1. My father (grandfather, uncle, etc.) was stationed at Camp Croft during World War II. Where can I get records of his activities while at Croft? Man, I wish. I continue to
search but I have not been able to
figure out where records from a closed military facility would be
sent. Assuming approximately 250,000 soldiers trained and the camp
and another 50,000 came through the induction station during the 5+
years of operation, it would be a huge volume of records. Perhaps
some were destroyed and I know some lesser items went home with
departing soldiers. So, at least for now, we don't have access to
individual records. For starters, you can try looking in the
National Archives
World
War II Electronic Army Serial Number File. If this link does not take you
directly there, select "PEOPLE" and then
"Title: World War II Electronic Army
Serial Number Merged File, 6/1/2002 - 9/30/2002". The NARA's
National Personnel Records Center and Center for Electronic
Records collaborated in a project to convert the Army Serial Number
microfilm of computer punch cards to electronic form to support the
military records reconstruction project. Although the
majority of US Army and Air Force personnel records were destroyed by
fire
back in the 1973, it doesn't hurt to check. Instructions for
requesting records can be found in this brochure (attached in Adobe format):
ww2-participation.pdf
Were you told
there were (pick one or more): ammunition,
M1 rifles, canons, tanks, motorcycles in crates, chemical weapons,
works of art, gold coins, buried German PWs, V-2 rockets, or
B-17s? I have heard most all of them and all I want someone to
find is a bunch of paperwork (see FAQ #1). There is undoubtedly
unexploded ordnance which infrequently turns up. Most is found on the
firing ranges but sometimes an entire crate or a small stash of mortar
rounds, 30.06 ammo, or other items is uncovered. More than one
veteran has told me it was very difficult to turn in ammo, so if you
didn't expend it during the training session, you dug a hole and buried
it or otherwise got rid of it. That certainly accounts for some
of the larger finds. There are only two "underground bunkers" I know
of. One was a "gun shed" in the 28th ITB area which was used to
store 37mm and 57mm antitank weapons. It is still around, but the
current owners have no idea if it is empty or not. The entrance was sealed
and it appears to have partially caved-in. The other,
more commonly talked about "bunkers", were actually metal ammunition
igloos that were covered over with earth as a means of fire protection
and (probably) aerial concealment. I am sure these were empty when they
were turned over to the state park system in 1949, and they remain so
today, except as storage for the park and the UXO cleanup contractors. As
far as other items, there are many who say they have either seen or were
part of efforts to dispose of or store military equipment at various
points within the boundaries of the camp. I have yet to see real
evidence of anything to date.
Hah! It would be nice to
have some funds but I host and maintain the web site in pursuit of my
personal research on the subject, both as a "hobby" and as my personal
tribute to the veterans who served during WWII. I have many
friends who help out with information, photos, and artifacts but the
cost of hosting the web site and domain is pretty reasonable so I have
not tried to obtain any additional funding. I also am a volunteer
with the Spartanburg County Historical Association so I get help from
them in terms of contacts and other information. I don't think I would
ever be interested in looking for monetary donations but if you want
to send anything else, either for my collection here on the web
or for the Historical Association, please CONTACT
US.
4. Are you interested in my story?
You bet! We are always looking for
information and, if you were a soldier stationed at Croft, a civilian
who worked there, or perhaps someone who helped build or tear down the
old camp, we would like the opportunity to arrange a telephone interview
with you to discuss your service. If you would be willing to share your
recollections, please send us an phone number and a suggested time to
call. Contact us by following this link: CONTACT
US
5. Are you a Camp Croft "expert"?
6.
Are there any military accommodations
for lodging at Camp Croft? No, the former camp area has been completely converted to civilian use, as residential housing, businesses, and manufacturing. A significant portion is now a state park (Croft State Natural Area)
which offers camping but there are no military accommodations in the area. I suspect the closest may be at Fort Jackson in Columbia, about 100 miles to the south.
7.
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