Camp Bowie (2)

 (1917-1919) - A U.S. Army World War I National Guard Mobilization and Training Camp first established in 1917 near Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Named Camp Bowie in G.O. 95, 18 Jul 1917, after James Bowie, Texas patriot. Abandoned in 1919.

World War I (1917-1918)
One of sixteen U.S. Army National Guard Mobilization and Training Camps established in 1917 to train and integrate National Guard units for service in a U.S. Army division. Camp Bowie was established 18 Jul 1917 under the supervision of construction quartermaster Major P. J. Vanzuben on a site of about 2,186 acres. The camp had a capacity of about 42,000 officers and enlisted men. The first division to be trained was the 36th U.S. Infantry Division. The camp was mostly complete in November 1917 with an eventual cost of $ 3,700,000.

The first commander of the camp was Major General Edwin St. John Greble who formed the 36th U.S. Infantry Division and established the training program. The 36th officially formed on 24 Aug 1917, trained at Camp Bowie and then departed on 4 Jul 1918 for Camp Mills, an embarkation camp. They departed the Hoboken Port of Embarkation for France on 8 Jul 1918. The division distinguished itself in combat against the Germans in France sustaining casualties that included 591 killed and 2,119 wounded. The 36th returned to the U.S. and was demobilized in June 1919 at Camp Bowie.

At the end of the war the Camp Bowie was designated a demobilization center until it was abandoned 15 Aug 1919.

Current Status
Marker only in a city park along Camp Bowie Blvd. in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.

Sources:
 * , page 755

Links:
 * North American Forts - Camp Bowie
 * Wikipedia - Camp Bowie
 * Texas Handbook Online - Camp Bowie
 * Waymarking.com - Camp Bowie in World War I
 * Worth Gazette - Camp Bowie Map
 * New River Notes - World War I Forces