History of Fort Hood
Fort Hood was named for the famous Confederate General John Bell Hood, an outstanding leader who gained recognition during the Civil War as the commander of Hood's Texas Brigade. The original site was selected in 1941, and construction of South Camp Hood began in 1942. North Camp Hood, located 17 miles to the north, was established shortly after the first land acquisition and the founding of the cantonment area. South Camp Hood was designated as Fort Hood, a permanent installation, in 1951. North Camp Hood became North Fort Hood and what is now West Fort Hood was formerly a U.S. Air Force Base. The U.S. Air Force ran both the airfield and the base from 1947 to 1952. From 1952 to 1969, the U.S. Army under the Defense Atomic Support Agency ran the facilities. It became part of Fort Hood in 1969.
1942
During World War II, there developed a need for a military post to train soldiers in tank destroyer tactics. The area just east and north of Copperas Cove was selected as the site for Camp Hood, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, who gained recognition during the Civil War as the commander of the Texas Brigade. The initial Army installation covered 108,000 acreas, expanding to 160,000 acres in January 1943.
1946
Camp Hood becomes the permanent home of the 2nd Armored Division.
1950
The Department of the Army declares Camp Hood as a permanent post and it becomes "Fort Hood."
1954
III Corps Headquarters relocates to Fort Hood from California.
1967
Fort Hood is officially designated a two-division post with the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions assigned.
1971
The 1st Cavalry Division reploys from Vietnam to Fort Hood, replacing the 1st Armored division.
1995
The 4th Infantry Division was designated as the Army's Experimental Force (EXFOR) for the Task Force XXI Digitization experiements and the 4th Infantry Division replaced 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood.