World War II at Fort Hancock

Soldiers pose at Fort Hancock's salute guns on the Parade Ground, c. 1942.

NPS/Gateway NRA

The high water mark

World War II saw Fort Hancock's peacetime population of approximately 800 swell tenfold, to approximately 8,000 by 1945. Below are the stories of some of those who served both in the military and civilians who lived or worked at the Fort during the war years.

 

 

Soldiers at Fort Hancock, 1941.

NPS image donated by family of Joseph Tancos.

 

WAC basketball team at Fort Hancock's YMCA.

NPS/Gateway NRA Museum Collection