Fort Ord on Monterey Bay began as an artillery training field in 1917, became Camp Ord by 1933, and was expanded into Fort Ord in 1940 as the United States prepared for World War II. Long associated with the 7th Infantry Division, it served as a major training and staging center through World War II, the Cold War, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam, at times holding 50,000 troops. After contamination and unexploded ordnance led to federal cleanup efforts, the post closed in 1994. Much of its 28,000 acres has since been converted to education, recreation, research, neighborhoods, and protected habitat, including Fort Ord National Monument.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain