Fort Lewis: Cold War to the War on Terror

By Alan H. Archambault

Camp Lewis was established in 1917 as a training camp for the US Army in World War I. Made a permanent post in 1927, Fort Lewis became an important base for training and sending soldiers to combat in World War II and the Korean War. In 1956, the 4th Infantry Division arrived at Fort Lewis while America was deeply committed to protecting democracy around the world during the Cold War. From that time forward, Fort Lewis has been in the forefront of military reservations in the United States. The post played a crucial role in the Vietnam War, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and the War on Terror. Soldiers based at Fort Lewis have deployed to conflicts throughout the world in defense of freedom. Today, Fort Lewis remains on the cutting edge of America's sword.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Feb 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781439655672

Alan H. Archambault

Alan H. Archambault works at Fort Lewis, where he is the museum curator and director. He is a military historian and an author and illustrator of several historical sketchbooks.

Book preview

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INTRODUCTION

Since Camp Lewis was established in 1917, the installation has been at the forefront of training America’s soldiers to protect the United States and our interests around the world. From the trenches of the western front in France to the islands of the Pacific and the sands of the Middle East, the soldiers who trained at the Evergreen Post on Puget Sound have made a tremendous contribution to our national defense. Their story is now forever linked with the military history of the United States and the entire world.

This volume covers the story of Fort Lewis from 1956 to 2010. During that time period, many units passed through the post, and the focus of the training changed to meet the various challenges and threats around the world. But the mission remained constant: to train men and women of our nation to be the best soldiers possible.

By 1956, Fort Lewis was firmly established as an important Army installation. Camp Lewis, which trained soldiers for World War I, had become a permanent post in 1927 and was given the name Fort Lewis. During World War II, the fort had been instrumental in the defense of the West Coast and trained many units, from companies to divisions, and sent them to combat in all theaters of the war. In 1947, the 2nd Infantry Division was posted to Fort Lewis, and when the Korean War began, the division was considered the most combat-ready unit in the Army and sent to stem the North Korean onslaught.

Following the Korean War, the 4th Infantry Division arrived on post. At first, they trained for possible conflict with Communist forces in Europe, but as the war in Southeast Asia escalated, they began to train to fight an insurgency in a jungle environment. In 1966, the 4th Infantry Division was sent to Vietnam, where they put the training to good use. Fort Lewis was then designated a US Army training center and conducted basic and advanced infantry training to over 350,000 soldiers. In addition, a personnel center was established, which processed soldiers to and from Alaska and

Reviews for Fort Lewis

[Tom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book for those stationed at Ft. Lewis, past and present. Would liked to have seen more photographs showing the physical changes to the garrison.