Camp Dix/Fort Dix - World War I Training Camp

Established on July 18, 1917, Camp Dix in Wrightstown, New Jersey, trained soldiers for World War I. Strategically located near major ports, it housed over 1,600 buildings and supported troop deployment overseas. After the Armistice, it transitioned into a demobilization center, helping soldiers reintegrate into civilian life post-war. Its legacy as a military hub began during the pivotal period of World War I.

During World War I, Camp Dix, which was founded on July 18, 1917, near Wrightstown, New Jersey, was an essential training ground for the National Army's 78th Division. The site, which included 5,000 acres of farmland with readily available natural resources and soil suitable for construction, was chosen due to its proximity to important ports and supply routes. Under the direction of Capt. George W. Mulheron and a group of engineers, construction started in June 1917. By the end of the year, Camp Dix had expanded to more than 1,600 buildings, including recreation centers, hospitals, and barracks. With space for about 43,000 soldiers, it soon rose to prominence as one of the Northeast's biggest and most strategically significant training bases.

Officially established on July 18, 1917, Camp Dix was named after Civil War veteran Major General John Adams Dix. The camp trained soldiers from northern New York, Delaware, and New Jersey for deployment to the front lines of Europe. It was designated as an embarkation camp by May 1918, which made it easier to transport troops and supplies abroad. With electricity lighting every building and street, advanced water systems providing clean drinking water, and support facilities like cafeterias, theaters, and libraries improving the quality of life for soldiers and their families, its infrastructure was cutting edge for the time.

A key factor of Camp Dix’s success was the vital contribution of nurses, whose role became increasingly important in sustaining the health of the troops. To combat the spread of disease—an ever-present concern during wartime—the camp implemented strict sanitary measures, housed motor truck companies to carry supplies, and ran a large base hospital capable of handling high volumes of patients. Nurses, many of whom were affiliated with the American Red Cross, played an essential role in reducing recovery times and decreasing battle-related deaths. Although initially stationed away from the frontlines, some nurses were later positioned closer to military operations as casualties rose. Nurses' work at Camp Dix not only directly supported soldiers' recovery but also underscored the pressing need for military nurses to be officially recognized—a push that would lead to the promotion of military nurses in the years following the war.

Camp Dix became a demobilization center following the Armistice on November 11, 1918, helping returning soldiers adjust to civilian life. The camp's transformation into a permanent military installation was made possible by its significance throughout the conflict. Renamed Fort Dix in 1939, it remained an important U.S. Army station, continuing the tradition it started as a crucial center for military support and preparation during World War I. In 2009, along with the adjoining Air Force and Navy facilities, it became part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, solidifying its role as a key component of U.S. military infrastructure. Today, Fort Dix remains an integral part of the U.S. military's readiness and training operations, supporting both active duty and reserve forces.

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