A History of the Commanding Officers at Fort Monmouth ... - CECOM

Brief History of Fort Monmouth(1917-present)With the authorization of the Adjutant General of the Army, (then) LTCCarl F. Hartmann leased 468 acres of what is now known as FortMonmouth’s “Main Post” from Melvin Van Keuren of Eatontown on 16May 1917 with an option to buy. The land, a potato farm at the time,was considered an ideal location as it was close to both river andrail transportation.The first 32 Signal Soldiers arrived at Fort Monmouth in June 1917.The installation was originally named “Camp Little Silver,” basedmerely on its location. General Orders dated 17 June 1917 named LTCHartmann the first commander.“Camp Little Silver” became“Camp Alfred Vail” shortlyafter its establishment. TheChief Signal Officer thenauthorized the purchase ofCamp Vail in 1919. TheSignal Corps Schoolrelocated to Camp Vail fromFort Leavenworth that year,and the Signal Corps Boardfollowed in 1924.Camp Little Silver, 1917The installation received permanent status and was renamed FortMonmouth in August 1925. That designation honored the Soldiersof the American Revolution who died in the battle of MonmouthCourt House.The Army erected the first permanent structure at Fort Monmouth, abarracks building on Barker Circle, in 1928. Russel Hall, now GarrisonHeadquarters, would be completed in 1936.The forerunner of the Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force had itsroots here. Air squadrons flew from the airfield in the 400 area.Innovative meteorological experiments occurred; for example, the firstradio-equipped meteorological balloon soared into the upper reachesof the atmosphere in 1928, a forerunner to the weather soundingtechnique used universally today.37/38 .