85th Infantry Division in World War II
The 85th Infantry Division in World War II
The 85th Infantry Division Monument
Camp Shelby, Mississippi

Dedication ceremony at Camp Shelby, 2002.
The 85th Infantry Division Monument dedication ceremony at Camp Shelby, October 2002.
(Polar Bear Association of World War II)

On October 8, 2002, The Polar Bear Association of World War II and members of the 338th Infantry Association dedicated a monument to their comrades of the 85th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Camp Shelby was chosen for the monument site because of its significance in the history of the 85th Infantry Division in World War II. The 85th Infantry Division was activated for wartime service at this camp and trained here until the spring of 1943 when it was assigned to maneuvers in Louisiana.

Dedication ceremony at Camp Shelby, 2002.
Association President Howard Maki addresses the audience while Hoy Shingleton and association chaplain Henry Mans look on. October 2002.
(Polar Bear Association of World War II)
The monument was dedicated with a formal ceremony chaired by Howard Maki, the 2000-02 President of the Polar Bear Association and unveiled by Mr. Joe Fromme (formerly of F Co., 339th INF) and Mr. Paul Reeder (formerly of E Co., 339th INF). The monument was offered by Mr. Hoy Shingleton, 2002-04 President of the Polar Bear Association and accepted by Mr. Chad Daniels, director of the Armed Forces Museum of Mississippi. The audience consisted of members of the Polar Bear Association, families and friends, and a contingent of veterans from the 338th Infantry Association, who were treated to a wonderful luncheon after the ceremony, courtesy of the Mississippi National Guard and our hosts for the event.

Chad Daniels addresses gathering.
Museum Director Chad Daniels accepts the monument on behalf of Camp Shelby.
(Polar Bear Association of World War II)

Specifications: The monument was manufactured by the Daniels Monument Company of Cottondale, Florida with granite from the Southside Granite Company. Mr. Adolph Ingram of Hattiesburg was the foundation and landscaping contractor. It was erected on December 7, 2001, and dedicated October 8, 2002.

Camp Shelby is currently administered by the Mississippi National Guard as a training camp, but from 1942 to 1945 it was an active army base where numerous divisions trained. Some of these divisions included the 31st, 37th, 65th, and 69th Infantry Divisions, as well as the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, who most will recognize as that special unit composed of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry. Their monuments are located on Memorial Lane, overlooking the historic parade ground. Thousands of American soldiers marched over these historic roads and stood at attention on this parade ground, some for the last time before their assignment overseas.

Today, Camp Shelby is a staging area for national guard units destined for overseas duty in the War on Terrorism.

Custer Division The 85th Infantry Division in World War II
The Unofficial Webpages of the Polar Bear Association of World War II:
Veterans of 339th Infantry, 910th FA Bn, 310th Engineer Bn, & 310th Medical Bn
337th Infantry | 338th Infantry | 339th Infantry | Polar Bear Association of World War II | Links