Camp Ross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camp Ross |
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Entrance to Camp Ross in Wilmington
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| Location | San Pedro, California and Wilmington, California |
| Area | 31 acres |
| Built | 1942 |
| Architect | US Army |
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Camp Ross was a very important military base during World War II. It was located in San Pedro and Wilmington, California. The U.S. Army used Camp Ross as a "staging area." This means it was a place where soldiers gathered before they were sent overseas. It was also where they returned after their missions.
The U.S. government leased about 31 acres of land for the camp starting in 1942. Camp Ross was part of the larger Los Angeles Port of Embarkation. This port was a huge hub for moving troops and supplies during the war.
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A Busy Wartime Hub
Camp Ross was designed to house many soldiers. It could hold up to 3,038 soldiers and 253 officers. But at its busiest, it housed around 5,000 servicemen and women. Every day, soldiers would leave for war or return home.
The camp and the port worked together to move a lot of things. They moved 10 million tons of cargo and over 700,000 troops. They also handled more than 28,000 prisoners of war during the war years. Many troops also used Camp Anza in Riverside, California as another gathering spot.
The Los Angeles Port of Embarkation was very active. On February 12, 1942, the Norwegian cargo ship MS Torrens was the first ship to leave with cargo from the port.
Helping Soldiers Stay Healthy
A large hospital was also built at Camp Ross. It was called the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation Station Hospital. Sometimes it was also known as the Torrance Station Hospital. This hospital had 600 beds. It provided medical care for soldiers arriving at or leaving the port. The hospital opened in November 1943.
Different Roles at Camp Ross
Camp Ross was home to different groups of people.
Women's Army Corps
A unit of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) worked at the camp. These women helped with many tasks to keep the camp running smoothly.
Prisoner of War Camp
The camp also had a section for prisoners of war. These were Italian soldiers who had surrendered during the North African campaign. These soldiers formed "Italian Service Units." They helped with various jobs around the camp. By the end of the war, over 28,000 prisoners passed through Camp Ross.
How Camp Ross Got Its Name
Camp Ross was named after Sgt. Karl E. Ross. He was a brave soldier who was killed in Belgium during World War I.
After the War
When World War II ended in 1945, Camp Ross was no longer needed. The land lease was ended. The Los Angeles Port of Embarkation Station Hospital later became the Harbor–UCLA Medical Center and LA BioMed.
Nearby Locations
Other important places were located near the port:
- Long Beach Ammunition Loading Pier
- Wilmington Classification and Holding Yard
- Women's Army Corps Housing Area
