group, a proficiency testing area was established on 15 July 1964. The earlier
area could not absorb the necessary changes, and a new area, comprising eight
permanent-type test stations and four other buildings, was built. Stations were
set up for such subjects as first aid, bayonet, hand-to-hand combat, guard
duty, and other exercises and techniques that every trainee must know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In August 1964, the Faculty Group was assigned to
teach field sanitation, a subject previously taught by the training regiments.
To aid in the two hours of instruction, an elaborate three-station field
sanitation display area was constructed. One station exhibited liquid waste disposal
devices, another involved sold waste, and the third station displayed field
expedients for washing, showering and laundering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During September 1964, the present Basic Rifle
Marksmanship Course replaced the Trainfire concept. Today, every basic trainee
is taught the name of various parts of the rifle and to assemble and
disassemble the M-14. He is told how and when to clean the weapon and to fire
from proper positions. A period involving sighting and aiming was added to the
marksmanship program. To accommodate this change, a new 100-point preliminary
rifle instruction area was built behind Faculty Group headquarters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In an effort to provide the most highly skilled cadre
for training brigades, a Drill Sergeant School was established at Fort Dix and
other training centers in October 1964. The school was the result of a study by
the Secretary of the Army Stephen Ailes concerning the need for highly
effective NCOs, under whose guidance the recruit would be turned into a
top-notch soldier. Identical schools existed in each of the six other permanent
basic training centers in the United States. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first 70 men to graduate from the Fort Dix Drill
Sergeant School received their distinctive campaign hats at the post’s
Timmermann Theater on 30 November 1964. The class had begun with 90
noncommissioned officers from the basic combat training regiments, advanced
individual training regiment, common specialist training regiment, US Army
Personnel Center, and Faculty Company. The school’s cadre of 20 instructors and
there tactical NCOs were picked prior to the start of the course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the five-week school, abilities of prospective
drill sergeants were taxed physically and academically. Intensive study was
designed to acquaint them with the general knowledge and specific skills
required in handling training problems while performing duties as leaders,
instructors or administrators at platoon level. Graduates were placed in a
specialty classification and permitted to wear the famous Army campaign hat,
which had been eliminated from service in 1940. For years, many top Army
officials sought to have it reinstated because of the espirit de corpss it
imparts to the wearer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In December 1964, consolidation of enlisted leadership
training was effected within the fort Dix Leaders Academy. The academy was
assigned the mission of conducting the Drill Sergeant School, the five-week NCO
Academy Senior and Basic Courses, the two-week Trainee Leadership Training
Corps. Effective 1 July 1966, Fort Knox, Kentucky, assumed sole responsibility
for operation of the First US Army NCO Academy. All of the above Leaders
Academy courses remained at Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1965 a shortage of qualified cadre instructors
existed because of increased trainee loads and the Vietnam buildup that
required transfer of drill sergeants overseas. To provide immediate remedy,
Major General Charles E. Beauchamp, commanding general, initiated a Drill
Sergeant Assistant Course at Dix and submitted the proposal to Headquarters,
United States Continental Army Command (USCONARC). The first class at Fort Dix
– composed of candidates who had completed basic training, attended the
Leadership Preparation Courses, and graduated from advanced infantry training –
began in October 1965. The program, designed to provide cadre personnel who
would assist drill sergeants in the training of recruits, was approved by
USCONARC and adopted by the other Army training centers. Late in June 1966, the
Drill Sergeant Assistant Course was redesignated the Drill Corporal Course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, the five Fort Dix training regiments
underwent modernization on 1 August 1965, when they were redesignated training
brigades. The 1<sup>st</sup> Training Regiment was redesignated the 1<sup>st</sup>
Advanced Individual Training Brigade, while the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup>
Training Regiments became basic combat training brigades. The 5<sup>th</sup>
Training Regiment was renamed the 5<sup>th</sup> Common Specialist Training
Brigade. Under the reorganization, the 4<sup>th</sup> Basic Combat Training
Brigade was activated on 11<sup>th</sup> October 1965 and its companies
assigned to the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> brigades. The change, result
of a study made by former Secretary of the Army Stephen Ailes the year before,
placed five companies in each of the brigade’s five battalions. Each company
had a capacity of 220 trainees. In addition, each of the basic combat training
brigade’s headquarters and headquarters companies were redsignated as
headquarters detachments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With reorganization of the training brigades came the
announcement that Faculty Group would be redesignated Committee Group on 2<sup>nd</sup>
October 1965. Faculty Company, then attached to the post’s Special Troops, was
transferred to Committee Group, with the group becoming a major command
reporting directly to Infantry Training Center Headquarters. Its mission was to
conduct standardized training through the committee system for units undergoing
basic combat training, in conformance with programs published by USCONARC. It
also conducted instruction of the Leaders Training School (NCO), Leaders
Training School (Trainee) and later the Special Training Company (BCT). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 10 December 1965, Special Training Company was
activated within Committee Group to provide extra training for men having
trouble with the requirements of basic combat training. The assignment of 23
cadre, including three drill sergeants to each platoon, provided personnel and
time for special physical programs, counseling to enhance confidence and
motivation, and close personal supervision. Special Training Company offered
extra individual attention that an ordinary basic combat training company could
not afford because it would distract from the overall training mission. During
its first eight months of operation, 142 of the 200 men assigned to the company
mastered their individual areas of weakness to the point that they were able to
return to the basic combat training cycle to complete training. However,
trainees requiring the completion of only one specific phase of training to
graduate often were shipped to new assignments directly from Special Training
Company once that phase was mastered. Most common deficiency was the lack of
ability to pass physical training requirements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 19 March 1966, the 5<sup>th</sup> Common Specialist
Training Brigade was redesignated the 5<sup>th</sup> Combat Support Training
(CST) Brigade, in accordance with a message from USCONARC. It was felt that the
title “common specialist training” did not accurately describe the mission of
the brigade, which provides the Army with competent combat support specialists.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Five months later, in August 1966, expansion plans
were announced that would make the 5<sup>th</sup> CST Brigade the largest of
the four training brigades at Fort Dix, with an anticipated 75 percent increase
in personnel. General Orders 276, issued on 19 August by Infantry Training
Center Headquarters, organized five battalions within the brigade – an increase
of three over the two provisional battalions – consisting of 25 companies in
place of the previous eight. In mid-October, the brigade’s trainee strength had
more than doubled, increasing from 3,500 to 7,300. As examples of the
expansion, the number of students in the Supply Clerk Course almost quintupled,
while enrollments tripled in another course and doubled in two others. This
reflected the increased number of Selective Service calls during the preceding
months, which were needed to provide trained individual replacements and to
active new Army units, particularly for Vietnam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amid the expansion, the 5<sup>th</sup> CST Brigade
launched its ninth annual “Operation Santa Helpers,” a project to collect
outgrown or discarded toys, repair and repaint them, and distribute the “new”
toys to needy military families and orphanages and charitable institutions in
the surrounding communities. Toy pickup points were established in September.
As in the past eight years, the toys – ranging from games and dolls to children’s
cars, trucks and bicycles – were repaired by student-mechanics at the brigade’s
Wheeled Vehicle Mechanical Course who had completed training and were awaiting
orders. The cadre also aided in the project when not engaged in instruction.
Members of the brigade took an unusual interest in the project and received a
great deal of personal satisfaction from using all of the tools and equipment
in the repair shop. More than 4,500 toys of an estimated value of $40,000 were
repaired and distributed prior to Christmas 1966. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 30 June 1963, a new unit, Special Processing
Detachment, was activated and assigned to the 1387<sup>th</sup> Replacement
Company. Currently the detachment administers AWOLs, deserters, and persons
apprehended by military and civilian authorities in New York and New Jersey who
are confined at Dix. The detachment also arranges their subsequent assignments or
discharges. Its parent organization, the 1387<sup>th</sup> continues to process
all incoming personnel returning from overseas for duty on post and reenlistees
who do not require basic training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 60<sup>th</sup> Ordnance Detachment (Explosive
Ordnance Disposal) received orders on 6 April 1965 assigning it to Special
Troops. Operational control remained with the 542<sup>nd</sup> Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Company, Fort Jay, New York, as it had since August 1957. Today’s 60<sup>th</sup>
Ordinance Detachment is capable of detecting, identifying, rendering safe,
recovering, field evaluating and disposing of unexploded United States and
foreign explosive items. Such items include bombs, shells, mines, rockets,
pyrotechnics, demolition charges, guided missiles, and special weapons that
have been launched, dropped, placed or armed in such a manner that they
constitute a hazard to personnel or material. They also include the disposal of
explosive items rendered unsafe due to damage or deterioration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Training explosive ordnance reconnaissance personnel,
both military and civilian, is another responsibility of the 60<sup>th</sup>
Ordnance Detachment. It provides instruction for explosive ordnance
reconnaissance agents throughout New Jersey. Considering that the unit at any
time may be called on to aid civilian communities in the event of a bomb threat
or similar emergency, the importance of the 60<sup>th</sup> Ordnance Detachment
is recognized well beyond the gates of Fort Dix. In such instances, the danger
is just as great as if the unit were performing its mission on an actual battlefield
or at some training camp where artillery firing is taking place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just such an incident occurred during 1965, when a
rumor spread across the country that a number of Vietnamese dolls in the
possession of United States residents might be booby trapped. Experts from the
60<sup>th</sup> aided civilian authorities in disposing of the dolls, once such
action had , County on 25 October. It collected and destroyed 68
eight-to-15-inch dolls that had been turned in to police departments in the
area. Authorities at Fort Benning, Georgia, said the rumor apparently began in
Vietnam and spread to the United States in letters from servicemen. The
oriental dolls turned up in almost every part of the country, but none was
found to be booby trapped. Explosive experts at Fort Benning x-rayed and
examined nearly 200 dolls without finding anything other than straw and rubber.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To provide the “Home of the Ultimate Weapon” with a
distinctive musical symbol representative of the training mission and the pride
and spirit of the trainee, CWO Samuel F. Brown, Jr., then commanding officer of
the 19<sup>th</sup> and 173<sup>rd</sup> Army Bands, composed “The Fort Dix
Proud Trainee” in April 1965. The song, which is heard at appropriate occasions
involving trainee participation, was created to ease the transition from
marching with cadence to marching with Band music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Commanders of major and separate units were urged to
compose a second verse, symbolic of their unit. With this musical addition, the
Fort Dix trainees appeared to march with snappier cadence and more pride and
spirit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The words of the song are: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’re training, fighting men of the Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The rifle is our friend, in the Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We train to be prepared
and never to forget, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The training on the rifle range and with the bayonet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’re the Army, the marching Army.,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Proud of our training, fighting team esprit de Corps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Proficiency Park becomes the final test,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Where every soldier strives to be the best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prepared for all eventuality, is the FORD DIX PROUD
TRAINEE, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to fight for right and freedom,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to fight ‘till victory’s won. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to serve Old Glory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Serve her proudly, ‘till the day is done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to fight on hill or lowland, in the defense of
Liberty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ready to die, if it is Thy Will, Be Done, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">IS FORT DIX PROUD TRAINEE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, Fort Dix had made several contributions to
civilian as well as military, life. Projects included medical research, support
of the Project Advent Satellite Communications System, law enforcement
assistance in riot-torn Mississippi, and the President’s youth opportunity
programs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Working in conjunction with the post medical service
in 1960, a civilian research unit from Columbia University made a definite
health contribution by developing an adenovirus vaccine for the reduction of
influenza. To carry out research, two Columbia technicians worked closely with
medical personnel assigned to the Fort Dix Health Center. The development of a
vaccine illustrated the close relationship between Army medical services and
civilian agencies in the joint search for better means to protect the nation
and its soldiers from disease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix had a minor part in the “space race in 1961
by providing limited logistical support to one of two “Project Advent” instantaneous
global communications ground stations in the United States. In July of that
year, one of the stations was erected near dix and the other placed near Camp
Roberts, California. A shipboard terminal, operating at sea in many parts of
the world, tested communication capabilities. The system permitted simultaneous
worldwide transmission of high speed radio teletype and voice broadcasts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Project Advent called for stringent reliability
requirements in space technology. Advent satellites were designed to remain
operative for at least one year without failure. In addition, altitude control
and tracking capabilities were built into each satellite to permit adjustment
of its positon to synchronize with the earth’s rotation Horizon sensors were
used to keep the satellites’ antennas continuously turned toward the earth. The
satellites contained several receivers and transmitters for microwave
communications with ground tracking stations and receiving signals. The
communications and telemetry antennas were located on one end of the satellite.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A year later, fort Dix’ 716<sup>th</sup> Military
Police Battalion was tasked to maintain law and order in riot-struck
Mississippi community. The riot-control-trained battalion was airlifted on 30
September 1962 from McGuire Air Force Base to Oxford, Mississippi, to enforce
desegregation at the University of Mississippi and to escort James Meredith,
the first Negro ever to enroll in “Ole Miss,” to classes. The 716<sup>th</sup>
was the second Army unit to arrive at the university following rioting and
other disturbances designed to prevent a Negro from enrolling in the previously
all-white institution of higher learning. The first unit to arrive was the 503<sup>rd</sup>
Military Police Battalion from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Upon arrival, the 716<sup>th</sup> bivouacked near the
Oxford airport and immediately set up road blocks around the campus and sent
out patrols to prevent further rioting. In addition to escorting Meredith, the
Fort Dix military policemen safeguarded the dormitory and other campus
buildings, issued passes to students and faculty members, and patrolled not
only the campus but parts of Oxford. Relieved of their chores in October, three
of the 716<sup>th</sup> companies returned to Fort Dix. On 20 November 1962,
the officers and men of Company B returned to the post. While at Oxford,
Company B had patrolled the own and campus and secured Baxter Hall, on-campus
residence of James Meredith. The 720<sup>th</sup> Military Police Battalion
from Fort Hood, Texas took over the vigil at Oxford upon departure of the 716<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In April 1963, Fort Dix again was called on to provide
assistance to a civilian community – this time in the local area. Men and
equipment from Fort Dix battled raging brush and forest fires that swept
through southern New Jersey for four days. Area fire fighters had been unable
to contain the wind-whipped flames and asked Fort Dix for assistance. Within 45
minutes of the first distress call, the Fort Dix Fire Department and soldiers
of Company L, 1<sup>st</sup> Training Regiment, were dispatched to the scene.
They were backed up by men of Company K, 1<sup>st</sup> Training Regiment, and
assisted by the 716<sup>th</sup> Military Police and 86<sup>th</sup> Engineer
Battalions. Military policemen aided local police officials in controlling
traffic and establishing traffic control points. Using military radio patrol
jeeps, a radio communications network coordinated civilian and military
efforts. Men of the 86<sup>th</sup> Engineer Battalion battled the fires with
giant bulldozers by cutting fire breaks and clearing away charred debris. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The two main areas of conflagration nearest the post
were in Jackson and Pemberton Townships. The fire blazed its way south, leaving
60,000 acres of charred and smoldering woodland in and around Lebanon State
Forest. At the height of the fires, almost 1,000 Fort Dix soldiers and
miscellaneous military fire fighting equipment were at the scenes. The bulk of
the men were from Company K and L of the 1<sup>st</sup> Training Regiment and
Companies D and P of the 4<sup>th</sup> Training Regiment. In addition 200 beds
and mattresses and more than 400 blankets were sent to the Toms River
Courthouse Annex to help the homeless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the interests of civil defense, another community
service was provided the surrounding areas by Fort Dix personnel. On 1 January
1964, the post’s chemical officer was delegated the responsibility of training
local civilian radiological defense monitors. The first class was conducted at
Margate, New Jersey, on 25 January 1964. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When President Johnson’s Youth Opportunity Campaign
was initiated at Fort Dix in June 1965, the Civilian Personnel Office announced
that the post could hire 25 youths. This was in accordance with the federal
government’s policy of hiring one extra civilian trainee for every 100
employees on the payroll to stimulate more than 500,000 work-training
opportunities lcontinuing essential and critical operations, it was decided an
additional 175 youths could be used during the summer. The request was
forwarded to the Department of the Army for consideration. Upon receiving
approval, the jobs were filled, resulting in Fort Dix exceeding the President’s
requirements to create additional positions for young men and women between the
ages of 16 and 21. In 1966, the Civilian Personnel Office at Fort Dix hired 310
economically or educationally disadvantaged youths, who worked during July,
August and September as part of the President’s “War on Poverty” program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 1960s saw a continued program to improve morale,
health and welfare services and facilities for military personnel and their
dependents. Enhanced were Special Services programs and facilities, medical
care, Army education opportunities, religious facilities, post exchanges, sports
programs, and open messes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More than 8,000 basic trainees from all of the basic
combat training regiments at Fort Dix were entertained in 1960 by “Operation
Entertainment,” which brought soldier variety shows to bivouac areas for
infantrymen undergoing field training. Initiated by the post entertainment
director, the shows provided relaxation and amusement for trainees who, while
spending a week in the field, had little opportunity for recreation. The first
of these shows took place in June 1960, and the project continued through
September. A troupe of 16 performers in each show entertained trainees on
bivouac, using the back of an Army truck as a stage. The group also entertained
patients in Walson Army Hospital and went on to perform in service clubs. The
program continued during summers of the next six years, with more than 10,000
bivouacking troops entertained in 1966. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The addition to Fort Dix of Walson Army Hospital in
1960 was not the end of new medical facilities built on this post in the
Sixties. Quarters for 80 nurses, constructed in an area adjacent to the
hospital at a cost of $750,000, were ready for occupancy in March. A huge,
modern red-brick barrack, costing $691,000 and designed to house 326 medical
enlisted men, was ready for occupancy near Walson the following year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In June 1965, a $1.3 ilingmillion construction program
began on a two-story addition for clinics and a one-story Air Evacuation Center
for Walson Army Hospital. The two-story addition increased medical facilities
at the hospital by 32,000 square feet. Opened 22 June 1966, it was occupied by
preventive medical facilities for Army health nurse programs of immunization,
physical examinations, and child and adult health care and the following
clinics: dental, dermatology, neuropsychiatric, pediatrics, pharmacy, surgical
and medical, and eye, nose and throat. After these facilities moved into the
addition, the builders returned to expand the areas vacated by some of the
clinics and modify activities remaining on the first floor of the original
hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Air Evacuation Center, a joint operation involving
Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, moved into its newly built facility at the
hospital in May 1966. The addition is 14.5 feet high and expands floor space by
6,000 square feet. Responsible for giving medical care to air evacuation
patients en route to their final destination, the center handled between 750
and 825 patients a month between July and October. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite the expansion of the Sixties, not all medical
facilities are located in the hospital complex. The Medical Activities Building
on Pennsylvania Avenue, formerly known as the Health Center, houses facilities
for the Mental Hygiene Consultation Service, the First US Army Medical
Personnel Procurement Office, the veterinarian, and the Columbia University
Research Team. The Medical Processing Center of the Department of Hospital
Clinics, located on Florida Avenue, conducts physical examinations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During 1966, a staff coordinator from Walter Reed
Hospital arrived at Walson Army Hospital to develop plans for WRAIN-University
of Maryland, a program for training student nurses at the hospital. Plans call
for the first group of student-nurses from the University of Maryland to arrive
at Fort Dix in July 1967 under the WRAIN (Walter Reed Army Institute of
Nursing) program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Army Education Center located at 8<sup>th</sup>
Street and New York Avenue, offered a variety of services to raise an
individual’s education level through collegiate training, on-and off-duty
instruction, self-study and examination. Additionally, high school and college
courses through the United States Armed Forces Institute were offered. Nearby
colleges, including Rutgers, Trenton State, Temple, Rider, Princeton and the
University of Pennsylvania, offered evening courses, which permanent party
soldiers could attend. In 1964, Trenton Junior College offered a program of
courses to Dixans to complement those already available. By 1965 a broad field
of courses ranging from sociology to data processing was available to post
personnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Continued emphasis on education brought a marked
increase in the number of high school graduates or equivalent among the ranks
of enlisted personnel. With a goal of at least a high school education for
enlisted men in the Army, a general educational development test was
administered and diplomas issued. In February 1961 alone, a record of 413
permanent party enlisted personnel successfully completed the high school equivalency
test. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the Sixties, the post’s six libraries continued to
serve the interests of Fort Dix personnel. By the end of 1966, the Main Post
Library contained 30,000 volumes with more than 1500 phonography records in the
music room. In addition to the main library, branch libraries are located in
four of the service clubs and Walson Army Hospital. Also, a library bookmobile
serves personnel at Nike Army Air Defense Command sites in Clementon and
Swedesboro, New Jersey and Edgemont, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pennsylvania. The total number of volumes
in the Fort Dix Library system exceeds 65,000. On-post libraries serve the
entire Fort Dix community, with emphasis on nonfiction and reference materials.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The time-worn cleche, “better late than never,”
properly describes an incident involving the Post Library in 1964. Bruce
Williams of Westfield, Massachusetts, was a civilian employee at Camp Dix in
1917, At that time he “borrowed” a book from the Post Library. In mid-1964, a
small package arrived at the Post Quartermaster’s Office. In it was a book of
John Greenleaf Whittier’s Complete Poems, along with a note from the man who
had borrowed the book 47 years before. Said Williams in his letter, “I would
rather return the book now than have folks think I failed to return it to its rightful
owner. Please forward this to the librarian.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today the library’s scope is supplemented by
arrangement with New Jersey’s Public and School Library Services Bureau. This
arrangement provides practically everything in the way of reference material. A
microfilm viewer has been purchased, and microfilm of the New York Times and
several periodicals, spanning the years 1961 to the present, are available for
viewing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Religious facilities on the post received a major
boost on 11 April 1963 when groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a 600-seat
Post Chapel and Religious Center. The center, featuring complete religious
education facilities, was dedicated on 3 September 1964. Earlier, on 29 June,
construction of a 300-seat regimental chapel had begun in the 2<sup>nd</sup>
Training Regiment Area. AT the time the post chapel opened, 13 others were in
operation. Each had chaplains available to servicemen and their families.
Regular services were scheduled for Protestants, Catholics and Jews. In
addition, services were conducted for specific denominations, such as Christian
Scientists, Episcopalians, Latter-Day Saints and Lutherans. Each of the chapels
provided an active religious program, which included religious instruction,
baptism, and marriage, in addition to general programs of Sunday School,
catechism classes and Hebrew School. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, after
extensive renovation, the Main Post Exchange was reopened in June 1964. Two
snack bars, two filling stations, a beauty shop and tailor pick-up point were
added to the exchange system. Sales of all exchange facilities during 1965
totaled $13 million and in 1966, almost $15 million. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other changes were made
on post to improve morale and welfare programs and facilities. Among them were
revision of the Army sports program, opening of additional Special Services
facilities, refurbishing the Fort Dix Officers Open Mess, and construction of a
new Fort Dix NCO Open Mess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The post golf facilities
were complemented in 1962 with construction of a driving range. In 1963, five
softball fields, two tennis courts, a baseball field, and a football field were
added to Fort Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also during 1963, a
24-lane bowling alley was constructed. When it neared completion, a wire
service story with a Washington D.C., dateline was carried in the local newspapers
quoting the mayor of Wrightstown, New Jersey, the community adjoining Fort Dix.
He stated he would appear before the Senate Armed Forces Committees to air his
complaints against ‘unfair competition by the services.” News stories in the
local papers, including publications in Philadelphia, Trenton and Newark,
followed. Although queried by many press representatives, Fort Dix officials
did not comment on the mayor’s remarks. Opening on 30 September 1963, the
$338,000 Fort Dix Bowl was considered one of the finest bowling alleys on any
military installation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since its 1917 inception,
Fort Dix has had successful sports programs, and this was well exemplified
during the 1960s. however, a 1965 change in the Army sports program eliminated
many of the post-level teams and interinstallation competition. Too much
military training time was used by individuals to train, travel and compete in
such sports. Until this change, Fort Dix had excelled in competition between
installations. Presently only those sports that lead to international
competition, such as boxing, basketball, wrestling, track and field, triathlon
and soc</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">cer, are supported. Teams travel only once – to the site of the Army’s
area championships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the last 10 years of
interinstallation competition, Dix captured 61 First US Army championships, 42
runner-up awards and 12 third-place finishes. In 1960 Fort Dix won the First US
Army basketball, boxing, volleyball, table tennis, flag football, bowling and
horse shoes championships. 1961 saw the post-level teams repeat in the first
five sports above and add the baseball title to their string of victories. Fort
Dix athletic teams won six of nine First Army championships in 1962 and
continued their winning performances in 1963. Softball, baseball and horseshoe
championship laurels were added in 1964, although the track and field team
failed to retain its championship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1965, Fort Dix won
First US Army championships in boxing and basketball, the two sports during the
Sixties in which Dix athletes always excelled. At the time of the Army sports
program change, the boxing team had won six consecutive championships and the
basketball team an even more impressive 11 straight. On their way to the First
Army basketball championships, the “Borros” had posted some phenomenal season
records, such as 43-2 in 1960 and 34-1 in 1962. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix also played host
to a number of important sporting functions during the Sixties. The post was
the headquarters and training camp for the 1960 United States Olympic Boxing
Squad, which faired so well in the Olympics at Rome. Among the team members was
a classy young boxer named Cassius Clay, later to become the professional world
heavyweight boxing champion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In May 1961, the 14<sup>th</sup>
Conseil International du Sport Militaire Boxing Championships were held in the
Sports Arena at Fort Dix. Nine countries were represented in the bouts
conducted from 9 through 12 May. The teams represented Italy, West Germany,
United Arab Republic, Belgium, France, Iraq, Austria, Tunisia and the United
States. The United States team won the championship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Famous professional
athletes also have trained or been stationed at Fort Dix. Pole vault star Don
Bragg was assigned to Fort Dix when he was a member of the 1960 Olympic track
team and holder of the world’s indoor pole vault record. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The football world has
been represented by such all-pro standouts as linebacker Jim Houston of the
Browns and former Giant tackle Roosevelt Grier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Baseball’s Los Angeles
Dodgers might have been in trouble during recent years if they had two of their
“Dix-trained” stars. Trading baseballs for hand grenades did not seem to bother
Dodger hurlers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nor did it seem to hinder
1965 American League home run leader Tony Conigliaro of the Boston Red Sox.
All-American cagers Sihugo Green from Duquesne and Al Ferrari of Michigan State
trained here before making successful transition to professional basketball. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, Fort Dix offers an
excellent and varied sports program for the athletically included soldier. Currently
there are 18 major sports in the installation’s sports program. Offered are
bowling, basketball, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, track and field,
tennis, golf and swimming. Also included are softball, horseshoes, flag
football, boxing, wrestling, soccer, weight lifting, skeet shooting and
handball. The current Army sports encourages maximum participation by personnel
for physical development, teamwork, and the enhancement of the esprit de corps.
This is accomplished through company intermural competition. At the discretion
of the commanders, a maximum of two hours daily during duty hours is authorized
for sports training at installation level and below. All competition between
teams is held during these two hours and off-duty time only. Two fully
enclosed, lighted softball fields were completed at Dix in October 1966, making
it possible for soldiers to participate in softball games during the hours of
darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Both the NCO and
officers’ open messes witnessed major improvements in their facilities in 1963
and 1964. In the last quarter of 1963, the bar, cocktail lounge and TV room at
the officers’ open mess were completely renovated and refurbished. On 1
December 1964, ground was broken for a new $650,000 NCO open mess. The air-conditioned
structure, which had its grand opening in February 1966, contains a ballroom
with a seating capacity for 550 persons. The building is complete with
bandstand, performers’ dressing room, 175-place dining room, 20-man stag bar,
barber shop, snack bar, cocktail lounge, television lounge and service bar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In February 1965, the
Fort Dix Community Service Center was established to assist in meeting the
social welfare needs of military personnel and families who live at Fort Dix or
in the surrounding communities. Located in the old hospital area in Building
S3648, the center is staffed by professional military social service workers
and a host of volunteers. The center is guided by a board of governors and
meets family needs through two broad programs: family services and youth
activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The family service
program is designed to assist families on an emergency basis, when hardships
result from illness, death, moving, financial crisis or other unexpected
events. A committee was established to provide information to newly arrived
families about services available, such as the location of the commissary, post
exchange, theaters, hospital and religious facilities. Referral services are
provided in the areas of marriage, finance and welfare services in New Jersey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The broadest of the
programs is the youth activities program, which operates on a year-round basis
for children of all ages. Activities include the Fort Dix Teen Club, brownies
and girl scouts, cubs and boy scouts, and youth sports such as bowling, baseball,
football and basketball. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A youth employment bureau
was established to provide such summer jobs as camp and recreational
counselors, as well as on-and off-post employment for interested teens and
college students. The service of volunteers in every activity – recreation,
arts and crafts, athletics and baby siting – illustrates the service center’s slogan,
“The Army Takes Care of Its Own.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Community Service
Center, which had been singled out in the summer of 1966 for having the best
operation of a major installation in the First US Army area, was commended as
outstanding in the US Continental Army Command. In August, its record reviewed
again, it was proclaimed “best in the United States Army” by Department of
Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Dix center was cited
by the Department of the Army for assistance given servicemen and their
families “during the 1966 expansion of the Army which necessitated moves on
short notice for thousands.” In winning the Continental Army Command award
several months earlier, the center’s activities had been judged outstanding in
all areas of management and in the use of professional personnel, community
resources, volunteer workers and an advisory council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As the first half of the
1960s drew to a close, a change affecting all installations in the eastern
United States took place. It was decided by Department of the Army to merge
Second US Army with First US Army. The merger added a larger area, New Jersey
and parts of New York and eastern Pennsylvania, to Fort Dix in its
responsibilities of supporting off-post units and activities. However, its
mission of training troops continued as if no merger had taken place. The
phase-in of the merger, which inactivated Second US Army, began in July 1965
and was completed on 1 January 1966. First US Army headquarters moved from
Governors Island, New York, to Fort Meade, Maryland, previously the home of
Headquarters, Second US Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the Phase-in
period, Fort Dix hosted the visit of civilian aides to the secretary of the
army from the then First and Second Army areas. On 28 and 29 September 1965,
they met with the commanding generals of the two armies as well as those of the
II, XX and XXI US Army Corps. During their stay at Dix, members of the group
were briefed on the merger of the armies and the training mission and
activities of the United States Army Training Center, Infantry, Fort Dix. They
also visited training and other activities on the post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The aides are civilian
advisors to the secretary of the army, the Army chief of staff and the
commanding general of the Army areas in which they live. Their function is to
interpret Army missions and objectives to the community and civilian views and
reactions to the Army. The group’s visit came at the end of the first half of
the Sixties – a period when the nation faced perplexing crisis. Cold War
activity and the challenge to freedom’s frontiers had continued throughout the
five years, then exploded with active combat in the Vietnam War. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again the American
soldier was called on to fight in a land thousands of miles away from home.
Young men in increasing numbers were inducted to fulfill their obligation in
the military service of their country. Fort Dix’ continuing mission of training
such men and preparing them for combat never diminished during the sixth decade
of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century. Just as their older brothers and uncles in the
Korean War, their fathers in World War II and their grandfathers in World War
I, the Fort Dix-trained soldier of the 1960s displayed the courage, loyalty and
love of country for which US Army men long have been noted. Never had the US
Army received men who responded so well to training and assimilated it so fast.
Perhaps this speaks well for the training abilities and dedicated of their
trainers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And so, the primary
mission of training troops did not change over the years – only the methods to
perform that mission. In a world where different types of war – nuclear,
conventional and unconventional – could be fought, lighter and more efficient
weapons and equipment plus up-to-date methods and tactics were furnished and
taught the modern soldier – America’s Ultimate Weapon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-67762625390049791692017-04-10T08:28:00.001-07:002017-04-10T08:28:14.919-07:00Fort Dix History Chapter IX - Post WWII - 1950s<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter IX <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">POST-WORLD WAR II <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">As the war swung decidedly in favor
of the Allies, thoughts were directed to future dismantling of America’s
powerful war machine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">As a start, a small separation
center was ordered into operation at Fort Dix by the War Department in April
1944 to hasten the discharge processing of enlisted men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">An experiment at the time, this
embryonic organization was the first of a series to be established in each
service command in the United States. The center was charged with processing
and discharging enlisted men within 48 hours after their arrival. This program
was a marked improvement over earlier discharge procedures, which had required
several weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">All men on the East Coast eligible
for discharge were transferred to Fort Dix, where original induction procedures
were reversed. First, the soldiers underwent physical examinations. Then they
were classified for civilian occupations according to their Army duties and
former civilian positions. They also received orientation and, in some cases,
civilian clothing. Lastly, they received discharge papers, final pay and travel
tickets home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">To provide operating personnel for
these centers, a school was activated in July 1944 at Fort Dix. The school
trained officers and enlisted men for duty at separation stations planned
throughout the nation. Training consisted of a four-week course in interviewing
and counseling soldiers being separated from the service. After the school
operated at Dix for about six months, it moved on 22 January 1945 to Fort Sam
Houston, Texas, where it became part of the Adjutant General’s School. While at
Dix the school graduated a total of 746 officers and enlisted men and women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Separation centers were not the cold
impersonal disassembly lines one would imagine. Several personal guidelines
were considered at all times. Before individuals were returned to civilian
life, center operators attempted to bring the separate face-to-face with the
realization that their home communities were probably changed by war, and that
their own interests also may have changed. Men wishing to use Army-acquired
skills in civilian life were informed how these skills could be used. Each
separatee was provided a record of his military experiences to help him get a
job. Those with handicaps or physical limitations, who needed rehabilitation or
development of a proper mental outlook, were given counsel. Thus, those
operating the centers guided soldiers from the world they knew before the war
into the post-war contemporary world. This was the humanitarian approach
followed during the maximum 48 hours allotted each individual prior to his
release from active service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The system was set up none too soon.
Separation activities steadily increased until it seemed they would be
overwhelmed by the hordes of troops returning from the war. Separation Center
26, which had begun operations at Dix in April 1944, processed only 323 men
that month. The volume slowly increased, and at the year’s end, 38,554
officers, enlisted men and WACs had been separated. This number was but a
trickle preceding the later flood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">With the cessation of hostilities in
1945, Fort Dix took on a new prominence. During that year, the Separation
Center expanded and became the largest in the nation. “R” (Redeployment) Day,
12 May 1945, was a notable date at Fort Dix when more than 2,000 troops in
process for overseas shipment were screened for eligibility and placed in the
separation stream. In order to separate as many eligible men as possible that
day, all military and civilian personnel who could be spared were put to work
in the Separation Center. Separations on R-Day were given worldwide coverage by
news and motion picture services with two national radio hookups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In September 1945, the Separation
Center was placed on a 24-hour schedule, with 16 hours of actual processing and
eight hours preparation of materials and administrative work. This was made
possible by the assignment of additional military personnel to the Fort Dix
Personnel Center and station complement. During the following month, daily
discharges passed the 4,000 mark. The all-time national high for one month was
reached in October when 113,401 personnel received their releases. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The present
Post Headquarters Administration building played a key role in the separation
process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In March 1946, the 1262<sup>nd</sup>
Reception Center returned to Fort Dix, and this Army post was not the site of
the Second Service Command’s only reception and separation center. The famous
1262<sup>nd</sup> formerly had been located at Dix but was moved to Fort
Hancock on 17 October 1945 after Fort Dix became inundated with a flood of
returning servicemen awaiting separation. During its previous five years at Dix
before moving to Hancock, the 1262<sup>nd</sup> had processed 712,740
inductees. When the tide of returning personnel had receded, there was again
room at Dix for the 1262<sup>nd</sup> Reception Center. There also was room for
the 1220<sup>th</sup> Reception Center from Fort Monmouth. This unit was inactivated
and its personnel transferred to the 1262<sup>nd</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Fort Dix discharged 508,069 in 1945,
and another 556,697 were returned to civilian life in 1946. In September 1946,
Staff Sergeant Albert Cuchessi of Newark, New Jersey, a veteran of five and one
half years and a prisoner of the Japanese for three years, five months, became
the 1,000,000<sup>th</sup> World War II veteran to be separated at Fort Dix.
Altogether Dix separated 1,182,118 World War II vets. Even this was a costly
venture; total disbursements at the post for only a two-year period ending 31
March 1947 amounted to well over a half-billion dollars ($556,415,450.92) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">With the cessation of hostilities in
Europe and the evacuation of fewer casualties from that theater of operations,
the number of admissions to Tilton General Hospital from overseas dropped
markedly during the last half of 1945. However, the work load of Tilton
Hospital remained at capacity because of the rapidly increasing activities at
the Fort Dix Separation Center. The daily tally at the hospital rarely fell
below 4,000 for 1945, and the average was closer to 4,500 each day during the
later months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1945, cadet nurses of the Army
attended the Second Service Command Nurses Basic Training School at Tilton to
complete their final six months of training. Although the average number of
cadets attending was 90, the graduating class of May 1945 numbered 400. Upon
graduation some were assigned to Tilton and the remainder transferred to other
medical facilities throughout the world. The program at Fort Dix was completed
in the spring of 1946. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">During the post-war years, Tilton
General Hospital suffered an extremely high turnover among enlisted personnel
when many qualified for overseas duty were so assigned. Replacements returned
at a slow rate from overseas theaters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The most rapid turnover in officer
personnel came in the latter months of 1945 with the cessation of hostilities.
Large numbers of Medical Corps officers returned from overseas, but many were
eligible for release from active duty. Because of this, difficulties were
encountered in filling hospital vacancies. This led not only to a critical
shortage of medical officers at the hospital but difficulty in disposition of
patients. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Towards the end of 1945, almost
every chief of service, chief of section and qualified specialist became
eligible for release from active duty, resulting in the assignment of
practically a complete new staff. For quite some time, a definite shortage of
personnel continued to exist in many specialties, including the Orthopedic
Section, which alone had a monthly work load of 1,200 to 2,100 patients. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The history of the Tilton General
Hospital shows a peak load in January 1946 when there were 4,250 admissions and
3,650 dispositions. However, because of the sharply reduced level of activity
in spring of that year, some of the converted ramp wards were closed and the
remainder held ready for emergency use. But, the closed wards at Tilton had to
be reopened late in 1946 because of a sudden increase in hospital admissions and
the closing of other general hospitals in the East. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Thus, Tilton General Hospital
continued to maintain a patient load of approximately 4,000. Difficulties were
increased during the latter part of 1946 when turnover figures for the
hospital’s medical officers reached a new high. Despite these setbacks, Tilton
General continued to perform efficiently with a nucleus of skilled officer
personnel and through the untiring efforts of all personnel assigned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Medical Administration Branch of
the Army had a prominent role in the history of Tilton. It performed the many
administrative duties necessary in so great an undertaking. During the first
two and a half years of the war, a relatively small number of Medical
Administrative Corps officers were assigned to Tilton. As more administrative
officers became available upon graduation from Officers Candidate School, the
number assigned to Tilton greatly increased until 85 were members of the Tilton
staff. They relieved Medical Corps officers of a large share of administrative
duties, thus giving the doctors more time to spend on their growing
professional commitments. However, buy 31 December 1946, the number of medical
administrative officers had been reduced to 52. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In January 1947, the average daily
patient load of Tilton General Hospital was 4, 277, but as the year progressed,
this figure gradually decreased. By the end of 1947, the daily average had
dropped to 1, 590 patients and remained at that figure until the end of 1948.
The decrease of patients solved many problems caused during peak periods. Among
these had been overcrowding of available bed space for patients and limited
housing facilities for duty personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1949, Tilton General Hospital was
redesignated Fort Dix Station Hospital and its functions as a general hospital
terminated. Its area of responsibility for service was limited to that of a
station hospital. During the next ten years, little change in the status,
buildings or staff organization took place. Even during the Korean War, when
large numbers of troops were trained on the post, few changes were made in
hospital facilities. Buildings and contents were maintained and repaired. But
the aging material and equipment gradually became increasingly more difficult
to maintain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">However, a significant addition
occurred in October 1958. To supplement the post’s Station Hospital complement,
the 4<sup>th</sup> Field Hospital was transferred from Fort Devens to Dix.
Activated on 30 June 1942 at Camp Young, California, the 4<sup>th</sup> Field
Hospital was attached to the Desert Training Center and later shipped to north
Africa. Arriving in Cairo, Egypt, on 11 November 1942, the unit saw service in
Libya, Tripoli, Tunisia and Italy before inactivation on 10 September 1945.
Reactivated 5 August 1949, the 4<sup>th</sup> Field Hospital completed
assignments in Colorado, Canada, Alaska and finally Korea. Inactivated a second
time on 1 November 1951, the unit was recalled again on 11 February 1952 and
sent to Camp Rucker, Alabama. The 4<sup>th</sup> stayed there for a year before
its transfer to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where it remained until being
ordered to Fort Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In March 1946, the Army Service
Forces had instituted a basic training program, and Fort Dix, along with its
responsibilities as a separation center, was named a Signal Corps Replacement
Training Center. Primarily designed to teach military fundamentals to recent
inductees who had been assigned military jobs immediately on entering the
service, the program included all men who had not received a minimum of six
weeks’ basic training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On a higher training level, a
leadership school for enlisted men opened in September 1946. Its purpose was to
prepare potential noncommissioned officers for promotion to the top three
enlisted grades, which then were master sergeant, technical sergeant and staff
sergeant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Fort Dix Army Field became an
Air Force installation in 1947 when the unification act of that year made the
US Air Force a separate department. The modern history of the base began on 17
September 1949, when it was officially dedicated in honor of Major Thomas B.
McGuire, Jr., one of the leading fighter aces of World War II. Although McGuire
Air Force Base is no longer an integral part of Fort Dix, the sight and sound
of jet aircraft in the air over the post are a constant reminder of its
presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On 15 July 1947, the 9<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division was reactivated and assumed responsibility for all post
activities. With this move, Fort Dix and the 9<sup>th</sup> Division became one
and the same. Units of the division had earned fame in World War I at
Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Mouse-Argonne and Alsace-Lorraine. In World War II,
the division fought in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sicily, Normandy, Falaise
Gap, the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland and the Ruhr. It spearheaded the
breakthrough at St. Lo, earning the nickname “Hitler’s Nemeis.” <br />
<br />
While at Dix, the 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division’s primary mission was to
train newly enlisted personnel of the Army Field Forces in basic military
subjects for a period of 14 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">To provide for the continuing influx
of troops, several modifications appeared in the structure of units on the post
in 1948. In January, the 364<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment, which had been
activated at Dix as part of the 9<sup>th</sup> Division in November 1947, began
to cycle individual companies. In June, the 47<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment,
which had been returned to the training picture eight months earlier but
remained at zero strength, was named as the 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division
Specialist Training Regiment. Its mission was to train mechanics, clerks and
cooks. The unit had the capability to train more than 1,700 students at a time.
Because of the growing numbers of trainees entering Fort Dix, the division
increased to six training regiments in July. Later, in November 1948, the first
contingent of new Jersey selectees arrived at Dix under the Selective Service
Act of 1948, and in the same month, reenlistments at Fort Dix hit an all-time
high. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Meanwhile, for months several
hundred acres of woodland that surrounded the airfield at Fort Dix were used
for target practice by jet fighter units from Andrews Field, Maryland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In line with an economy program,
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, was inactivated and its Personnel Center ordered to
Dix in 1949. Upon completion of the move, which started 15 November, the center
began operations at Dix as a separate headquarters under the commanding
general, 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division. However, following the outbreak of
the Korean War on 25 June 1950, the Personnel Center closed its activities at
Fort Dix and returned in September to a reactivated Fort Kilmer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Because the Korean War had increased
the flow of personnel to the post, the 364<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment,
which had been inactive since July 1949, was reactivated at Dix in March 1951
to assist in the training load. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Among the
influx of young men reporting to the post were 31 aliens who enlisted in
Germany and started basic training at Fort Dix in October 1951 under a rather
effective “buddy system.” Upon arrival in their basic training companies, they
were assigned to individual trainees who guided and helped them adjust to the
American way of life, both in military and in social spheres. In addition,
special classes at the Fort Dix Information and Education Center were started
in November 1951 to qualify them for citizenship before completion of their
enlistments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">During the
world tensions of the early 1950s, Fort Dix not only received men in ever
increasing numbers but shipped them overseas at a greatly increased rate.
Consequently, the installation experimented with a somewhat different overseas
replacement concept. Under the system, adopted by the Army in July 1953,
trained companies were shipped intact, and once at their new assignments,
personnel served together, if possible. It was felt this system would inspire morale,
instill men with a higher espirit de corps, and allow them to adjust more
easily to overseas conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Earlier,
in 1952, President Harry S. Truman announced that men of the Regular Army,
Enlisted Reserve and National Guard, whose expiration dates to active service
were between 1 July 1952 and 1 July 1953, would be extended for nine months.
However, during the closing days of the Korean War, the men were not required
to fulfill the entire length of the extension. While some of the men were beginning
to serve the extended time, reserve officers from 10 units in New York and New
Jersey arrived at Dix in July 1952 to start a 15-day period of Organized
Reserve Corps schooling. The schools were established for officers who desired
to fulfill their summer camp obligation but for whom no vacancies existed in
reserve organizations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">During the
closing months of the Korean War starting in April 1953, the number of
authorized permanent party personnel with the 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division
was increased by almost 350. The Food Service School at Dix enlarged and became
the only school of its kind in the First Army area. Immediately, the number of
students in this course doubled. Later in October, personnel increased again
when the Reception Center at Fort Devens and Camp Kilmer were discontinued and
reestablished at Fort Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The basic
training mission of Dix further expanded in July when it began to train men
scheduled to attend such schools as transportation, quartermaster, chemical and
adjutant general. Previously, most men slated for specialty schools of this
type received their initial training at the posts that conducted the schools.
For example, a soldier going to the Transportation School at Fort Eustis,
Virginia, went there directly from a reception center to receive eight weeks of
basic training before starting school. Under the revised procedure, a soldier
would first come to Dix, complete his basic training, and then be shipped to
Fort Eustis. This change insured greater training efficiency and proved more economical.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">An
important change took place at Dix in April 1954. The 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry
Division was transferred to US Army Europe (USAREUR) to become part of the
European Command. The transfer was strictly on paper, the movement of personnel
was not involved. At the same time, the 69<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division was
activated at Dix by the Department of the Army. All personnel and organic units
previously assigned to the 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division were redesigned and
assigned to the 69<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Originally
activated in May 1943, the 69<sup>th</sup> Division was assigned to Camp
Shelby, Mississippi, and then sent overseas to the European Theater of
Operations in November 1944. Entering combat in the Morichau sector under V
Corps of the Fifteenth US Army, the division helped crack the Siegfried Line in
that area. On 25<sup> </sup>April 1945, the 69<sup>th</sup> made the war’s
first American contact with the Russians at the Elbe River. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In May
1954, the 365<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment was reactivated to assist in
training and an expected increased number of inductees assigned to fort Dix due
to the stepped-up summer draft and closing down of several other training
installations. The 69<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division was tasked to conduct
basic and advanced individual training. Training was divided into two phases,
the first, eight weeks of basic combat training and then advanced individual
training, qualifying soldiers in Army skills. The second phase of training was
divided into two distinct groups, advanced and technical. Trainees assigned to
advanced infantry training were molded into well-disciplined, physically
conditioned soldiers with sufficient military training to enable them to be
integrated into coordinated teams, such as rifle squads, mortar crews or
machine gun squads. Trainees assigned to advanced technical training attended
one of a variety of schools: administration, supply, bandsman, mechanic, radio
operator or cook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">During the
year the 69<sup>th</sup> was reactivated at Dix, the post was the site of
several important raining methods research projects. In January, more than
1,000 trainees were involved in a six-month Department of the Army study aimed
at discovering more efficient procedures for improving the Army’s basic
training program. Several companies of the 47<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment
were chosen for the study. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Dix was
named one of six posts during February 1954 to organize transitional training
units for inductees who in civilian life did not have the chance to raise their
education above the fourth-grade level. Men in these transitional units were
given two to four weeks of schooling preceding their basic training. This
schooling further increased the men’s capacity to assimilate the basic training
program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">According
to the installation newspaper, the Fort Dix Post, 63 percent more soldiers
completed basic training during Fiscal Year 1954, which ended 30 June 1954,
than the previous year. But there was more to come. Fort Dix had a November
1954 population of more than 40,000, of which 25,000 were basic trainees in 74
companies. In addition, approximately 3,000 were taking specialized training in
various schools. The largest input for any peacetime month occurred at the
Reception Station during January 1955, when 8,910 processed into the Army. Of
these, 4,310 were draftees, 4, 346 first team regulars; and the remainder
enlisted reservists. The busiest day was 28 January, when 717 recruits filled
the station – 554 enlisting for service as the Korean GI Bill deadline neared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In the
meantime, a radically different concept to replace major overseas units had
been adopted by the Department of the Army in 1954. Dubbed “Operation
Gyroscope,” entire overseas divisions and separate smaller units were replaced
by like units stationed in the States. To meet the manpower requirements of
these units destined for overseas, a great number of personnel was shuttled
within the Continental Army Command. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Nine
hundred trainees shipped from the Reception Station at Fort Dix to the XVIII
Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during the first week of February
1955. The shipment of trainees brought the total number of off-post shipments
since the first of this year to more than 3,500. Earlier, January shipments had
gone to the 10<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; 101<sup>st</sup>
Airborne Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and the 5<sup>th</sup> Armored
Division, Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. The 10<sup>th</sup> Division, after receiving
additional Dix shipments in March and May, later was transferred to Germany,
replacing the 1<sup>st</sup> Infantry Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Late in
May, the input of the Reception Station dropped about 30 percent, and only four
instead of the normal eight Fort Dix basic training companies began to cycle
each week. The deceased number of trainees coming through the center resulted
from a cut of Selective Service calls. The nation’s draft call dropped from an
average of about 23,000 per month to 11,000, decreasing Fort Dix’ monthly
training load of draftees from 4,500 to 2,500. However, the number of enlistees
received and trained at the post each month remained at 1,500. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The 331<sup>st</sup>
Military Police (Criminal Investigation) Detachment, which had been at Dix
since March 1951, was transferred to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Feruary 1955. The
40<sup>th</sup> Military Police Detachment (CI), a unite that would stay at Dix
until its reassignment to Vietnam in August 1965, was activated in its place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The Fort
Dix Noncommissioned Officers Academy opened its first class on 23 May 1955.
Designed to train noncommissioned officers as cadre and junior leaders, the
six-week course offered refresher or preparatory training to its classes. The
first four weeks consisted of academic study and the final two weeks practical
training in a unit. <br />
<br />
When first activated, personnel of the NCO Academy, which included students in
the Advanced Leaders Course, were housed in the 879<sup>th</sup> Field
Artillery Battalion of the 69<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division Artillery. In
retraining top three-graders, who were in overstrength noncombatant fields, to
a combat military occupational specialty. The next month, the NCO Academy was
placed under supervision of the Specialist Training Regiment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Meanwhile,
it was announced that Camp Kilmer’s Personnel Center activities would shift to
Fort Dix around the first of July 1955. Making the move to Fort Dix gradually
and without a massive influx of personnel, the center took over areas formerly
occupied by the inactivated 271<sup>st</sup> and 273<sup>rd</sup> Infantry
Regiments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The move
of the 1264<sup>th</sup> Service unite from Camp Kilmer started on 18 June
1955, as 128 officers, 15 warrant officers and 1,083 enlisted men arrived at
Dix on a permanent change of station. With the move, Fort Dix’ 1299<sup>th</sup>
Service Unit was disbanded and its personal and activities made a part of the
1264<sup>th</sup>. While at Camp Kilmer, the 1264<sup>th</sup> had processed
men en route to Europe and the Caribbean, received returning troops from those
areas, and processed them for leave, reassignment or separation. The same
missions remained with the unit while at Dix. The move to inactivate Kilmer, a
temporary World War II camp near New Brunswick, New Jersey, was expected to
save the Army about $1,400,000 with manpower reduced by 1,150 military and 400
civilian personnel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In July
1955, Dix transferred approximately 1,000 operating personnel to the 74<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Regimental Combat Team at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The move was
made in an attempt to bring all general reserve unites in the First Army area
to full strength and combat readiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Early in
January 1956, Department of the Army issued orders directing major units and
installations to reclassify or retrain enlisted personnel in the top three
grades (master sergeants, sergeants first class and sergeants) holding military
occupation specialties in excess of the Army’s needs. The Armywide program
transferred thousands of NCOs into the combat arms, e.g., infantry artillery,
armor. At Fort Dix this reclassification affected administrative and military
police NCOs and specialists. In line with this action to balance skills with
requirements in the upper pay grades, the top three specialist grades, whose
military functions were in the excess category, had an opportunity to regain
noncommissioned officer status by volunteering for a number of critical
specialties. Volunteers for the critical fields were either retrained or
reclassified administratively if their previous training or experience
qualified them for another job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">With the
weeding out of excess personnel, a reorganization of the post’s Service Troops,
1262<sup>nd</sup> Area Service Unit, went into effect on 16 January 1956. The
major change was the redesignation of two detachments and the discontinuance of
two others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Under the
reorganization, Service Troops consisted of a Headquarters Company, a Faculty
Detachment, the 69<sup>th</sup> Military Police Company and a WAC Detachment.
Two other units were attached to the 1<sup>st</sup> Battalion – the 40<sup>th</sup>
Military Police Detachment (CI) and the 19<sup>th</sup> Finance Disbursing
Section, included in the 2<sup>nd</sup> Battalion were a Headquarters Company,
69<sup>th</sup> Replacement Company, first US Army Training Aids Subcenter,
1195<sup>th</sup> Service Unit, 664<sup>th</sup> Ordinance Company (Ammunition)
and the 553<sup>rd</sup> Ordnance Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Demolition).
Under a separate organization, and on a battalion level was the Post Stockade.
The 716<sup>th</sup> Military Police Battalion, which was assigned to Vietnam
in early 1965, and the 86<sup>th</sup> Engineer Battalion, a unit that remained
on post until embarkation for Vietnam in September 1966, also were subordinate
units of Service Troops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
organizational structure, however, was short-lived, for in April 1956 another
change occurred in Service Troops as the two battalion headquarters and their
detachments were discontinued. All subordinate units, regardless of size, were
placed directly under the commanding officer of Service Troops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Shipments
of recruits to Dix dropped off sharply and “Operation Gyroscope<’ which sent
many men from induction centers in the East directly to the 8<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. Because of the basic training
reduction at Fort Dix, gradual suspension of training activities was ordered in
February 1956 as each company of the 272<sup>nd</sup> Infantry ended its cycle.
After the March closure of the unit, the 364<sup>th</sup> and 365<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Regiments assumed the full training load.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Meanwhile,
on 16 March 1956, all Army training center divisions, including the 69<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division at Fort Dix, surrendered their numerical designations. On
this date, the Army installations at Wrightstown became the United States Army
Training Center, Infantry, Fort Dix, New Jersey, and the 69<sup>th</sup> was
inactivated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The change
in terminology provided a designation that clearly indicated the center’s basic
mission of training, and in no way affected the strength of the post. The three
training regiments took on other numerical designations, with the 365<sup>th</sup>
becoming the 1<sup>st</sup> Training Regiment, the 364<sup>th</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup>
Training Regiment, and the 272<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Training
Regiment Operation of common specialist courses was taken over by the
Specialist Training Regiment. In July 1957, because of the increased number of
recruits to arrive on the post, the 4<sup>th</sup> Training Regiment was
formally activated. The increase was partly due to an added option of the
Reserve Forces Act of 1956k - - the six-month program for reservists and
guardsmen. A new era had begun at Fort Dix earlier in August 1956 when the
first Reserve Forces Act trainees arrived to start basic training. The initial
figure of 315 men arriving that month was greatly multiplied during the ensuing
years as the six-month program grew in popularity and scope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Meanwhile,
a welfare committee was organized at Fort Dix in July 1957 to study and eliminate
local regulations found to be unnecessary and particularly irritating to
officers, enlisted men, and their dependents. The committee was established to
implement an order issued to all installations in the First US Army area.
According to the order, the committee must pay “special attention to those
directives which are irksome and tend to take the joy out of life in the
military service.” It was thought these unnecessary regulations seriously
impaired the reenlistment program and that young officers were returning to
civilian life for more enjoyable and rewarding careers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Previously,
in April 1956, the post’s NCO Advisory Council had been established. Its main
function was to serve as a means of presenting to the commanding general
problems, suggestions and recommendations concerning the welfare of enlisted
men. Later, in November 1956, the First Army commander had directed
installation commanders to take vigorous action to cut down on the high rate of
resignations among junior officers by assigning these officers to duties
commensurate with their rank, experience and educational background. Typical of
the problems such committees considered were the allocation of post housing and
excessive requirements to sign certificates indicating completion of a responsibility.
Married personnel received special consideration from the committee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Fort Dix
was chosen in October 1957 by the Department of the Army to test the formation
of “carrier companies,” which were shipped overseas intact upon completion of
advanced military training. The companies were built around four-man teams,
whose members were chosen by common backgrounds. Although the companies were
sometimes dismantled upon arrival overseas, the teams normally remained intact.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">An
important phase of today’s basic training requirements originated in June 1958.
Introduced for the first time was a training area called “Proficiency Park,”
where basic trainees were tested on subjects they had learned during the
previous weeks. The part placed trainees in an environment similar to the
subject matter, such as barbed wire enclosure to simulate a miniature prison
and a station to test aptitude with weapons. Each of the 15 stations at
Proficiency Park was as realistic as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A revised
and accelerated eight-week basic combat training program returning bayonet and
hand-to-hand combat instruction to the trainee was reintroduced to Fort Dix in
January 1959. While the length of the cycle was not extended, the hours were
readjusted to place greater stress on fundamentals of military training.
Emphasis was placed on motivational training, (and) in (the) history and
traditions of the Army and country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Also
stressed was increased proficiency in the use of weapons, drill and ceremonies
and the physical fitness program. Tactical training, including anti-guerilla warfare,
anti-infiltration warfare, and camouflage and concealment, was condensed into
14 hours. This enabled recruits to spend more time, from eight to 16 hours, on
marching and tactical bivouac training. Dismounted drill (today known as Army
drill) also was emphasized when training in the subject increased from 16 to 25
hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Because of
disturbing reports concerning reports concerning poor marksmanship per volume
of fire in World War II and Korea, Continental Army Command officials in 1953
began studying proposals to revives rifle training in the interest of realism
and motivation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It was
noted during the Korean War that as many as 50,000 rounds were expended for
every enemy casualty. The study resulted in the Trainfire system, which later
became the Army’s Basic Rifle Marksmanship Course, replacing the Known Distance
(KD) system. Under the old concept, a soldier would fire at a standard
bull’s-eye from distances of 100, 200, 300 and 500 yards – which was great for
precision shooting but not for combat practice. The combat-type silhouette
Trainfire targets of the new system were concealed in woods and seen only
fleetingly. Electrically operated, they popped up unpredictably at ranges from
50 to 350 meters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The first
part of the four-phase program was the 60-point and 110-point, 25-meter range.
Without the aid of slings, trainees fired at semi-circular bull’s-eyes from
sitting, kneeling and standing positions immediately after learning each
position. The next part was the
35-point, filed firing range. Here the trainee fired at silhouette targets,
which popped up in full view at 75, 175 and 300 meters. The third area of
instruction was target detection in which trainees scanned the woods for
concealed human targets that they detected by sight, movement and sound. The
final phase was the 16-point, record-fire range which tested the trainee’s
ability to use the instruction received during phases two and three. This
480-meter firing line simulated an actual combat firing line. Each firer was
responsible for concealed pop-up targets in a 30-meter wide sector. Sixty-four
first-round hits on 112 targets qualified a firer as an expert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Construction
of the Trainfire ranges at Fort Di began late in 1958, and they were ready for
use on 11 May 1959. Located along Range Road, the ranges were from five to
eight miles from the post headquarters. Trainfire permitted an eight-hour
reduction in rifle training and saved man-hours by eliminating pit details.
When all of the programmed ranges were in operation, five companies could be
handled each week with no problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Between
the years 1952 and 1959, the 1387<sup>th</sup> Replacement Company underwent
several redesignations before assuming its present nomenclature. In 1952, the
unit was designated 9<sup>th</sup> Replacement Company, 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry
Division, only to be renamed two years later the 69<sup>th</sup> Replacement
Company, 69<sup>th</sup> Division. It remained the 69<sup>th</sup> until 1956
when it was redesignated Replacement Company, United States Army Training
Center, Infantry. The year 1959 saw the unit renamed Replacement Company
(1387-1), USATC, Infantry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The 60<sup>th</sup>
Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squad was activated 27 January 1952 at Raritan
Arsenal, Metuchen, New Jersey. On 15 March, shortly after completing basic unit
training, the squad moved to Fort Dix, where it was attached to Detachment 13,
1262<sup>nd</sup> Area Supporting Unit. On 8 March 1954, the 60<sup>th</sup>
took on an added duty of providing explosive ordinance disposal support for
Burlington County as well as Fort Dix. In June 1954, the unit was reorganized
and its name changed to the 60<sup>th</sup> Ordnance Detachment (Explosive
Ordnance Disposal). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">As Fort
Dix gained in importance as a training center, a considerable amount of capital
improvement was undertaken. In September 1945, a post-war utilization study of
Fort Dix by the Office of Chief of Engineers concluded that the post was
considered “satisfactory for post-war retention.” The report noted that major
improvements considered essential to maintain a permanent active installation
with a strength of 25,015 men would include installation of concrete curbs and
sidewalks and drainage structure as part of soil erosion control. Bridges
needed to be strengthened and roads improved. The cost of providing permanent
troop barracks, housing for married officers and NCOs, and remodeling of existing
mobilization-type billets for post-war use was estimated to be in the
neighborhood of $16 million. At that time, 90 percent of the post’s facilities
had been constructed hastily during World War II and were of a temporary
nature, made of wood and not meant to last more than five years. But with
diligent maintenance, the five years were stretched to 20 and today many still
are being used. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In the early post-World War II era,
Fort Dix was bustling with activities of the Separation Center, Reception
Center, and the training of new troops. But little construction activity took
place. During the summer and fall of 1945, five tent areas housing 11,000 men
were used. By the end of the year, the Separation Center included 223 World War
II temporary barracks, 333 hutments, and 142 other buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Other signs of the times were
apparent at Dix as the old began to give way to the new. The Fort Dix narrow-gauge
railroad, which had been constructed during World War I to move troops to the
firing ranges and used during World War II, was retired from service after its
last run in 1945. This miniature railroad was considered too costly to repair
and maintain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In October 1948, the Army attacked
the housing shortage at Fort Dix by proposing construction of permanent
facilities for both training and permanent party. The Army wanted to replace
existing wooden barracks with permanent structures. The old barracks not only
lacked comfort but required costly rehabilitation every few years. The new
barracks, it was decided, should offer reasonable privacy, with troop bays
divided into “units” of four to eight persons each. Existing open barracks
housed 52 or more persons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Nest to be considered was
construction of sufficient permanent quarters for officers and senior NCOs.
More than 700 officers had been forced to live off post, some as far as 65
miles away. More than 100 families of officers and enlisted men were living on
post in trailers. Aside from new construction, the program called for a general
rehabilitation and modernization of facilities then in use. <br />
<br />
During the Korean War, actual construction began on new barracks and homes and
continued at a rapid pace. An additional 398 family units were provide in June
1951 by converting unused facilities of the old Station Hospital (Tilton Annex)
to accommodate enlisted personnel and their dependents. In addition, in the
fall of 1951, natural gas came into use for kitchen appliances and water
heaters, replacing coal. While only in the testing stage, utilization of gas
was studied carefully for possible post-wide use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">To meet the continuing need to
relieve crowded housing conditions caused by the swelling military population,
Department of the Army authorized the addition of 300 family quarters for
married personnel at Dix. These homes, built in the northwest sector of Fort
Dix in the vicinity of Hanover Homes under the Wherry Housing Act, were opened
for assignment to post personnel with families in February 1952. The Wherry
complex, known as Sheridanville, was named after Private First Class Carl V.
Sheridan, who was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving in Germany in 1944
with Company K of the 47<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment. Private Sheridan was
killed while making the final assault on Frenzenburg Castle, Weisweiler,
Germany, on 26 November 1944. As a bazooka gunner, Sheridan advanced alone
under constant fire across the castle courtyard to the drawbridge entrance.
There he calmly blasted the great oak door by firing three bazooka shells into
it. As a final gesture he beckoned to his comrades to follow and charge through
the opened entrance. Although his .45 cal. pistol was blasting, the was cut
down by enemy fire that greeted him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Other construction completed during
the early ‘50s included a new officers open mess, a new fire headquarters, a
civilian personnel building and a 21-classroom school for dependents, near the
junction of the Juliustown Road and the Pemberton-Pointville Road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In December 1952, construction of
garden apartments at Fort Dix was completed, and 300 units became available to
military families. This development, constructed under provisions of the Wherry
Housing Act and named Nelson Courts, is located on Lexington Avenue between
Sheridanville and the warehouse and railroad siding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1955, Nelson Courts was dedicated
in honor of Sergeant William L. Nelson, who had been posthumously awarded the
Medal of Honor for bravery during World War II. Sergeant Nelson was mortally
wounded at Djebel Daydys, northeast of Sedjenance, Tunisia, on 24 April 1943.
Nelson had led his section of heavy mortars to a forward position. He then
crawled alone to an advance observation point and directed a concentrated
mortar barrage that repulsed the initial enemy counterattack. After sustaining
a mortal wound during that action he advanced to another observation position
and directed additional mortar barrages. He died only 50 yards from the enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The problem of housing during the Fifties
was an ever-present one. In December 1956, construction of a bachelor officers’
quarters on the corner of Maryland Avenue and West First Street was completed.
Four hundred Wherry family units also were completed in 1956, taken over by the
Army, and paid for by occupants from their monthly rental allowances. This
project, known as Kennedy Courts, is located northeast of the post school in
the area bounded by West 17<sup>th</sup> Street, New Jersey Avenue, Juliustown
Road and Pemberton-Pointville Road. It was named in honor of Major General Case
W. Kennedy, the first commanding general of Camp Dix and commander of the 78<sup>th</sup>
“Lightning” Division when it was mobilized at Dix in August 1917. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Three years later, a 702-unit
Capehart duplex housing development, located in a triangular section between
the Pemberton-Pointville Road and Juliustown Road, to the rear of the post
school, was completed. The 702 units, together with 90 company grade officers’
quarters and 100 NCO quarters were constructed earlier, brought to 892 the
total number of units in the development. This complex, known as Garden
Terrace, was the last housing project prior to 1960. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Meanwhile, during the middle
Fifties, Fort Dix began a long-range troop housing project under the Military
Construction Army (MCA) Program. Twenty-seven permanent barracks with mess
facilities were constructed in two different complexes, as part of $31 million
expansion program. Included were 11 barracks between Alabama Avenue and
Pennsylvania Avenue, which are now occupied by Special Troops, its attached
units, and Committee Groups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The second complex includes 16
permanent company-sized barracks and a motor pool along Texas Avenue, currently
occupied by the 1<sup>st</sup> Advanced Individual Training Brigade. Each dormitory-type
barracks in the two complexes houses a complete company, equipped with a game
room, stereo room and TV lounge. The barracks offer a greater degree of privacy
to the soldier than the old open barracks. Platoons are housed in bays, which
are divided into eight-man cubicles. Banks of wall lockers divide the bay down
the center. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1955, a $3.1 million improvement
program to modernize 181 temporary wooden barracks at Dix took place. Automatic
heating and hot water systems were among the improvements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The construction of other capital
structures during the latter half of the Fifties accounts for several of today’s
large buildings. In October 1956, the quartermaster administration building,
which now houses the clothing store, was completed. In addition to its normal
stock of military attire, the store services the First US Army area for WAC
uniforms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In August 1956, groundbreaking took
place for the Lakeside Service Club in the 1<sup>st</sup> Training Regiment
Area at Nashville and Tennessee Avenue. Dedicated 22 November 1957, the
27,000-square-foot, air-conditioned structure included all up-to-date service
club facilities. At the same time, ground was broken for the $322,000 John S.
Marshall Dental Clinic, which was opened 7 June 1958. The Main Post Exchange on
New York Avenue was completed in October 1957. Another 60-man bachelor officers’
quarters was constructed at Maryland Avenue and First Street. Holly Crest, a development
of 17 family housing units for colonels, and Grove Park, family housing area
for 66 lieutenant colonels, also were built in 1957 and 1958. Groundbreaking
for the new modern 500-bed Walson Army Hospital took place on 18 February 1957.
Completed in 1960, this nine-story structure originally contained a gross floor
area of 327,820 square feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In August 1959, a newly constructed
theater with seating capacity of 1,004 was dedicated to the memory of First
Lieutenat Karl H. Timmerman, Infantry. The air-conditioned theater contained
the largest stereophonic and cinemascope facilities, plus a large stage
completely equipped for live performances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lieutenant Timmermann had been
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his action at Remagen Bridge,
Germany, 7 March 1945. During the action he was commander of Company A, 27<sup>th</sup>
Armored Infantry Battalion, 9<sup>th</sup> Armored Division. Timmermann’s
leadership was instrumental in Company A securing Ramagen Bridge, the first
bridge over the Rhine River to fall into Allied hands. He received little
personal publicity, though much has been given to capture of the bridge and its
strategic consequences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In The Battle at Ramagen, Ken
Hechler vividly relates Lieutenant Timmermann’s heroic efforts and lack of
national recognition. To quote in part from the final chapter: “The first
officer across the Rhine, Lieutenant Karl Timmermann, returned to his hometown
of West Point, Nebraska, after the war, a lone figure trudging into town with
his barracks bag slung over his shoulder. His reception committee consisted of
one little dog who snarled and snapped at his heels. The silence was
oppressive. Lieutenant Timmermann rejoined the Army in 1948, fought in the
Inchon Invasion of Korea, but then cancer struck him down and he died in an
Army hospital in 1951. West Point, Nebraska, has no tablet to his memory. 1
(Kenneth W. Hechler, The Bridge at Remagen, pp. 189-190) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In the way of range facilities, 11
small arms ranges, three projectile ranges, and a Trainfire range were built
during the post-war era and 1950s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In March 1953 a new moonlight firing
range, the first of its type to be built in the United States, was placed in
operation at Dix. The range was created to train soldiers to fire accurately at
night under simulated battle conditions. An automatic electronic firing course,
including stationary and moving targets, was put into operation in May 1953 on
Range 1A, the small arms night marksmanship range. The 1959 construction of the
first Trainfire range marked the beginning of the Army’s Basic Rifle
Marksmanship Course, which replaced the Know Distance system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Much of the post maintenance and
construction was handled by the 86<sup>th</sup> Engineer Battalion, a unit that
supported engineering requirements of the First US Army. Assigned to Dix in
March 1954, the 86<sup>th</sup> was stationed here until September 1966, when
it left for Vietnam. During its 12 years at Dix, the unit constructed and
maintained the post’s ranges and repaired utilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In September 1954, two companies
from the 86<sup>th</sup>, then a construction battalion, saved the Army more
than $100,000 by building two ranges themselves instead of contracting for
outside firms to do the job. Not only were the ranges built for less money than
was originally estimated, they also were finished in record time. In 1956, the
battalion gained recognition by rapidly refurbishing Camp Kilmer for use by
Hungarian Revolt refugees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The 15 years after World War II saw
the building of 48 storage facilities and warehouses, two dispensaries, 17
administration buildings, approximately 2,000 family housing units, 20 detached
garages, 27 troop barracks with messes, and other miscellaneous projects and
major structures already mentioned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Not the least to be recognized was
creation of the giant, charging infantryman known as “The Ultimate Weapon,” who
stands tall in Infantry Park across the street from Timmerman Theater. The
3,000-pound statute of a foot soldier in action was unveiled by General Bruce
C. Clarke, commander of Continental Army Command, on 20 March 1959. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The statute was created by two
soldier-sculptors, Specialist Four Steven M. Goodman and Private First Class Stuart
J. Scherr of Headquarters Company, Specialist Training Regiment, who worked for
nine months to create The Ultimate Weapon from a photograph and an 18-inch clay
model. They were assisted by Private Emilio V. Gamba and Theodore Dittmer, both
of the same unit. The statue memorializes the modern infantryman in attack and
stands 14 foot tall. On its 11-foot pedestal is inscribed, The Ultimate Weapon
– The Infantryman.” Statistics of The Ultimate Weapon statue note a 13-inch
broad forehead, a 40-inch neck, a 90-inch chest, 56-inch arms, 70-inch waste
and six-foot legs. He carries 185 pounds of combat equipment, including a
six-foot M-14 rifle and ammunition. This Fort Dix landmark honors infantry
soldiers past and present. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The 1950s saw much of the construction
that transformed Fort Dix into a permanent concrete post. However, this
changeover still is not completed, and it may be left to the decade of the
Seventies to see it finished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">During the Fifties, Fort Dix
headquarters made greater efforts to encourage those who wished to improve
their education. Opportunities for schooling were improved and library
facilities enlarged. <br />
<br />
In June 1950 plans were made to open an extension of Rutgers University at Fort
Dix. Rutgers agreed to organize and conduct a program of schooling in liberal
arts and business administration. Open to all Fort Dix personnel, excluding
trainees, classes started in September 1950. To further the cause of advanced
education on the post, it was announced in September 1956 that Temple University
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, would offer extension courses in education,
investments and mental hygiene at the Army Education Center. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In support of the post’s expanding
educational program, a Special Services Post Library had been opened in the fall
of 1950. It was located in former Chapel #6 on Pennsylvania Avenue, which had
been redecorated and furnished with the latest library equipment. The early
Post Library offered more than 15,000 volumes, with thousands more in various
branch units throughout the post. By 1956, the entire Post Library system
contained 50,000 volumes. A system of bookmobiles supplied patients in Fort Dix
Station Hospital wards with books. The library provided its avid readers with
56 newspapers plus magazines and duplicate subscriptions that numbered 386.
Twelve hundred classical and light classical phonograph records were available
for listening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Post Library moved its
facilities on 15 August 1957 across from the old chapel site to a renovated
building, which it continues to occupy. The new site, located next to the
current Pennsylvania Avenue bowling alley, comprised 10,500 square feet and
could seat 200 persons. It includes a music room, catalog room, reference room,
MOS library, three administration offices and the main book shelf area. Branch
libraries also were opened during the post-war period. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Besides libraries, Special Services
operated various other facilities for the relaxation of troops, including
service clubs, hobby shops and movie theaters. During the 1950s, service club
facilities were improved and increased. Four Dix service clubs were completely
refurnished and redecorated in 1955, and the new Lakeside Services Club
(mentioned previously) was built in 1957. The clubs, enhanced by a pleasant
atmosphere, provided television viewing rooms, music rooms with phonograph and
musical instruments, games, writing desks, typewriters, branches of the post
library, and a snack bar. During one quarter alone in 1955, the four older
clubs handled 194,000 visiting civilians and soldiers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Other forms of Special Services
entertainment for soldiers included traveling showmen who performed in the
Sports Arena or one of the theaters. Some of the entertainers were Louis Prima
and his orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra, featuring vocalist Eleanor Powell;
Dorothy Collins, the sweetheart of Lucky Strike’s “Your Hit Parade”: the famous
television personality, Dagmar; number of others. Guy Lombardo and his
orchestra; Blue Barron and his orchestra; Stan Kenton’s orchestra; and a number
of others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the growing number of privately owned vehicles on
post, mechanically inclined military personnel at Dix on 1 May 1957, with the
opening of a Special Services six-bay Automobile Crafts Shop for use by Dix
military personnel. Mechanics were present at the Special Services shop to
advise and instruct car owners in the repair of their vehicles. The car owners,
however, did their own work, and tools and equipment for all minor repairs were
loaned in the shop. In addition, wash racks, grease pits and an outside ramp
were available to Dix-stationed personnel. By 1967, an average of 2,500 car
buffs made use of the facility monthly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For those on the post with a spark of creativity, a
Special Services Arts and Crafts Center, with 18,600 square feet of floor
space, was opened in June 1959. With the opening, personnel discovered the
center as a haven for creative activity, and novice craftsmen attended the
center each evening. Before trying their hands at one of the crafts, most
soldiers visited the center out of curiosity. Many stayed to develop
unsuspected talents. Some cut and polished semi-precious stones to give as
jewelry to wives or friends. Others tooled leather, made enameled jewelry,
printed on textiles, spun potter’s wheels, built model airplanes, developed and
enlarged film, painted, worked with wood and power tools, and repaired car
radios and television sets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Visitors entered the huge workshop through a lobby and
gallery showplace for soldier art and photography. The gallery was softly lit
in contrast to the flouorescent lighting of the main workroom, where benches,
cabinets, pottery kilns and show cases were grouped by activity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Operated by a full-time staff of soldiers and
civilians and a few part-time instructors, the opening of the crafts center was
fulfillment of an idea that began in 1942 when Special Services and Dr. Boris
Blau of the Tyler Art School, Temple University of Philadelphia, organized an
Arts and Crafts Center at Dix to sere men facing or returning from World War II
combat. In a letter received for dedication of the center on 11 June 1959, Dr.
Blau wrote that the idea for a certain center born at Dix was later adopted in
many hospitals and centers for the Armed Forces. He expressed his happiness
that the idea did not perish as evidenced by the dedication of the Fort Dix
Arts and Crafts Center. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the late Fifties and early Sixties, for movie
theaters operated on post, including the modern Timmermann Theater. These
theaters were open each night with frequent changes of first-run movies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Post Exchange facilities expanded to include today’s
main exchange, which was constructed in 1957. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The PX, similar to any civilian
department store, adequately served the needs of post personnel. Earlier, in
March 1955, more than 300 families in storm-flooded New Jersey coastal areas
were evacuated from their homes to safe havens by 22 artillerymen and five
amphibious vehicles from Fort Dix’ 9<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division. They were
dispatched to the disaster areas of Sea Bright, Keansburg and the Highlands
were more than 1,000 persons were stranded by high waters. While operators were
quickly drenched in near-freezing rain and lashed by bitter winds, the huge
Army DUKW amphibious vehicles covered more than 30 miles of open highway,
stopping at Fort Mamouth, where they were dispatched to the flooded areas to
rescue marooned families from their homes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again, in mid-December 1953, 24 men were alerted for a
similar mission. However, the new storm narrowly missed the north Jersey coast,
and the men were not needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fort Dix, together with other First US Army units,
supplied food, equipment and rescue teams on 20-21 August 1955 to aid civilian
communities on the eastern seaboard hit by the worst floods in years. Directly
responsible for rescuing scores of flood victims were two amphibious rescue
teams from the 69<sup>th</sup> Division Artillery. Consisting of two DUKW’s
each, the teams operated in the upstream Delaware area of Pennsylvania – around
Doylestown and Upper Black Eddy – and the western part of Trenton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the active part played by Dix troops,
the post supplied hundreds of blankets, mattresses and cots to the stricken of
an area extending from Camden, New Jersey to Lambertville on the upper Delaware
River. Trucks also rushed 1,000 cases of C-rations to Hartford, Connecticut,
for emergency feeding of flood victims. Fort Dix, together with other First US Army
units, won high commendation from General Maxwell D. Taylor, Army chief of
staff, for its part in disaster relief work during the floods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A black Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> weekend struck the
area in July 1956. Fort Dix troops speedily responded to emergencies, which
included the crash of an Air Force MATS C-118 in the southwest area of the post
during the afternoon and a freak storm which shook the northeast corner of Fort
Dix Saturday afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The plane crash, which took 45 lives and injured 21
others, was responded to by alert troops, medics, military policemen and Fort
Dix volunteers, all of whom abandoned weekend plans to offer aid in the
tragedy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another mishap occurred the next afternoon when a
freak storm hit the area of the Fort Dix Bus Station, then located just inside
the post entrance at Wrightstown. Swooping down on the terminal, the wind
caught a portion of the roof hurling it into Fort Dix Street and causing
considerable damage. Several power lines were snapped in the area and a number
of drivers trapped in their vehicles until the current could be turned off.
Post officials coordinated with the mayor of Wrightstown and state police to
render necessary aid. Military police were called on to reroute traffic around
the blowdown. Luckily, only a few civilians and no military personnel were
injured. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dr. Jonas E. Salk, who gained world fame with his
discovery of polio vaccine, headed extensive field studies at Fort Dix from
1946 until 1954. He is credited by medical authorities with a major
contribution to the Army’s battle against influenza. As director of a
commission on influenza, Dr. Salk tested the preventive effect of several types
of influenza vaccine on hundreds of soldiers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After months of research and complex laboratory tests,
the Salk Commission, in close cooperation with the Fort Dix Army Health Center
medical staff, was successful in finding a most effective combination of tested
influenza vaccines now in use throughout the Armed Forces. While directing the
development of better vaccine in cooperation with the Fort Dix research
program, Dr. Salk also carried on his research for a polio vaccine. As success
in this field came within reach, the Army released him from his contract as a
consultant to the Surgeon General’s Office, and, in July 1954, the influenza
study was transferred to Columbia University. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The war against mosquitoes, initiated at Fort Dix in
August 1953, reduced the number of winged nuisances by more than 85 percent, in
addition to reducing the mosquito population in neighboring communities. To
control mosquitoes at Dix, a team operation was necessary. First, the
Preventive Medicine Service conducted insect surveys. Light traps were used
nightly during the breeding season to check the types and numbers of mosquitoes
in different areas of the post. Once the breeding sites were located, the
Insect and Rodent Control Section of the post engineer was called to move in
with powerful insecticides. The engineers then eliminated trouble spots by
filling in water holes, draining ditches and clearing the underbrush. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Best evidence of the campaign’s success was offered by
mosquito “traps.” During a check in 1952, the Post Surgeon’s Office said each
trap had netted more than 11 mosquitoes on an average night. The 1954 average
was one and a half. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An episode charged with suspense took place on 4
November 1955, when Dix demolition experts of the 60<sup>th</sup> Ordnance
Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) were called to Raritan Beach, South
Amboy, New Jersey. Their mission was to remove 164 anti-personnel mines
jeopardizing the safety of Raritan Beach. These mines were remnants of a
tremendous ammunition explosion five years earlier. They had been buried into
shallow water and covered over by shifting sands. They remained hidden until
November 1955, when the sea uncovered them. The mines were gently placed in a
truck and taken on an extremely hazardous journey back to Fort Dix where they
were exploded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1955, as part of a nationwide move to strengthen
civil defense units, the explosive ordnance units of Fort Dix conducted a
series of lectures for 66 civilian plant safety and security officers from 59
New Jersey industries. The purpose was to develop a nucleus of explosive
ordnance reconnaissance (EOR) agents. During an aerial attack, their job would
be to spot and report any missiles with time fuses or duds that might land on
or around their factories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the Fifties, Fort Dix displayed its community
spirit annually with participation in the Community Chest fund raising campaign.
Contributions by troops and personnel, plus fund raising events featuring famous
entertainers, raised $100,000 each year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The post’s public image was further enhanced during
the Fifties by the appearance of Dix personnel on various television programs.
In 1955, the all-soldier chorus of the 69<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division Band
and frequently on Gary Moore’s TV show. In addition, the 69<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division Band, plus the all-soldier chorus, performed several times on
Ed Sullivan’s national TV show “Toast of the Town.” The 69<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division Demonstration Platoon inactivated in December 1955, also
performed on national TV several times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In March 1956, the “Fort Dix TV Show” celebrated its
second anniversary. The program was televised over station WFIL-TV,
Philadelphia, on time donated by the station as a public service. The show
featured musical entertainment and demonstrations furnished by Fort Dix. The
year 1957 saw Fort Dix entries dominate the all-Army entertainment competition,
with the winner appearing on the Ed Sullivan TV show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the post-war era and Fifties, Fort Dix
reflected the new role of the United States as a responsible world military
power. America, confronted by a cold war, was not allowed to disband her
military might and retreat again into isolation. Thus, Fort Dix did not
stagnate into the ghost town it had been after the Great War of ’17-18. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The US needed a large standing Army, and Dix became a
permanent training center to help provide the necessary troops. By 1960, Dix’
role as a concrete and steel training center was accepted as a vital 20<sup>th</sup>
Century institution. At the close of the Fifties, Fort Dix had lost much of its
make-shift World War II appearance. A smoothly operated training machine, it
reacted as a seismograph to every tremor in the East-West shift of power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-40516951239794754582017-04-04T07:56:00.001-07:002017-04-04T07:56:26.470-07:00Chapter VIII - WWII <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Chapter VIII <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
FORT DIX DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In the 1930s, the United States recovered slowly from its
major crisis, the Great Depression. The minds of the nation’s people were
preoccupied with earning basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter. There
was no time for more than mild interest in the power struggles of Europe and
Asia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
United States direct involvement in a second global
conflict was far from the thoughts of this vast majority of American people,
even though objectives of Japan’s ruling clique, Germany’s “Fuehrer” Adolph
Hitler and Italy’s “Duce” Benito Mussolini were clearly evident. Generally in
the late ‘30s, the US public was paying little heed to the world’s systematic
dissection by the Axis powers – Japan, Germany and Italy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Japan’s armies had overrun Manchuria (1931) and were
storming China. Germany had reoccupied the World War I demilitarized zone of
the Rhineland (1936) and annexed Austria and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia
(1938). Italy had invaded and annexed the independent nation of Ethiopia
(1935-36). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Two days after Germany invaded Poland (1 September 1939),
France and England declared war on Hitler’s “Third Reich,” and the Second World
War began. In the same month, Russian forces struck into Poland to insure a
share of that country. A year later, with the war proceeding badly for the
Allies, President Roosevelt proclaimed a limited national emergency -- this
country’s first real step in preparing for active participation in the world
struggle. Immediately after the 8 September proclamation, an effort was made to
expand the nation’s military forces. The Selective Service Act of 1940 was
enacted to strengthen the Armed Forces, with the largest percentage of men to
be inducted into the Army. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Fort Dix felt the impact of the buildup almost immediately.
To meet requirements of building the largest Army in the history of the United
States, new military installations had to be constructed and existing
facilities expanded. By the end of 1940, Dix had become one of the largest
posts in the country with a population of 17,929.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The “Battle of Britain” raged in the skies, and the British
Commonwealth stood alone against Germany’s onslaught. But Germany changed
direction and pointed her efforts, along with several other unlimited national
emergency, and all-out efforts were made to build one of the strongest Armed
Forces in the world. Fort Dix came into its own as one of the busiest Army
training centers in the country. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In the next few years, the post became a primary staging
and training area for troops shipping to the war fronts of North Africa and
Europe. Army Air Corps units and men used the installation as a stopover before
proceeding overseas. In addition, the huge military post was used as the air
base in defense of Atlantic shipping and the North American continent itself.
Fort Dix bustled with military buildup activity in preparation for the big push
across North Africa, up the Italian Boot, and the invasion of “Fortress
Europe.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The land and facilities at Dix, however, were inadequate to
handle the volume of men and materials necessary for the post to accomplish
maximum results desired by the Army. Already the largest Army installation in
the Northeast, more land had to be acquired and a great number of buildings
constructed. America’s effort in the crash program at Fort Dix was completed
just in time but not without a great deal of difficulty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The acquisition of land was one of the most difficult
undertakings of the expansion program at Fort Dix. Beginning in October 1940,
the Post Judge Advocate’s Office held repeated conferences with farmers and
their representatives to negotiate amicable acquisition by purchase, lease, or
trespass rights of thousands of acres needed for airfields, maneuvers, range
work and training facilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Condemnation proceedings were instituted, and approximately
16,000 acres acquired in November 1940. There was, however, considerable
dissention among the farm owners affected. This was particularly true of
occupants of the Pinewoods, an area to be used as an artillery impact zone. The
Pinewoods people had been firmly rooted to the area for many years and required
considerable persuasion before they would vacate their land. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Meanwhile, expansion activity brought Fort Dix into the
limelight of national news. Because of this, the War Department invited newsmen
from the eastern United States to the post for briefings and inspection of
facilities and equipment. This was done to help newsmen interpret the needs and
actions of the Army at one of its most important camps. To give them an idea of
the size and importance of the camp, the newsmen were permitted to tour the
entire post, which at the time covered approximately 25,000 acres. During their
stay they inspected the Garand semi-automatic rifle, latest models of military
vehicles, 155mm artillery pieces, antiaircraft weapons, and a host of other
up-to-date items of war equipment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
By March 1941 federal expansion of Fort Dix resulted in an
increase of nearly five million dollars in tax-exempt real estate property. The
more valuable properties were located mainly on acquired land in New Hanover
Township, site of many buildings. After repeated conferences with these and
other property owners, the government acquired 17,000 acres of local land
needed for infantry maneuvers. Tresspass rights were negotiated for an
additional 70,000 acres. This tract encompasses the reservation extending south
to the Lakehurst Road between Pemberton and Browns Mills and north to New
Egypt, Jacobstown, Georgetown and Jobstown. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition, 2,500 acres bordering the water pipeline from
Fort Dix to New Lisbon were condemned. Including in this acreage was the
Clifford Borden farm on the Wrightstown-Jobstown Road and 129 properties in
Pemberton and New Hanover townships. The Borden Farm was selected to be the
site of a million-dollar hospital, later known as Tilton General Hospital.
Approximately $200,000 was allotted to the War Department to purchase the
properties, which included 71 houses. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The condemned property boundary extended from the
Burlington County Farms eastward along the Browns Mills-Pemberton Road to
Browns Mills. Included was everything north of the road except for one Lyman’s
Hornor’s house. A large number of bungalows in Sherwood Forest also were
included. The boundary cut cross country from Anderson’s gravel pit on the
outskirts of Browns Mills to the Deborah Sanitorium woods. It continued along
the Trenton Road and included Billingham’s garage and the Lake Tresing Housing
development. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
From the outskirts of Pointville, the line followed an
irregular course to Lemmontown, continued westward to a farm occupied by a Mr.
Baker, then southward to the Burlington County Institution Farm at New Lisbon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
On 14 August 1941, the United States Government formally
took possession of 285 acres of land, which was part of the Burlington County
Institution Farm. The land was sold by the Burlington County Board of
Freeholders to the federal government for Fort Dix expansion at the offered
price of $5,700. Most of the land constituted low woodland not used by the
county farm system. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
One of the seemingly impossible tasks in connection with
the acquisition of land was determining individual owners of respective tracts.
There were few maps or surveys to use as a guide. In order to obtain some idea
of where the boundary might be, aerial photography was necessary. <br />
<br />
The photographs this provided title examiners with a practical means of
checking description of the land as written in public records against lanes,
paths, water courses and other physical boundaries. Many titles to the land
were based on possession by members of a family for generations -- a possession
often originated without deed but in the form of squatters rights. In order to
trace the authenticity of titles to these properties, family histories also
were also examined, for many titles had to be traced back to original
proprietary grants. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In one of these searches, an interesting fact was
uncovered. Near the boundary of the Fort Dix reservation (now the Fort
Dix-McGuire Air Force Base military complex) ran the Quintipartite Line, which
formed the division between East Jersey and West Jersey. Under the deed, the
eastern half of the New Jersey Colony was conveyed to Sir George Carteret and
the western half to William Penn, Gamen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas and Edward
Byllinge. Some of the sheepskin deeds, which proved transfers from these
original owners, were still in existence and examined by title searchers early
in 1941. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The record of titles to the land now comprising Fort Dix
and McGuire Air Force Base as itself a history of the law and legend of New
Jersey. Titles to more than 1,000 separate land ownerships were painstakingly
examined. Each was an interesting story of the changing times and progressive
development of the state. All of this research had to be accomplished within a
year, the time set by the government for completion of the title searching.
Size of the project to analyze and abstract title documents for this vast area
of 25 square miles can be better understood by considering that almost 4,000
recorded documents existed in a single development. Each was examined. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Fort Dix expansion faced other problems. For instance,
extension of the reservation included the site of the famous Hanover Bog Ore
Iron Furnace that had manufactured cannon balls during colonial days.
Burlington County Historical Society induced Army officials to set aside, as a
marked enclosure, the small area that still retained visible reminders of an
almost forgotten spot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
While land acquisition took place, the 44<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup>
Division, made up of New Jersey national guardsmen, was inducted into federal
service on 16 September 1940 by executive order of President Roosevelt.
Immediately, organizations and individuals of this unit began to move to Fort
Dix. At first only small detachments arrived, while company commanders, first
sergeants, supply sergeants and men of all grades labored vigorously at their
home stations to make the transition from state to federal service and to
prepare for the move to the post. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
As each unit completed preparations, it was released by its
federal instructor. Orders were received, and the units were sent by truck and
train to their new home, Fort Dix. First to arrive were the 104<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup>
Engineers, the 119<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup> Quartermaster Regiment and batteries of the 157<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup>
Field Artillery. These units were in camps by 18 September, two days after
being activated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
During the next few days other units of the division, and
some from out of the state to be attached to the division, rolled in, from as
near as Mount Holly and others as far as Niagara Falls. By 25 September, all
were here – 11,000 strong. Construction of buildings in the area to be occupied
by the 44<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup> Division began about 1 September, but the troops were
assembled at Dix before the barracks and other facilities were completed. A
tent city was erected to serve as living quarters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Meanwhile, new volunteers began arriving daily. Men were
enlisted for one year’s service with the division under a War Department ruling
that permitted the unit to sign men on. The division’s recruitment station was
set up at the Wrightstown entrance to the post. As new men came, they were
temporarily housed in a special segregated area for the customary two weeks of
quarantine. On 10 October, troops of the division had their first pay day since
induction. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Then came the draft, and on 29 November the first
bewildered selectees arrived on post to become members of the 44<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup>
Division, a unit already considering itself a veteran organization. By 4
December, more than 1,400 selectees were received by the unit. The men joined
regiments and after two weeks of quarantine began 13 weeks of basic training.
By February 1941 the division had “adopted” 6, 115 selectees, or 36 percent of
its total strength. The men were drawn from New York, New Jersey and Delaware. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
At its peak the division totaled 754 officers, seven
warrant officers and 17,762 enlisted men. This figure was gradually whittled
away by discharges, but the division was able to maintain an overall strength
of about 16,500. When it was transferred from the post in December 1941, its
strength was more than 16,000. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Considerable food and supplies were needed by the men at
Fort Dix. In early 1941 it was estimated that 60 tons of food were required to
feed the men on post each day. It was also reported that 13,000 pairs of
footgear were issued to arriving soldiers each month. In a month’s time, 12,000
replacements of other garments were made to equip the modern soldier. Gasoline
consumption was another item that ran into astronomical figures. In April 1941,
44<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup> Division trucks consumed 160,000 gallons of gasoline, and
this figure was expected to double considering more than 5,000 vehicles were to
be added later in the year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
On 20 April 1941, the division’s training was interrupted
when one of the worst fires to hit the area broke out, destroying hundreds of
acres of woodland and parts of several towns and villages. In an area between
Lakewood and Medford, the blaze came perilously close to the sprawling Army
post. Some 10,000 men of the division teams up with civilian fire fighters and
national guardsmen to battle the inferno, which lasted several days. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Army trucks carried food to weary fire fighters, and
temporary kitchens were set up to supply coffee and sandwiches. The infantrymen
worked in shifts and were “on call” constantly, while alternate shifts remained
at their barracks ready to be transported anywhere needed. After days of fire
fighting, the flames were checked, and the reservation untouched. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The job of physically preparing the post was ably performed
by Major David R. Wolverton, post quartermaster. It was completed with speed
and efficiency, and in a relatively short time, the fort was ready for the men
inducted into service and assigned for training. Six million dollars were
appropriated for the development of the post in 1940. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
With the construction contract awarded to the George A.
Fuller Company, approximately 850 buildings were erected in the area to
accommodate troops of the 44<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup> Division. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Other items included in the contract were construction of
two theaters, miscellaneous signal barracks, roads, drains, waterlines and
electrical distribution system. Additional funds were appropriated for building
a new station hospital. The hospital contract was awarded to LaFountain, Christenson
and Arace of Hackensack, New Jersey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Improvements costing more than a million dollars were made
to the water and sewerage facilities. The daily capacity of the water plant was
increased from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 gallons. These improvements consisted of
enlarging the filtration plant, constructing an additional water tower,
installing additional pumps at the New Lisbon station and doubling the size of
the sewerage plant. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The gigantic task of land acquisition was perhaps equaled
by the extensive construction projects on the post since the beginning of 1940.
A recapitulation of buildings erected in the short period of two years presents
and astounding picture. In all, more than 1,600 buildings were completed in
this time. Included were 531 barracks, 173 day rooms, 178 dining halls, 172
buildings for company administration and storage, 35 recreation buildings, 41
administration buildings, 13 chapels, 14 infirmaries, 23 hospital barracks, 18
hospital quarters, 26 motor repair shops, 28 warehouses, 10 fire stations, 12
gasoline stations, six theaters and two morgues. The Fort Dix Station Hospital
also was built in 1940 and consisted of a 1,000-bed cantonment-type structure
of 80 buildings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Within a year, another medical facility, Tilton General
Hospital, was built on Florida Avenue. The completion of this hospital in July
1941 was the prototype of the Army’s World War II hospital building program
throughout the country. Tilton construction was rushed by three shifts working
day and night throughout the unusually server winter of 1940-41. The original
construction schedule of 60 days could not be met because of heavy snowfalls
and severe storms. Except for grading and surfacing, construction was completed
in 87 days. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The original plan called for 79 buildings, including wards,
mess buildings, warehouses and quarters. Nine additional buildings were added
later that year. Finally, because of the ever-increasing war load, many more
structures were needed, and by 1944, the main hospital comprised 178 buildings.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Tilton General Hospital, named in honor of James Tilton,
surgeon general of the US Army from 1813 to 1815, was built to care for
individuals in the II Army Corps Area requiring definite treatment or prolonged
hospitalization. This was done on the basis of bed allotments to some 14
separate camps, posts and stations, including the New York Port of Embarkation.
The first year’s peak load was attained on 29 December 1941 when 559 patients
were being treated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The organization of Tilton General Hospital began when
orders were published assigning Colonel S. Jay Turnbill to duty at Fort Dix in
January 1941. However, it was not until March that Colonel Turnbill was ordered
to take command of the unfinished hospital. A few days later, other officers
reported for duty, and on 25 March 1941, the first contingent of 75 enlisted
medical specialists arrived from the Army Medical Center, Washington D.C. The
enlisted medical detachment for Tilton was activated on 29 March and authorized
a strength of 250. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Prior to 2 April 1941, Tilton officers were quartered at
the Fort Dix Station Hospital, pending completion of the general hospital.
During the next several months, additional officers and nurses arrived, and
sufficient personnel were available during the early years of World War II to
meet all problems as they developed. Medical Department officers were
originally assigned to Tilton by the Surgeon General’s Office, but Second
Service Command headquarters took over personnel assignments in mid-1942. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Officers were selected on the basis of professional
qualifications, and each specialized position for the original staff was
properly filled. During 1941, no significant losses of the hospital’s Medical
Corps officer personnel occurred, primarily because the staff increased during
the period to bring it to an authorized strength of 75. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The first nurses assigned to Tilton arrived in the spring
of 1941 from Pine Camp (Now Camp Drum), New York. They supervised setting up
wards and equipment in anticipation of the arrival of patients. The first
civilians were authorized and assigned as early as March 1941 - - prior to
arrival of the enlisted cadre. The civilians included professional as well as
non-professional workers, who occupied clerical, administrative, fiscal and
unskilled labor positions. The peak number of civilians at the hospital before
the 1944 consolidation of Tilton and the Fort Dix Station Hospital was 323.
After consolidation, the number increased rapidly to an August 1945 peak of
1,030. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
During 1942 and 1943, it periodically became necessary to
obtain replacements for transferred Medical Corps officer personnel. During
these years, many Fort Dix doctors were sent to overseas assignments. Personnel
assignments were made from Second Service Command Headquarters, and replacements
for Medical Corps officers loses were adequate. At that time, the turnover was
not excessive, and specialized assignments were well covered. However, in 1944
and 1945, personnel loses caused by overseas commitments and separations
increased appreciably, resulting in the inability to meet replacement needs.
These difficulties were felt, especially in the highly specialized fields. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The first overseas casualties, survivors of the Philippine
Defense Campaign, were admitted to Tilton in March 1942, chiefly because of the
surgeon general’s policy of sending general hospital cases to installations
near their homes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In late 1944, Tilton General Hospital was assigned the
services of between 225 and 300 German prisoner-of-war workers. They were
selected for hospital work on the basis of previous civilian and military
training, and to some extent, the POWs compensated for existing personnel
shortages. The scope of the activities in which POWs took part were
commensurate with their backgrounds and training. While a number performed
menial tasks at the hospital, others with specialized skills and training were
assigned to duties in the laboratory, x-ray room, utilities section and
orthopedic brace shop. A small number, who had medical training, were assigned
to two German POW wards, which served the sick and wounded prisoners on post. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
On 7 July 1944, Tilton absorbed the Fort Dix Medical
Station Hospital, which was then named Tilton Annex. This resulted in the added
responsibility of Tilton to function as a station hospital. The combined
facilities had a normal capacity of 3,000, with an emergency expansion
capability of 5,500. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
At the height of activity during the war, 195 of the
hospital’s 215 acres were used for buildings and tents. Tilton General Hospital
was situated in the northwest quarter of the reservation, just west of the old
remount area, and Tilton Annex was just inside the main entrance to Fort Dix
from Wrightstown. This amalgamation of facilities came none too soon, for in
December 1944 with an end of hostilities in sight, it became apparent that a
large number of patients who then were hospitalized in the European Theater of
Operations would be transferred to Dix. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In fact, in early 1945 an emergency expansion to 4,100 beds
was authorized to accommodate the increasing number of patients from overseas.
Services were further expanded to receive and care for patients air evacuated
from the war zones of Europe and Africa. Another contributing factor was the
increased availability of shipping facilities from overseas areas. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The expansion of facilities was accomplished by converting
all available buildings into wards. Converted buildings included enlisted men’s
barracks and such miscellaneous buildings as clinics and dispensaries that
could be readily converted to 50-bed wards. By the middle of 1945, 4,448 beds
were made available for patients. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
At the Fort Dix Army Air Field, later to become McGuire Air
Force Base, workmen had been employed on a $300,000 project to apply concrete
surface to the three long runways. <br />
<br />
These were soon to be used by the 119<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup> and 126<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup>
Observation Squadrons, National Guard units inducted into federal service in
1941. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition to the expansion of flight facilities, many
other improvements were made and temporary buildings constructed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The field, under control of the Army Ground Forces at the
time, was turned over to the Army Air Corps in 1942. Under jurisdiction of the
1<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">st</span></sup> Air Force, the airfield was used in antisubmarine patrol
operations. It afforded protection against German U-boats, not only for
American ships and coastal points but for allied shipping as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Later in 1942 the Air Services Command, located at the
Middletown Air Depot in Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Overseas Air Services
Command used the field. In 1944, the Fort Dix Army Air Field was used by the
Air Transport Command as the eastern terminal of the Ferry Command. The
airfield was one of the few that could base B-29s, the Army’s heaviest bomber
at the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Late in the war many such planes left Fort Dix for service
overseas. Toward the end of the war, casualties were returned from Europe for
hospitalization in this country by way of the Fort Dix airfield. In 1945,
control of the airfield was returned to Fort Dix until the creation in 1947 of
the third branch of service - - the United States Air Force. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The effect of post expansion and construction on
neighboring townships in 1941 was reminiscent of World War I days. Early
announcement that more than 20,000 soldiers would be trained at Fort Dix
created a real estate boom in the surrounding towns of Pemberton, Wrightstown,
Browns Mills, New Egypt, Jobstown and Cookstown, where housing shortages
already existed. Rents jumped, sometimes as much as two-fold, and the necessity
for low-cost housing projects to satisfy the requirements of officers and
noncommissioned officers was immediately apparent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Hanover Homes, located on the Jobstown-Wrightstown Road,
was a result of this need. The project was constructed by the Federal Works
Agency at a cost of 4350,000. It was named in honor of the historic Hanover Bog
Ore Iron Furnace. Dedication ceremonies were held on 4 July 1941. It was one of
30 housing projects throughout the country dedicated at the same time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Fort Dix expansion affected the neighboring communities in
still another way. For many years, residents of Burlington County enjoyed
driving leisurely along the highways and secondary roads in this part of New
Jersey. However, Fort Dix had become heavily populated and a virtual beehive of
activity. Traffic on the highways leading to the post doubled and tripled.
Traffic accidents increased as a result. Officials at Fort Dix were asked, along
with state police and other enforcement agencies, to concentrate their efforts
and facilities to eliminate rural highway slaughter. It was obvious that old
roads had to be improved and new roads constructed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In April 1941, such a task was begun, but conflicting
applications to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for a project to
provide 47 miles of new highways on access roads to Fort Dix resulted in a
delay. The reason given was that two conflicting project proposals were sent to
the Washington WPA office. The first project, seeking release of funds to
provide access roads to Fort Dix, estimated the cost of repairing the 47 miles
at $200,000. However, that figure was too low for the long mileage of
reconstruction needed. The type of paving to be laid would raise the coast to
$800,000. The second project was submitted with the $800,000 estimate. The
delay, caused by that mixup, was straightened out in a short time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
On 9 August 1941, the road project began. Nine country
roads were reconstructed to provide better access to the Army post. Finally,
the estimated cost of $800,000 was confirmed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
First of the nine-road-improvement program was the
Pemberton-Fort Dix Road. A short while later, construction began on the
military highway from Fountain Green at Fort Dix to Route 39 at Mansfield
Square, via Georgetown. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The expansion of Fort Dix in 1942 caused another dire need
for access roads to handle increased traffic in the immediate area of the
installation. Existing roads were not adequate to handle civilian traffic, much
less heavy military vehicles and other war machines. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Cooperating with the Army in the war program, State Highway
Commissioner Spencer Miller, Jr., approved the alignment of an access road to
Fort Dix through Burlington Country in May 1942. The concrete thoroughfare was
10 miles in length and left route 39 at Mansfield Square, two miles south of
the Bordentown to Georgetown Road intersection. It followed the
Mansfield-Georgetown Road to Georgetown at Hutchinson’s Corner. From that point
it was carried over a new right-of-way to a traffic circle on the
Pemberton-Wrightstown Road at Fountain Green, near the residence of the fort’s
commanding general. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
During the week of 12 July 1942, additional steps were
taken to relieve traffic conditions in the Fort Dix area when the New Jersey
State Highway Department announced that a three-and-a-half-mile section of dual
highway between Mansfiled and Georgetown would be built. The federal government
was to pay for the work. Meanwhile, following United States Public Roads
Administration approval, Route 39 from Bordentown to Mansfield Square was
widened, and four and a half miles of road from Georgetown to the
Pemberton-Wrightstown Road, skirting Fort Dix, was constructed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
As roads to Fort Dix were being planned and constructed,
the town of Pointville passed out of existence during the week of 31 August
1942. The United States Army moved in to take over New Hanover village, which
for months had been surrounded by the constantly expanding Fort Dix reservation.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Monday, 31 August, was the last day for civilian business
there. Efforts by the residents and by township officials to change the Army’s
intentions had proven fruitless the week before. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
As Pointville was drafted for military service, two old
landmarks passed from the scene. One was the Pointville Methodist Church, which
had been built in 1848, and the other was old Tom Harvey’s hotel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
A number of Army and Navy uniform and equipment stores also
closed their doors. However, they weren’t “old timers,” having opened for
business since Fort Dix expansion began in 1940. As Fort Dix gained more land,
Burlington County lost some settled areas, and the townspeople had to find a
different way of life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The expansion of Fort Dix in the early 1940s affected the
area’s telephone services. The increased training program resulted in heavier
phone traffic through the Mount Holly office. District Manager Paul A. Coffee
and his business office staff moved out of the Main Street building and into a
larger facility in the Robert Peacock building at 105 High Street. Coffee
stated, “Since designation of Fort Dix as a major Army training station,
telephone traffic through the Mount Holly exchange has grown steadily. Nearly
9,000 calls on the exchange are made each weekday, compared with less than
5,800 a day in the first week of September 1940. About 2,000 calls a day are
toll calls. More than 1,200 of the daily toll calls are made from Fort Dix coin
telephones.” 1 (Mount Holly Herald, vol. cxvi, no. 50 1941.1.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Also, with the expansion of Fort Dix in 1940, Burlington
County officials prepared themselves for a crime wave. It was no secret that
law enforcement authorities expected a great increase of crime from the Army
post. Advocates of enlarging the Burlington County Prison in Mount Holly, built
in 1810, used this theory as one of their most forceful arguments. Until the
beginning of the war in December 1941, the crime wave had not materialized,
and, considering the area’s great influx of civilian and military personnel,
increased crime was nominal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Until 29 January 1942, civilian authorities had
jurisdiction in criminal cases occurring within the boundaries of Fort Dix.
After that date all criminal acts on the installation were handled by military
or federal authorities. Burlington County authorities were no longer asked to
assume the responsibility. The most frequent complaint regarding soldiers
during those days was auto theft. Many persons, both civilian and military,
felt that such thefts were due mainly to the carelessness of the car owners. In
almost all cases, keys were left in ignitions after vehicles were parked. The
few soldiers who did steal cars were punished, and the reputation of Fort Dix
suffered little. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Meanwhile, the huge job of classifying selectees was placed
into the hands of the 1229<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">th</span></sup> Service Command Unit, later renamed the 1262<sup><span style="font-size: 7pt;">nd</span></sup>
Reception Center. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Each man entering the center was given an intelligence test
and interviewed by enlisted men specially trained for the job. The marking of
papers was completed by machine, a report was made by the interviewer, and all
results of the examination were fully cataloged. The method employed at the
post was used as a model for other reception centers throughout the country. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Reception Center itself was divided into battalions and
a number of companies. In addition to the problem of adjusting the newly
inducted men to the change from civilian routine, the center had the tremendous
job of satisfying appetites of men who were accustomed to a variety of foods.
To accommodate the inductees, there were 11 mess halls, three of which had a
capacity of 1,000 men each. Often they fed more than this capacity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In 1941, it was not unusual for any one of the mess halls
to serve more than 100,000 meals per month. All of the center’s cooking and
baking was done by permanently assigned enlisted personnel. The mess staff
consisted of approximately 200 soldiers, including officers, cooks,
warehousemen and other permanent party enlisted men. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition to regular mess facilities, the center also was
responsible for feeding selectees who were shipped from the Reception Center to
training centers throughout the country. Kitchen cars were attached to each
train when the distance involved more than 24 hours of travel. Sometimes the
cars would serve as many as 14 different meals en route. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Good food is but one factor in maintaining the health and
morals of troops. Equally important is the furnishing of entertainment and
recreation, and these needs received considerably more attention during World
War II than during the days of World War I. A unique branch to handle this
function was created, and the Army’s Special Services became most important in
providing for the welfare and morale of the troops. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Special Services branch at Fort Dix coordinated the
functions of government agencies with those of the United States Service
Organization (USO), the Red Cross, and other welfare organizations. Under
Special Service’s supervision, project after project was initiated and
completed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The list of visiting personalities brought to Dix by
Special Services and the cooperating agencies contains outstanding people of
the theatrical, musical and athletic world. Mischa Elman, Yehudi Menuhin,
Albert Spalding, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lhevinne, Leopold Stokowski, Ossy Renardy,
Dorothy Kirsten and Nelson Eddy are but a few who gave their time and talent to
entertain troops of the post. To these are added Robert Woods, Igor Gorin, Lucy
Monroe, Lucille Manners, Conrad Thibault, and Kay Kaiser and Vaughn Monroe with
their orchestras. There were hundreds more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
In Mount Holly, plans for a soldiers’ retreat, where men of
the fort could gather for relaxation and amusement, were discussed by
ex-servicemen and clergymen in January 1941. Such a place existed during World
War I when a building on the southwest corner of White and Washington Streets
was made available as a local headquarters for visiting soldiers. The VFW post
headquarters on Main Street was selected for this purpose and made available
throughout World War II. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
During the week of 22 August 1941, construction of three
community buildings in the Fort Dix vicinity was approved by President
Roosevelt as part of the Defense Public Works Program. The program was to
provide facilities or services necessary for the health, safety and welfare of
servicemen. The three buildings, costing the government $82,195 each, were
operated by the USO. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
By 1942, facilities on the post for entertainment functions
and activities were numerous and varied. Plans were well under way to construct
a large indoor Sports Arena. During the latter part of January 1942 the mammoth
building was completed at a cost of $86,000. On 7 March, the Sports Arena,
located on the parade grounds, officially opened with an exhibition tennis
match featuring Helen Jacobs, former women’s singles champion. The arena is 217
feet by 131 feet with a n 8,000-square-foot sports floor - - large enough to
accommodate three athletic games, such as basketball, simultaneously.
Regimental and battalion dances often were held within its walls. Sergeant Joe
Louis, world’s heavyweight boxing champion, used the arena for exhibition and
training in preparation for his fight with Abe Simon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Other athletic facilities operated by Special Services
included a nine-hole golf course, seven tennis courts and several softball and
baseball fields, for which the necessary equipment was supplied to commissioned
and enlisted personnel alike. Organized unit intramural sports of all kinds
took place on Special Services facilities. Softball and basketball were perhaps
the most popular. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
There was a swimming pool on post for wives and children of
the men stationed at Dix. In addition, complete swimming facilities were made
available at Soldier’s Island in nearby Browns Mills and Hanover Lake in Fort Dix
Park. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Four service clubs, four cafeterias and four libraries also
came under Special Services supervision. Two open air theaters with unlimited
seating were sites for entertainment during the summer months. Special Services
also operated a guesthouse for relatives of the enlisted men. However, the
facility, which charges 75 cents per person for overnight accommodation, was
later closed because of its location within staging areas of task forces. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
To accommodate the growing influx of personnel, a gymnasium
and an outdoor swimming pool were under construction in June 1945. Both of
these structures were built on Tilton Annex area. To aid the off-duty leisure
of post enlisted personnel further, a swimming pool located just west of the
Sports Arena was reopened. This pool was built in 1918, but had fallen into
disuse in the Twenties. At one time it had been used as a wash well for tanks
and other heavy vehicles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Shortly after the infamous Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor
on 7 December 1941, the 44<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division left the post for
extensive combat training. It remained in the country at various camps for
three more years before shipping overseas. In September 1944, the division
embarked for the European Theater of Operations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Its first major assignment with the Seventh US Army was to
secure passes in the Vosges Mountains. After accomplishing this and nullifying
a German counteroffensive, the unit worked with the French 2<sup>nd</sup>
Armored Division and advanced through Alsace-Lorraine, taking Laintrey,
Avricourt and Sarrebourg. Elements of the division reached the Rhine River at
Strasbourg. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Halting a savage German panzer attempt to retake
Sarrebourg, the 2<sup>nd</sup> Battalion, 114<sup>th</sup> Infantry, 44<sup>th</sup>
Division, was credited with saving the division from annihilation and checking
a possible major Seventh Army defeat. By December the division reached the
Maginot Line. In March 1943 the unit was relieved from its position. In the
succeeding months, the division rolled deep into Fortress Europe, capturing
Mannheim and slashing into Austrian Tyrol. VE-Day found the unit established at
Imst, Austria. On that day elements of the 44<sup>th</sup> made contact with
the Fifth US Army, which had fought north from Italy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
On 1 January 1942, the 34<sup>th</sup> “Red Bull” Division,
activated National Guard unit made up of men from Iowa, Minnesota and the
Dakotas, had arrived at Fort Dix from Camp Glaiborne, Louisiana. After
completing staging procedures, the division departed for overseas in three
increments. These first troops from Fort Dix to arrive in Europe since World
War I went to northern Ireland in February 1942. By then of May the entire
division was in Ireland. The unit eventually entered combat in north Africa
late in 1942. From there it landed at Salerno and for the next 500 days took
part in the liberation of Italy. At the war’s end the division was in north
Italy. It returned to the United States on 3 November 1945 and was inactivated
a week later. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
A short time after the departure of the 34<sup>th</sup> Division
from Fort dix in early 1942, other units streamed through the post in rapid
succession. The 1<sup>st</sup> Armored Division, a Regular Army unit nicknamed
“Old Ironsides,” arrived from Fort Knox, Kentucky, on 10 April 1942 for
traditional training. Activated on 15 July 1940, the division already had
completed considerable training at Knox. In addition, the unit participated
with the Second US Army in maneuvers throughout Louisiana and the Carolinas.
Upon arrival at Dix, the division underwent additional training and in May 1942
departed for Ireland. The division saw action in north Africa, where it joined
with the 34<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division and later the British Eighth Army.
After a short second stay in Ireland in 1943, the division went to French
Morocco where it reorganized before participating in the Italian campaign.
After the war, the unit traveled to Germany where it was assigned to occupation
duty. It remained there until April 1946 when it returned to Camp Kilmer, New
Jersey, for inactivation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Shortly after departure of the 1<sup>st</sup> Armored
Division and during the staging of the 8<sup>th</sup> Composite Air Force at
Fort Dix, the 2<sup>nd</sup> Armored Division rolled into the post. Activated
on 15 July 1940, this Regular Army unit, nicknamed “Hell on Wheels,” received
its initial training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and held maneuvers in Tennessee,
Louisiana and the Carolinas. In late 1941 the division participated in special
amphibious training off the east coast of the United States and then reported
to Camp Hood, Texas, for additional training. On 27 October 1942, the
division’s Combat Command “B” departed Fort Dix for North Africa. The command
was later joined by the remainder of the division in December. After taking
part in the assault of Casablanca and prior to the invasion of Sicily, the
division underwent intensive amphibious training in north Africa. Later, after
activity in Sicily, the unit shipped to England and prepared for the invasion
of Normandy. Fighting through Normandy, northern France, the Rhineland,
Ardennes and central Europe, it fulfilled a three-year-old pledge in July 1945
when it became the first American division to enter Berlin. In early 1946, the
division returned to Camp Hood for retraining. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Also active in north African battles
was the 756<sup>th</sup> Tank Battalion, which had been assigned to Dix on 28
November 1942, processed overseas in February 1943, and joined the famed 3<sup>rd</sup>
“Marine” Infantry Division during the African campaign. Later in Germany, the
battalion distinguished itself on two occasions while still a part of the 3<sup>rd</sup>
Infantry Division. In these actions, the tank units swept through the Vosges
Mountains in August 1944 and cleared the Colmar Pocket from 23 January to 18
February 1945. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Many miscellaneous groups passed
through Fort Dix in 1942. Among them were the 22<sup>nd</sup> Quartermaster
Regiment, 551<sup>st</sup> Signal Air Warning Battalion, 382<sup>nd</sup>, 384<sup>th</sup>
and 389<sup>th</sup> Quartermaster Battalions, 177<sup>th</sup> and 827<sup>th</sup>
Engineer Battalions, 397<sup>th</sup> and 398<sup>th</sup> Quartermaster Port
Battalions, 90<sup>th</sup> Quartermaster Railhead Company and 187<sup>th</sup>
Quartermaster Depot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Post Naturalization Office,
established in 1942 as an adjunct of the Post Judge Advocate’s Office, played
an important part during World War II. Approximately 5,000 recruits became
citizens in its first year of operation. During 1942 and 1943, an average of
400 persons per month were naturalized. Most of them were natives of European
countries who later fought with other American troops overseas and again
returned to the US. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The 4<sup>th</sup> Mechanized
Division, another regular Army unit, arrived at Fort Dix in April 1943.
Activated on 1<sup>st</sup> June 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia, the division
moved to Dix. While at the New Jersey post, the unit was redesignated the 4<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division. The “Ivy” (IV) Division left Dix in September for amphibious
training at Camp Gordon Johnson, Florida. In December the unit moved to Fort
Jackson, South Carolina, and then was ordered to England for further amphibious
training. This intensive waterborne training proved invaluable, for on 6 June
1944, elements of the division became the first allied units to hit the beaches
at Normandy. From there, the Ivymen fought through Normandy, northern France,
Rhineland, the Ardennes and central Europe. By war’s end, the division had
suffered 21,550 casualties. Shortly after VE-Day, the 4<sup>th</sup> began
returning to the US for retraining. However, before the division could be
redeployed to the Pacific, VJ-Day was announced, and on 5 March 1946, the unit
was inactivated at Camp Butner, North Carolina. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In the spring of 1943, the 80<sup>th</sup>
Division, an Organized Reserve unit made up of men from the Blue Ridge states
of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, arrived at Fort Dix. A serious
transit strike in Philadelphia, which affected the military war effort by
hampering the transport of men and materials, occurred during the stay of the
80<sup>th</sup>. With the authority of the President and orders from the War Department,
a regiment of the division was dispatched to that city to participate in the
handling of the strike-bound transportation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Activated on 15 July 1942, the
division had trained at Camp Forest, Tennessee. Upon completion of its
organization and training, the 80<sup>th</sup> was shipped to Fort Dix where it
stayed until July 1943. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">From there it was sent back to
Tennessee to participate in maneuvers and then to Camp Phillips, Kansas. After
participating in a number of maneuvers in California and Arizona, the Blue
Ridgers were sent to France where they entered combat on 8 August 1944. After
239 days of combat, fighting their way through northern France, Rhineland, the
Ardennes Forest and central Europe, the division returned to the United States.
On 5 January 1946, the Blue Ridge Division was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New
Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Meanwhile, in September 1943, many
smaller specialized unites were staging in preparation for overseas shipment.
Among them were the 741<sup>st</sup> Tank Battalion, 245<sup>th</sup>
Quartermaster Battalion, 44<sup>th</sup> and 106<sup>th</sup> Evacuation
Hospitals, 818<sup>th</sup> Tank Destroyer Battalion, 719<sup>th</sup> Military
Police Battalion and 11<sup>th</sup> Combat Engineer Battalion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Soon after the departure of these
units in October, the 85<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, another Organized
Reserve unit, arrived at Fort Dix for staging. During its stay at the post,
several smaller units also were staged, including the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup>
Ranger Battalions, 211<sup>th</sup> Field Artillery Battalion and the 537<sup>th</sup>
Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The 85<sup>th</sup>, nicknamed the “Custer
Division,” remained at Dix until December 1943, when it was sent to Hampton
Roads, Virginia for overseas shipment. The division had received its nickname
from activities in August 1917 at Camp Custer, Michigan. The unit adopted the
name of its post and at the same time honored the famous General George A.
Custer, who was killed during the great Sioux War. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Debarking overseas, the 85<sup>th</sup>
Division went to north Africa for amphibious training and then to Italy.
Entering combat in March 1944, it fought in the Rome-Arno, northern Apennines
and Po Valley battles. In August 1945, the division returned to Hampton Roads
where it was inactivated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Shortly after the departure of the
85<sup>th</sup> Division from Fort Dix, the 90<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division,
an Organized Reserve unit made up of men from Texas and Oklahoma, arrived at
Dix. After its activation on 25 March 1942, the men of the division, nicknamed “Tough
‘Ombres,” trained at Camp Barkley, Texas. Later they moved about the country participating
in various maneuvers. Exactly two years to the day after activation, the division
departed Dix for England where it underwent two months of amphibious assault
training. In June, elements of the division took part in the landing at
Normandy, and by the 10<sup>th</sup> of the month, the entire unit was in
combat. From Normandy, after 308 days of combat, the Tough ‘Ombres had fought
through northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and central Europe. On 16
December 1945, the division returned to the States and was inactivated at Camp
Shanks, New York, on the 27<sup>th</sup> of the month. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Other units arriving at Fort Dix in
early 1944 were the 628<sup>th</sup> and 807<sup>th</sup> Tank Destroyer
Battalions, 15<sup>th</sup> General Hospital, 460<sup>th</sup> Anti-aircraft
Artillery Battalion, 297<sup>th</sup> General Hospital, Headquarters Special
Troops of the XIII Corps, 179<sup>th</sup> Engineer Battalion, 3468<sup>th</sup>
Ordnance Company, 628<sup>th</sup> Engineer Company and 168<sup>th</sup>
Quartermaster Trucking Company. These units stayed only long enough to stage to
the European Theater of Operations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In July 1944, the 102<sup>nd</sup> “Ozark”
Infantry Division arrived at Dix from Camp Swift, Texas, where it had been
participating in maneuvers. Activated 15 September 1942 at Camp Maxey, Texas,
the 102<sup>nd</sup> had taken part in extensive training exercises in
Louisiana. The “Ozark” division, which originally included men from the Ozarks,
remained at Dix until a September 1944 shipment to the European Theater of
Operations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Arriving at Cherbourg, France on 23
September 1944, the 102<sup>nd</sup> again trained for combat, which began 26
October in a northward drive to the Rhine area between Duisberg and Dusseldorf.
In March 1945, the division captured the Rhine objective after a six-month
battle that cost the Nazis 86 towns, a rocket factory, and numerous railroad and
communications centers. The 102<sup>nd</sup> continued its push until VE-Day,
when units were in position at Gotha. In late February 1946, the division
returned to the United States and was inactivated on 12 March at Camp Kilmer,
New Jersey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">At war’s end, it was estimated that
almost 430,000 prisoners of war were in the United States. The Germans numbered
370,000, Italians 55,000, Japanese 3,000, and the remainder were from other
Axis nations. It was further estimated that of the German POWs, 70,000 were
officers and noncoms who either elected not to work or were refused the
opportunity by US military authorities in the interest of military and national
security. However, the others were permitted to engage in work not related to
America’s war effort. Some 85,000 worked in agriculture, 55,000 in industry,
and the remainder at military posts or stations throughout the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Fort Dix was one of the major
holding areas for prisoners of war. On 5 January 1944, the post’s POW camp
opened, and soon the first POWs entered the compound. Although the prisoners
held at Dix during the war were mainly Germans, there were some Italians, and
surprisingly enough, a few Russians. The Russians were captured by American
forces on the western front of Europe. During the early part of the war, many
Russians had defected to the Axis powers and elected to fight for Germany.
Donning uniforms of the “Wehrmacht” and assigned to units in western Europe,
they had fought in France against the liberation armies of Americans, British,
French and Canadians. Upon capture, some of them were sent to prisoner-of-war
camps in the United States – 154 of them to Fort Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The POW camp at the post was often cited as a
model camp. Officials of the International Red Cross and the State Department
verified this after making frequent inspections of the camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In the latter part of 1944, German
prisoners of war were allocated from the POW camp to various facilities on the
reservation. Almost all of the prisoners were employed in a pay status, serving
in the laundry, hospital, quartermaster supply, and camp maintenance. Tilton
General Hospital received 225 to 300 of these prisoners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Prisoner duties at the hospital
varied from orderlies and administrative work to skilled medical functions.
Their presence at the hospital contributed, to some degree, to the efficient
operation of the facility, especially during a shortage of US Army medical
personnel. POW doctors, working with US Army Medical Corps officers, were used
to care for sick and injured prisoners. In addition to medical service provided
by the post’s Station Hospital, the prisoners enjoyed recreation facilities and
religious activities. The rations issued the prisoners were the same as those
given to the troops on the post. They also received a full issue of
quartermaster clothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">With cessation of World War II
hostilities in Europe, plans were made to repatriate American-held prisoners of
war. All prisoners would be returned to their homeland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In several issues of June and July
1945, the New York Times reported an astounding story. In late June 1945, after
learning they would be sent back to the motherland and fearing retribution as
traitors, the 154 Russian POWs at Dix rioted. In an attempt to force their way
out of the compound, they attacked camp security personnel with mess kit knives
and clubs made from chair legs. As they rushed their guards, the Russians were
fired at with carbines and submachine guns. In the ensuing struggle, one
prisoner was killed and several others wounded. One prisoner was injured while
trying to scale the wire enclosure surrounding the compound. After this attempt
for freedom was thwarted, three of the Russians committed suicide by hanging
themselves from the rafters of their buildings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On 29 June 1945, the remaining 150
prisoners were taken to Camp Shank, New York, each escorted by a military policeman,
to board an Italian merchant marine vessel bound for Russia. The heavy escort
was provided to prevent escapes and to forestall further attempts at suicide.
Shortly after their 1:30 p.m. arrival at Camp Shanks and prior to the 3:30 p.m.
scheduled sailing of the vessel, the escort received President Truman’s order
to return the prisoners to Fort Dix. They were to be held at the post’s POW
camp until a State Department study could be made of the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The men were returned to the Fort
Dix POW camp, still escorted man for man. Upon arrival at Dix, the POW camp was
stripped of all furniture and equipment. The only item left was a mattress on
which each Russian could sleep. It was then learned that apparently others had
previously planned to commit suicide when an additional 15 lengths of rope and
belts were found hanging from the rafters. The men were kept at Dix a while
longer and eventually shipped somewhere. Final outcome of the incident is
vague; government records still are classified. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In June 1946, the prisoner-of-war
camp at Dix began to phase out. All remaining prisoners were readied for
overseas shipment. In two and a half years, more than 15,000 POWs had been held
at the post, the highest number at any one time totaling 5,580. These included
prisoners at branch camps in Centerton, Bridgeton, Dias Creek and Glassboro,
all of whom worked in canneries and on farms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">During World War II the post
experienced a rapid growth of buildings, facilities and population. The growth,
which started with the mobilization of the 44<sup>th</sup> Division and the
arrival of the first conscripts at Fort Dix, continued to the time World War II
hostilities ceased. Hundreds of thousands of Americans passed through the fort’s
portals to train and prepare for shipment to combat areas across the Atlantic.
With the war’s end, activities at this New Jersey post did not cease. Thousands
of American soldiers were returning to Dix from overseas for separation
processing or reassignment. Without breaking stride, the post, which had more
than tripled in total acreage during the World War II period, continued to
bustle with debarkation and separation activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-82634297514305279882017-04-03T08:39:00.002-07:002017-04-17T11:04:40.208-07:00JBMDL Chronology 1917-2017 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX – JBMDL CHRONOLOGY OF THE
FIRST 100 YEARS<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1798 – John Adams Dix born in
Boscawen, New Hampshire <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1812 – Dix serves in War of 1812<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1861 – Dix named chairman of the
Union Defense Committee in New York and made Major General in US Army. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1872 – Dix elected Governor of New
York <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 April 1879 – Dix dies in New York
City <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1909 – A.D. Irwin and A.O. Leighton
form Philadelphia construction company<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1915 – Lakehurst Munitions Storage
facility opens.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 April 1917 – US enters World War I
– Congress authorizes the construction of 16 Army Camps to be built<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 May 1917 Selective Service
Act <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 June 1917 – Major Harry C.
Williams named first commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1917 – Irwin & Leighton
given $13 million contract to convert New Jersey corn fields into army
mobilization and training camp. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1917 – First American troops
arrive in France <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 June 1914 – Construction begins
on 1,655 buildings. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 July, 1917<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1917 – Harker family house sold to
government and converted to the residence of the base commander. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23 August 1917 – Major General Chase
W. Kennedy named commander of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1917 – First 17,000 troops
arrive at Camp Dix. Eventually 35,000 troops in training, filling all barracks
and tents used to house the rest, including 87th and 34th Infantry Divisions,
349th and 350th Field Artillery Battalions of the 92nd Division, and 15th
Infantry of New York (369th). 311th Ambulance Company. 153rd Depot Brigade.
British, French and Scottish solders at Camp Dix to advise US soldiers on the
role of tanks and trench warfare. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1917 – Camp Dix Fire Company
organized by soldiers, and the library opens with volunteers from the American
Library Association. Howard L. Hughes, Harold F. Brigham librarians. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 October 1917 – Camp Dix base
hospital opens with 61 buildings with 1,000 bed capacity, located east of the
Wrightstown Circle. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 November 1917 – Brigadier General
John S. Mallory (ad Interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 December 1917 – Brigadier General
James T. Dean (ad interim) assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 January 1918 – Major General Hugh
L. Scott assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1918 – 78th Infantry Division,
under Maj. Gen. Chase Kennedy leaves Dix and sails to Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1918 – YMCA, Red Cross and
Knights of Columbus begin providing programs and services to entertain the
soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 1918 – Fort Dix has 55,000
soldiers in training.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September - October 1918 – 7,970
cases of influenza and pneumonia reported, 774 deaths.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">11 November 1918 – War ends. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 December - Camp Dix demobilization
center opens that processes over 300,000 soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 March 1919 – Camp Dix becomes Fort
Dix – named permanent Army post. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12 May 1919 – Major General Harry C.
Hale assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 July 1920 – Commander Hale
promoted to Brigadier General.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 August 1920 – Thomas Buchanan
McGuire, Jr. born in Ridgewood, N.J. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 September 1920 Brigadier General
William S. Graves assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1920 Brigadier General
Clarence R. Edwards assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 November 1920 Major General
Charles C.P. Summerall assume command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10-11 1920 – 1st Infantry Division
observes first anniversary of end of WWI at ceremony presided over by Gen. John
J. Pershing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1920 – Camp Dix used as a training
center for Army Reserves, National Guard and the Citizens Training Camp.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1921 – Navy establishes Lakehurst
Naval Air Station <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1921 - Animal Transportation School
operating. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1921 – Major General David C.
Shanks assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1921 – Major General
Charles T. Meneher assumes command of Camp Dix.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1921 – Major General Harry
C. Hale returns to command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1922 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 January 1923 – Captain Noe C. Killian
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 May 1923 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 September 1923 – Captain Noe C.
Killiian commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1923 – Camp Kendrick is open at
Lakehurst Proving Grounds<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 April 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 May 1924 – Brigadier General
William S. Graves returns to command Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 June 1924 – Colonel Charles
Gerhardt commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 June 1924 – Colonel John J.
Bradley commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 July 1924 – Brigadier General
Frank Parker assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 July 1924 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27 April 1925 – Colonel Stanley Ford
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 May 1925 – Brigadier General
Preston Brown assumes command of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 August 1925 – Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Watson commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 September 1925 – Major Nicholas
W. Campanole commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 October 1925 – Captain Herbert D.
Gilison commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 November 1925 – Captain Richard
L. Pemberton commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1925 – Mock Invasion staged at Fort
Dix – first landing of an airplane on base.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 May 1926 – Captain George Rankin
commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 June 1927 – Brigadier General
Frank McCoy commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 July 1928 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">21 September 1928 – Brigadier
General Otho B. Rosembaum commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1930 – Captain Charles
Perfect commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 October 1930 – 1st Lieutenant
Richard T. Mitchell commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 December 1930 – Major Andrew G.
Gardner commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1930 – Federal Bureau of Prisons
establishes prison on site. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1930s – Citizens Military Training
Camp (CMTC) offers signal, infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineering
training. After 4, 30 day courses qualify for commission in Army Reserve. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1931 – Captain Samuel L.
Metcalfe commander of Camp Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1932 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 1932 – Brigadier General Howard
L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1932 – Captain Horace K.
Heath commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1932 – Major Alexander C.
Sullivan commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Lewis H. Watkins commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 March 1933 – President Franklin
D. Roosevelt signs bill creating CCC that continued until 1942 – Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees, controlled soil erosion, constructed
roads, dams, bridges and fire towers, operates reception, training and
discharge center with two forestry companies, a physical conditioning company
and cook and baker’s school. The CCC built the first airplane runway at Camp
Dix. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1933 – Brigadier General
Howard L. Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">December 1933 – Lieutenant Colonel
Torrey B. Maghee commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1934 – Brigadier General
Howard Laubach commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 1934 – Brigadier General John
L. DeWitt commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">October 1934 – Major Ford Richardson
commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1935 – Lieutenant Colonel
Albert S. Williams commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">November 1936 – Colonel Robert S.
Knox commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1936 – Telephone switchboard
installed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 May 1937 – Hindenburg dirigible
disaster at Lakehurst <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23 October 1937 – Colonel Arthur
Poillon commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1938 – Works Progress Administration
and Public Works Administration funds construction of new buildings – Building
5416 – housed field grade officers. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 March 1939 – Camp Dix named a
permanent installation and renamed Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 January 1940 Colonel Bernard Lentz
commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">13 May 1940 – Colonel John W. Downer
commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1940 – Federal government purchases
17,000 additional acres of adjacent land and constructs new runways. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 September 1940 – President
Roosevelt declares limited national emergency and approved the first peacetime
draft. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 September 1940 – Peacetime draft
inductees begin arriving at Fort Dix reception, training and deployment center.
44th Infantry Division assigned to Fort Dix for training. Ten other divisions
trained at Fort Dix before being deployed overseas.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 October 1940 Major General
Clifford R. Powell commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1941 – Pointville cemetery and town
acquired by government for base expansion. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18 March 1941 Colonel Cassius M.
Dowell commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1941 – McGuire leaves Georgia Tech
to join US Army Air Corps, Randolph Field <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 1942 – Women’s Army Auxiliary
Corps established <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 1943 – Dodgers and Giants play
a baseball game at Fort Dix baseball field. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1943 – Auxiliary Corps renamed
Women’s Army Corps (WACS), working as administrative clerks, truck drivers,
photographers and mechanics. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18-19 August 1943 – McGuire with
431st Fighter Squadron Wewak, New Guinea, shoots down five Japanese Ki-43 and
Ki-61 fighters, eventually scoring 38 aerial victories, second only to Maj.
Richard I. Bong, US AF all time ace (40)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1943 – Colonel Holmes G.
Paullin commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25-26 December 1943 – McGuire downs
seven Japanese fighter aircraft over Luzon, Philippines, and earns Medal of
Honor for action on these days. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 January 1944 – Brigadier General
Madison Pearson commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 Jan 1945 – McGuire killed when his
P-38 crashes over Fabrica aerodrome, Negros Island.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1945 – At war’s end Fort Dix becomes
demobilization center processing 1.2 million soldiers back to civilian
life. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">26 October 1945 – Major General
Leland S. Hobbs commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 March 1946 – Major general
Frederick A. Irving commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 August 1946 Major General W. W.
Eagles commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1947 – United States Air Force
established and air base transferred to Air Force <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">15 July 1947 – Fort Dix becomes a
Basic Training Center and home of 9th Infantry Division. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 April 1948 Major General Arthur A.
White commander of Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">September 1948 – USAF names McGuire
AFB<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1949 – McGuire’s remains recovered
and returned to the United States<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 September 1949 – USAF base at
Fort Dix renamed McGuire Air Force Base<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 October 1949 – Major General John
M. Devine commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 May 1950 – McGuire buried with
full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25 June 1950 – Korean War begins,
basic training reduced from 14 to 8 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 September 1950 – Major General
William K. Harrison commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">January 1952 – Major General
Roderick R. Allen commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 1952 – Major General Homer W.
Kiefer commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">31 July 1953 Major General C. E.
Ryan commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1954 – 9th Infantry Division
assigned to Europe and 69th Infantry Division moves in<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">28 February 1955 – Major General
John W. Harmony commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 September 1955 – Major Robert W.
Ward commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1956 – Chubby Checker entertains the
troops<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 March 1956 – 69th deactivated and
Fort Dix renamed U.S. Army Training Center, Infantry<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 November 1956 – Majro General Earl
C. Bergquist commander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 March 1959 – The Ultimate Weapon
statute unveiled – designed and constructed at Fort Dix by soldiers Steven
Goodman and Stuart Scheer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 September 1959 – Major General
Sidney C. Wooten commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 June 1960 – BOMARC anti-missile
missile catches fire and two nuclear warheads melt in Broken Arrow event. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10 June 1961 - Major General Reuben
H. Tucker, III commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 February 1962 – Major General
Charles E. Beauchamp commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3 September 1964 – Fort Dix chapel
dedicated<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 May 1966 – Major General John M.
Hightower commander at Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1967 – Fort Dix Information Office
publishes a History of Fort Dix New Jersey – 50 Years of Service to the Nation
1917-1967<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 November 1968 – New York City
students picnic at Wrightstown-Fort Dix<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5-7 June 1969 – 250 prisoners in Fort
Dix Stockade riot over conditions and torture. 38 were prosecuted and became
known as the Fort Dix 38.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1973 – New brick reception center
opened.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1978 – First female recruits enter
basic training. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1982 – 10 Stained glass windows
installed in the Fort Dix chapel honoring WW I soldiers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">20 May 1982 – Last train to Fort Dix
ends rail service that began in 1917.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1985 – Fort Dix Headquarters renamed
Sharp Hall in honor of Gen. Richard Sharp<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1987 – USAF Security Police Air Base
Ground Defense School moved from Camp Bullis Texas <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1988 – Base Realignment and Closure
Commission recommends ending basic and advanced individual training at Fort
Dix.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 August 1990 – A new The Ultimate
Weapons statute constructed of bronze replaces original<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1990 – Around the clock operations
begin mobilizing and deploying troops for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1991 – Kuwaiti civilians trained in
basic military skills <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1991 – Active Army training mission
ends. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Fort Dix begins mobilizing,
deploying and demobilizing soldiers and providing training areas for Army
Reserve and National Guard soldiers<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Reception center that opened
in 1973 transferred to Air Force as Air Mobility Warfare Center.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – Department of Defense Police
replace military police<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1992 – US Department of Justice –
Bureau of Prisons opens a federal prison <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1993 – Somalia <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1995 – Bosnia <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1995 – Telephone switchboard,
installed in 1936 replaced with fiber optic system. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1999 – Albanian, Kosovo refugees
resettled. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">August 2000 – Range 65 tank training
area opens. Bryant Range named after Larry Bryant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2005 – Joint Base
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst – JBMDL Established <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2007 – A memorial to McGuire placed
at his fatal crash site on Negros Island by former fighter pilot David
Mason <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2010 – Census 7,716 people living in
784 households with 590 families residing in CDP<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2016 – Cassidy and Associates issue
report on the future of the base and the state of NJ grant them another
contract to continue their work. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2017 – DOD recommends JBMDL as home
of new refueling tankers. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July - 2017 – 100th Anniversary of
Camp Dix-JBMDL <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-81473654048825170162017-04-03T08:38:00.002-07:002017-04-03T08:38:12.794-07:00Lakehurst NAS History <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Naval Air Station Lakehurst – Images
of America – Arcadia – By Kevin Pace, Ronald Montgomery, and Rick Zitarosa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZR-3 – USS Los Angeles – Airship at
Lakehurst 1927<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZRS-4 USS Akron – at Hanger 1 at
Lakehurst 1931<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lakehurst’s history is that of
airships in the U.S. Navy, but many other aspects of the base are largely
unknown, including its background as an army chemical warfare proving ground
and its later roles of manufacturing, testing, and training in support of naval
aviation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Continuously evolving as a vital
component of national defense, Lakehurst has seen its share of triumphs and
setbacks over its eight decades of operation, and this is expected to continue
as the military redefines itself in a fast-paced high-tech era. Despite several
proposals to consolidate or eliminate Lakehurst’s role over the years, the
place continues to flourish, like a cat with nine lives….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Camp Kendrick – the army’s
experimental site for chemical warfare technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The presence of a military
installation did much to improve the economy of the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Even with live rounds of mustard gas
and other hazardous chemicals being tested here, inhabitants of nearby
Lakehurst (well known in its day as a “health resort”) did not seem to mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Map of 1923<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Completed HQ building 1917<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lakehurst Proving Grounds Feb. 1918<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Eddystone Ammunition Corporation – a
subsidiary of Baldwin Locomotive Works – “Company transportation” – arms
manufacture – 1915<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Eddystone makes cannon shells for the
Russian government – 1915 - 1916 – 1917<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Soon after came under US Army
control with WWI<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Wood observation towers No 1 and 2 –
for smoke bombs and fires –used test animals in trenches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Tested steel helmets and gas masks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Sheep were used for monitoring of
testing the effects of deadly poison gases in various concentrations under
controlled conditions –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“The proving grounds contributed
immensely to advances in chemical warfare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Doughboys in contrast to rotting
trenches in Europe – enjoyed “thoroughly modern latrine facilities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Used narrow gage 12 ton geared steam
locomotive to haul supplies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Central Railroad of New Jersey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Tested gun used to throw barbed wire
projectiles. 1915-1917<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Col. William S. Bacon, commanding officer
–<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Visted Maj. H.R. LeSueur of British
Military Mission<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Camp Kendrick closed – auctioned off
items on Tuesday March 27, 1923 –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Samuel T. Freeman and Co. 1519
Chestnut Philad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Summer of 1919 – Lt. Comdr. Lewis
Maxfield, a skilled, enthusiastic navy dirigible pilot, recommended Lakehurst
as the new home for the navy’s lighter than air (LTA) program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Deal finalized in summer of 1919 –
by acting secrtary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">7,400 acres original – later
expanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The US Navy Dept. of Yards and Docks
drew up specifications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">August 1919 – Lord Construction
Company of Phila. Won the hanger bid - $2.9 million.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
The largest open interior space in the world –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Fleet Airship No. 1 – Rigid Airship
ZR-1 – manufactured at Navy Aircraft Factory, Phila.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZR-2 built for Navy by British Royal
Airship works at Cardington, England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1921<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Original plan to use hydrogen gas in
airships<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Designed plant to manufacture 75,000
cubic feet of hydrogen per day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Capt. Frank T. Evans put Naval Air
Station Lakehurst into Commission on June 26, 1921<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The base originally housed in wooden
firehouse built in 1921 –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Modern WPA brick building completed
in 1935,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Hindenburg disaster May 6, 1937<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The old wood firehouse still stands
as workshop as does the brick firehouse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Hanger No. 1 – first permanent
address of the navy’s lighter than air operations – 966 feet overall 807
interior – 263 feet door with – 224 overall height – 178 feet interior height – </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Declared a national historic landmark in 1968<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Officers housing constructed in
1930s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1942-44 expansion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Allies received several
Zeppelins as spoils of the first war with Germany and built several based on
the designs of the captured German models. One copy British R-34 - crossed
the Atlantic – July 1919 –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">108 hours westbound – 75 eastbound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1922 – First American rigid airship
– based on captured German L49<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZR2 tragedy –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">For years special trains brought
sightseers to view the airships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1915 – US began LTA program – blimps
– The Howden Detachement in Yorkshire, England provided airship training – R-38
(American ZR2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On its fourth trail flight August
24, 1921 – the ship broke apart and fell burning into the River Humber at Hull,
with 28 British and 16 Americans killed, including Lt. Comder. Lewis Maxfield –
the leading proponent of airship development in America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">ZR-1 Shenandoah – firsts flight
Sept. 4, 1923<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Commissioned Oct. 27 680 feet long –
91 feet high<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Nov. 1923 – 160 foot mooring mast.
West field. Developed in Britain allowed airships to operate independent of
hangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">6:44 pm on January 16, 1924 the
Shenandoah broke free from its mast in a gale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">German instructor Annon Heinen and
skeleton crew rode out the storm and brought the runaway airshop back to
Lakehurst after a nine hour flight, a public relations triumph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lt. Comder. Zachary Lansdowne took
command of Shenandoah on Feb. 16 1924<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lakehurst commanding officer Comdr.
Jacob Klein – “bitterly unhappy to see an ‘outsider’ brought in. So began a
decades long pattern of feuding among various officers and commanders at
Lakeurst. – p. 29<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chief of Naval Airship Training and
Experimentation Command during WWII, Vice Adm. Charles E. Rosendahl – retired
to Toms River in 1946.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“An outstanding proponent of the
airship cause, he remained a regular presence at Naval Station Lakehurst until
his death in May 1977 at age 85. Bitterly disappointed with the navy’s decision
to remove Lakehurst’s designation as an active naval air station, he abandoned
plans for establishing a museum at his beloved base, and his accumulated
archives instead went to the University of Texas, in his former home state.” –
p. 115 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-77281728726833733702017-04-03T08:35:00.002-07:002017-04-03T08:35:57.411-07:00Irwin & Leighton Contractors for Camp Dix & Lakehurst <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Irwin Leighton <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The United States Army Cantonment at
Camp Dix <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Camp Dix project, although one
of Irwin & Leighton’s earliest, stands even today as one of its most
meaningful because of the significance and importance of the project to the
World War I effort, and the speed in which it was built. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Irwin & Leighton was chosen to
build the Cantonment at Camp Dix when the site’s installment began in 1917. The
initial project was required to be completed under a very aggressive time
schedule to meet the impending demands of World War I. To do this, Irwin and
Leighton directly employed and/or coordinated the efforts of hundreds of
workers who, in accordance with the custom of the day, arrived at work in shirt
and tie, changed into work clothes and changed again to go home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Irwin & Leighton established an
onsite Employment Office where seventeen clerks screened applicants who arrived
by train and motorcar. A fleet of autos was required to make the weekly
commutes to the Philadelphia National Bank for the worker’s payroll. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The project was started in July
1917, in farm fields. The scope involved ten sections of multiple barracks and
support building as well as an extensive infrastructure work. <br />
<br />
In less than sixty days, the entire project was substantially complete. In that
time, Irwin & Leighton used forty million board feet of lumber, which was
brought to the site by rail and erected in production fashion. When the company
hit stride, it was completing one barrack per day. Irwin & Leighton’s
onsite superintendent was E. M. Campbell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The company further organized the project
with “Heads of Departments” for survey, concrete, carpentry, sheet metal,
plumbing, electrical, road construction, water and sewers, a pumping station,
etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The 31,000 acre complex is located
inside the Pineland National Reserve in Central New Jersey, and was named for
Major General John Adams Dix, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civiil War. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Used as a staging ground and
training area for units during World War I, it was made a permanent Army post
in 1939 and was renamed Fort Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1921, the Navy established
Lakehurst Naval Air Station to serve as its headquarters for lighter-than-air
flight after the pioneering use of zeppelins by the German forces in World War
I. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In order to house large
helium-filled dirigibles, the Navy hired Irwin & Leighton to build
Lakehurst’s Hanger No. 1, a massive structure measuring 961 feet long, 350 feet
wide and 200 feet high. The great spans and clear height were achieved through
state-of-the-art design. Inside it, Naval engineers assembled the first
American-built airship, the Shenandoah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Lakehurst was also the location of
the now-infamous Hindenburg disaster. The crash of the Hindenburg dirigible on
May 6, 1937 over Lakehurst was the 20<sup>th</sup> century’s first
transportation disaster widely captured by newsreel, audio recordings and still
photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-46591656372777311622017-03-31T09:09:00.002-07:002017-03-31T09:09:51.609-07:00Dix Chapter VII - Between the Wars <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter VII <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the 1920s and early 1930s, World War I
continued to have a tremendous impact on the size and structure of the United
States Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Civilian Americans were determined to economize after
the tremendous costs of World War I and try to forget warfare altogether. With
almost four million men under arms in November 18, the authorized strength of
the US Army slid to less than 150,000 by mid-1920. Even then the number of
personnel the Army was able to retain n service fell well below that figure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Regular Army facilities in the United States provided
adequately for existing Army units; consequently there was little need for the
original National Army Camps, such as Camp Dix, in the post-war military
establishment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Were it not for a decision by the assistant secretary
of war in March 1919, it is doubtful if Camp Dix would had survived as a
military reservation. He decided to purchase 14 leased National Army
cantonments, one of which was Dix, to try to recoup a higher part of the war’s
cost by selling all buildings and other assets in combination with the lands.
Selling the combinations, he estimated, would result in 12 times more gain to
the government. After the Camp Dix land was purchased, however, no information is
available that any real attempt was made to sell the Army post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When demobilization had ended, the caretaking
responsibility for Camp Dix was placed in the hands of a quartermaster
detachment, which at times consisted of as few as one officer, 10 enlisted men
and five civilians. The quartermaster officer in charge of the detachment also
doubled as commanding officer of the camp. For these few soldiers, Camp Dix in
those years was a lonely place and well deserving of the name, “Military Ghost
Town,” given to the quiet reservation by local residents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was the 1<sup>st</sup> Infantry Division,
headquartered at Fort Hamilton, New York, that gave Camp Dix its last big
moment of glory during the post-World War I period. In observance of the second
anniversary of the armistice, the 1<sup>st</sup> Division assembled all of its
units, which were spread widely along the east coast, at Camp Dix to put on a
demonstration for a gathering of 1<sup>st</sup> Division veterans. Among the
guests was General of the Armies John J. Pershing, as the division “went over
the top” on the night of 10 November 1920. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also present were 35 disabled veterans of the 1<sup>st</sup>
Division who lay in ambulances to watch the show. They had been brought by
special train from Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington D.C., where for more
than two years, they had been under treatment for war wounds. The demonstration
consisted of a night attack from trenches employing all of the implements for
such an attack. Soldiers with blackened faces made up wire-cutting parties, and
the attackers were supported with star shells to heavy artillery and protected
by tanks and machine guns. On the next day 11 November, a reunion of the 1<sup>st</sup>
Division Society, held on the parade grounds, was attended by thousands of
veterans from all parts of the United States. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a result of this visit, the commanding general of
the 1<sup>st</sup> Division, Major General Charles P. Summerall, wrote to the
adjutant general. US Army, requesting an allocation of $5,000 to repair and
modernize a building suitable for housing visitors to the post. In his request,
he stated that the camp was located 18 miles from adequate hotel
accommodations. He also noted the quarters provided for officers at the camp
were so small, poorly constructed, and ill equippe</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">d that it was necessary to
provide some place for guests of the officers and other visitors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no evidence to indicate General Summerall
ever got the money. Few appropriations were made by Congress for maintenance of
buildings on the post. Consequently, the inevitable resulted. Nature, lack of
repair, and insufficient guard personnel took their toll. Supplies were open to
looting. Even gasoline was stolen from the fire engine, and on one occasion the
vehicle had to be towed to a fire. Building after building burned to the
ground. During the five-year period from 1917-1922, the camp’s fire loss was
approximately $287,000. Much of the camp’s equipment, particularly motor
vehicles, had long passed the point of efficient use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major General David C. Shanks, who had replaced
General Summerall as commanding general of the 1<sup>st</sup> Infantry
Division, visited Camp Dix in August 1921. He later wrote to the adjutant
general, US Army, complaining of the camp’s deficiencies. He noted the
buildings were “all of the cheap and flimsy type” and apparently suffering from
leaky roofs, extensive rotting, and general deterioration attributable to
“hasty construction.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Shanks observed that the camp’s water supply
was poor, no family housing existed, and the general isolation of the location
was contributing to a high desertion rate. He endorsed General Summerall’s
views that Camp Dix should not be retained as a permanent camp and recommended
no further building programs be considered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite the views of the two commanding generals, the
1<sup>st</sup> Division continued to use Camp Dix for its annual summer field
training and range firing. Regiments of the division’s 1<sup>st</sup> Brigade,
the 16<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment from Fort Jay, Governor’s Island, New
York City, and the 18<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment from Fort Wadsworth,
Staten Island, New York, were the most consistent users of the camp’s training
areas. Additionally, in the summer months, units of the New Jersey Guard took
their two-weeks active duty training at the camp along with reserve officers of
the 77<sup>th</sup> and 78<sup>th</sup> Infantry Divisions (Reserve) and
officers of other Organized Reserve Corps (ORC) units whose home stations were
close to Camp Dix. In the 1930s, students in training under the Citizens
Military Training Corps (CMTC) in the II Army Corps Area made up a large part of
the men assembled at the camp from June through August. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The small arms ranges were the most active facilities
on post during these training periods. More than 3,000 men, not including CMTC
and ORC groups, spent considerable time on the ranges qualifying and improving
their marksmanship. In 1926, the firing range at Fort Hancock, New Jersey, was
closed because of accidents, so troops from that post, principally engineers,
completed their small arms firing at Camp Dix. During the summer of that year,
approximately 400 marines stationed at Lakehurst, New Jersey, as part of the
ground crew for the naval airship “Los Angeles,” came to Camp Dix for range
practice. The marines continued to use the camp’s ranges for several more
years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix as it existed in those days can be best
understood through the reflections of soldiers returning to the “old” post
after years of absence. One was Sergeant First Class John F. Nolan, who
returned to Fort Dix in 1964 for an assignment with the Light Vehicle Driver
Course of the 5<sup>th</sup> Common Specialist Training Regiment. Back in May
1934, then Private Nolan had reported to Camp Dix to staff a summer training
camp for the Reserve Officers Training Corps, CMTC, and Civilian Conservation
Corps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking at the permanent, brick barracks of a basic
combat training regiment, Nolan recalled that his company 30 years previously
had been housed in tents during the summer period. “The only barracks on post,”
he said, “housed about 18 members of the permanent party. Once we were ordered
to move our tents so a road could be built.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reminiscing on changes that have occurred in Army
life, the sergeant recalled, “Every outfit did its own recruiting. You just
signed up and went straight to work. Until you were assigned overseas, you
received no formal training. One day you might learn how to carry or fire a
rifle, while another time they might teach you ‘right face.’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a private, Nolan was paid $17,65 a month. His first
stop most paydays was the orderly room, where a book of 10 haircut coupons
could be bought for a $1.50. In his unit in those days, a private first class
was entrusted with handling payroll and personnel records. Mess halls were
different, too. Service was family style, with heaping platters of food on the
table. Mess sergeants did their own marketing, and they could be seen at nearby
farms, haggling over the price of vegetables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Frequently during the post-demobilization period, the
governments had expressed its intention of abandoning the camp and returning
all property to the original owners. However, due largely to the efforts of
General Hugh L. Scott, the second commanding general of the 78<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division and Camp Dix, such a proposal was not carried out. He and
many other farsighted military and government officials argued that the camp
must be retained in the event of another mobilization. It was further pointed
out that the reservation was the largest in the northeastern United States and
well fortified by its ideal location. It was near the large eastern cities and
had great potential as an aviation center or training site for pilots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After hearing these and other strong arguments, Calvin
Coolidge decided to set aside most of the tract as a national forest preserve
and any idea of vacating the camp apparently was dropped – at least so far as
the federal government was concerned. By executive order in 1925, most of the
land area making up the reservation was renamed Dix National Forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even though the government had no intention of giving
up the land, rumors of plans to abandon the property were often heard. Most of
the rumors were based on expressed opinions of certain ranking individuals in
the federal and local governments that the properties at Dix were needlessly
being held by the government. The rumors brought a flood of inquiries to
congressmen from local residents. The property and land at Dix became the
subject of many such congressional inquiries in 1926. Late in the year,
Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis answered these inquiries by announcing plans
to reopen Camp Dix as the 11 Corps training area. He also announced the
proposal of a million dollar construction project at the post. Thus, Dix’
retention as a military installation by the federal government was assured, and
the tide of rumors and queries subsided. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the post was not very active after 1922 and
no regular forces, other than the small caretaker detachment, were stationed
there, the Army still received a number of claims for property damage from
irate citizens. For example, an Asbury Park bus struck and killed an Army mule
while the bus was traveling across the reservation on the
Wrightstown-Pemberton-Camden Highway. After determining the amount of damage to
the bus and cost of repair, the company filed a claim against the government in
the amount of $54.45. But, to the dismay of the company, the government
submitted a counterclaim for $160 – the cost of the mule. It was pointed out
that the driver of the bus had exceeded the posted speed limit of 12 miles per
hour. A witness had stated the bus was traveling a reckless 25 miles an hour
and the driver apparently ignored the waring of a soldier to slow down. The
disposition of the case is not known nor is it really important. However, it
was typical of many such claims submitted to the government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There were more serious claims uring the early
between-wars period. Field fires started from the narrow-gage railroad were
frequent. One fire in the early 1920s resulted in more than $10,000 in claims
for damage to cranberry bogs. In 1930, another fire was started from the
railroad resulting in claims totaling $2,500. Finally it was discovered that
the fires were caused when sparks from the train’s wheels ignited the nearby
brush. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The largest fire during the period, however, was not
caused by wheels of the railroad train. In 1932, soldiers of one of the reserve
divisions were clearing brush from the track for a firebreak and began burning
it. At noon, the soldiers took time out for lunch, leaving the burning brush
unattended. In a short time, with the assist of a summer breeze, the fire
spread to adjoining bogs. The result was one of the worst fires known in the
vicinity, according to a letter received by the secretary of war from a
civilian. The blaze could not be controlled, and a civilian fire department had
to be called in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the fire, which caused extensive damage to the
woodland area in the section that later became known as the Reception Center.
This company did excellent work fighting soil erosion on the farms in the
neighboring communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By August 1934, general supervision of CCC camps in
southern New Jersey was administered by headquarters at Dix. Public opinion was
divided as to whether material benefits accomplished by the CCC were worth the
cost. However, it was generally accepted that improvement of workers’ personal
character and knowledge was of tremendous value. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Character buildup, however, was sometimes questioned
by the local populace. One incident took place on the afternoon of Friday the
13<sup>th</sup> of April 1934. On that day, 75 CCC workers on their way home
from Camp Dix created a disturbance at the Bordentown, New Jersey railroad
station. They removed a clock from the waiting room wall, damaged a candy
vending machine and became involved in other miscellaneous malicious actions.
State police were summoned and after quelling the outbreak permitted the men to
go on to their homes. No arrests were made. This was not the only incident of
bad conduct involving CCC workers. They were frequently involved in fights,
brawls, thefts and acts of immorality. Although the majority of the
conservation corps men did not display such immature behavior, the reputation
of the entire CCC was quite a topic of controversy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile, CCC authorities at Camp Dix continued to
point out advantages of the corps. They shattered all charges of pacifists that
the recruits were given military training. Dix authorities denied that the
young men were undergoing training for the Army in the event of a future
emergency. It also was stressed that while a civilian reserve officer directed
each of the CCC camps, all other executive positions were held by men promoted
from the ranks of the CCC recruits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All CCC men enlisted had the privilege of quitting any
time they were needed by their families. Transportation costs to return home in
such cases were furnished, considering that pay of the ordinary CCC workman was
only $30 a month, $25 of which was sent to dependents or families back home.
This left the CCC worker $5 in pocket money each month, hardly enough to cover
both transportation costs and other necessary purchases. In addition to
educational, recreational, and religious benefits and activities, the worker
received clothing and medical services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In January 1935, 300,000 young men still were employed
in camps scattered throughout the United States. For the most part, they worked
in forest conservation. In the spring of 1935, preparations were made by the
Department of Conservation and Development for reforesting state forests. This
was accomplished by planting a total of 832,700 seedling trees of several
different types. The plans were carried out, and the planting done by CCC. The
Green Bank State Forest Nursery of Burlington County provided 210,200
seedlings, while the Washington Crossing State Forest Nursery of Mercer County
furnished an additional 125,000 for the cause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Bass River State Forest of Burlington County, the
Lebanon State Forest in Cape May County, the Jenny Jump State Forest in Warren
County and Stokes State Forest in Sussex County all received seedling trees. In
all cases the planting was done by the CCC. The CCC also was employed in road
building and other jobs throughout the country. These jobs aided in the
construction of various projects designed to improve living and recreational
conditions in assigned areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In spring 1935, it was directed that New Jersey’s
quota for the CCC be boosted from 9,343 to 19,700. This was the result of a
federal government decision to enroll 600,000 youths and war veterans beginning
15 June 1935 to build up the number of personnel, which then stood at 353,000.
Factors in determining the state’s quota were population and relief needs, each
weighing equally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of the 600,000 youths and war veterans, 545,000 were
juniors and the remainder veterans. The enrollment increase was completed on 31
August 1935. It was estimated that during the enrollment period, approximately 350,000
men, including replacements for men who had dropped out prior to 1 July, were
sent to camps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From March 1933 to July 1936, 115,000 CCC enrollees arrived
and were processed at Camp Dix. During the same period, the camp, which also
operated as a discharge center, sent out 43,000 men, who eventually returned to
Dix and were mustered out of the corps to civilian life. In all, more than
200,000 men passed through the camp in the CCC program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Activity at Camp Dix steadily increased, and in 1937 the
CCC Discharge and Replacement Center was established. The center handled
approximately 10,000 enrolments and discharges every quarter. At the beginning
of every period 5,000 men were received from camps on the West Coast, processed
for discharge and returned home. At about the same time, approximately the same
numbers was received, enrolled, processed and shipped to camps on the West
Coast as replacements. In September 1940, the Discharge and Replacement Center
was moved temporarily to Sea Girt, New Jersey. It remained there until early in
1941 when it was returned to Fort Dix and inactivated. Because of the military
buildup, workers at the post, more of whom were involved in soil conservation,
were transferred to the Schenectady, New York, area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile the CMTC and ORC continued to use the camp
regularly each summer, and training was more efficient because of the many
improvements made by the CCC with government funds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1937, General Hugh L. Scott’s foresightedness of
the 1920s became a reality. During that year ground was broken for the Army’s
first airfield at Dix. A small landing strip was built for light planes to be
used in support of the post’s activities. Although hardly as extensive as today’s
McGuire Air Force Base, the tiny single dirt strip was McGuire’s forerunner.
Later, the strip expanded to a major air base and for years was known as the
Fort Dix Army Air Field. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The military had its problems in keeping the lid on
classified information. A breach of security, which could be used as an example
in an intelligence lecture, occurred on the post in 1938. World War II was just
taking form in other parts of the world, even though the United States was not
involved. Washington, however, was anticipating the country might become
entangled; consequently mobilization and contingency plans were being prepared.
Military installations were taking stock of their properties and making recommendations
for improvement in the event facilities and equipment had to be used for
building of our military strength. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In May 1938 a request carefully itemizing some
$150,000 in needed repairs and constructions at Camp Dix was sent from Congress
to the War Department. Congress felt the repairs were considered necessary for
mobilization should the need arise. The list included all areas ranging from improvements
of tent floors and a hay shed to renovations of an electronic power station. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Such a request may not seem out of place to most
people. There was, however, one extraordinary factor – the request came from
Congress and not through channels from Camp Dix. A security leak was suspected.
This disturbed the War Department, considering that requests in channels from
Dix at the time amounted only to $18,000. The War Department wanted to know why
civilians apparently knew more about the mobilization readiness of the post
than the Army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix’ commander was hard pressed to explain how
this restricted list of needed repairs got to Washington before it was received
at II Corps headquarters. After investigation on the part of military
authorities at the camp, the answer was learned. At the time there were some
2,500 Works Projects Administration (WPA) workers on the post. They were involved
in all types of projects and administrative functions at the camp. It was
discovered that these civilians were not fully aware of their knowledge of
security information. Because most of them were political appointees, it was
not difficult for congressmen to obtain any information they wanted. After this
discovery, the security leak was plugged here and at other posts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the late 1930s, War Department officials began to
recognize that Dix was becoming an important permanent station. Permanent barracks
and officers’ quarters were being constructed, and the post had the potential
of becoming one of the largest training centers for ground forces in the
county. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In view of this, the War Department believed the
installation should be given the more appropriate designation of “Fort Dix,” so
on 8 March 1939, the post was officially renamed – giving it an air of
permanence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the time several permanent structures already were
in existence and others in construction, using Public Works Administration and
Works Projects Administration funs. Included in the million-dollar building
project were an electric power substation, a 375-man barracks, eight sets of
officers’ quarters, 13 NCO quarters, a fire station, bakery, guard houses,
quartermaster warehouse, quartermaster utility shops, garage and motor repair
shop, gas and oil storage area, headquarters building and an administration
building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Begun in 1938 the project was not completed until
1940. Most of these facilities are being used today. The post headquarters
building are probably the most familiar to those currently stationed at Dix.
Among the permanent-type buildings in existence prior to 1939 were the mess halls
built for the Civilian Conservation Corps and the two infantry companies in
1934. These buildings on Maryland Avenue are still in use today – but not as
mess halls. One is now used by the provost marshal and the other by the
Communications and Pictorial Service Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Little change occurred in the routine at Dix by its
redesignations as a permanent installation. The CMTC and the ORC continued with
their regular training activities. War clouds were beginning to form on the
horizon, but it was to be some time before their existence would be recognized
by any variation in Fort Dix’ schedule. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the summer of 1939, 21,000 young men were inducted
into the CMTG regiment on the parade grounds, which marked the spot where the
barrack’s famed “Lighting Division” stood. The regiment’s training was
conducted by officers of infantry, quartermaster, signal and medical branches,
who arrived regularly during the summer for two-weeks active duty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March 1939 found Fort Dix the center of a controversy
that raised a nationwide hue and cry. It concerned nine old mules, condemned to
die after having been found guilty of the charge of “senility.” The over-age
age of the animals was 25 years, and one had been in service with General
Pershing on the Mexican border and in France. Publication of the sentence was
picked up by the national press series and resulted in an avalanche of letters
directed to the post quartermaster officer, Major David R. Wolverton, under shoes
supervision the sentence was to be carried out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Suggestions for pensioning the animals streamed in
from all sides. Finally, in 1940, General Hugh A. Drum, commander of the II
Corps Area, issued a reprieve. One newspaperman wrote that this decision
brought “great joy” to the post. The mules were given extra allotments of feed.
They were brushed and curried to an extent unknown in a tough mule’s life, and
private citizens brought sweets to the favored beasts. <br />
<br />
Even a radio news bulletin was issued, and it was thought that the old
campaigners would spend the rest of their days on green pastures. But the
reprieve came to an end, and the Army’s regulations prevailed. It was
considered inadvisable to sell the mules to farmers, and no other recourse was
available but to complete the sentence of the court martial. Decrepit mules
could not live on an Army post, and the animals were given a ceremonial
dismissal from the service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The portrait of Major General Hugh L. Scott, the
second commander of the installation and the man who was in great part instrumental
in persuading the government to retain the camp after World War I, was
presented to Fort Dix at appropriate ceremonies in July 1939. The portrait,
painted as a WPA project by artists from New York, was presented by a group
from the 78<sup>th</sup> Division Veterans Association. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the same month, a portrait was presented of the
birthplace of General Dix. This presentation was made by Mrs. Margaret Dix
Lawrence, a granddaughter of the general. In 1956 Mrs. Lawrence presented a
near-century-old oil portrait of General Dix, which is presently displayed in
post headquarters. The portrait, exceeding four-by-three and encased in a heavy
gilt frame of the period, was painted by Peter Hansen Balling of Norway.
Balling was noted for his portraits of President Lincoln, Generals Sherman and
Grant, Admiral Farragut and other Civil War leaders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Late in 1940, quite a few Americans realized the
United States might become physically involved in a second world conflict. It
was at this time the federal government heartily welcomed the existing
facilities at Fort Dix. The War Department had a place to train and stage
troops in the event of mobilization – again thanks to General Scott and his
farsighted colleagues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The between-wars period was a time when Dix almost had
passed out of existence only to snap back with the initiation of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” CCC program. Upon entering the 1940s, the
post was to be charged with other important roles – again in defense of the
country for liberation of suppressed peoples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-44803687397498642982017-03-31T07:48:00.001-07:002017-03-31T07:48:42.685-07:00Fort Dix Chapter VI - Demobilization <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter VI <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX AND DEMOBILIZATION <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The collapse of the Central Powers came more quickly
than even the best-informed military experts believed possible.” 1 (U.S.
Secretary of War 1tr. To U.S. Senator James A. Reed, 3 April 1919.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus, wrote Secretary of War Newton D. Baker in a
letter to Senator James A. Reed about the suddenness of the armistice on 11
November 1918. The abrupt end of the war found the United States even less
prepared for demobilization than it had been for mobilization in April 1917. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the war ended, there was only one officer,
Colonel C. H. Conrad, Jr. in the entire United States Army actively working on
plans for personnel demobilization, and he had received the assignment only one
month previously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Peyton C. March, chief of staff, US Army, in
speaking of the planning for demobilization said, “…There were no precedents
afforded by the experience of our former wars which were of value in
determining policy.” 2 (Peyton C. March, The Nation at War, p. 312) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Except the Civil War, no war in which the United
States previously participated had involved the mass of personnel comparable to
the millions who served in World War I. Then, too, the opportunities of
economic and territorial expansion in the nation that existed after the Civil
War were not available to the men released in 1918-19. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The War Department planners considered the welfare of
the nation as well as the Army and concluded that demobilizing the emergency
troops could be best accomplished in one of four ways: soldiers could be
separated by length of service, by industrial needs or occupation, by locality
(through the use of local draft boards), or by military units. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The decision favoring the military unit method of
demobilization was made on 16 November 1918 and immediately announced to the
press. The secretary of war, describing the plan in his report for 1919, said,
‘…the policy adopted was to demobilize by complete organizations as their
services could be spared, thus insuring the maximum efficiency of those
organizations remaining, instead of demobilizing by special classes with the
resulting discontent among those not given preferential treatment and retained
in the service, thus lowering their morale and efficiency and disrupting all
organizations with the attendant general discontent,’ 3 (U.S. Secretary of War,
War Department Annual Report 1919, vol. I, pt. I, p. 14) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Demobilization Centers, such as Camp Dix became on 3
December 1918, performed the task of discharging the troops. At these centers
camp personnel conducted physical examinations, made up the necessary papers to
close all records, checked property, adjusted financial and other accounts, and
generally completed the processing. Many units in the United States were not
immediately released. They manned ports of embarkation, convalescent and
demobilization centers, supply depots, base and general hospitals, garrisons
along the Mexican border, and bases outside the United States. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Camp Dix personnel had a taste of the inactivation
process even before it was designated a Demobilization Center. This occurred on
30 November 1918 with the official inactivation of the 102<sup>nd</sup>
Infantry Division, the new division scheduled for formation at Camp Dix that
never got beyond assignment of cadre. In December 1918 demobilization got
underway in earnest with the inactivation of the 333<sup>rd</sup>, 334<sup>th</sup>,
338<sup>th</sup>, 339<sup>th</sup>, and 346<sup>th</sup> Light Tank Battalions;
the 351<sup>st</sup> 382<sup>nd</sup>, 383<sup>rd</sup> Heavy Training and
Replacement Companies; and the 319<sup>th,</sup>,320<sup>th</sup>,321<sup>st</sup>
Tank Repair and Salvage Companies. These tank units were elements of the 309<sup>th</sup>
and 310<sup>th</sup> Tank Centers, which only had been transferred to Camp Dix
in November 1918. They were part of the final war plan to augment tank
participation of the A.E.F. in France during the scheduled 1919 buildup of
United States forces. Although these organizations had received cadres of some
trainees, systematic training barely began before the units were inactivated.
The two Tank Center Headquarters remained at Camp Dix for a time, but they,
too, were inactivated in June 1919. <sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Demobilization really got underway at Camp Dix
beginning in January 1919. In quick succession, seven entire infantry divisions
or their major elements were inactivated in the next six months. They were the
87<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, January to March; 41<sup>st</sup> Infantry
Division, February to March; 28<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, April to May;
42<sup>nd</sup> Infantry Division, May; 29<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, May;
78<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, the first occupants of Camp Dix, May to
June; and the 79<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, May to June. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During the same period, inactivation of the following
smaller units was accomplished at Camp Dix; 10 engineer regiments, two engineer
trains, 26 transportation corps companies, three pioneer infantry regiments,
one infantry brigade headquarters, six machine gun battalions, 30 base
hospitals, four military police companies, two butchery companies, eight sales
commissary units, and 14 U.S. guards battalions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More than 300,000 men were discharged at Camp Dix by
31 July 1919. Of this number 16,485 were officers and 39 field clerks (similar
to today’s warrant officer). In addition, 76,124 officers and men were
transferred to other stations for reassignment or further processing prior to
discharge. The largest number of discharges for a day was 5, 231 and transfers
4, 617. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the size and number of units inactivated
during the period 1 July to 31 December 1919 began to fall off, the scale of
inactivations continued to be significant. They included: nine engineer
regiments, 63 transportation corps companies, two pioneer infantry regimens,
six base hospitals, five ambulance service sections, 25 military police
companies, 13 butchery companies, and eight sales commissary units. By October
1919, the demobilization requirements at Camp Dix had slowed to a point where
no more than 500 men were handled per day. The War Department already had
acquiesced in the requirement that a man be discharged within 48 hours of his
arrival at the center. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was in October that Camp Dix was chosen by the Treasury
Department to be the site for filming of movies in support of the “Fifth
Liberty Loan Drive.” More than $100,000 was invested in filming simulated
battles with doughboys dressed in German battle dress. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Scenes took place in the mock trench area near the
filtration plant at New Jersey Avenue beyond 8<sup>th</sup> Street. The trench
area, which circled eastward toward Pointville and included heavily wooded
terrain, afforded an ideal setting for producing battle scenes reminiscent of
those fought on the Western Front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By the end of January 1920, demobilization at Camp Dix
had come to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-88235322894366911102017-03-31T07:43:00.001-07:002017-03-31T07:43:14.730-07:00Fort Dix V - WWI <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">History of Fort Dix
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter V <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CAMP DIX ACTIVITIES IN WORLD WAR I <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the United States entered World War I, the US
Army could not claim a single active division. At the time, the largest
operational element of the Army was the infantry regiment. Of these, only 31
Regular Army regiments and 110 National Guard regiments existed. The later
varied considerably in strength and number of battalions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The War Department had prepared plans and drawn up
tables of organization to assign various regiments to infantry divisions using
the triangular principle, i.e., elements grouped in threes. However, shortly
after General John J. Pershing and his staff arrived in France, they determined
that the square division, elements grouped in fours, demonstrated far greater
power to penetrate the system of trenches peculiar to the Western Front. On 8
June 1917, two months after the US declared war, the Army activated the 1<sup>st</sup>
Infantry Division in France utilizing four infantry regiments, the 16<sup>th</sup>,
18<sup>th</sup>, 26<sup>th</sup>, and 28<sup>th</sup>. The “Big Red One” became
the prototype for all US Infantry divisions, which were subsequently organized
in World War I. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Pershing in his analysis of tactical
organizations in an official report to the secretary of war, 20 November 1918,
stated: “After a thorough consideration of allied organizations it was decided
that our combat division should consist of four regiments of infantry of 3,000
men with three battalions to regiment and four companies of 250 men each to a
battalion and of an artillery brigade of three regiments, a machine gun
battalion, a signal battalion wagon trains and the headquarters staffs and
military police. These, with medical and other units, made a total of over
28,000 men, or practically double the size of a French or German divisions.” 1
(Francis A. March, History of World War I, p. 702) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The changes in size and organization of the infantry
division recommended by General Pershing and employed by him in organizing the
1<sup>st</sup> Infantry Division presented problems to the War Department. Not
only would all of the tables of organization have to be re-written but National
Guard and National Army cantonments which already were under construction would
have to be adjusted and expanded to provide for the added units and the
increased strength. There was considerable opposition in the War Department to
revising the organization of the Army in mid-summer 1917 just at the time that
the National Guard and the first draft of selective service men were being
called. However, the secretary of war let it be known that the commander in
chief in France who was to command our Army in battle should have the size
division he wanted. Largely because of the strong support given to General
Pershing by the secretary of war, the square infantry division concept was
quickly adopted by the War Department and published in a series of tables of
organization beginning on 8 August 1917. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just prior to that date, on 5 August, official
announcement was made by the War Department of the establishment of 16 infantry
divisions of the National Army. Among these was the 78<sup>th</sup> Infantry
Division, scheduled to organize and train at Camp Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey.
The division was allocated draftees from the first contingent as follows:
Delaware, 1,202; New Jersey, 20,665; and New York, 21,160. On 13 August, the
War Department directed that the 78<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division Headquarters
be organized and the commissioned officers report for duty on 15 August. The
next day, the division commander was directed to organize subordinate units of
the division in accordance with Tables of Organization, dated 8 August 1917. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major General Chase W. Kennedy assumed command of the
division on 23 August and at the same time became the first commanding general
of Camp Dix. He was destined, however, to command this New Jersey installation
and its units only three months because of policies being developed in France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In November 1917 from his headquarters in France,
General Pershing wrote to the War Department of his concern regarding age of
the generals who had been assigned for duty as division commander with the
American Expeditionary Forces. He pointed out that the average age of the
French and British division commander was 38 to 45. They had found this
necessary because of the extreme mental and physical demands placed on combat
commanders at the Western Front, even at the division level. Pershing requested
he be assigned generals of comparable age to that of the French and British
commanders. His request was honored, and one of those selected was General
Kennedy at Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kennedy was relieved from assignment at Camp Dix on 28
November 1917 and soon after sailed for France. Following his departure,
Brigadier Generals John S. Mallory and James T. Dean served ad interim
assignments as commander of Camp Dix and the 78<sup>th</sup> Division until 2
January 1918 when Major General Hugh L. Scott assumed both responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">General Scott had been chief of staff, United States
Army, until 22 September 1917 when he was placed on a retired list but
continued on active duty. Following a visit to Russia as an observer with the
Root Mission, General Scott was assigned to the A.E.F. in France. By
coincidence, he was one of the older generals whom General Pershing
specifically had mentioned in his letter to the War Department. On 20 April
1918, Brigadier General James H. McRae, later to become major general, was
assigned as commanding general of the 78<sup>th</sup> Division and served in
that capacity throughout the remainder of World War I. General Scott continued
as camp commander until 12 May 1919 at which time he was relieved of the post
and placed on full retirement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To return to the activities of the 78<sup>th</sup>
Division, the organization of its subordinate units began during the last week
of August 1917 from a cadre of Regular Army officers and organized Reserve
Corps and National Army officers from the First Officers’ Training Camp,
Madison Barracks, New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The 78<sup>th</sup> Division consisted of two infantry
brigades, the 155<sup>th</sup> and `56<sup>th</sup> with the 309<sup>th</sup>,
310<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiments, the 308<sup>th</sup> Machine Gun
Battalion, respectively, the 153<sup>rd</sup> Field Artillery Brigade with the
307<sup>th</sup> and 308<sup>th</sup> Field Artillery Regiments (75mm), the 309<sup>th</sup>
Field Artillery Regiment (155mm) and the 303<sup>rd</sup> Trench Mortar
Battery; 303<sup>rd</sup> Engineer Regiment; 303<sup>rd</sup> Signal Battalion;
303<sup>rd</sup> headquarters and Military Police Trains; 303<sup>rd</sup>
Supply, Ammunition, Engineer, and Sanitation Trains; the 309<sup>th</sup>, 310<sup>th</sup>,
311<sup>th</sup>, 312<sup>th</sup> Ambulance Companies and Field Hospitals, and
the 153<sup>rd</sup> Depot Brigade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At each of the National Guard camps, a depot brigade
with the mission of training draftees as replacements was assigned as a
component part of the National Guard divisions. The 153<sup>rd</sup> Depot
Brigade was activated on 17 August 1917 with six training battalions, which
became a part of the 78<sup>th</sup> Division after its formation. In October,
three provisional training regimental headquarters were formed by the brigade,
and these assumed direct supervision of the training battalions. The brigade
remained subordinate to the 78<sup>th</sup> division until the 78<sup>th</sup>
departed for France. At that time, it became an independent command, expanding
to 10 training battalions, which was its organization throughout the remainder
of the war. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to the 78<sup>th</sup> Division, other
major organizations were activated at Camp Dix and carried on training
simultaneously with the division. The largest of these was the 167<sup>th</sup>
Field Artillery Brigade (Negro), which was activated in November 1917. The 167<sup>th</sup>
Brigade was part of the 92<sup>nd</sup> Infantry Division, which had its
headquarters at Camp Funston, Kansas. The brigade remained in training at Camp
Dix until the 92<sup>nd</sup> Division left for France in June 1918.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other units were the 24<sup>th</sup> Engineer
Regiment, activated in November 1917, and the 34<sup>th</sup> and 54<sup>th</sup>
Engineer Regiments, activated in February 1918. All of these regiments departed
for France in June 1918. Camp Dix also operated a Cooks and Bakers School,
which provided personnel for units throughout the US Army. It was activated in
September 1917 and remained in operation until long after the end of the war.
It was inactivated in April 1922. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">US Army medical activities began at Camp Dix with the
arrival, on 27 August 1917, of an ambulance company of the 22<sup>nd</sup>
Field Hospital and several medical officers. A month later the first group of
20 nurses reported from a Red Cross training center. Initially, a temporary
field hospital was established in troop barracks during the construction of the
Camp Dix Base Hospital. On 22 October, the Base Hospital opened in the area
just to the east of the Wrightstown-Camp Dix entrance. The original structures
was expanded throughout the war until it reached a maximum capacity of 2, 184
beds. At that time, the total assigned strength consisted of 104 officers, 650
enlisted men and 158 nurses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first draftees reporting to Camp Dix were
confronted with military supply problems similar to the construction supply
problems that faced contractors. Quartermaster records of September 1917 show
the following items on hand for issue to the incoming soldiers: 204 cotton
shirts, 84 service hats, 614 pairs of shoes and 500 pairs of leggings. Also on
hand were 47,430 cotton undershirts, 39,350 cotton stockings and 24, 600 wool
stockings. With this shortage and imbalance, it is understandable why many of
the first men had to continue wearing their civilian clothes during the early
stages of training. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The same situation existed with respect to food
supplies. The records show available for issue: 135,000 rations of bacon,
169,000 of corned beef, 1,135,000 pounds of sugar and 2,575,000 of salt. With
weapons it was the same. The first rifles used by the soldiers were the Krag,
.30-40, which first came into use during the Spanish-American war, and the 1903
Springfield .30-06, went into full production that the US soldiers had a common
rifle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The training day for the doughboys of World War I was
not much different from that of the infantrymen today. First Call came at 5:45
a.m., with Assembly 15 minutes later. Breakfast began at 6:20 a.m., followed by
sick Call at 6:45 a.m., and stable Call at 7 a.m. First Call for drill was
sounded at 7:20 a.m., with Assembly at 7:30 a.m. The noon break lasted from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Recall was blown at 5 p.m. Retreat was held at 5;35
p.m., with the evening meal following immediately. Night classes were conducted
each evening during the week from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and Taps closed out the day
at 10 p.m. A six-day work week was followed, and only on Sundays and holidays
was there a break in training, when Revelle sounded one-half hour later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The doughboys’ training consisted of heavy emphasis on
close order drill, calisthenics, marches and bivouacs, filed inspections, range
firing, bayonet drill, and defense and attack of mock trenches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite the rigorous and long hours of training, it
was not all work and no play” for the soldiers at Camp Dix. The moral and
welfare of each soldier were considerations that occupied the time of many
individuals and organizations. Personalities from the entertainment world visited
the post to perform for the troops. The first well-known comedian to appear at
the camp was Sir Harry Lauder whose Scottish brogue, put to tune in the
inaugural act, was followed by other noted musicians, singer and actors of the
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While all of the events were given on a large scale,
there was no central agency such as today’s United Service Organization (USO)
to organize and coordinate entertainment activities This lack of central
organization did not affect the quality or quantity of entertainment supplied
to the army camps. Private welfare agencies military personnel assigned to
provide for the morale, welfare and entertainment of the soldiers filled the
gap. Although their activities were not centralized, a number of agencies and
facilities was in operation at Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Y.M.C.A. maintained nine huts and an auditorium,
which was the largest building on post. The Knights of Columbus had three huts
and an auditorium, the latter located near the camp swimming pool at 8<sup>th</sup>
Street and New Jersey Avenue. This site presently is occupied by the Army
Education Center. The pool also was built by the Knights of Columbus but not
completed in time for use in World War I. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tbe Jewish Welfare organization’s building was located
at 5<sup>th</sup> Street and New Jersey Avenue, and the Episcopal Diocese of
New Jersey operated the Saint George Club in Pointville. The latter building
later was sold to the government for one dollar and converted to a guesthouse.
The Red Cross building was located at 8<sup>th</sup> Street and New York Avenue.
It was later torn down, and the A.R.C. constructed a new building in 1942 near
the old site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Salvation Army operated a club in Wrightstown as
it does today. Fire consumed the first building, and the organization moved
into quarters of the “Mole Tequop Club,” an Army service club located on the
main corner of Wrightstown. The Mole Tequop operated under the Commission
Training Camp Activities of the War Department and was one of three service
clubs located in Wrightstown. The club’s unusual name was derived from an
Indian phrase meaning “Sign Talker” which had been given to Major General Hugh
L. Scott, camp commander, by an Indian tribe may years before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Christian Scientists maintained a facility near
New Jersey and 8<sup>th</sup> Street; the Camp Community Service had a lodge
near Wrightstown and there were two Hostess Houses for the entertainment of
Negro troops, one of which was later converted into an officer’s club. Among
other activities at the camp were a dramatic club, a post library with 2500
volumes, a full-time camp song instructor, a camp athletic director and a camp
boxing instructor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each evening the latest silent films were presented at
the post’s first theater. Often doubling as a sports arena, the spacious
Liberty Theater could seat nearly 1,000 persons. Such classics as “West of
Today,” and “Six Feet Four” were among the many films presented. “West of
Today” starring William Russell was considered a film intended “only for people
with red blood in their veins.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To keep informed of the news, the soldiers had a
variety of camp newspapers to choose from. “The Trench and Camp Weekly, “ “The
Camp Dix Times,” “The Camp Dix News,” and “The Camp Dix Pictorial Review,” were
printed by the “Trenton Times” for such agencies as the contractors and
Y.M.C.A. for issue to workers and soldiers. One item the men read in August of
1918 concerned 370 Italian soldiers who had arrived at Camp Dix after crossing
more than half the world on their return to Italy. It was an unusual story! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Austria declared war in 1914, many Italians
living in the provinces of Southern Tyrol, Treseste, Friuli, Istria and
Dalmatia were compelled to join the Austrian Army. The impressed soldiers were
sent to fight on the Russian front against a nation allied with their homeland.
Taking advantage of every opportunity to surrender, the Italians fell into the
hands of the Russians who held them prisoner until the arrival of an Italian
military mission to Moscow. After release in December 1917, the men began a
long and adventurous journey across Siberia. Eventually, they reached China and
obtained passage to the United States. Upon reaching the US, the soldiers were
sent to Camp Dix to await their voyage to Italy. At Dix, the Italians were
joined by about 2,000 aliens who had requested return to Europe to join in the
fight against the Germans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Italians were acclaimed to be the “bravest of the
brave,” who would, when they finally reached front, “fight like demons because
they have been through hell.” 2. (Camp Dix Times, vol. I, no. xxxxiv 1918, pp. 1 & 18)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Germans never saw the fighting mettle of these
spirited soldiers for, ironically, the war ended before they reached the front.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By the end of October 1917 the 78<sup>th</sup>
Division still had not reached full strength, it numbered only 16,000 men. In
the last drafts of 1917, which reported to Camp Dix during the period 19-24 November,
only 5,000 additional men were furnished to the camp. During this period, the
division was called on to provide fillers for units shipping to France. By 10
November, transfers had reduced the size of the division to less than half its
authorized strength. It remained at the same level throughout the winter of
197-18, but in April and early May, the division was brought up to full
strength by transfers from New England, New York, New Jersey and Illinois. This
occurred just before the division’s movement to France, where it arrived in
early June. After two and one-half months training with the British in
Flanders, the division joined the First US Army and participated in the St.
Mihiel and Meuse operations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the departure of the 78<sup>th</sup> Division,
the War Department designted Camp Dix as an embarkation point for units
departing overseas. The first division to use the camp as a staging area before
movement to points of embarkation was the 87<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division
(National Army), which had been activated at Camp Pike, Arkansas, at the same
time as the 78<sup>th</sup> Division. The 87<sup>th</sup> or “Acorn” Division
was composed of soldiers from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
It’s troops began to move into Camp Dix on 18 June 1918 and remained until 18
August when its advanced elements began their movement in France. During its
stay at Camp Dix, the division received 10,000 replacements from the 153<sup>rd</sup>
Depot Brigade. The division did not see action in the war; it still was in
training in France when the armistice was signed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almost immediately after departure of the 87<sup>th</sup>
Division, parts of the 67<sup>th</sup> and 68<sup>th</sup> Infantry Brigades of
the 34<sup>th</sup> Division (National Guard) began to arrive at Camp Dix. The
34<sup>th</sup> “Sandstorm” Division had trained at Camp Cody, New Mexico, and
was composed of National Guard units called into service from Iowa, Minnesota,
North and South Dakota, and Nebraska. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was while the 34<sup>th</sup> Division troops were
staging at Camp Dix that the influenza epidemic struck the reservation. The
epidemic had been rampant throughout the United States resulting in the death
of more than 500,000 people in a 10-month period. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The camp was placed under strict quarantine from early
September to 12 October 1918. In this period, more than 12,000 cases of
influenza and pneumonia were reported, and at one time, the Base Hospital had a
peak load of 7,943 patients. The hospital had to utilize 18 barracks normally
used for housing troops to provide for the overflow from the wards.
Approximately 900 soldiers died during the epidemic. At the height of the
attack, as many as 70 to 80 deaths occurred a day. <br />
<br />
According to a newsman at Camp Dix during the epidemic, the first deceased
soldiers were shipped to their homes in flag-covered coffins with military
escort. However, the deaths occurred at such a high rate that eventually
escorts could not be provided, and soon the post’s supply of flags ran out.
During the latter stages of the epidemic, only plain wooden coffins carried the
dead to their final resting place. In early October, the number of cases
diminished, and the infantry brigades of the 34<sup>th</sup> Division began
their embarkation for France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the movement of the 34<sup>th</sup> Division to
ports of embarkation, Camp Dix was preparing for the activation of the 102<sup>nd</sup>
Infantry Division, one of the new divisions the War Department planned to
commit in France for the big offensive scheduled in 1919. However, the abrupt
end of the war in Europe came with only a small number of cadres of lower ranks
assembled at Camp Dix. With the armistice, plans for activation of the division
were dropped, and cadre personnel were reassigned to existing units. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thus Camp Dix ended it task as a training and later an
embarkation center of World War I, but its service in the war was not finished.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Soon would begin the gigantic task of returning to
civilian life a good share of the four million men to be demobilized. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although Camp Dix began to serve as a discharge point
within a few days after the end of the war, it was not until 3 December 1918,
when it was designated a Demobilization Center, that full impact of the problem
was felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-74030009754143012962017-03-24T12:05:00.003-07:002017-03-24T12:05:44.272-07:00History of Fort Dix - IV Construction <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">History
of Fort Dix </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter
IV </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">THE
CONSTRUCITON OF CAMP DIX <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Although
the area southeast of Wrightstown, New Jersey, seemed ideally suited for a
mobilization camp, the task of completing sufficient facilities at the site to
receive the first draftees by 1 September 1917 seemed impossible. The few Army
personnel who began to arrive at Wrightstown in early June expected to see
construction underway or at least in an advanced stage of preparation. When
these soldiers saw only vast expanses of carefully cultivated fields devoid of
any activity, it is easy to understand their disappointment. The weeks of June
and early July 1917 passed as they had for more than two centuries with only
the crops in the fields showing any signs of growth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Major
Harry C. Williams, who reported as the first camp commander on 12 June 1917,
later described the early weeks as ones of inactivity in which “make-work”
projects had to be created to prevent boredom among the troops. Williams summed
up the frustration of all in an article which later appeared in the Camp Dix
News when he stated, “the visions of mushroom growth were painfully dissipated.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The
discouragement of Major Williams and his men was understandable, but the slow
start in construction was not without good reasons. The War Department faced
the almost unbelievable task of constructing within a period of three months
not only Camp Dix and 31 similar camps but more than 500 other military posts
of varying sizes. The problems of procurement of building materials, labor,
transportation, and other equipment were of a magnitude beyond any previous
experience of the American people. Yet, even though it was not apparent in Wrightstown,
progress had been made in laying the groundwork for the building of Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The
quartermaster general of the State of New Jersey was negotiating with owners of
farms and forests to use their land for the military reservation, and on 17
June 1917, a one-year lease on 6,500 acres was arranged and signed by the
parties concerned. Additional land was procured later by other leases and
outright purchase. Of the $700,000 allocated for land acquisition, only $550,000
was ever spent. Some landowners, especially those whose families had occupied
their land for generations, were understandably hesitant to leave their homes.
Most, however, displayed a high degree of cooperation with the war effort. One
prosperous farmer, when asked by a newspaper reporter what his reaction was to
vacating his premises gave a reply that revealed the feeling of patriotism
which most Americans had during those days of World War I. He answered simply, “If
I had a boy in the new Army, I’d want him to live in a decent place; wouldn’t
you?” 1. (Camp Dix News, vol. i, no. I 1917 7.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Concurrent
with negotiations for land were those for construction of buildings and camp
facilities. A contract was signed with the firm of Irwin and Leighton of
Philadelphia on 4 June 1917. It was the same type of contract made with all
construction firms for the 16 National Army camps. It called for construction
of buildings and facilities required to provide for an infantry division of
three regiments, known as a triangular division, on a “cost-plus basis with a
graded scale of percentages decreasing from 10% to 6% on the cost of the work
as the total cost increased.” 2. (Erna Risch, Quartermaster Support of the
Army. A History of the Corps 1775-1939, p. 607)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">These
terms were favorable to the contractors and were undoubtedly an important factor
in the rapid deterioration of the National Army camps once the contracts were
completed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Irwin
and Leighton had only two and one-half months in which to complete sufficient
buildings and facilities to provide for the first draftees. The size of the
task in this short time was gigantic in proportion. More than 7,000 carpenters,
electricians, plumbers and laborers had to be assembled, housed, fed and cared
for at the campsite. Millions of board feet of lumber, miles of piping and
wire, plumbing fixtures in the thousands, plus a myriad of other supplies,
tools and equipment had to be purchased, transported and assembled at
Wrightstown. This was accomplished at a time when skilled workers were in
demand throughout the country, building materials were in short supply, and
transportation already was overtaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">To
further complicate the construction problem, the War Department on the recommendation
of General Pershing and his staff revised the organization of the infantry
division in late July 1917. The new division, commonly referred to as the “square”
division, called for an addition of a fourth regiment and half again as many
troops. As one writer commented, “The effect upon the cantonment arrangements
was much the same as building a tall building, then adding ten stories, putting
the elevators in a new place, and lowering the ceilings on each floor by a
foot.” 3 (Frederick Palmer, Newton D. Baker-America at War, vol. i., p. 255) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The
changes in the number of buildings to be constructed resulted in the contract
continuing long after Camp Dix was to have been completed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">By
mid-July 1917, the campsite began to see “visions of mushroom growth,” of which
Major Williams dreamed. Workers began to arrive by the hundreds each day. More
than 30 million board feet of lumber and 28 miles of various sized piping for
the water system arrived in the railway siding in a few days time. Buildings
began to appear in the cornfields at a fantastic rate of speed. On 5 September,
sufficient buildings had been erected to receive the first draftees to Camp
Dix. During the month of September, 17,000 draftees arrived and were processed
at the camp. However, even after their arrival, construction went on throughout
the fall and into the winter of 1917. Oftentimes, the new soldiers moving into
their bleak barracks had to clean up debris from the carpentering before they
could set up cots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Construction
of the largest single facility at the camp was not begun until late in August.
The Camp Dix Base Hospital during the early days was housed in buildings
intended for use as troop barracks. By giving top priority to construction of the
medial installation, a 61-building, 1,000 bed hospital was completed in record
time and received its first patients on 29 October 1917. During construction of
the hospital, a system of teams of workers was best demonstrated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Contractors
were constantly plagued by a shortage of skilled workers. To overcome this
problem, unskilled workers were organized into teams similar to those working
on manufacturing assembly lines. On 24 September 1917, 200 men operating in
teams of carpenters established an unofficial record when they erected seven
barracks buildings, 24’ x 157’, in a seven-hour period. The buildings were
complete in every detail – floors laid, stairs placed, doors hung, windows
fitted, and even screens emplaced. In addition, all scaffolding was removed,
and the workmen had gone to new sites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The
influx of thousands of construction workers with plenty of money in their
pockets quickly created pressures in the villages and towns of the area
surrounding Camp Dix. The horde of hard-working builders looking forward each
evening to the gaiety of night life in the few populated areas that prior to
the war had been nonexistent. It was only natural that Wrightstown, the nearest
village, developed quickly into a boomtown. The village, which claimed a
population of less than 200 before the war, within a few weeks in July 1917
grew into the thousands. Gamblers quickly arrived on the scene to help workers
spend their “excess” money with such devices as poker, dice, faro and three-card
monte games. As all boom times, the philosophy of “wine, women and song”
quickly became the standard of Wrightstown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">This
situation developed in the vicinity of nearly all developing National Army
camps, and the federal government recognized that something had to be done
before the young men of the new Army entered the service. The result was a
federal order prohibiting the sale of liquor either in camps or within a radius
of five miles of the campsites. In the Camp Dix area, aid for enforcing the
newly passed bans came from the Philadelphia office of what is now the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. Two special agents were sent to Camp Dix to work with
the military police in determining the source of apparently illegal whiskey which
somehow seemed to find its way to soldiers’ hands. The agent in charge of the
operation at Camp Dix was Richard Hughes, father of the present governor of New
Jersey, Richard J. Hughes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Vice
and corruption were not the only problems that faced the area municipalities.
Housing workers and the many families accompanying them became a matter of deep
concern. Within a few days, there was no available lodging within miles of the
encampment, and the few stores in the formerly quiet country village were
literally swamped with customers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Camp
Dix itself rapidly became a fair sized, self-sufficient city capable of
handling its own problems and many relating to neighboring communities.
Adjoining townships delegated by ordinance to the Army the right to police,
regulate and restrict traffic within reasonable regulations on the
Wrightstown-New Lisbon and Pointville-Pemberton Roads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The
Camp Dix Fire Department was organized in October 1917 and operated six stations
and a fire truck and hose company. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A
huge bakery with a daily capacity of 36,000 pounds of bread per day was built.
A complete water system was installed, including a pumping station on the
Rancocas Creek which supplied the cantonment area with 3,000 gallons of water
per minute. A series of water storage tanks also were constructed to facilitate
the system. One, a 200,000-gallon steel tank, built on the Wrightstown-Pemberton
Road, is still in service today, 50 years later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A
sewage disposal plant and a sewage system also were constructed. Stables and
horse shops were built to house and care for the 7,000 horses and mules
assigned to the camp. Approximately eight and one-half miles of standard gauge
track were laid into the camp by the Pennsylvania Railroad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">By
15 December 1917, the contractors reported that in the period since 14 June,
the company had employed a maximum of 11,000 workers operating in 400 teams and
utilizing 40 trucks. They had constructed a total of 1,660 buildings of 143
types and sizes. At the time, Camp Dix consisted of 7,474 acres, of which 3,500
acres were used for artillery and rifle ranges. In the winter of 1917-18, the
strength of Camp Dix averaged about 25,000 men per month. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">New
construction at Camp Dix continued well into the year 1918. Events in Europe
such as the loss of Russia as an ally, the defeat of the Italian army at
Caporetto, and the terrific losses of French and British forces in the spring
of 1918 forced the War Department to revise its estimates of US forces to be
committed in Europe from one-half million to a million and then a million and a
half.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Camp
Dix was destined to do its share in providing for this increase. The strength of
the camp gradually rose until it reached a peak of almost 55,000 men in August
1918.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Insofar
as the cost of construction is concerned, War Department records indicate that
$13 million had been expended on construction of Camp Dix by 30 June 1919. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Almost
50 years later some of it still would be in use….for escalation of the War in
Vietnam. In 1967 Congress appropriated more for a single brigade complex than
the entire original construction cost of Camp Dix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1554192143702459181.post-10353691490979055602017-03-24T11:09:00.002-07:002017-03-24T11:09:35.191-07:00History of Fort Dix 3 - Maj. Gen. John Adams Dix <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Fort Dix History <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Chapter III </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">MAJOR GENERAL JOHN ADAMS DIX, U.S.
V. 1. (United States Volunteer)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“In the early morning of June 1,
1917, Captain George W. Mulhern 2. (Offical post return lists Captain George W.
Mulheron, Commander of Company C, 1<sup>st</sup> Battalion Engineers New
Jersey, arriving on 25 June 1917) and a small band of 19 officers and privates
from Company C of the 26<sup>th</sup> New Jersey Engineers arrived at the
quaint, sleepy, straggling village of Wrightstown.” 3 (Quoted by Camp Dix
Pictorial Review, January 1918, p. 1, from William Maxwell, Historical Record
of Camp Dix 1917). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">This advance detachment was the
first unit to look over the area which would one day become the largest
military installation in the north-eastern United States. When these personnel
arrived at what was to be the cantonment site, no name had yet been given to
the Army reservation. During the ensuing weeks, they and the construction workers
who soon followed their arrival referred to the site by various names such as “Camp
Wrightstown” and “Wrightstown Cantonment.” It was not until 18 July 1917 when
construction already had been under way for some weeks that a War Department
general order designated the area to be known as Camp Dix in honor of Major
General John Adams Dix, soldier, politician, statesman, foreign diplomat and
railroad pioneer who had ably served his country for a period of more than 60
years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Dix was born in the village of
Boscawen, New Hampshire, on 24 July 1798. His father, a prosperous storekeeper,
was instrumental in the formation of a local militia. Young Dix at a very early
age became intrigued by the activities of these hometown “heroes.” In his
memoirs, he described how they fired his imagination to the point where he “caught
the contagion, and made to myself a sacred vow that, if ever I grew into
manhood, I would become a soldier or perish in the attempt.” 4 (Morgan Dix,
Memoirs of John Adams Dix, vol. i. p. 21) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Following the death of his mother in
childbirth, Dix was sent away to a series of boarding schools including
Phillips Exeter Academy and the College of Montreal. His dream of becoming a
soldier did not diminish. With the approach of the War of 1812, Dix’ father
received an appointment as a major in the infantry and became commander of a
battalion in Baltimore. Although his father wanted young Dix to continue his
education, the latter succeeded in becoming a cadet in the US Army in 1812 and
managed to join his father’s unit in Baltimore. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In 1813, four months shy of 15 years
of age, Dix received a commission as an ensign in the infantry. In April of
that year, father and son were in Sackett’s Harbor, northern New York,
performing duty at what was later to become Madison Barracks. In autumn, their
unit joined with a force from Plattsburg for a march up the St. Lawrence River
to meet the British at Montreal. The combined force failed to reach its
destination, but on the march, they fought several skirmishes with British
troops which gave young Dix his first view of battle and death in combat.
During the return march to Lake Ontario, the older Dix fell ill with pneumonia
and died en route to Sackett’s Harbor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A succession of military posts and
duties followed for Dix including, at the age of 16, an assignment as
aide-de-camp to Major General Jacob Brown, commander of the Northern Department
of the US Army. In this capacity, Dix came into contact with many important personages
of the times. Jefferson, Madison, Calhoun, Van Rensselaer were only a few of
the many described by Dix in his memoirs. In 1919, Dix began to read law with
an eye to resigning his commission and setting up practice in New York State. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On 29 May 1826, Dix married
Catherine Morgan, the daughter of a distinguished citizen of New York, John
Jordan Morgan. After a European honeymoon, Captain Dix and his wife were
stationed at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and then West Point, New York. At the
latter post, he became increasingly disenchanted with peacetime military life
and resigned in 1828. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Dix and his wife settled in
Cooperstown, New York, where he pursued the life of a country squire managing
his father-in-law’s lands and practicing law. He was appointed adjutant general
of New York State in 1830, and in 1833 Dix took on the additional duties of
secretary of state and served in these capacities until 1839. During this
period, he became a leading member of the so-called “Albany Regency” – the controlling
group in the state Democratic Party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">With the victory of the Whig Party
in 1838, Dix became politically inactive until 1845, when he was appointed to
fill out the term of Senator Silas Wright. In a complicated political maneuver,
Wright had been elected in 1844 to governorship of New York State and as
governor appointed Dix to fill out his term in the Senate. As US Senator, Dix
aligned himself with antislavery Democrats, and the resulting antagonism of the
southern wing of the party led to his temporary retirement from politics when
his term was completed in 1849. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">During the next decade he was active
in railroad promotion and law practice in New York City. He continued his
contacts with the Democratic Party, and in January 1961, he was appointed
secretary of the treasury by President James Buchanan and served until March of
that year. In this short period of time, Dix rallied reluctant northern
financers to support what they thought was a failing government. While in this
post he coined the memorable phrase, “If anyone attempts to haul down the
American flag, shoot him on the spot.” 5 (Ibid,., p. 371) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The words were part of a message
sent to treasury agents in New Orleans, ordering the arrest of the captain of a
revenue cutter for his refusal to sail his ship to New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">At the outbreak of the Civil War,
Dix, as head of the Union Defense Committee, organized 17 regiments and was
commissioned a major general of volunteers. Although he saw no fighting, he
helped to save Maryland for the Union cause by his active defense measures.
Historians have termed the refusal of Maryland to secede crucial to the North’s
eventual victory. In May 1663, Dix was sent to Fortress Monroe in Virginia as
commander of the VII US Army Corps. The highlight of his tour come when he
marched several thousand troops up the peninsula toward Richmond in an unsuccessful
move to cut off Lee from his headquarters. General Lee then was preparing for
the attack at Gettysburg. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">After the New York draft riots in
July 1863, Dix was appointed commander of the US Army Department of the East in
New York City. He served in this capacity until his retirement on 15 July 1865.
Despite his advancing years, Dix continued serving as the first president of
the Union Pacific Railroad, United States minister to France (1866-69), and,
though a staunch Democrat, was elected governor of New York on the Republican
ticket in 1872. Defeated for reelection in 1874, Dix finally retired from the
public scene until his death 21 April 1879. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The memory of John Adams Dix and his
many accomplishments are largely forgotten. The perpetuation of his
contribution to the American heritage rests principally with the Army
reservation that now bears his name, as it has for the past 50 years. Fort Dix
today continues to train young men for the task of protecting that to which
John Adams Dix devoted his entire life – the United States of America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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William Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891936236810260349noreply@blogger.com0