June 1944 to Nov 1944 - Basic Training at Infantry Replacement Training Center

Camp Blanding in Starke, FL was home to the IRTC (Infantry Replacement Training Center). New recruits received an intensive 17 week training course prior to be sent into combat.  Replacements were trained here in preparation for the effort to retake Europe from Nazi Germany.  

 

275,000 soldiers were trained at Camp Blanding during WWII.  Note that the US Army had more than 125,000 soldiers killed in action in Europe. Camp Blanding was the last stop before being killed in Europe for many young men.  

 

My 2nd cousin, Harold McCarn trained at Camp Blanding and was killed in action on 16 March 1945 in Germany.

Reproduction of Harold McCarn's IRTC Certificate
Print | Sitemap
© jtweatherly.com