Fort Hood Turns 75
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FORT HOOD TURNS 75 A KILLEEN DAILY HERALD PUBLICATION 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Letter from U.S. Rep. Roger Williams Page 4 Letter from Harker Heights Mayor Spencer Smith Page 4 Letter from Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra Page 5 Letter from Copperas Cove Mayor Frank Seffrood Page 5 An overview: Fort Hood turns 75 Page 6 Fort Hood commanders Page 9 Camp Hood Page 10 Area history Page 12 Famous faces Page 13 Gen. Robert M. Shoemaker Page 14 Capt. Robert M. Gray Page 16 Army vehicles through history Page 18 761st Tank Battalion Page 20 Mounted Warfare Museum Page 22 Fort Hood’s economic impact Page 24 USO Fort Hood Page 25 Old Post Chapel Page 26 FORT HOOD TURNS 75 A Killeen Daily Herald publication | 2017 Contact Us Managing Editor: Rose Fitzpatrick Section Editors: Jacob Brooks and David A. Bryant Photo Editor: Eric J. Shelton Editorial: [email protected] | 254-501-7542 Advertising: 254-501-7500 | Circulation: 254-501-7400 Find more news at KDHnews.com. FORT HOOD TURNS 75 | 3 75 years later, ‘The Great Place’ remains the gold standard for the Army epresenting Fort Hood — one U.S. REP. Since becoming a permanent of the largest military bases ROGER Since 2003, this post deployed and military installation in the 1950s, R in the world — is the greatest Fort Hood has come a long way — it honor I have as the representative of WILLIAMS has been dealt a hand that has been Texas’ 25th Congressional District. redeployed more than 852,000 soldiers. more trying than most in the past Known as ‘The Great Place,’ it is the years, where time and time again, it gold standard for the U.S. Army. It vious administra- divisions within its campus. This has proven resiliency in the tough- is composed of some of the bravest tion, job opportuni- allows for it to be a Texas military est of conditions. It is made up of and most selfless people we have in ties are essential for hub, as well as a significant eco- some of the finest soldiers I have this country. These men and women the growth of this nomic frontrunner year after year. ever had the opportunity to meet, are not only an asset to Central nation. Fort Hood is committed to those of and I would like to congratulate Texas, they are vital to achieving Fort Hood’s us who are lucky enough to call the ‘The Great Place’ on reaching its the United States’ national security influence does not stop at the local Lone Star State home by providing diamond anniversary; 75 years. strategy. level. As a true treasure of Texas, the most employees on a single site Three-quarters of a century of Located near Killeen, this 340- this small but powerful area affects in the state of Texas. being a fully-operational, active square-mile installation is invalu- the entire state. Recent findings When it comes to our nation’s military post is something we can, able to the local community. Home from 2015 estimated that Fort Hood national security, Fort Hood does and should, be tremendously proud to approximately 140,000 people, this contributed $35.4 billion to the Texas not shy away. Since 2003, this post of. As I said before, Fort Hood is a post provides economic relief for a economy. That equates to providing deployed and redeployed more than special part of the 25th district and I multitude of families by fostering employment to 201,538 U.S. citizens. 852,000 soldiers overseas. As the am humbled to have the opportunity over 12,000 civilian jobs. Whether Fort Hood’s distinctive characteris- greatest state within the greatest to fight on behalf of these brave it is in one of the three counties or tics of military friendliness allow it country in the world, we know how men and women each and every day seven local communities, Central to be instrumental to the contribu- important it is to maintain our sta- in Washington. Texas is a place for almost 400,000 tion of Texas’ economy. tus as a strong and ready-for-action residents. In a time where our Currently, Fort Hood is the only military. Fort Hood displays lead- U.S. REP. ROGER WILLIAMS is the representative country is finally recovering from post in the U.S. capable of station- ership through its state-of-the-art for Texas’ 25th Congressional District, which includes Fort Hood. financial turmoil caused by the pre- ing and training two full armored training for the 21st century soldier. His office is located in Austin. Happy anniversary from Harker Heights Harker Heights has the oppor- providing municipal services that go The city of Harker Heights wishes a tunity to interact with a large above and beyond. For all who serve our happy 75th anniversary to Fort Hood! number of our Army’s finest. great country, we say “thank you.” Since its beginning as Camp Hood in We in Harker Heights are Happy 75th anniversary Fort Hood, we 1942 through today, what we now call honored to be a part of Fort look forward to many more anniversa- Hood’s story as we provide ries as we serve locally as you defend our Fort Hood has a proud history in defense Smith of our country. municipal services to our sol- great nation! Given the size of Fort Hood and the diers and their families. Spencer H. Smith number of soldiers stationed on the base, It is our goal to honor their service by Harker Heights mayor Brown’s Temporary Apts. “It’s Almost Home” Very nice fully equipped 2 & 3 bdrm 800-1800 sq. ft. units, with washer/dryer & all utilities paid! Waiting for quarters, buying, building, or selling a home or on corporate assignment? This is the place to stay! Everything except the food is in there, plus free Hi-speed Internet! All units less than on post. Rent 30 days (more or less)! Serving the area for over 21 yrs. Nothing else comes close! Let us show you! Visit: www.brownstempapts.com or e-mail: [email protected] or call 254-634-8554 now! 4 | FORT HOOD TURNS 75 Happy anniversary to ‘The Great Place’ It is fitting that Fort Hood be recognized on its 75th an- niversary. As mayor of the great city of Copperas Seffrood Cove, I along with the citizens of this appreciative city, wish for many more years of associa- tion with “The Great ERIC J. SHELTON | HERALD Place.” Fort Hood is marking its 75th anniversary this year. The post opened in 1942 as Camp Hood to train troops to fight in World War II. Fort Hood is very im- portant to our city and Killeen celebrates strong relationship with Fort Hood we appreciate the day- to-day and long-term he City of Killeen celebrates where you’re from or how joint-use airport, Texas A&M Univer- interactions with you. with you — The Great Place of long you’re here. sity-Central Texas and countless busi- The very existence T Fort Hood — on your 75th an- Fort Hood is clearly nesses and services that have added to niversary. It also marks 75 years that the economic engine in the region’s quality of life. of Fort Hood is the Killeen and Fort Hood have been great our city. It’s the largest It stands to reason that more and keystone that binds partners in this community, and we single-site employer in more soldiers and their families our economy ensuring continue to value that partnership Segarra the state of Texas and choose to make Killeen home when the continuation of every day. has an annual economic their military service ends. This is growth. Killeen continues to be the home of impact of $35 billion. Its value to this a testament to what we have created It is my pleasure to the many soldiers and their families. community and to the state cannot be together. The relationship between The military is what brought me overstated. It’s our duty to be the civil- Killeen and Fort Hood grows stronger wish Fort Hood, “The here, like so many others, 27 years ian voice advocating on behalf of the with each year and is the standard Great Place,” happy ago. Now, as mayor, I can tell you what installation and its future, a role we by which other military communi- anniversary from “The great pride our city takes in being have embraced. ties are judged. It is a proud day to Great City.” a military town and what a great The City of Killeen values its part- celebrate The Great Place on its 75th Frank Seffrood responsibility we feel in serving those nership with Fort Hood. The coopera- anniversary. Copperas Cove mayor who serve. We strive to make Killeen tion between community and post Jose Segarra a place that feels like home no matter has brought improved highways, a Killeen mayor FORT HOOD TURNS 75 | 5 Fort Hood — The Great Place — turns 75 BY DAVID A. BRYANT AND JACOB BROOKS KILLEEN DAILY HERALD Camp Hood opened ort Hood was born 75 years ago. Sept. 18, 1942, as a F The reason? World War II. As Allied troops clashed with tank destroyer training the armies of the Axis powers in the early years of World War II, U.S. military minds brainstormed site; 75 years later, the on ways to counter the heavy tank battalions of Germany that were blitzkrieging through Europe and sprawling post, home to threatening to turn all humanity into Adolf Hitler’s twisted vision.