Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Trailblazers

Photographed by Brian Ellis, July 5, 2019

1. The Trailblazers Marker

Inscription. The 70th Infantry Division was activated on Infantry Day, 15 June 1943 at Camp Adair, Oregon. The Division was called "The Trailblazers" to honor the centennial of the Oregon Trail. The Division moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in the summer of 1944. After extensive unit training the Division departed for Europe that fall and some elements of the Division saw combat on 26 December 1944 as Task Force Herren. The Division participated in the Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns, suffering 3,999 casualties, which includes 835 killed in action during the 86 consecutive days the Division was in combat This plaque is presented on 12 June 1993 in commemoration of "The Trailblazers" 50th anniversary by the 70th Division Association and is dedicated to our fallen comrades.

Erected 1993 by 70th Infantry Division Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1943.

Location. 37° 45.144′ N, 92° 7.277′ W. Memorial is in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in Pulaski County. It is on Iowa Avenue just south of West 11th Street,

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on the right when traveling north. Located on the side of the Gammon Fieldhouse. Not open to the general public as it is on an active US Military base. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 805 Iowa Ave, Fort Leonard Wood MO 65473, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in South-Central Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 75th Infantry Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to St. Roberts (approx. 5 miles away); "Grow With Us" (approx. 5 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Pulaski County Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Waynesville Fort (approx. 6.7 miles away); Discover a Hidden History (approx.

Photographed by Brian Ellis, July 5, 2019

2. The Trailblazers Marker

Marker is on side of fieldhouse near the young man. It is the marker to the left.

6.8 miles away); A Trail of Tragedy (approx. 6.8 miles away).

Additional commentary.
1. About Fort Leonard Wood
In Missouri, Fort Leonard Wood has a common nickname of "Fort Lost-in-the-Woods."

— Submitted January 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Additional keywords. Gammon Field

circa June 28, 2024

3. The Trailblazers Marker

The 70th Infantry Division Association led efforts to refurbish the two plaques. The 75th Infantry Division Veterans Association participated.

The Markers on side of Gammon Field House image. Click for full size.

circa June 28, 2024

4. The Markers on side of Gammon Field House

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2020, by Brian Ellis of Glendale, California, USA. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2020, by Brian Ellis of Glendale, California, USA. 3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2024, by Brian Ellis of Glendale, California, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.