COOKE CLARION. 30 Issues, Sept. 26, 1945 - April 5th, 1946.
Camp Cooke, CA: 1945 - 1946. 1st printing of the divers issues. 30 issues (2 duplicates), ~ 4 pages each, 8 columns per page. Illustrated with half-tone b/w photographic images. Comics, ~ 3 strips, p. 4. 22" x 17-1/2". Printed self-wrappers. Modest wear, with the occasional chip/short split along a fold. Age-toning to paper. Folded into quarters. Overall, Very Good. Item #46302
In 1941 the United States Army sought more and better training centers for the rapid development of its armored and infantry forces. In March 1941, the Army acquired approximately 86,000 acres of open ranch lands along the Central Coast of California between Lompoc and Santa Maria. Most of the land was purchased. Smaller parcels were obtained either by lease, license, or as easements. With its flat plateau, surrounding hills, numerous canyons, and relative remoteness from populated areas, the Army was convinced it had found the ideal training location.
Construction of the Army camp began in September 1941. Although its completion was still months away, the Army activated the camp on 5 October, and named it Camp Cooke in honor of Major General Phillip St. George Cooke, a decorated cavalry officer whose career spanned 50 years, 1827 - 1873.
Although the construction of Camp Cooke continued well into 1942, troop training did not wait. The 5th Armored Division rolled into camp in February and March, and the steady roar of its tanks and artillery soon became part of the daily scene. From then until the end of the war, other armored and infantry divisions kept up the din before they too left for overseas duty. Besides the 5th Division, the 6th, 11th, 13th, and 20th Armored Divisions as well as the 86th and 97th Infantry Divisions, and the 2d Filipino Infantry Regiment were all stationed at Cooke at varying times during the war. Also trained at Cooke were an assortment of anti-aircraft artillery, combat engineer, ordnance, and hospital units. Over 400 separate and distinct outfits passed through Camp Cooke.
A maximum security army disciplinary barracks was constructed on post property in 1946. Confined to the facility were military prisoners from throughout the Army.
From August 1950 to February 1953, Camp Cooke served as a training installation for units slated for combat in Korea, and as a summer training base for many other reserve units. On 1 February 1953, the camp was again inactivated. The disciplinary barracks, meanwhile, was transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to house civilian offenders in August 1959. Today it is known as the United States Penitentiary, Lompoc. [Wiki]
An invaluable source for local history at the end of World War II... the copy has the usual camp activities, but also includes such informative pieces as "Camp Cooke History ... Here's Chapter 2" [Vol V - Number 3, March 29, 1946].
Price: $375.00