CAMP LEJEUNE � Reaction to the attacks on Pearl Harbor led to the rapid construction of the Marine Corps� largest base on the east coast.
The attacks on Dec. 7, 1941, consisted of Japanese forces attacking the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, about 7:48 a.m. The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes which came in two waves off of six Japanese aircraft carriers. More than 3,600 Americans were wounded or killed and 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed while four ships were sunk. Because of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II in both the European and Pacific campaigns.
Because of the United States� entrance into World War II, increased construction efforts aboard Camp Lejeune, which was formerly known as the Marine Barracks, New River, began. The Marine Barracks had been identified months prior to the attacks as the most advantageous location for a Marine base on the eastern seaboard.
Published in the News and Views of Jacksonville on Dec. 16, 1941, officials announced that �enlargement of the Marine Barracks tent camp and a stepping-up of work at the main barracks �have been started as a result of the war with the Axis powers.� According to the article, no determination was made as to how much the tent camp would be enlarged. Construction, according to the article, was being done 12 hours per day all week long. A separate article on the same date announced that the Marine Barracks had designated seven firing ranges.
On Dec. 18, 1941, a Washington, D.C., article was reprinted in Jacksonville stating that more than $23 million of federal funds was being allocated for the construction of the New River Marine Base and the Cherry Point Air Base as part of the government�s �all-out for victory� program. Prior allotments of funds brought the total allocated for the tent camp to $35 million and funds for Cherry Point�s Marine Air Corps training facilities amounted to $21 million.
Aboard Marine Base New River, according to the Dec. 18 article, more than $10 million was allocated for a regimental enlisted and officer billeting, a mess hall, ranges, a naval hospital and storage facilities. In addition to these facilities, millions were set aside for a steam plant, recreational facilities and more aboard the tent camp and necessary land improvements, structures and flight platforms aboard Cherry Point.
A Christmas Eve News and Views article reported that �Marine Barracks construction has been thrown into extra high gear,� and that additional workers were being employed on a now-24 hour basis. Less than one month after the Pearl Harbor attacks, employment aboard the bases doubled from 4,000 to more than 8,000 workers �and more will be employed as needed.� Because of the high demand of workers needed, the Farm Security Administration constructed 200 trailers to house those working on the base � an incentive to bring more people and their families to the Onslow County area, according to a second Christmas Eve News and Views article.
Referenced articles were found at the Onslow County Museum, which is where the history of Onslow County is documented and available to the public. The museum is located at 301 S. Wilmington St. in Richlands and can be reached at 910-324-5008.