Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Camp Colt, Pennsylvania

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In use
  
1918–1919

Controlled by
  
National Park Service

Past commander
  
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Past commanders
  
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Demolished
  
1919

Camp Colt, Pennsylvania igettysburgdailycomimgsEisenhowerTank121511Ei

Type
  
Tank Corps recruit training

Open to the public
  
1 commemorative tablet at Memorial Pine Tree, 1 display with images

Events
  
1918 flu pandemic First Transcontinental Motor Convoy (1919)

Camp Colt was a military installation near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania used for Tank Corps recruit training prior to deployment in World War I. The camp used the Gettysburg Battlefield site of the previous Great Reunion of 1913 and the preceding 1917 World War I recruit training camp for U. S. troops along the Round Top Branch.

Camp Colt was established in 1917, and opened at Gettysburg National Military Park in March, 1918 as the first post to train soldiers to use tanks during World War I. The main section of the camp was in the fields made famous 55 years before, by Pickett’s Charge. The commander of Camp Colt was Captain Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower would earn the rank of Major, and the Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts at Camp Colt, and he and his wife, Mamie, fell in love with the area. After “they” retired from the military, the Eisenhowers made their home near Gettysburg, west of Seminary Ridge

References

Camp Colt, Pennsylvania Wikipedia