Suggestions for Naming Camp Atterbury

Several names were suggested for the camp. Among them were:

Camp MacArthur - for General Douglas MacArthur

Camp Benjamin Franklin - For Benjamin Franklin

Camp Amity - for nearby community

Camp Edinburg - for nearby town

Camp Snyder - for Colonel John Snyder, killed in War of 1812

Camp Greshman - for John Bethel Greshman, who fought in the Revolution

Camp Bartholomew - for Joseph Bartholomew, who fought in the Revolution

Camp McIlvanie - First Indiana officer to be killed in WW2

Camp Pershing - for General John L (Blackjack) Pershing of WW1

Camp Kelly - for Colin Kelly of the USArmy Air Corps, killed in successful bombing of a Japanese ship early in WW2

At first, people did not like the name Atterbury that was chosen. later when they found more about the person so honored, they could not help but be happy with the selection.

Atterbury was born on January 31, 1886 in New Albany, Indiana. Railroads had fascinated him since childhood, so, in despite the fact he held a masters degree from Yale University, Atterbury decided to start at the bottom of the railroad world by working in shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He worked as a master mechanic in Fort Wayne from 1893 until 1896. During this time, Atterbury married Minnie Hoffman. Atterbury continued to work his way up in rank while working for the Pennsylvania Railroad until he became president. After becoming president, he took a leave of absence for his recommended service in the United States Army as an engineer. Atterbury served until 1919. During this time, he built several railroads and harbors to aid the Allies. Upon leaving the service, several countries including France, England, Belgium, Serbia and Romania honored Atterbury. The United States presented him with a distinguished service medal. He later became very active in politics, serving as the leader of the Republican Party in Philadelphia and as a delegate at many conventions.