How many of us knew there was a "Camp Ruston" in 1942 which held over 4.3K prisoners of war at one point?
http://www.latech.edu/technews/viewn...&id=1092238419
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How many of us knew there was a "Camp Ruston" in 1942 which held over 4.3K prisoners of war at one point?
http://www.latech.edu/technews/viewn...&id=1092238419
I did, but only because I was a History Major at Tech. Really interesting stuff about Camp Ruston. One of the things I liked reading about was that a member of a U-boat crew was stationed there was a part of a secret mission to Japan towards the end of the war in Europe. A fellow Tech Alum wrote about it "Germany's Last Mission to Japan: The last mission of U-234" or something like that.
My parents moved to Shreveport in 1941 because of Mother's polio, so it wasn't part of the family lore I heard about for that year. I was only 2 years old in 1942. I took Louisiana history in 1961, I think, from Dr. McGinty but don't remember it being in his textbook or lecture. He was a cousin of my father and graded me extra hard! I deserved that!
The 2 surviving structures associated with Camp Ruston were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
See http://www.crt.state.la.us/nhl2/sear...ston&pageno=16
Man that place looks creepy.
Amazing.
I can't believe that I spent almost as much time at Louisiana Tech as VegasDawg and never heard of Camp Ruston... much less found out where it is exactly. I need to see this place.
yeah, before I moved from Ruston, I wanted to go see the site, but never did. Hopefully when I am back in town for Thanksgiving, I'll make the trip. I wonder what is left out there.....Originally Posted by DogsWin
I couldn't read the maps very well, but it looks like the site was west of Grambling.
I have heard of the camp but never have visited it. It is about six miles west of Ruston where the current Ruston Development School is located (previously known as Ruston State School).
Go Tech!
I did -
My great grandfather, P.D. Keen of Arcadia caught, two escapees from the camp and turned them over to the sheriff (I want to say Claiborne Parish)...
Actually the two poor souls (I-ties, I think) got seperated from a work party, got lost and he found them the next morning asleep in his barn...
My great grandmother feed them a good breakfast while they waited on the sheriff to arrive and then they went on their merry way...
I believe after the war, several of the POWS chose to remain in the area and marry into the locals...
''Don't be a bad dagh..."
Yes, some of the POWs were allowed to immigrate and stay here after a period of time that the DOD, the then War Dept., saw that these people were not going to do anything against the US. There were some that wanted to stay, but they were sent back to their respective country. Those that were returned, did have the oppertunity to immigrate back to the US after going through the proccess long after 1945.
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