Fort Oglethorpe in Catoosa County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Home of the Third Womens Army Corp Training Center
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 27, 2022
1. Fort Oglethrorpe,Georgia Marker
Between 1 January 1943 and 15 July 1945, Fort Oglethorpe was the home of the Third Womens Army Auxiliary Corps (later Womens Army Corps) Training Center. Approximately 53,000 women entered basic training here and, after graduation, many stayed for additional training in specialist courses to become clerks, typists, cooks, bakers, military policewomen, drivers, medical technicians and medical clerks at Army posts around the world. Overseas training for WACS was conducted here between February 1943 and March 1945. The WAC Officer Candidate School was located at Fort Oglethorpe between August 1943 and February 1945, commissioned 876 women as Second Lieutenants in the WAC, Army of the United States. Lt. Col. Elizabeth C. Strayhorn, the first woman to command an Army training center, held the title of commandant of the Third WAC Training Center from 22 April 1944 until the center closed in 1945.
Women from all over the United States who trained and served at Fort Oglethorpe enjoyed and admired Chickamauga Park and the nearby communities where they were received with hospitality and friendship.
Erected 1988 by Member
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1943.
Location. 34° 56.54′ N, 85° 15.712′ W. Marker is in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, in Catoosa County. It is at the intersection of Barnhardt Circle and South Gate Street, on the right when traveling west on Barnhardt Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Barnhardt Cir, Fort Oglethorpe GA 30742, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 27, 2022
2. Fort Oglethrorpe,Georgia Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Battle of Chickamauga (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . 3rd Women's Army Corps Training Center. Fort Oglethorpe website entry (Submitted on March 30, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
March 28, 2022
3. Lt. Col. Elizabeth C. Strathorn
Photographed by Tech. Sgt. Kathryn B. Cerwinski, circa January 2, 1944
4. Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia Marker
Staff briefing:
LTC Elizabeth C. Strayhorn, Commandant 3rd WAC Training Center, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Photographed by Tech. Sgt. Kathryn B. Cerwinski, circa April 1, 1944
5. Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia Marker
LTC Elizabeth C Strayhorn
Commandant, 3rd WAC Training Center, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,699 times since then and 115 times this year. Last updated on March 10, 2024, by Eric W Wolfe of Tallmansville, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 28, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 4, 5. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Eric W Wolfe of Tallmansville, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
