Camp Livingston facts for kids

Camp Livingston was a large military camp in Louisiana, USA. The U.S. Army used it during World War II. It was located about 12 miles north of Alexandria, Louisiana. The camp was on the border of Rapides Parish and Grant Parish.

History of Camp Livingston

Camp Livingston was open from 1940 to 1945. It was first known as Camp Tioga. The camp was renamed in honor of Robert R. Livingston. He helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. Many different army groups stayed and trained here during the war. In 1941, an aviation squadron of 250 African American men also served at the camp.

This camp was a major training center for infantry soldiers. The 38th Division, called the "Avengers of Bataan", trained here. The 86th Division, which was the first American unit to cross the Danube River into Germany, also trained at Camp Livingston. Over 500,000 troops trained on the 47,000-acre base. Some old concrete walls at the site have artwork. Locals believe these drawings were made by German or Italian prisoners of war. The artwork shows what looks like a German soldier in uniform.

In 1941, before the U.S. entered the war, the camp was part of the Louisiana Maneuvers. This was a huge training exercise. About 400,000 soldiers took part. Two imaginary armies fought each other across the Red River. This training covered over 3,400 square miles of land.

Prisoners of War and Civilian Internment

During World War II, Camp Livingston held many prisoners of war (POWs). These were soldiers from Japan, Germany, and Italy. They were kept in special camps at Camp Livingston and Camp Claiborne. In 1942, Kazuo Sakamaki arrived at Camp Livingston. He was the first Japanese POW of the war. Sakamaki was captured after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was the only survivor from a mini-submarine. The POWs at the camps helped with logging and farm work in the area. There was a cemetery for POWs at Camp Livingston. In 1947, the headstones were moved to Fort Sam Houston. The bodies of the POWs were left in the ground.

The camp also held between 800 and 1,100 American civilians of Japanese heritage. They were held after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Many of these men stayed in confinement throughout the war. This happened even though there was no proof they were a threat.

Camp Livingston closed down in late 1945. Today, it is part of the Kisatchie National Forest.

Camp Livingston Today

The U.S. Forest Service now manages the land where the camp once stood. Some of the original concrete streets are still used today. You can also find the foundations of many buildings. Most of the original parking lots and parade areas are still there. At least two of the swimming pools can be found. One of them was used as an unauthorized shooting range until recently.

The U.S. Forest Service also takes care of the Little Creek and Hickman Trails. These are trails used by ATV riders in the area. The original water treatment plant that served the camp is still working today. Water Works District No. 3 in Rapides Parish now operates it.

Units Stationed at Camp Livingston

Many different military units were stationed at Camp Livingston. Here are some of them:

• 28th Infantry Division
• 32nd Infantry Division
• 38th Infantry Division
• 86th Infantry Division
• 327th Military Police Escort Guard
• 93rd Engineer General Service Regiment
• 7th Transportation Battalion
• 240th Quartermaster Battalion
• 846th Tank Destroyer Battalion
• 46th Field Artillery Brigade
• 350th Field Artillery Group
• 351st Field Artillery Group
• 353rd Field Artillery Group
• 1692nd Engineer Combat Battalion
• 1693rd Engineer Combat Battalion
• 1694th Engineer Combat Battalions
• 527th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion
• 510th Ordnance, Heavy Mechanized Field Artillery Company
• 106th Cavalry Group