Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Camp Shelby Victory Salute

World War II

— 1942 —

<i>Camp Shelby Victory Salute</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. Camp Shelby Victory Salute Marker

Inscription. From this site (Camp Shelby Field House), on April 18, 1942, WLW (700 AM) in Cincinnati began broadcasting the Camp Shelby Victory Salute radio program across the globe. The weekly programs were produced by Camp Shelby's public relations office under the leadership of Capt. Ernest A. Schleuder, who was previously announcer of Notre Dame Football. The Saturday night broadcasts were part of an effort to "unite Americans overseas on the fighting fronts, the men in the training camps, and the folks back home, in such bonds as has never been experienced in the history of our nation" (Hattiesburg American, Apr. 17, 1942).

Each half-hour program was in the style of a variety show, featuring vocal and musical talent from among Camp Shelby's soldiers. A highlight of the program was the "Hello, Back Home" feature, wherein a microphone was taken into the audience, allowing soldiers the opportunity to send greetings to their family and friends back home. Another segment, "Shelby Salvos," featured Camp Shelby news.

Camp Shelby Launches Victory Radio Program Series to entire nation and world by short wave over WLW, Cincinnati, and Crosley short wave station, WLWO, from SHELBY FIELD HOUSE

"The

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all-army variety Camp Shelby Victory Salute' will be heard over WLW tonight from the immense field house at the Mississippi camp, where it will be presented before an audience of 4,000 men in uniform.... Featured soloists selected from the camp's population of approximately 50,000 men in uniform, to be heard on this week's broadcast, are Private Jack Perrington, tenor, from South Hadley, Mass., and Sergeant William Purett, trumpeter, from New York City. Highlighting the program is the 'Hello, Back Home' feature, which takes the microphone down into the soldier audience, giving several of the boys an opportunity to say 'hello' to the folks. Another interesting specialty, presented by Private Leon May, is called 'Shelby Salvos,' a brief review of the news from the notes of the 'Shelby Snooper’. Music for the program is provided by the thirty-piece Connecticut Infantry Band and Orchestra. WLW, 10:30 p.m." The Cincinnati Enquirer, Apr. 25, 1942.

Captions
(Photo #1) Remote broadcast studio used in the Field House for the radio program.
(Photo #2) The Camp Shelby Victory Salute program's orchestra performs a number during a broadcast in the Field House in 1942.
(Photo #3) Private James McIntosh, of New Albany, Ind., served as announcer of the weekly program.
(Photo #4) Camp Shelby Victory Salute program ad in The Cincinnati Enquirer, May 2, 1942

Erected by Camp

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. Camp Shelby Victory Salute Marker

The view of the marker in front of the ruins of the Camp Shelby Field House.

Shelby Historic Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Forts and Castles • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1942.

Location. 31° 11.771′ N, 89° 11.282′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Lee Avenue and 38th Street, on the left when traveling east on Lee Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Field House (here, next to this marker); Theater No. 3

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. Camp Shelby Victory Salute Marker

The Camp Shelby Victory Salute marker is on the right side and the Field House marker is on the left side.

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Non-Divisional Service Club Area (about 400 feet away); Service Club No. 2 (about 600 feet away); Vaudeville Theatre (approx. 1.2 miles away); 85th Infantry Division (approx. 2.1 miles away); Special Forces (approx. 2.1 miles away); "Go for Broke" (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.

More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. Appropriate identification is required for access.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 68 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.