Who is Camp Blanding named after?

Camp Blanding: A Name That Echoes Through Florida History

Ever driven past Camp Blanding and wondered who it’s named after? Well, it’s a tribute to Lieutenant General Albert Hazen Blanding, a true Florida original and a military man through and through. He wasn’t just any soldier; Blanding was one of Florida’s most respected military figures, plain and simple. His career? It was a marathon, not a sprint, stretching over four decades and encompassing everything from the Spanish-American War to World War I. But more than that, he poured his heart and soul into the National Guard.

Born way back in 1876 in Iowa, Blanding didn’t stay there long. His family packed up and headed south to Florida when he was just a toddler. He got his education at the East Florida Seminary – which later became the University of Florida – graduating in 1894. Now, here’s where his story really takes off. In 1895, Blanding enlisted in the Florida National Guard, kicking off a military journey that would define his life. He wasn’t hanging around either; by 1899, he’d already earned his captain’s bars.

And he just kept climbing the ladder. Blanding commanded the 2nd Florida Infantry during the Mexican Border Service in 1916 and 1917. Then came World War I, where he led the 53rd Brigade, 27th Division, with distinction. Fighting in France and Belgium, he earned the prestigious Distinguished Service Medal. You could say he was making a name for himself.

Fast forward to 1924, and Blanding is now a major general, in command of the 31st Infantry Division. Talk about a rise! From 1936 to 1940, he took on the role of Chief of the National Guard Bureau, handpicked by President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself. But get this – he didn’t give up his command of the 31st Infantry Division while running the whole National Guard Bureau. The man was a machine!

Blanding finally hung up his uniform in 1940, but Florida wasn’t about to let his service go unnoticed. The state promoted him to lieutenant general, a fitting honor for a man who’d given so much. That same year, the State Armory Board decided on a huge chunk of land – 30,000 acres in Clay County – for a new National Guard camp and training site. And, of course, they wanted to name it after the one and only Albert H. Blanding. The War Department gave it the thumbs up, and Camp Blanding was officially born in 1939.

During World War II, Camp Blanding transformed into a major training hub for the U.S. Army. It was like a military city, handling everything from basic training to preparing soldiers for deployment, even serving as a POW camp and a separation center after the war. Can you believe that over 800,000 soldiers passed through Camp Blanding between 1940 and 1945? That’s a lot of boots on the ground!

Albert H. Blanding passed away on December 26, 1970, in Bartow, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication. He’s resting in Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville, Florida. And every time you hear the name Camp Blanding, remember it’s more than just a military base; it’s a tribute to a remarkable Floridian who dedicated his life to serving his state and his country.