Fort William Henry Harrison (Helena, Montana, Montana)

Helena, Montana · Montana · World War II

Quick BriefAuthorized by Congressional act in May 1892 as part of a military consolidation program, this post near Helena became most famous for organizing and training the U.S. Army's 1st Special Service Force during 1942, a joint World War II American-Canadian light infantry brigade. Initially garrisoned with troops from Fort Assinniboine in September 1895, the post's active military period ended in 1913.

Active base today

History & Significance

Fort William Henry Harrison was authorized by Congressional act on May 12, 1892, and established as part of a consolidation program that closed smaller installations in favor of concentrated troop deployments at larger posts. Originally named Fort Benjamin Harrison for the sitting president, the fort's name was changed in 1906 to Fort William Henry Harrison to avoid confusion with an existing Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana.

Troops from Fort Assinniboine garrisoned the post in September 1895, but were withdrawn in 1913. Montana National Guard regiments assembled at the fort in 1917 during U.S. involvement in World War I. The installation achieved historical prominence in 1942 as the training ground for the 1st Special Service Force, an elite American-Canadian light infantry unit that later fought in the Italian and French campaigns. The site is now home to the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center and Montana State Veterans Cemetery, and continues to serve as the Montana National Guard's primary training facility.