Historical Marker
Fort Polk
Fort Polk, Vernon County · Louisiana
Erected 1990
In 1962 Fort Polk turned to basic and advanced individual training, and its dense, humid, rainy ground was judged close enough to Southeast Asia to prepare infantrymen for it. The training area took the name Tigerland. For about twelve years more soldiers shipped to Vietnam from Fort Polk than from any other American training base, and many recruits saw no other stateside post before they left. After the 5th Infantry Division arrived in 1974 and basic training was phased out, the Infantry Training Center closed in the spring of 1976.
Where it stands
31.04848, -93.21273 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Camp Polk Heritage Families — steps away
- Peason Ridge Heritage Families — steps away
- Louisiana Maneuvers: Louisiana Goes to War, Twice — 2.5 mi
- Wolf Rock Cave — 5.4 mi