Fort Eustis-- Part 5: World War II

In 1923, Camp Abraham Eustis became Fort Eustis and operated until 1931.  Then it became a prison camp, primarily for bootleggers during Prohibition, but when that was repealed the number of prisoners dropped drastically.

Afterwards, it was used for a number of different uses, both military and non-military.  It was also a WPA camp at one time.

It reopened as a fort in August 1940, part of the U.S. build up before World War II.  It was an anti-aircraft training base  In 1943, the British Army's Caribbean Regiment trained there.

In 1946, it became the home of the U.S. Army Transportation School.

A portion of the U.S. Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) anchored in the James River adjacent to Mulberry Island.  It was known as the "Ghost Fleet."  There are still some of them there, though deterioration has caused major environmental problems.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Eustis-- Part 4: Artillery Training in WW I

During World War I, Camp Abraham Eustis was established after the military bought the island and surrounding land for $538,000, displacing about 200 locals.  Camp Eustis was established as a coast artillery replacement center for Fort Monroe.

It also was a balloon observation school.  The camp was named for General Abraham Eustis, War of 1812 veteran and first commander of Fort Monroe.

Camp Wallace was established a few miles upstream in 1918 and became the Upper Firing Range for artillery training.  It eventually had 30 barracks, 6 storehouses and 8 mess halls on 160 acres.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Eustis, Newport News-- Part 3: During the Civil War

From Wikipedia.

In 2010, this military base was combined with nearby Langley Air Force Base and now it is Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

Most of the fort is located on Mulberry Island in the James River which was settled soon after Jamestown in 1607.

During the Civil War, Confederate Fort Crawford (Fort Crafford) was on Mulberry Island and served as the southern end of the Warwick Line which was a Confederate line of defensive works across the Virginia Peninsula.  This line extended north to Yorktown on the York River and delayed Union forces under George McClellan advancing against Richmond in 1862.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Eustis' 100th Anniversary-- Part 2: Trained Artillery Men During Both World Wars

Fort Eustis was named for Brevet Brigadier General Abraham Eustis, a veteran of the War of 1812.  The fort was established to train artillerymen during World War I.  Some 20,000 trained there with some winding up in balloons and airplanes acting as artillery spotters.

The fort served the same role during World War II.

Today, it is the home of the Army Transportation Corps.  It became this after World War II.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Eustis' 100th Anniversary: Named After War of 1812 Officer

From the May 11, 2018, Daily Press (Va.) "100th anniversary, medal of Honor winner, honored at Fort Eustis.

The fort is named for Brevet Brigadier General Abraham Eustis.

Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. William Wayne Seay, fifty years ago in the Vietnam War was involved in a none-hour ambush.  Twice he dashed from cover to grab grenades and toss them back.  Though gravely wounded, he stood up to shoot North Vietnamese soldiers.

A plaza at the fort is now named Seay Plaza in his honor.

Fort Eustis is home to the Army Training and Doctrine Command, which oversees 32 Army schools.  They also have a school for the mapping of future wars.

--Brock-Perry