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Commemorating the US
Navy's Amphibious Training Base Solomons, Maryland
AMERICA PREPARES
FOR
AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE
IN WORLD WAR II
On August 7th, 1942 elements
of the First Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal in the Pacific
Solomon Island Chain. This marked the first offensive landing
operation conducted by the United States in World War II. But the
story doesn't start there. It began many months earlier at a
small, newly established, Naval Amphibious Training base along the shore
of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It as well was called Solomons.
In 1942, the United States
Navy established its first amphibious training base at Solomons,
Maryland, to meet the urgent demands of World War II. The base
trained thousands of marines, soldiers, sailors, and coast guardsmen who
saw action throughout Europe and the Pacific. The base
closed in 1945 but its presence in Solomons changed the town
forever. Cradle of Invasion commemorates this little known but
highly important training facility, and all of the men and women who
served there.
In August of each year, the
Calvert Marine Museum presents its annual program commemorating the US
Navy's First Amphibious Training Base, built at Solomons, Maryland during
World War II. In 2001, Cradle of Invasion received proclamations from
the Maryland State Senate and the Calvert County Board of Commissioners,
recognizing it as the official commemorative event for ATB, Solomons,
and congratulating it on its efforts to keep the memory of the base
alive.
The establishment of this
base and the continued presence of the US Navy have had a tremendous
impact on the region that is still significant even today. The 50th
anniversary of World War II reawakened a tremendous interest in this
period of our history: an interest that has grown even stronger over the
past few years. This program gives everyone the opportunity to focus on
the contributions of the veterans of the period, many of who are still
with us today.
The event date is significant because it coincides with the anniversary
of the 1st Marine Division's landing on Guadalcanal, in the South
Pacific Solomon Islands. The 1st Marine Division trained in amphibious
assault operations on the beaches of Solomons, Maryland before they
departed for the Pacific. The primary purpose of this event is to
highlight this time period in the area's history, and commemorate the
veterans that trained here for eventual duty in both the Pacific and
European theaters.
Through a combination of educational/interpretive demonstrations,
interactive displays of historical artifacts, and impromptu discussions
with living history interpreters, visitors get a view of a segment of
the region's past. Through this window, the visitors are able to
experience a part of their heritage heretofore missing, and have the
opportunity to relate to their ancestors as people, not just statistics.
In addition to the historical interpretive personnel and equipment that
is brought in for the program, local military bases, veterans
organizations, and special interest groups have displays to highlight
their involvement in the community and tell their story, as well as do
some recruiting. Musical performances and other activities focus on the
home front during the war.
On August 4,5,6, 2006, The Cradle of Invasion will highlight the
military's impact on Southern Maryland.
For more history about the
Solomons area:
How
Things Have Changed: Solomons During the 20th Century (CMM
Website)
Calvert
Marine Museum's History web page
The Official Website of
Solomons, Maryland
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