Calling All Clarksville Base Marines and Sailors for a Walk Down Memory Lane!

From In the Garden

Hello and welcome! Today's post is going to take you down memory lane if you were one of the elite few who were stationed at the TOP SECRET Clarksville Base in the 1950s-1960s. Now sit back and reminisce...

From In the Garden

"From 1952 to 1969 hundreds of young men stood in "pillboxes"--concrete style bunkers with nothing but a slit opening to peer through or to fire a weapon--to keep strangers out of the classified area in the woods of Fort Campbell." [Source: AP-Military Forum]

This year marks a big milestone in the history of Clarksville Base. There will be two-count them-two reunions here in Tennessee that involve Clarksville Base. The first reunion is scheduled for April 22-24, 2010 right here in Clarksville. The Birdcage Marine planners have all sorts of fun things in store for participants. Check out their link for more information.

The Marines provided the protective force for Clarksville Base during its heyday-days when nuclear weapons were stored there.

From In the Garden

The second reunion is scheduled for Sunday October 10th through Friday October 15th 2010 in Nashville. This reunion is sponsored by the Navy Nuclear Weapons Association and involves all members of that esteemed association, not just Clarksville Base alumni. Check out their link for more information.

The Navy nuclear specialists handled the actual nuclear weapons.

How do I know this information and why am I publishing it here? The main reason is that of late there has been tons of interest in my post titled "Clarksville Base Trail". Many folks come to this post when they Google this wonderful natural area. It is an area near and dear to my heart since I used to work at Clarksville Base. Even though I no longer serve there, I walk the 4.5 mile trail weekly-this is truly what is near and dear to my heart. The nature trail (as I see it) holds special memories for me mainly due to its peace and close ties with the native flora and fauna. Wild turkeys, deer, many birds, squirrels, river otters, beavers, and ground hogs make their home in this wooded area. In addition to the native fauna, there are tons of wildflowers growing all along the road and through the woods. This area is truly a gem for us here at Fort Campbell.

From In the Garden

"At our 2005 Clarksville Base Reunion, the Fort Campbell Museum Curator told us that newly available Russian documents indicate Clarksville Base was actually #3 on the USSR ICBM target list." [Source: Droppings, Issue Fall 2009]

This base is eligible to be designated a historic site on the National Register. Its intensely secretive reputation during the Cold War and even after have led to many stories, legends and lore surrounding it. It is called The Bird Cage because of the two sets of very high chain link fencing that surround the area. The interior set was electrified during the base's use as a nuclear weapon storage facility.

Between 1967 and 1969 at least one Clarksville Base trainee electrocuted himself at the high-voltage while going AWOL. [Source: Atomic Traveler] Check this link for more interesting and little known information about Clarksville Base.

The area also holds special memories for the alumni. One member contacted me recently to share his special memories from the early 1960s. I'm looking forward to meeting him when he comes down for the reunion and I just might take him for a hike along the trail. A battle of Army versus Sailors? We shall see!:) His name is Doug Rogers and some of you out there may know him. If so and you'd like to contact him, either email me or leave a comment here for him. So without further ado, here is a story from Doug in his own words about a not so happy thing that happened at Clarksville Base:

This incident took place perhaps in the spring or fall of 1960 or the spring of 1961, most likely 1960. The weather was cool, damp, and overcast. Place of incident was Marine Corps guard house near the main gate and the fire station.

I had departed the Administrative Building, #106 in the US Mail truck, sometime around 0800 hours (it was at the time for the change of the guard, whatever time that may have been) and was on my way to Fort Campbell Post Office and The Post Locator. I was, at that time, the Navy base postal clerk (PCSN, E-3).

As I began the approach to the main gate, some seventy five yards or so, I noticed a line of Marines being inspected for the morning change of guard. They were lined up along the guard house, which is directly across from the fires station, an officer was inspecting each Marine. Some had service 45 cal. handguns, others with M1s. As the inspecting officer stood in front of each Marine, made visual uniform inspection, then received the weapon, inspected it and returned the piece to the Marine, and then stepped up to the next Marine. I was finding it interesting to watch this very smart inspection as we Navy (at Clarksville Base) were operating much like a Club Med business. Life at The Bird Cage for the Marines was, to say the least, an unhappy military experience.

As the inspecting officer moved to the next Marine, inspected his uniform, then asked the Marine to present the weapon for inspection, which he did. The officer very smartly pulled the slide back, inspected the weapon and returned the weapon. I should mention that at the time, I was driving slowly, had the windows rolled up and the heater on, so all I saw was actions. As the inspecting officer stepped to the next Marine, the inspected Marine (had received the 45 back from the officer) placed a loaded clip into the weapon, released the slide, pointed the weapon forward and pulled the trigger. Of course, this is not the correct or safe way to handle a weapon!

Of course the young Marine knew the correct way to handle a weapon. I think he was under extreme pressure by the inspection so he reversed the handling procedure. The correct way of course is to release the slide, insert the clip, aim safely and pull the trigger and move the safety to lock. I saw the explosion of the round going off and knew immediately what had taken place. I was, at the time of the incident only feet in front of the discharge.

What then happened? Well, as I very clearly recall this memory some fifty years later, as the weapon discharged the bullet traveled across the road, through a window in the firehouse office (the windows were high on the north side), over the head of the Chief who was sitting at his desk, hit the opposite (south) wall and knocked a bulletin board off the wall. No personal injuries.

Immediately after the weapon discharged the inspecting officer very quickly reached back, grabbed the weapon out of the hand of the young Marine, and knocked him to the ground. All other Marines held formation. I continued speed and checked through the Main Gate and on to Forth Campbell. One wonders the fate of that young Marine. Perhaps someone who attends the Marine Barracks Reunions will remember the incident, perhaps some of the Civil Service firefighters will too.

Doug Rogers, 23 February 2010

I worked in these very buildings when I was in the Army (2001-2003). The buildings are still there and probably look the same as they did back in the 1950s. I once tried to get the windows upgraded to more energy efficient windows and was flatly told no by the engineers. It seems the buildings are historical and cannot be changed, though I have been unable to find a source for this mandate. I hope everyone who comes and visits Clarksville Base can see it for what it is today, a peaceful quiet wooded area full of native flora and fauna. It is an area that needs protection not only for its rich history but for the habitat it provides to the local base.

Don't forget about the reunions. If you are an alumni and are curious as to how to comment, it is really easy. Simply sign in using an existing email account (GMAIL works well) or sign in Anonymously. It is not difficult as Doug found out. Do look at the other Clarksville Base post as well.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it." John W. Gardner

in the garden.....

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In the Garden