General George S. Patton Memorial Museum

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General George S. Patton Memorial Museum
PattonMuseum.JPG
Statue of Patton standing on tank treads, installed outside the General George S. Patton Memorial Museum
General George S. Patton Memorial Museum
Established1988
Location62-510 Chiriaco Road
Chiriaco Summit, California 33°39′42″N115°43′20″W / 33.66167°N 115.72222°W / 33.66167; -115.72222
TypeBiographical museum
Website http://www.generalpattonmuseum.com
Camp Young
USArmyCampYoung1943.jpg
US Army Camp Young in 1943
LocationGeneral Patton Memorial Museum
Coordinates 33°39′42″N115°43′20″W / 33.66155°N 115.722315°W / 33.66155; -115.722315
Area18,000 square miles, 3,279.89 acres
Built1942
ArchitectUS Army
Reference no.985.1
USA California location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Camp Young in California

The General George S. Patton Memorial Museum, in Chiriaco Summit, California, is a museum erected in tribute to General George S. Patton on the site of the entrance of Camp Young, part of the Desert Training Center of World War II. [1]

Contents

Exhibits include a large collection of tanks used in World War II and the Korean War, as well as memorabilia from Patton's life and career – especially in regard to his service at the Desert Training Center – and from soldiers who trained there. Development of the Colorado River Aqueduct and natural-science exhibits are also displayed. In addition, a 26-minute video is shown, detailing Patton's military service and the creation of the Desert Training Center.

Though Patton spent less than four months at the Desert Training Center, his establishment of the training grounds directly impacted more than one million troops. [2]

The museum is at the Chiriaco Summit exit of Interstate 10, 30 miles/48 km east of Indio. It is 1000 feet west of the Chiriaco Summit Airport.

Desert Training Center map US Army 1943 US Army DesertTrainingCentermap.jpg
Desert Training Center map US Army 1943

Camp Young

Camp Young was the headquarters for General Patton's 3rd Armored Division. Camp Young was the 3rd Armored Division main maneuvers area in training for tank warfare. Camp Young was active during the war and closed in 1944. War Department ordered Patton in March 1942 to create a desert training center in California. The goal was to prepare troops to battle North Africa to fight the Nazis. The 3rd Armored Division, IV Corps Command Headquarters, and an Engineer Camouflage Battalion were stationed at Camp Young. Troop trained at Camp Young and it sub camps before overseas deployment. Camp Young, 3,279.89 acres, was acquired from the Department of the Interior. South and West of Camp Young 13 ranges were built for mortar (37mm, 75mm, and 155mm) and small caliber firearm. [3] [4]

Camp Young received air support from the Shavers Army Airfield built in April 1943. The United States Army Air Forces Fourth Air Force used the landing strip as a training base during World War 2. The airstrip was used to support the Camp Young reconnaissance activities, and aircraft were used to coordinate tanks and other armored vehicles from the air. Each sub-camp had an air support Airfield. After the war, the airfield was given to the local government for civilian use. It is still in use today as the Chiriaco Summit Airport (L77)). It is located one mile (1.85 km) northeast of the business district of Chiriaco Summit. [5]

Camp Young was the headquarters and managed sub camps:

California Divisional Camps:

California Depots – hospitals:

Arizona Divisional Camps:

Major airfields:

Minor airfields:

California Historical Landmark

California Historical Landmarks Marker at Camp Young – Desert Training Center sites reads:

Camp Young – Riverside

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiriaco Summit, California</span> Unincorporated community in California, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiriaco Summit Airport</span> Airport in California, USA

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rice Army Airfield</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Training Center</span> US Army training centers during World War II

The Desert Training Center (DTC), also known as California–Arizona Maneuver Area (CAMA), was a World War II training facility established in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert, largely in Southern California and Western Arizona in 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert Center Airport</span> Airport in California, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Ibis</span> California Historic Landmark

Camp Ibis was one of twelve divisional tent camps of the US Army Desert Training Center (DTC) which was established in early 1942 during World War II, originally to advance desert tank warfare and to train troops for desert combat. The DTC was located in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert, largely in Southern California and Western Arizona. In October 1943, the DTC was redesignated as the California-Arizona Maneuver Area (C-AMA). The headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Ibis was designated a California Historic Landmark. The site of the Camp Ibis 8 miles (13 km) East of Needles, California off Highway 95, north of Interstate 40 in San Bernardino County, California. The camp was originally named after the Ibis railroad siding in Piute Valley. The camp was located at the west side of the Dead Mountains Wilderness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Granite</span> California Historic Landmark

The Camp Granite was a sub camp of the US Army Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young were General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Granite was designated a California Historic Landmark (No.985.2). The site of the Camp Granite is 45 miles East of Indio, California off Interstate 10 and California State Route 62 near the Granite Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Coxcomb</span> California Historic Landmark

The Camp Coxcomb was a sub camp of the US Army Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Coxcomb was designated a California Historic Landmark (No.985). The site of the Camp Granite is 45 miles East of Indio, California off Interstate 10 and California State Route 177 near the Coxcomb Mountains. The train stop at Freda railroad siding delivered Troops and equipment. The camp closed in early in 1944 after about two years of operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Clipper</span> Former US Army camp in Mojave Desert, California

The Camp Clipper and Camp Essex were sub camps of the US Army Desert Training Center in San Bernardino County, California, located near Historic Route 66 and the Santa Fe Railway. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young. This is where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Clipper was designated a California Historic Landmark (No.985.5). The site of Camp Clipper is at the Fenner Rest Area in Fenner, California, on Interstate 40 and Route 66, 32 miles (51 km) west of Needles in San Bernardino County, California, near Clipper Mountains. Currently at the south end of the Mojave National Preserve. Camp Clipper was just to the east of Camp Essex. Clipper was a temporary camp for incoming and out going troops. Camp Essex was named after a small town near the camp, Essex. Near Camp Clipper was the 4,500 foot Camp Essex Army Airfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Iron Mountain</span> California Historic Landmark

The Camp Iron Mountain was a sub camp of the US Army Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young; this is where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Iron Mountain was designated a California Historic Landmark (No.985.6). Camp Iron Mountain is near the site of Camp Granite, both are 45 miles (72 km) miles East of Indio, California off Interstate 10 and California State Route 62 near the Granite Mountains in San Bernardino County, California. In 1980 Camp Iron Mountain received the listing as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern from the Bureau of Land Management. The listing was given as Camp Iron Mountain is the best preserved of the Desert Training Center Camps. The Bureau of Land Management put up fences to protect the camp from Off-road vehicle traffic. Still at the camp today are a 200 x 175 foot contour training map, some rock mosaics, two church altars, rock lined roads and walkways. The camp is named after the near by Iron Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Hyder</span> US Army sub camp during World War II

Camp Hyder was a US Army installation in Arizona, functioning as a subcamp of the Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young, this is where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Hyder is 2 miles (3.2 km) miles south of Hyder, Arizona. The camp was just north of the Gila River. Camp Hyder is 60 miles (97 km) miles east of Yuma, Arizona, near Camp Horn. Camp Hyder was built at the site of an old 1890s military base. Trained at Camp Hyder, in 1943, for six months was the 77th Infantry Division from April 1943 to September 1943. Then the 104th Infantry Division moved in for training. Unlike the other camps, no large tank activity was done. The camp was built by The 369th Engineer Regiment. Camp Hyder had its own rail station at which most troops arrived. The train station at Sentinel, Arizona south of the camp was also used. Over 13,000 troops were trained at Camp Horn and Camp Hyder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Laguna</span> US WWII army training camp

The Camp Laguna was a sub camp of the US Army, Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young, this is where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Laguna is 16 miles (26 km) miles northeast of Yuma, Arizona, off of U.S. Route 95. Trained at Camp Laguna were the 3rd Armored Divisions the 9th Armored Divisions, the 79th Infantry Divisions, 80th Infantry Divisions and 8th Infantry Division. The camp is named after the nearby town of Laguna, Yuma County, Arizona on the Colorado River. Camp Laguna was first World War II training camp built in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, it trained thousands of troop for war. Most of the land that was Camp Laguna is now part of the vast Yuma Proving Ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Desert Center</span> California Historic Landmark

The Camp Desert Center was a sub camp of the US Army, Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young, where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Desert Center was at Desert Center, California, in Riverside County, California in the Colorado Desert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Horn, Arizona</span> California Historic Landmark

The Camp Horn was a sub camp of the US Army, Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young, this is where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Horn was near Camp Hyder about 6 miles (9.7 km) miles west of Hyder, Arizona. Camp Horn was just north of the Gila River. Camp Horn was 54 miles (87 km) miles east of Yuma, Arizona. Most troop arrived at Camp Horn from the train station at Camp Hyder or the train station at Sentinel, Arizona south of the camp. Over 13,000 troops were trained at Camp Horn and Camp Hyder. The 81st Infantry Division trained at Camp Horn was from June 1943 to November 1943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Goffs</span> Former U.S. Army Camp in Mojave Desert, California

The Camp Goffs was a sub camp of the US Army Desert Training Center in Riverside County, California. The main headquarters for the Desert Training Center was Camp Young, this is where General Patton's 3rd Armored Division was stationed. Camp Goffs was designated a California Historic Landmark (No.985). The site of the Camp Goffs just north at the former Santa Fe Railroad station at Goffs, California. Goffs, California is on U.S. Route 66 5 miles north of the current Interstate 40, 25 miles (40 km) west of Needles in San Bernardino County, California. Currently at the south east end of the Mojave National Preserve. Camp Goffs was 20 miles southeast of Camp Essex and Camp Clipper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California during World War II</span> Overview of the role of the U.S. state of California during World War II

California during World War II was a major contributor to the World War II effort. California's long Pacific Ocean coastline provided the support needed for the Pacific War. California also supported the war in Europe. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, most of California's manufacturing was shifted to the war effort. California became a major ship builder and aircraft manufacturer. Existing military installations were enlarged and many new ones were built. California trained many of the troops before their oversea deployment. Over 800,000 Californians served in the United States Armed Forces. California agriculture, ranches and farms were used to feed the troops around the world. California's long coastline also put the state in fear, as an attack on California seemed likely. California was used for the temporary and permanent internment camps for Japanese Americans. The population grew significantly, largely due to servicemen who were stationed at the new military bases/training facilities and the mass influx of workers from around the U.S. in the growing defense industries. With all the new economy activity, California was lifted out of the Great Depression. Over 500,000 people moved to California from other states to work in the growing economy. California expanded its oil and mineral production to keep up with the war demand.

References

  1. George Patton's "Desert Training Center" 11/23/2017
  2. General George S. Patton Memorial Museum
  3. militarymuseum.org Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields, Camp Young
  4. skytrail, Camp Young
  5. Thole, Lou (1999). Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now. Vol. 2. Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub. ISBN   1575100517
  6. californiahistoricallandmarks.com 985.1 Camp Young – Riverside