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Fort Polk, LA

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Fort Polk, LA

Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk, is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, about 10 miles (15 km) east of Leesville and 30 miles (50 km) north of DeRidder in Beauregard Parish.

Named after New York soldier William Henry Johnson, the post encompasses about 198,000 acres (309 sq mi). Some 100,000 acres (160 sq mi) are owned by the Department of the Army and 98,125 acres (153.320 sq mi) by the U.S. Forest Service, mostly in the Kisatchie National Forest. In 2013, there were 10,877 troops stationed at Fort Johnson, which generated an annual payroll of $980 million. Louisiana officials lobbied the Army and the United States Congress to keep troop strength at full capacity despite looming defense cuts.

Fort Johnson began as a base for the Louisiana Maneuvers in the 1940s. It served the 1st Armored Division in the 1950s and became a basic training post during the Vietnam War years of the 1960s and '70s. It hosted the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in the 1970s-1980s, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in the 1990s the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and the 162nd Infantry Brigade in the 2000s. Fort Johnson is now home to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division, the 115th Combat Support Hospital, U.S. Army Garrison, and Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital.

The land that is now Fort Johnson is part of a region of cultural resources, including archaeological sites, historic houses and structures, and other sites of historical value. The U.S. Army has spent considerable time, effort, and money to find and inventory thousands of archaeological sites on Fort Johnson and the property owned by the U.S. Forest Service where the Army trains.

Originally named after Confederate General Leonidas Polk, Fort Polk became Fort Johnson during a re-designation ceremony on June 13, 2023, in honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient from North Carolina served in the 369th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

Construction of Camp Polk began in 1941. Thousands of wooden barracks sprang up quickly to support an Army preparing to do battle on the North African, European, and Pacific fronts. Soldiers at Polk participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers, which were designed to test U.S. troops preparing for World War II.

Fort Johnson places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Fort Polk Medical Center and Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital offer comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs of the Fort Polk Parks and Recreation Department which provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Wheelock Fitness Center and Planet Fitness offer comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Fort Polk, such as the Big Branch Trail and Marion Bonner Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature. The Fort Johnson Family and MWR provide extensive fitness services, including a modern gym and various fitness classes.

The top Sites in Fort Polk, LA: South Toledo Bend State Park, Cypress Bend Park, and Fort Johnson Museum.

Population: 8,327 (2022). ZIP Code: 71459. Area codes:337. Elevation:6.16 mi². Area: 198,000 acres (309 sq mi).

FAQs

What happened to Fort Polk, LA?

Fort Polk is now Fort Johnson after the US Army moved to honor World War I heroes. The US Army on Tuesday officially renamed Louisiana's Fort Polk as Fort Johnson, the latest US military installation to be redesignated as part of an effort to strip Confederate leaders of the honor. Such actions signal a commitment to fostering an environment of respect and unity within military communities while acknowledging the complex legacies of the past.

What is Fort Polk, LA is known for?

The fort trained thousands of soldiers for World War II in what was called the Louisiana Maneuvers. Facing potential mobilization overseas, the Maneuvers were designed to test troops and practice their modernization and mechanization. The extensive practice led to the creation of 16 armored divisions after the war. Though Polk closed after training soldiers for the Korean War, it was reactivated during the Berlin Crisis of 1961.

Why is Fort Polk, LA being renamed?

The U.S. Army renames a base in honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black WWI hero. Louisiana's Fort Polk became the latest U.S. Army installation to shed its Confederate namesake on Tuesday when it was officially renamed Fort Johnson after a Black World War I hero. The base now honors Sgt. William Henry Johnson, whose actions on the front lines in France earned him the nickname Black Death during his lifetime and a posthumous Medal of Honor nearly a century later.

Sources

Wikipedia

Vernon Parish

State of Louisiana

CNN

Fort Polk Housing

NPR

South Toledo Bend State Park

Cypress Bend Park

Fort Johnson Museum

Fort Polk Medical Center

Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital

Fort Polk Parks and Recreation Department

Wheelock Fitness Center

Planet Fitness

Big Branch Trail

Marion Bonner Trail

Fort Johnson Family and MWR

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