Camp Stoneman facts for kids

World War II soldiers from Company B, 124th Infantry Regiment, at Camp Stoneman in December 1945.

Camp Stoneman was a special place for the United States Army in Pittsburg, California. It was a very important spot during World War II and the Korean War. Think of it as a busy train station and airport combined, but for soldiers!

This camp helped prepare soldiers and their gear before they traveled overseas. It was a major "staging area" for troops, meaning it was where they got ready to go. The camp worked under the command of the San Francisco Port of Embarkation, which was like the main travel hub for soldiers leaving from San Francisco.

Camp Stoneman first opened on May 28, 1942. It was named after George Stoneman, who was a cavalry leader during the American Civil War and later a Governor of California. The camp stopped being a military base in 1954.

A view of Pittsburg, California, with Camp Stoneman in the lower left, on March 21, 1951.

Life at Camp Stoneman

Camp Stoneman was a very busy place. It had its own railroad tracks on the north side. These tracks were used to bring in soldiers and supplies, and to send them out. There were many buildings with loading docks next to the tracks. Some of these buildings could still be seen in 2017!

The camp had seven main areas where soldiers lived. Each area had nine blocks of barracks, which are like dorms for soldiers. These blocks were set up around a central mess hall, which is where the soldiers ate their meals.

Training and Other Roles

Besides being a place for soldiers to get ready for travel, Camp Stoneman also had a special school. This was the Pacific Coast Transportation Corps Officer Training School. Here, officers learned how to manage military transportation, like moving troops and supplies.

The camp also housed prisoners of war for a time. These were soldiers from enemy forces who had been captured. They were part of a group called the Italian Service Unit. They helped with various tasks at the camp.

Famous Units That Staged Here

Many different military units passed through Camp Stoneman on their way to serve. Here are a few examples:

• The 2nd Infantry Division
• The 5th Cavalry Regiment
• The 7th Cavalry Regiment
• The 86th Infantry Division
• The 345th Bombardment Group, also known as the "Air Apaches"
• The First Special Service Force, a special operations unit

These units would arrive at Camp Stoneman, get their final training and supplies, and then head off to places like the Pacific Ocean theater during World War II.