In 1906, Adjutant General Ammon B. Critchfield established Camp Perry, an Ohio National Guard military training site on the shore of Lake Erie, to improve the marksmanship of Ohio soldiers. It was named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who defeated British forces in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The location was ideal for shooting ranges because ranges of varying lengths could share a common firing line, allowing practice on all ranges without the added risk of stray bullets. These specialized ranges were developed for national and international competition between civilian and military teams. Through the years, Camp Perry has also held Italian and German prisoners of war during World War II and at varying times served as an Army Reception Center. National Rifle Association rifle and pistol matches have been held there since 1907, and in 1990 United States Coast Guard reservists trained there in preparation for the Persian Gulf War.