#522 A war to end all wars

 Fun Fact #522

“A War to End all Wars”

On April 6th, 1917 as the toll of dead American Civilians rose, President Wilson went before congress and asked for “A war to end all wars… To make the world safe for Democracy”. WIth that congress voted and decided to enter the First World War, with one small problem. They needed a place to train troops for the coming war and few cities wanted a literal army of rowdy young men who might rile up trouble. 

Of the 16 cities chosen to hold a training Camp, Rockford Illinois was the only Volunteer leading to the Formation of Camp Grant. Comprising 5,600 Acres the camp formed “The Black Hawk Division” 86th Infantry Division and the 172nd Light Infantry Brigade. The Camp’s continued operation until its closure in 1946 brought a lot of business, and people to Rockford and made it once more a household name. Today much of the former site of Camp Grant is used for The Chicago Rockford International Airport.  

As for the people who were there, The Black Hawk Division served along the Sarthe River in France, and still exists today as the 86th Training Division. The 172nd served in Alaska, served in WW2 as The 86th Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop and continued as part of Fort Knox’s “V Corps” (one of 5 independent combat units) until they were disbanded in 2013.

172nd Combat Badge

86th Infantry Division Insignia