- Camp Gordon State Historical Marker
-
Located inside the main entrance to DeKalb-Peachtree
Airport near the intersection of Airport and Clairmont Rds
33.87695, -84.30411
(Text)
- 1917 * CAMP GORDON *
1919
Constructed during America's rush
to mobilize for World War I, Camp Gordon was one of 16 temporary
training camps, the largest in the southern states and the focus
of Atlanta's wartime patriotic spirit. It served as birthplace
and training ground for the legendary 82D "All American"
division and based hospital No. 43, the Emory University Medical
Unit.
Built under the supervision of
Major J.N. Pease, QM Corps, and engineered by Lockwood-Greene
& Co., Camp Gordon was the largest construction project in
Atlanta history to that time. Ready for troop occupancy in just
five months, the camp's 2,400 acres included 1,635 buildings
with barracks for 46,612 men and corral space for 7,688 horses
and mules. The November 11, 1918 armistice ended "The Great
War" and the need for Camp Gordon. It was salvaged and abandoned
by 1921.
The Emory Unit served in France
and was reactivated for World War II. Atlanta's own 82D Division
fought with distinction in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives,
suffered 8,077 casualties and produced the most decorated hero
of the war, Sgt. Alvin York. It was reactivated for World War
II as the 82D Airborne Division.
044-91 GEORGIA HISTORIC
MARKER 1988
|
