December 7, 1941: Neosho after Pearl Harbor

The timing for the opening of Camp Crowder in Neosho could not have been better.

Just five days before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the first 50 troops arrived only 92 days and four hours after ground was broken for the facility.

When the first troops arrived 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 1941, the parts of the camp that had been completed were two barracks designed to house 63 soldiers in each, a mess hall, warehouse facilities, and a post exchange.

Camp Crowder was one of many bases constructed during the buildup to war in 1941.

The camp was named for Gen. Enoch Herbert Crowder, the Missouri native who authored the Selective Service Act, which was critical to the U. S. during World War I and then administered it.

The Neosho location was chosen because of its proximity to the conjunction of the Frisco and Kansas City Southern railroads, as well as its location near U. S. highways 66 and 71.

During the week prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 551 carloads of building materials, machinery and supplies arrived out of 4,443 that had arrived up to that time.

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Among those who were stationed at Pearl Harbor December 7 was Lt. Roy Gene Anderson, who was on the U. S. S. Minneapolis and was just 17 days short of his 26th birthday when the Japanese attacked.

The Minneapolis was at sea, about eight miles from Pearl Harbor doing gunnery practice when the attack occurred.

Anderson, the son of Roy and Ila Gene Anderson, and a graduate of Neosho High School and the U. S. Naval Academy, was cited for his bravery when the Minneapolis was attacked by the Japanese five months later and eventually rose to the rank of rear admiral.







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Activities continued as usual in Neosho, albeit with an added patriotic tinge.

On Tuesday, December 9, an open house was held at Neosho High School. More than 350 parents were ushered into the building by members of the Girls Drum Corps and the female members of the Glee Club.

After everyone was seated, the high school orchestra, under the direction of Lucille Lane and Carol Cline, performed several selections.

Cub Scout Tommy Hosfelt led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Mary Margaret Anderson, standing in the middle of a blue spotlight, leading the audience of in a rousing rendition of
"God Bless America."