The area encompassing Savanna Army Depot was acquired in 1917 after the United States Congress authorized the commanding officer of Rock Island Arsenal to purchase land for field artillery testing. Savanna Proving Ground officially opened on 26 December 1918, and increased activity over the next two years led to building expansion until the need for test facilities diminished. In 1921 Savanna was redesignated as an ordnance depot and became independent of Rock Island Arsenal. With the onset of World War II, Savanna underwent major expansion of its manufacturing and storage facilities, including a one-of-a-kind Group I shell loading plant that loaded the special lightweight bombs used by General James Doolittle in the Tokyo raid. Its unique capabilities gave the depot a central role in World War II and brought designation as an Enterprise E site with two silver stars. After World War II, the depot continued as an ammunition storage and production facility, and in 1950 the Army Defense Ammunition Center and School was established there. In 1961 Savanna was assigned a special weapons mission that it maintained through 1975. Savanna Army Depot activity supported the nation's defense through the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War, through the efforts and sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who worked and served there.