Topics Related to World War II

Camp Lejeune (C-71)

Established 1 May 1941 by the U.S. Marine Corps for amphibious training. Named for Lt. Gen. John A. Lejeune, USMC, 13th Commandant, 1920-1929.

Cherry Point (C-68)

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station activated 1941 as Cunningham Field for first USMC aviator A.A. Cunningham. MCAS Cherry Point since May 1942.

Camp Davis (C-65)

Army Coast Artillery Training Center, World War II. Named for Richmond P. Davis, native of Statesville.

Civil Air Patrol (B-68)

Coastal Patrol Base, first in N.C., opened ½ mi. S.E., in 1942. Civilian pilots supported military and patrolled for German U-boats.

Diamond Shoals (B-41)

"Graveyard of Atlantic." German submarines sank over 100 ships here, 1941-42, in the "Battle of Torpedo Junction." Shoals are 3 mi. south.

A North Carolina Pearl Harbor Story

On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes staged a surprise attack on U.S. military forces at Pearl Harbor. Harley Jolley was enrolled in the Army Air Force and stationed at Hickam Air Field. He was asleep at 7:55 a.m. when the attack commenced.

WWII Pilots Recuperated at Lake Lure

On November 1, 1945, the Lake Lure Rest and Rehabilitation Center in Rutherford County closed.

U-Boats Active Off N.C. Coast in Both World Wars

On June 5, 1918, attacks by German U-boats began off the North Carolina coast. The raids were the first against the state by a foreign government since the War of 1812, and the initial assault lasted for four days.

Enigma Machine Plucked from Its Watery Grave

On April 14, 1942, the destroyer USS Roper sank the German submarine U-85 off the Outer Banks between Wimble Shoals and Cape Hatteras.

WAC’s Colonel Westray Battle Boyce—A Proud North Carolinian

On February 8, 1944, Westray Battle Boyce was promoted to lieutenant colonel and received the Legion of Merit.  Few North Carolina men, and no Tar Heel women, had a more distinguished service record in World War II than Colonel