Maybe you’ve seen the commercial from a chain steakhouse saying how proud they are of our veterans and to show how proud, they’re offering vets a free fried onion and beverage. Well, some might question whether a free full meal wouldn’t show even more pride, but at least it got me to thinking about Veterans Day and Mississippi’s military history. Until 2001, many people might not have realized how vital a role our own Camp Shelby plays in the training of our military services: not just the National Guard, but also reserve units from around the country come for training, many of them now on the their way overseas to Iraq or Afghanistan. According to wikipedia:

[Camp Shelby] is the largest state owned training site in the nation, has a long history of serving the country and is considered by many as “a national treasure.” During wartime, the camp’s mission is to serve as a major, independent mobilization station of the United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center is the largest reserve component training site, covering 136,000 acres (550 km2), allowing up to battalion level maneuver training, Gunnery Table 8-12, excellent FA Firing Points and a wide range of support facilities.

This is not a recent development. Camp Shelby was opened in 1917 for use in World War I, acquired by the State of Mississippi in 1934 for use by the National Guard, and mobilized on a massive scale in World War II. Not much remains from this early period, but two structures on the base are listed on the National Register, a WWI ammunition magazine, and the building known as the White House, built in 1938.

As I was thinking about Camp Shelby, I remembered this really cool set of postcards I bought a few years ago. They’re a small set of 20 cards, clearly meant to be sent as a set to family and friends during World War II. They measure about 2.5 by 1.5 inches each, with black and white photos on the front and some fairly extensive prose on the reverse. I learned alot about the Camp and about World War II from these cards, and I figure one good way to honor veterans is to reprint them here, at twice their original size. Because of the long text associated with the photos, I can’t do my normal slide show, so I’ll be posting a group for the next three days.

Admittedly, this is not a bloomin’ onion or a beverage, but I hope it’s still an acceptable way to show how proud I am of those who have served our country in war and in peace.

HQ INDUCTION AREA, CAMP SHELBY. The Induction Center registers the drafted men sent from their home areas to this camp. After certain examinations and preliminaries, the selected men are qualified and passed on to the reception center. The disqualified men are sent back to the point of origin in this selective draft.

The DHQ of the 37th Division, on highway 24, Camp Shelby houses the personnel including the Commander, Staff, etc., which functions at HQ of the Division. On war-time set-up it calls for 31 Officers, one Warrant Officer, and 70 Enlisted men. The Basis Troops of the 38th are the National Guard troops and inducted selectees from Ohio. Major General Robert S. BEIGHTLER is the youngest Divisional Commander in the United States Army.

At the Reception Center at Camp Shelby are facilities for the care of the inducted selectees held for medical or other reasons before assignment to various units.

FOURTH AVENUE, CAMP SHELBY. A one way bus street and heavy traffic for camp needs. The avenues Highway 24, 2nd Avenue, and 4th Avenue, carry the Camp Vehicle traffic and 66 Streets connect them to company and regimental areas. A Company Street is the open space in front of or between the company tents.

SECOND AVE., CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI. Yes, the clouds are breaking, and it will be a pleasant evening for the boys of the 38th. Highways dry and paved and fast, if they care to visit Hattiesburg some 15 miles north.

56th ST. AND 2nd AVE., CAMP SHELBY. This is the business avenue of the camp. Most of the regimental Post Exchanges and regimental recreation buildings face this street. Crowds can be seen evenings, days are for work, so do not think Camp Shelby is empty. 55,000 are training to help keep United States free and safe for the folks at home.

Camp Shelby, Mississippi is now occupied by the 37th and 38th Divisions; V Corps and Third Army Troops. Major General Robert H. TYNDALL, Commanding General of the 38th Division, is Camp Commander and that is communicated to you by the device of displaying the United States Flag and the Divisional Flag before his DHQ. The Camp Commander is the senior officer present for duty with a command.

Categories: Architectural Research, Cool Old Places, Hattiesburg, Historic Preservation