World War II Honoree

Austin Davis, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bassfield, Mississippi

Honored By

Charles Henry Atkinson

Relationship

Vietnam Veteran

ENTERED SERVICE AT CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI JUST AFTER THE RACE RIOTS. THE CAMP SHELBY OF WWII CONTAINED 360,000 ACRES WITH AN ADDITIONAL 400,000 ACRES LEASED FOR MANEUVER SPACE. IN ALL, OVER A THOUSAND SQUARE MILES WERE IN USE FOR TRAINING. INITIALLY, TROOPS USING CAMP SHELBY WERE HOUSED IN TENTS (OVER 14,000), FORMING THE LARGEST TENT CITY IN THE WORLD.