Fort Du Pont - World War II

World War II

During World War II Fort DuPont served as a mobilization station for deploying units. In 1941, the 1st Engineer Battalion following re-designation, departed for overseas service. At the war's start, the post was the headquarters for the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware, with garrison units including the 21st Coast Artillery, 261st Coast Artillery, and 122nd Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft). In 1942, headquarters for harbor defenses was transferred, along with artillery troops, to Fort Miles in Lewes, Delaware. Col. George Ruhlen was post commander from 1940 until 1944 and following retirement was succeeded by Col. Randolph Russell. In May 1944, the 1231st SCU prisoner-of-war camp was established using repurposed temporary buildings in the mobilization area. During the war, roughly 3,000 German POWs were housed at Fort DuPont. These POWs included members of the submarine U-858 that surrendered off the coast of Lewes, Deleware, in 1945. POWs worked as dishwashers, waiters, grocers, butchers, and other support roles on post as well as working on other local installations such as the New Castle Army Airfield. German POWs even worked for civilian canneries, garbage companies, and even work for the city of Rehoboth Beach repairing sections of the boardwalk. Following the war, effective December 31, 1945, Fort DuPont was placed "in the category of surplus" according to AG 602 (dated October 5, 1945) issued by the federal government.