Camp Leach
Encyclopedia
Camp Leach was the name the U.S. military used for the segment of the Washington, DC main campus of American University
during World War I
and World War II
.
During both wars, the university allowed the U.S. military to use parts of its grounds for weapons development and testing. In 1917, 24 days after the United States
declared war on Germany
, the university offered its property to the war effort. The military divided the campus into two segments, Camp American University
and Camp Leach. The two camps were considered at the time to be "the largest laboratory this side of the sun or other burning stars."
Thus, during World War I, Camp American University and Camp Leach became the birthplace of the United States
' chemical weapons program. About 100,000 soldiers and 2,000 chemists were employed on the campus. At the far corner of the university, the military also tested some of its weapons. When the war had ended it was reported that $800,000 (in 1918-dollars) worth of World War I munitions were buried in a pit in the same corner of the university.
In 1993, a construction worker stumbled upon some of the buried munitions. The next day it was reported in the Washington Post that World War I bomb shells had been unearthed near a Senator's house bordering the university grounds. This led to a major cleanup effort by the military in the 1990s and subsequently again in the 2000s on the site, which included a corner of the university and several neighboring residences, including the residence of the Embassy of South Korea
, which occupies a significant percentage of the site. As no buildings have been built directly atop the site, the military announced that the effects of neither the residual chemicals nor the cleanup program will have any effects on students living on the campus.
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
during 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...
and 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...
.
During both wars, the university allowed the U.S. military to use parts of its grounds for weapons development and testing. In 1917, 24 days after the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
declared war on Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, the university offered its property to the war effort. The military divided the campus into two segments, Camp American University
Camp American University
Camp American University was the name the U.S. military used for the segment of the Washington, DC main campus of American University during World War I and World War II....
and Camp Leach. The two camps were considered at the time to be "the largest laboratory this side of the sun or other burning stars."
Thus, during World War I, Camp American University and Camp Leach became the birthplace of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' chemical weapons program. About 100,000 soldiers and 2,000 chemists were employed on the campus. At the far corner of the university, the military also tested some of its weapons. When the war had ended it was reported that $800,000 (in 1918-dollars) worth of World War I munitions were buried in a pit in the same corner of the university.
In 1993, a construction worker stumbled upon some of the buried munitions. The next day it was reported in the Washington Post that World War I bomb shells had been unearthed near a Senator's house bordering the university grounds. This led to a major cleanup effort by the military in the 1990s and subsequently again in the 2000s on the site, which included a corner of the university and several neighboring residences, including the residence of the Embassy of South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, which occupies a significant percentage of the site. As no buildings have been built directly atop the site, the military announced that the effects of neither the residual chemicals nor the cleanup program will have any effects on students living on the campus.