Camp Kearny (2)

 (1917-1920) - A World War I U.S. Army training Camp established in 1917 on present day Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego County, California. Named Camp Kearny after Brigadier General Stephen Watts Kearny. Abandoned in 1920.

World War I (1917-1918)
One of sixteen U.S. Army National Guard Mobilization and Training Camps established to train and integrate National Guard units for service in a U.S. Army division. Camp Kearny was established 23 Jul 1917 under the supervision of construction quartermaster 1st Lt. Charles Rogers on a site of about 2,130 acres. The camp was to have a capacity of about 31,000 officers and enlisted men that would become the 40th U.S. Infantry Division. The camp was mostly completed in November at an eventual cost of $ 5,900,000.

The first commander of the camp was Major General Frederick S. Strong, who formed the 40th U.S. Infantry Division and initiated troop training. General Strong remained with the division until it was demobilized. The 40th was formed on 25 Aug 1917, trained and then arrived in France in August 1918. The division was designated as a depot division early in November 1918 to furnish replacements for losses in other divisions. Two units of the division saw combat but the division as a whole did not. The 40th Division Headquarters returned to the U.S. in February 1919 and was demobilized on 20 Apr 1919 at Camp Kearny.

At the end of the war the camp became a demobilization and convalescent center before closing as a training camp on 31 Oct 1920.

Current Status
The site is part of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego County, California.

Sources:

Links:
 * North American Forts - Camp Kearny
 * Wikipedia - Camp Kearny
 * California Military Museum - Camp Kearny
 * Edward Jackson - Camp Kearny
 * New River Notes - World War I Forces