Fort William Henry Harrison
Encyclopedia
Fort William Henry Harrison is the Montana National Guard training facility.
(1895–1913) was authorized by a Congressional act of 12 May 1892 which was intended to establish, as a part of a greater consolidation program, concentrations of troops in a few larger installations so that smaller installations could be abandoned. The post was first named Fort Harrison after the sitting President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison
, on 13 Dec 1892. Some years later in 1906, the name was changed to Fort William Henry Harrison because it was discovered that there had already been an Army fort
named for Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana
. Fort William Henry Harrison was first garrisoned with troops from Fort Assinniboine
near Havre, Montana 23 Sep 1895. These initial troops were withdrawn in 1913.
Fort William Henry Harrison’s most famous contribution during the 20th century was its 1942 use as the organization and training area for the U. S. Army’s 1st Special Service Force, a joint World War II American-Canadian light infantry brigade made famous by the 1966 book, The Devil's Brigade and the 1968 American war film of the same name co-written by Robert H. Adleman
and George Walton.
History
Fort William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
(1895–1913) was authorized by a Congressional act of 12 May 1892 which was intended to establish, as a part of a greater consolidation program, concentrations of troops in a few larger installations so that smaller installations could be abandoned. The post was first named Fort Harrison after the sitting President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
, on 13 Dec 1892. Some years later in 1906, the name was changed to Fort William Henry Harrison because it was discovered that there had already been an Army fort
Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison was a U.S. Army post located in suburban Lawrence, Indiana, northeast of Indianapolis. It is named for the 23rd United States President, Benjamin Harrison. Land was purchased in 1903, with the post being officially named for President Harrison in honor of Indianapolis being...
named for Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. Fort William Henry Harrison was first garrisoned with troops from Fort Assinniboine
Fort Assinniboine
Fort Assinniboine, a fort in Montana and within the military Department of Dakota, was built in 1879, in the aftermath of the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 and the disastrous defeat of U.S. Army forces led by General Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn on June 25, 1876. The fort is located in...
near Havre, Montana 23 Sep 1895. These initial troops were withdrawn in 1913.
Fort William Henry Harrison’s most famous contribution during the 20th century was its 1942 use as the organization and training area for the U. S. Army’s 1st Special Service Force, a joint World War II American-Canadian light infantry brigade made famous by the 1966 book, The Devil's Brigade and the 1968 American war film of the same name co-written by Robert H. Adleman
Robert H. Adleman
Robert H. Adleman was an American novelist and historian....
and George Walton.