Great Lakes in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Post War Era
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
1. The Post War Era Marker
With the surrender of Japan and the close of hostilities in August, 1945, a call resounded across the nation to “bring our boys back home.” A demobilization center was established at Great Lakes to process the discharge of sailors. In February, 1946, the Bureau of Naval Personnel announced plans to discontinue recruit training at Great Lakes. Vice Admiral A.S. Carpender, Commandant of the Ninth District and Midwestern congressmen fought the proposal. The Navy agreed to maintain the Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, which would continue “at a level dependent upon the size of the Navy.” In 1957, The Naval Training Center in Bainbridge ended all recruit training and spawned a new construction program in Camps Dewey, Downes, and Porter for Recruit Training Command. In 1997 the boot camps at San Diego and Orlando closed. To the present day, Great Lakes serves as the only Recruit Training Command for the United States Navy.
Erected by Naval Station Great Lakes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education
this page online
Location. 42° 18.705′ N, 87° 50.409′ W. Marker is in Great Lakes, Illinois, in Lake County. Marker is on Farragut Avenue near Sampson Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the Historic District of Naval Station Great Lakes. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Lakes IL 60088, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Women at Great Lakes (here, next to this marker); World War II (here, next to this marker); Great Lakes Athletics (here, next to this marker); Fighting Tradesmen (here, next to this marker); Base Realignment and Closure (here, next to this marker); Wings over Great Lakes (here, next to this marker); Great Lakes History Trail (here, next to this marker); The Golden Thirteen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Lakes.
Also see . . .
1. National Museum of the American Sailor (formerly Great Lakes Naval Museum). Museum website entry (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Encyclopedia of Chicago website entry (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
2. Photo on The Post War Era Marker
Enlisted Men's Separation Center
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
3. Photo on The Post War Era Marker
[Caption reads] 1963 - Graduating Class
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
4. Photo on The Post War Era Marker
[Caption reads] Recruit Training Company 101, April 29, 1963
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
5. Photo on The Post War Era Marker
[Caption reads] 1966 - Clothing Issue
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
6. The Post War Era Marker
Looking northwest.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 7. submitted on August 29, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
