Camp Darby
Encyclopedia
Camp Darby 43°38′N 10°19′E is a United States
military complex located between Pisa and Livorno. The base was formally dedicated on 15 November 1952 and is named in memory of Brigadier General William O. Darby
, Assistant Division Commander of the 10th Mountain Division, who was killed by enemy artillery on 30 April 1945 on the shore of Lake Garda
, Italy.
The main square on Camp Darby is dedicated to the memory of Pvt. Masato “Curly” Nakae
, a Japanese-American Soldier who fought during World War II
in the vicinity of Pisa
with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) who was awarded the Medal of Honor
for his heroic acts.
Camp Darby is home to the American Beach in Tirrenia
, the only U.S. military beach in Europe and a popular vacation destination for military personnel on leave. It is also home to U.S. Army Garrison Livorno, 731st Munitions Squadron (MUNS), 3rd/405th Army Field Support Battalion, 839th Trans, 497th Trans, Livorno Unit Schools, AAFES, DECA
and AFN
Livorno.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the 7th Medical Command had its United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Contingency Hospital warehoused here. The 100 bed USAREUR Contingency Hospital was Congressionally mandated after the bombing of the barracks
in Beirut, Lebanon. Its mission was to be prepared upon 18 hours' notice from Congress to respond to any terrorist or natural disaster in the eastern hemisphere. The unit drew its staff from hospitals throughout Europe and deployed in support of Display Determination exercises in Turkey (1987 and 1989) and northern Italy (1988). Captain Laurent La Brie configured the unit for its newly outlined mission and was in charge of the maintenance element from 1987 to 1990.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military complex located between Pisa and Livorno. The base was formally dedicated on 15 November 1952 and is named in memory of Brigadier General William O. Darby
William Orlando Darby
William Orlando Darby was an officer in the United States Army during World War II. Darby led the famous Darby's Rangers which evolved into the US Army Rangers and was also made famous as a major motion picture starring the American actor James Garner in the role of Darby.-Early life:Darby was...
, Assistant Division Commander of the 10th Mountain Division, who was killed by enemy artillery on 30 April 1945 on the shore of Lake Garda
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last ice age...
, Italy.
The main square on Camp Darby is dedicated to the memory of Pvt. Masato “Curly” Nakae
Masato Nakae
Masato Nakae was a private in the United States Army who served with the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment during World War II. He was one of 22 Americans of Japanese descent received the Medal of Honor on June 21, 2000 by President Bill Clinton...
, a Japanese-American Soldier who fought during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the vicinity of Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) who was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his heroic acts.
Camp Darby is home to the American Beach in Tirrenia
Tirrenia
Tirrenia is a frazione of Pisa, Italy with a population of 3,112 inhabitants. Immersed in the pine forest of the Litorale Pisano and the Ligurian Sea , Tirrenia is situated in the center of the coast of Tuscany and the Parco Naturale Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli, between Pisa and...
, the only U.S. military beach in Europe and a popular vacation destination for military personnel on leave. It is also home to U.S. Army Garrison Livorno, 731st Munitions Squadron (MUNS), 3rd/405th Army Field Support Battalion, 839th Trans, 497th Trans, Livorno Unit Schools, AAFES, DECA
Deca
Deca- or deka- is a prefix in the metric system, also a numerical prefix, denoting a factor of ten. The term is derived from the Greek δέκα meaning "ten". Its symbol is the only SI prefix that uses more than one character....
and AFN
AFN
AFN is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Alaska Federation of Natives* American Forces Network* Ancestral File Number* Assembly of First Nations* AFN Ltd was the company that owned the British car maker Frazer Nash from 1926 to 1957....
Livorno.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the 7th Medical Command had its United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Contingency Hospital warehoused here. The 100 bed USAREUR Contingency Hospital was Congressionally mandated after the bombing of the barracks
1983 Beirut barracks bombing
The Beirut Barracks Bombing occurred during the Lebanese Civil War, when two truck bombs struck separate buildings housing United States and French military forces—members of the Multinational Force in Lebanon—killing 299 American and French servicemen...
in Beirut, Lebanon. Its mission was to be prepared upon 18 hours' notice from Congress to respond to any terrorist or natural disaster in the eastern hemisphere. The unit drew its staff from hospitals throughout Europe and deployed in support of Display Determination exercises in Turkey (1987 and 1989) and northern Italy (1988). Captain Laurent La Brie configured the unit for its newly outlined mission and was in charge of the maintenance element from 1987 to 1990.