Camp Ellis was a United States 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...

 Army Service Forces

Army Service Forces

The Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...

 Unit Training Center and prisoner-of-war camp

Prisoner-of-war camp

A prisoner-of-war camp is a site for the containment of combatants captured by their enemy in time of war, and is similar to an internment camp which is used for civilian populations. A prisoner of war is generally a soldier, sailor, or airman who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or...

 between the towns of Bernadotte

Bernadotte, Illinois

Bernadotte is an unincorporated village located in Fulton County, Illinois.-Geography:The unincorporated village of Bernadotte lies four miles north of Ipava on the Spoon River....

, Ipava

Ipava, Illinois

Ipava is a village in Fulton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 506 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ipava is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....

, and Table Grove

Table Grove, Illinois

Table Grove is a village in Fulton County, Illinois, United States.-Geography:Table Grove is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...

 in Fulton County, Illinois

Fulton County, Illinois

Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...

. Construction began on September 17th, 1942, and the camp opened on 1943-04-16,, with an official dedication 1943-07-14. German prisoners of war

Prisoner of war

A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...

 were guarded by the 475th and 476th Military Police

Military police

Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...

 Escort Guard Companies. Training activities ended in November 1944.

The camp was named after Sergeant Michael B. Ellis

Michael B. Ellis

Michael B. Ellis was a United States Army sergeant and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War I.-Early life and career:...

, a World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 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...

 recipient from East Saint Louis, Illinois.

Units Served

1. 3052nd Quartermaster Salvage Col Co.
2. 738th Engineer Base Depot Company
3. 567th Engineer Dump Truck Company
4. 539th Salvage Repair Company
5. 475th Military Police Escort Guard Company
6. 476th Military Police Escort Guard Company
7. 4624th Service Unit ( Wac )
8. 1303rd Engineer General Service Regiment  Activated on 15 July 1943
9. 123rd Infantry Company A
10. 1317th Engineer General Service Regiment
11. 371st Engineer Construction Battalion
    371st Engineer Construction Battalion
    371st Engineer Construction Battalion or 371st Engineer Battalion was activated as a Special Service Regiment in February 1944, as a unit in the United States Army. Later this unit was redesignated a General Service Regiment...
    
    
12. 520th Transportation Battalion
13. 548th CSB
14. 600th Quartermaster Company
15. 533rd CSB
16. 123rd Infantry
17. 181st Transportation Battalion Activated 25 June 1943

External links

• 475th Military Police Escort Guard Company: A Brief History by Gene Herbener
• Elaineandmike.us: Camp Ellis