Camps
Military
Baer Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana holds the distinction of being transformed from a corn field into a Fighter Base, then the primary field for transport aircraft being shipped overseas, and finally in pieces it was transformed into a commercial International Airport and Air Guard facility.
In the summer of 1945 J.B Kohlmeyer announced that
approximately 2750 prisoners of war would be brought to Indiana. They were to be
placed in 7 camps to aid with the manpower shortage being experienced by
industry and the farming community.
Kohlmeyer, the State Supervisor of Farm Labor (from Purdue University) stated that camps would be placed in or at Ft. Wayne, Austin, Windfall, Eaton, Camp Atterbury, Morristown and Vincennes.
Under the 5th Service Command there is a listing for Detachment #4 (Eaton, IN) and Camp Thomas A. Scott (Ft Wayne, IN).
Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC)
Three hot’s and a flop. A “slang description” of the life of a CCC member during the terrible depression for a “hot meal and a safe dry place to sleep”. Company 517C holds a distinctive place in the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps.