Camp Dawson and the Robert C Byrd Regional Training Institute
Introduction
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The 201st is the oldest continually active guard unit in the nation. There historical designation is "The First West Virginia".
Rotunda of the Robert C Byrd Regional Training Institute established in 2002 for joint anti-terrorism training.
Backstory and Context
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Founding
In 1908, the West Virginia Legislature authorized the State to purchase a plot of land for the purpose of making a training camp for the National Guard. Camp Dawson was founded on May 25, 1909, and is located on nearly two hundred acres adjacent to the Cheat River. The facility was named in honor of Governor William M. O. Dawson, who lived in the area after completing his term as governor in 1908. For the first years, Camp Dawson was used for infantry maneuvers using the large area to work and perfect tactics.
World War I - World War II
After World War I the state's National Guard was re-organized and engineer, artillery, and transportation units were added to the infantry regiments. Between 1942-45 Camp Dawson was used as a prisoner of war camp and held around 175 Italian prisoners. These prisoners were required to complete daily labor assignments and worked to modernize the area. They also helped update some of the facilities and repaired the roads.
Camp Dawson Today
Today Camp Dawson serves as a training center across multiple branches of the armed forces and a variety of state agencies. Camp Dawson hosts the Youth Leaders Camp, Camp Conley (known as Kids Kamp until June 2018), and even a Peruvian Leadership training for disaster management. In 2005 in support of flood relief due to Hurricane Katrina, Camp Dawson was designated as a shelter for over 300 hurricane victims.
Sources
2. Bailey, Kenneth R.. West Virginia National Guard.. e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. November 23, 2015. Accessed July 01, 2018. https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1074.
3. Keefer, Louis E.. Italian Prisoners of War. e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. March 02, 2012. Accessed July 01, 2018. https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/919.
4. Shaffer, Amanda. 'Big plans for Camp Dawson,' W.Va. National Guard Adjutant General promotes success, community partnership at Chamber dinner. The Preston County News & Journal. April 18, 2015. Accessed June 24, 2018. https://www.wvnews.com/prestoncountynews/news/big-plans-for-camp-dawson-w-va-national-guard-adjutant....
5. 2015 WVNG Annual Report. Agency Reports. . Accessed June 24, 2018. http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/reports/agency/A01_GY_2015_13165.pdf.
6. West Virginia National Guard. Hurricane Katrina & Rita Relief. West Virginia National Guard. . Accessed June 25, 2018. http://www.wv.ng.mil/pages/about/history/2005-hurricane_katrina/2005-hurricane_katrina.html.