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Listing Details



Location: FARRAGUT AVENUE AND SAMPSON ROAD

City: GREAT LAKES

State: Illinois

Zip Code: 60088

Type of Memorial: War Memorial Interpretive Panel

Access: Military Base

Wars Commemorated: WORLD WAR II

Photograph By: WILLIAM FISCHER, JR.


IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF WORLD WAR II THE NAVY DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED GREAT LAKES AS THE ONLY SITE FOR TRAINING AFRICAN-AMERICAN RECRUITS. SINCE RECRUIT TRAINING CAMPS WERE NAMED AFTER NAVAL HEROES, IT WAS THOUGHT FITTING TO DO THE SAME FOR THE CAMP THAT WOULD TRAIN AFRICAN-AMERICAN SAILORS. THE RECRUITS AND SERVICE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE TRAINED AT CAMP ROBERT SMALLS; NAMED FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR HERO.


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