Fort Richardson (Anchorage, Alaska)

Anchorage · Alaska · World War II

Quick BriefFort Richardson was established by Executive Order in April 1939 and formally designated as a permanent military post by the War Department in December 1940. Originally built 1940–1941 on the site of what is now Elmendorf Air Force Base, the post moved to its present location northeast of Anchorage in 1950. In 2010, it was merged with Elmendorf Air Force Base to form Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Active base today

History & Significance

Fort Richardson was named for Brigadier General Wilds P. Richardson, a military pioneer explorer who served three tours in Alaska between 1897 and 1917, commanding troops along the Yukon River and supervising construction of Fort Egbert and Fort William H. Seward. After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, the fort was charged with defending Alaska from invasion and coordinating the Alaskan war effort, with troop strength reaching 7,800 during World War II.

The post's mission evolved from a rear base for attack operations into a supply base, repair center, headquarters for numerous garrisons, and a home base for the Army Air Corps. The fort was briefly used as a holding center for Alaskan Japanese Americans and German Americans arrested after Pearl Harbor, with fifteen Japanese Americans and two German Americans interned before transfer to other camps.

Fort Richardson became a vital link in the Lend-Lease program between the United States and Russia, contributing to the defeat of Germany and ultimate World War II victory. Established as headquarters of the United States Army, Alaska (USARAK) in 1947, the post moved to its present location 5 miles northeast of Anchorage in 1950. By June 2022, USARAK was redesignated as the 11th Airborne Division with restructured brigade combat teams.