Fort Ord

Fort Ord was a U.S. Army post on the Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed in September 1994. Between these times, Fort Ord was probably one of the most beautiful US Army post because of its location on the beach and the California weather. One of its most distinguished unit to serve on this beloved post was the 7th Infantry Division (Light)

In 1940 the reservation, known as Camp Ord in honor of Maj. General Edward Ord,a Union Army leader during the American Civil War who also served in the Seminole War and Indian Wars.was expanded to 20,000 acres (81 km²). In August 1940, it was re-designated a Fort and the 7th Infantry Division was reactivated, becoming the first major unit to occupy the post.

In 1947 Fort Ord became the home of the 4th Replacement Training Center. During the 1950s and 1960's Fort Ord was a staging area for units departing for war, and at one time had 50,000 troops on the installation. The post continued as a center instructing basic and advanced infantrymen until 1974, when the training area was deactivated and Fort Ord again became the home of the 7th Infantry Division following their return from South Korea after twenty-five years on the DMZ.

The BRAC Commission of 1991 recommended to close the garrison and move the units stationed at Fort Ord to Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1992, elements from Fort Ord, and Marines from Camp Pendleton participated in quelling the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. In 1994 Fort Ord was finally closed. Most of the land was given back to the state of California, and became the home of the California State University, Monterey Bay.

The military still has a presence at Ft Ord, in the form of several California Army National Guard units, facilities administrated by the Presidio of Monterey, and the continued operation of the base PX and Commissary to cater for retirees who chose to settle in the area and are entitled to shop at such facilities.

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