Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
12th Armored Division at Camp Barkeley
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 12, 2014
1. 12th Armored Division at Camp Barkeley Marker
Established as a U.S. Army training camp in 1940, Camp Barkeley (whose main entrance was about seven miles south of this site) became one of the nation’s largest World War II military training bases. The 12th Armored Division, activated at Camp Campbell, Kentucky, in September 1942, was assigned to Camp Barkeley in November 1943.
By April 1944 the manpower of the division was at peak strength with combat commands, three battalions each of tanks, armored infantry, and armored field artillery, and numerous support units. Intensive day and night training at the camp culminated in tests that qualified the division for combat. Camp Barkeley’s population was more than twice that of the city of Abilene. Soldiers’ families became a part of the community and many returned here to live.
The last combat division stationed at Camp Barkeley, the 12th Armored shipped out to Europe in September 1944. The division, nicknamed “Hellcats” and dubbed “The Mystery Division” in Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.’s historic drive to the Rhine River, served with distinction, receiving more than 800 battle decorations. A dominating presence in Abilene during the war, Camp Barkeley was deactivated on April 1, 1945.
Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 22.)
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 32° 26.156′ N, 99° 48.515′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Vapor Trail and Hartford Street, on the left when traveling north. Although the marker faces Farm to Market Road 3438, the marker is accessed from Vapor Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Abilene TX 79605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 12th Armored Division Memorial (here, next to this marker); Lt. Col. William E. Dyess (approx. 0.4 miles away); 7th Bombardment Wing, Heavy (approx. half a mile away); Air Force Medal of Honor Recipients (approx. half a mile away); Dyess Elementary School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Abilene Woman's Club Building (approx. 2.4 miles away); Site of Western Cattle Trail (approx. 2.4 miles away); Company I 7th Texas Infantry (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.
Also see . . .
1. 12th Armored Division (United States). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Camp Barkeley. Texas State Historical Association’s
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 12, 2014
2. 12th Armored Division at Camp Barkeley Marker
3. Camp Barkeley. Texas Escapes Online Magazine entry:
Includes photographs and a description of today’s remnants of Camp Barkeley. (Submitted on June 24, 2014.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 12, 2014
3. 12th Armored Division at Camp Barkeley Marker
Although the marker faces FM 3438,
the marker is accessed from Vapor Trail
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 12, 2014
4. 12th Armored Division at Camp Barkeley Marker
Although the marker faces FM 3438,
the marker is accessed from Vapor Trail
via North Texas University, unknown
5. "Air View of Camp Barkeley"
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 661 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 5. submitted on April 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
