Page 19 - Sojourner Newsletter-SPRING 2022-5

Vol. 99 Iss. 2 19

H I S T O R I A N’ S CORNER (HEROES OF ‘76)

CAMPS AND CAMP NAMES
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By Edward W. Nolte, Acting Heroes of ’76 Historian
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Heroes of ‘76 Camps, locations, and names reveal some interesting facts, and this article highlights some
“little known, but interesting facts.”
Locations: Some Camps changed names and locations three or four times, due to Chapter mergers or

member preference. Also, Chapters and Camps changed locations, primarily during WWII, when the unit had
a fixed APO address, but the unit’s Chapter and Camp moved with the unit.
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Totals: National Sojourners has chartered 569 Chapters and 645 Camp names in its 104-year history. Of
these 569 Chapters, 162 (28.5%) never had a Camp, the greatest single factor in dissolution, In-Memoriam, or
Club status. Among these Camp names are 48 instances of repetitions, duplications, and Camp sharing.
Repetition of Camp Names #1: This repetition occurred 38 times when a Chapter changed its name but

retained its Camp name, e.g., Fort D. A. Russell #5 to Francis E. Warren #5 to Cheyenne #5, while retaining
Alexander Hamilton Camp; Seattle #40 to Puget Sound #40 to VADM Homer N. Wallin #40, while retaining
CAPT William Gordon Camp.
Repetition of Camp Names #2: Prior to 1980, there are 10 instances of a Chapter dissolving and

rechartering in which the Chapter retained its original name, but it received a new number, e.g., Atlantic City
#65 and Atlantic City #233 retained Absequam Camp. After 1980, Chapters, which dissolved and later
re-activated or rechartered in the same location, retained the name (or root name) and original Chapter number,
e.g., Dayton #67, Springfield #84, Monterey (Monterey Bay) #136, Truax (Truax Field) #197, Black Hills
#422, and Dobbins (Dobbins Air Force Base) #434.
Duplication of Camp Names: A Heroes Camp originally chose its name without National Commander
oversight, leading to Camp name duplications in 26 Chapters, e.g., GEN Chennault Camp (Kit Carson #447 &
Ouachita #528), MG George Rogers Clark Camp (Charles A. Lindbergh #247 & Palo Pinto #394), Jimmy
Doolittle Camp (Black Hills #422 & Sarasota #533), Goliad Camp (Audie Murphy #112 & Camp Fannin
#228), GEN Sam Houston Camp (Galveston #107 & Houston #513), E.B. Jones Camp (Cincinnati #87 &
Kentucky #134), Robert E. Lee Camp (Fort Gordon #162 & Fort Sam Houston #370), GEN Billy Mitchell
Camp (Bolling Field #231 & Alaska #355), Daniel Morgan Camp (Fort Benning #8 & Breckinridge #219),
Papago Camp (Phoenix #306 & Scottsdale #496), CDR Matthew Perry Camp (Kyushu #288, Iwakuni #433,
and Danang #498), Raphael Semmes Camp (Albert Youndt #511 & Baldwin County #531), COL John Sevier
Camp (Brookley Field #290 & Knoxville #514), and GEN John Stark Camp (Manchester #147, Ramey #390,
& Green Mountain #527).

Shared Camps: Two Chapters shared a Camp. Far East Chapter #15 and Corregidor #118 shared Far East
Camp and St. Petersburg #314 and Clearwater #505 shared Osceola Camp.

Today: Of the 569 Chapters and 645 Camps chartered, 463 operated in all 50 States and D.C., and 106
operated in 30 other countries. Today 156 Active and 9 At-Large Chapters operate in 45 States and D.C.;
France and Germany; and at ANCs, MWMs, and the Conference of Grand Masters. Of these Chapters seven
currently have no Camp: Springfield #84, Garden State #438, Arkansas Post #551, Devil’s Brigade #558,
Jeremiah Osgood #562, Kings Bay #563, and Zenith #566. I urge the Officers of each Chapter to charter a
Heroes of ‘76 Camp and the Heroes of ’76 Centennial Celebration is an excellent opportunity.