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US Army Photograph of Camp Kilmer

Camp Kilmer is a former United States Army camp in Central New Jersey that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in preparation for transport to the European Theater of Operations in World War II. Eventually, it became the largest processing center for troops heading overseas and returning from World War II, processing over 2.5 million soldiers. It officially closed in 2009.

Origins and history

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The camp was named for Joyce Kilmer, a poet killed in World War I while serving with 69th Infantry Regiment. His home was in nearby New Brunswick, New Jersey.[1]

The site was selected in 1941 by the War Department as the best site to serve the New York Port of Embarkation. Construction began in early 1942. Located in Piscataway Township, New Jersey and Edison Township, New Jersey at 40°31′00″N 74°26′45″W / 40.51667°N 74.44583°W / 40.51667; -74.44583, the closest city was New Brunswick located two miles to the south. Plainfield was located four miles north of the camp. New York City, about 22 miles to the northeast, could be reached by the mainline of the Pennsylvania Railroad. A flyover loop crossing the four-track mainline (now the Amtrak NEC) allowed movements into the large train loading yards without interference with mainline traffic. Many troop embarkations would be at the New Jersey locations of Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne and Hoboken. The camp was also served by the Port Reading branch of the Reading Railroad and the Amboy branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.

Camp Kilmer Map

The post was activated in June 1942[1] and the first unit to arrive at Camp Kilmer was the 332nd Engineer General Service Regiment, a complement of 1,239 enlisted men and 52 officers. The unit arrived July 22, 1942, on three separate trains from Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. The buildings were constructed of wood and were painted bright contrasting colors for a camouflage effect. This was similar to the dazzle camouflage used for ships in World War I. The camp primarily consisted of ten "Disposition Areas", or sets of barracks in which units and soldiers were assigned while awaiting transportation to Europe.[2]

At Camp Kilmer troops sent personal effects home, received medical injections and the supplies needed before loading onto transport ships for travel to the European Theater of Operations. After V-E Day, the post was used to process troops returning from Europe, prior to sending them on to their local Personnel Center, Separation Center or Reception Station.[3] The camp remained active until the fall of 1949 when it was no longer needed.

Post-war use and closure

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A color guard from the 78th Division (Training) takes down the colors for the last time during the Kilmer U.S. Army Reserve Center's inactivation ceremony.

In the fall of 1950, with hostilities in Korea, the camp was reactivated. It was placed on inactive status again in June 1955, but continued to serve as discharge site for troops returning from Europe. In November 1956 it served as an initial place for housing for refugees from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution until June 1957. In March 1958, Camp Kilmer became Headquarters for the U.S. Army II Corps, the controlling headquarters for United States Army Reserve units across the northeast. Camp Kilmer also housed a maintenance and repair facility supporting the Nike/Hercules missile sites in the greater New York metropolitan area. This facility included large, armored rooms with heavy blast doors where missile engines and conventional warheads were stored and maintained.

During the Cold War after the failed 1956 Hungarian Revolution 30,000 refugees were resettled at Camp Kilmer. Many settled in New Brunswick, which had a thriving Hungarian American community in its Fifth Ward.[4]

In 1963, most of the 1,600 acres was auctioned and sold to local governments, and Rutgers University. The Livingston College campus currently sits on 540-acres acquired by Rutgers in 1964. By the 1960s much of the Camp's properties and land were dispersed. Today, there is a Vocational Training Center located at the site as well as housing and schools.Camp Kilmer

The concentration camp scenes for the 1964 movie The Pawnbroker were filmed in the section of Camp Kilmer which had been used for the movement of prisoners-of-war.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, the remnants of Camp Kilmer, then known as the Sergeant Joyce Kilmer Reserve Center, was the location for Headquarters, 78th Division (TS) and for the Division's 1st Brigade (BCST) headquarters, both units of the US Army Reserve. The 78th Division (TS), nicknamed the "Lightning Division" or "Jersey Lightning", is the lineal descendant of the 78th Division of World War I and the 78th Infantry Division of World War II. The current 78th Division (TS) is responsible for conducting simulations exercises and field training for US Army Reserve and Army National Guard units across 14 states from North Carolina to the Canada–US border.

In the immediate aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency created a temporary headquarters at the facility.[5]

As of October 2009, the Sergeant Joyce Kilmer Reserve Center was closed as per the recommendation of the Base Realignment and Closure, 2005.[6] The last tenant units relocated to Fort Dix. In Fall 2014 the last section of Camp Kilmer was occupied by the Edison Township Public Works Department.

Areas surrounding the former base now belong to Piscataway Township or to Rutgers University and many existent buildings and facilities were clearly part of the former Camp Kilmer. Portions of the World War II-era camp are still used by the Edison Job Corps, including some of the original barracks, the chapel and post flag pole. The Edison Job Corps Center (Excess Land Sale Only) is on a High Value Asset List of fourteen properties that the United States Public Buildings Reform Board has recommended for disposal.[7] A few extant structures are now occupied by the Timothy Christian School. The camp's post command headquarters building still exists, located at 35 Berrue Circle on Rutgers Livingston Campus in Piscataway, and used by the Rutgers Makerspace. As an "upgraded" military building, the building's lobby includes the original curved staircases and the cashier's pay windows.

Notable people

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  • New York Yankee star Joe DiMaggio and comedian Red Skelton, both serving with the Army, were temporarily assigned to the Camp. DiMaggio autographed baseballs for wounded soldiers and gave hitting and fielding lessons, while Skelton made unannounced visits to the hospital for his version of "laugh therapy." Numerous celebrities visited the camp to put on shows for the troops including Betty Grable, Benny Goodman and others.

Environmental hazard

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The former environs of Camp Kilmer, and the current Kilmer Reserve Center, are soiled with numerous contaminants including PAHs, VOCs, SVOCs, PCBs, asbestos, and heavy metals affecting groundwater, surface waters and sediment, as well as the soil.[8]

References

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Bibliography

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Camp Kilmer

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Camp Kilmer was a installation located in Edison and Piscataway townships, , activated on August 4, 1942, as a major port of embarkation and debarkation for troops during . Named for Sergeant , a local poet and casualty who posthumously received the , the camp processed over 1.5 million soldiers deploying overseas and approximately 240,000 returning from combat by the war's end. Postwar, it supported lesser roles during the before regaining prominence in 1956 as the Joyce Kilmer Reception Center under Operation Safe Haven, where U.S. forces processed nearly 32,000 Hungarian refugees escaping Soviet suppression of the uprising against communist rule. The facility later housed Army Reserve units and served as headquarters for II Corps until its official deactivation in 2009, after which portions were repurposed amid efforts.

Establishment and World War II Operations

Construction and Initial Purpose

The United States War Department selected a site in central New Jersey in 1941 for development as a dedicated staging facility to support the New York Port of Embarkation during World War II mobilization. This location, approximately two miles east of New Brunswick, spanned 1,573 acres across portions of Edison and Piscataway townships, acquired through purchase for $479,532 to enable rapid troop processing without interference from civilian activities. Construction commenced in January 1942, involving the erection of 1,120 wooden buildings completed within six months to accommodate efficient embarkation and debarkation operations. Camp Kilmer was activated in June 1942 and named in honor of Sergeant , a poet and soldier from nearby who was killed in action in while serving with the 165th Infantry Regiment. The naming reflected recognition of American martial valor and literary contribution to the , aligning with the camp's role in perpetuating such traditions amid global conflict. Designed as the first U.S. Army camp constructed exclusively for staging troops to and from overseas theaters, Camp Kilmer prioritized logistical efficiency in outfitting, medical screening, and transportation coordination for deployments to . Its proximity to the New York Port facilitated swift rail and road links, enabling the processing of divisions en route to combat while minimizing delays in the critical to Allied operations. This strategic focus addressed the surging demand for organized following U.S. entry into the war, establishing a model for high-volume personnel throughput.

Troop Mobilization and Processing Achievements

Camp Kilmer functioned as the principal staging and processing facility for the New York Port of Embarkation, facilitating the mobilization of U.S. troops primarily destined for the European Theater of Operations through efficient rail links to New York harbors. Activated in June , the camp processed 1,320,481 servicemen for overseas deployment by mid-1945, enabling the swift embarkation of over 20 divisions amid peak operations from 1942 to 1945. These efforts supported rapid force projection, with standardized protocols for medical screenings, administrative validations, and equipment verifications ensuring combat preparedness prior to shipment. The camp's logistical throughput demonstrated scalable efficiency in chains, handling daily volumes that peaked at over 5,000 troops, with facilities including 11 railheads and a 1,000-bed to minimize delays. This infrastructure underpinned the outbound movement integral to Allied offensives, as the New York Port of Embarkation—serviced by Kilmer—debarked over 3.1 million passengers by August 1945, predominantly for Atlantic crossings. Post-hostilities, Camp Kilmer shifted to inbound processing, receiving the first 500 battle casualties in and marking its one millionth returning soldier by December 1945, contributing to a total wartime throughput exceeding 2 million troops. Such metrics highlight the camp's role in sustaining operational tempo without compromising readiness, though processing strains reflected broader wartime demands on personnel and resources.

Infrastructure and Daily Operations

Camp Kilmer's infrastructure was constructed rapidly starting in January 1942 and completed within six months by contractors under War Department directives, utilizing standardized 800 Series plans for temporary modular structures designed for wartime efficiency. The camp encompassed 1,573 acres with 1,230 buildings, including rows of wooden frame housing 63 to 74 enlisted men or 44 officers per unit, ten consolidated mess halls capable of feeding up to 3,000 men per hour in regimental areas, and a 1,000-bed for medical processing. Self-contained regimental areas featured administration buildings, support facilities, and amenities like post exchanges, theaters, and chapels, supporting a peak population of approximately 56,000 personnel. Rail infrastructure included 29 miles of track with 11 railheads and an internal network of sidings connected to the , , and Reading Railroads, featuring a balloon track loop for efficient northbound troop train handling and rapid disembarkation. These adaptations prioritized logistical throughput over permanence, enabling the processing of millions of troops via specialized sidings for and supply unloading. The 28 miles of roadways further facilitated internal movement, underscoring engineering focus on scalability for high-volume staging. Daily operations centered on troop processing routines, including medical examinations, inoculations, and close-order drills to prepare units for overseas deployment, often conducted alongside road marches and training films. Morale activities featured USO shows, dances, movies, and celebrity visits such as those by and , complemented by sports facilities including 20 diamonds and courts. These elements maintained operational efficiency and soldier readiness in the camp's transient environment.

Post-World War II Military Use

Returning Troops and Displaced Persons Processing

Following the cessation of hostilities in and the Pacific in , Camp Kilmer transitioned from a to the principal U.S. reception and processing center for returning servicemen, handling for troops arriving primarily via East Coast ports. Discharge procedures included medical evaluations, pay settlements, issuance of separation documents, and basic reintegration counseling to facilitate transition, leveraging the camp's existing , medical facilities, and administrative infrastructure developed during wartime operations. By late , over 300,000 servicemen had been processed through the facility, with peak daily inflows surpassing 5,000 troops, demonstrating sustained logistical efficiency amid the rapid drawdown of U.S. forces from approximately 12 million personnel in to under 2 million by 1947. This high-volume throughput relied on operational continuity from World War II-era setups, including rail connections to and on-site support for billeting, feeding, and equipment redistribution, enabling the to achieve targets without reported large-scale delays or security breaches, as documented in federal military records. The camp's role affirmed its utility as a centralized East Coast hub, processing a significant share of the over 2 million troops repatriated from alone under , though exact Kilmer-specific totals beyond the initial 1945 surge remain aggregated in broader statistics. In parallel with military demobilization, Camp Kilmer contributed to early U.S. efforts in managing European displaced persons from 1945 onward, prior to and during initial implementation of the of June 25, 1948, which authorized admission of up to 200,000 refugees subject to strict quotas favoring agricultural workers and excluding recent camp entrants to prioritize pre-1945 displacees. Processing involved security vetting by Army intelligence and Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel to screen for anti-Nazi and anti-communist credentials, countering potential infiltration risks amid Soviet expansion in , with arrivals funneled through nearby ports for temporary holding and eligibility assessments. This rigorous protocol, informed by wartime counterintelligence practices, ensured selective entry of thousands of vetted individuals—often professionals or skilled laborers displaced by Axis occupation or emerging communist regimes—without evidence of systemic lapses, though primary DP volumes were handled at urban immigration stations rather than Kilmer's military-focused setup.

Korean War Support and Transition

Following the outbreak of the on June 25, 1950, Camp Kilmer was reactivated by the U.S. Army as a staging area for troop processing and deployment to , though on a significantly reduced scale compared to its operations. Previously deactivated in fall 1949 after transferring personnel functions to , the camp's infrastructure supported limited mobilization efforts, including out-processing draftees and reservists for overseas shipment via nearby ports. Individual soldier accounts confirm its use for final preparations, such as equipment issuance and medical checks, prior to , reflecting efficient interim adaptation amid renewed hostilities without the massive throughput of prior conflicts. Logistical roles during 1950–1953 emphasized base maintenance and temporary equipment storage to sustain readiness, drawing on existing and rail connections for rapid response. Department of Defense records note the camp's contribution to continuity, housing transient units and facilitating vehicle and staging, which underscored its value in bridging peacetime drawdowns with active conflict demands. This phase highlighted institutional preparedness, as the facility's prior WWII efficiencies enabled quick repurposing despite cuts, avoiding the complacency seen in some underutilized installations. The armistice on July 27, 1953, prompted a gradual wind-down of military activities at Camp Kilmer, with processing volumes declining as Fort Dix assumed primary East Coast roles by the mid-1950s. Remaining functions shifted toward caretaker status, preserving infrastructure for potential future needs while paving the way for non-combat repurposing, without overstating the site's strategic primacy in the war's logistics. This transition exemplified pragmatic resource allocation in the early Cold War era, prioritizing verifiable operational utility over expansive claims of centrality.

Cold War Refugee Processing

Operation Safe Haven: Hungarian Refugees of 1956

Following the Hungarian Revolution of October 23 to November 4, 1956, in which Soviet forces suppressed an anti-communist uprising, over 200,000 Hungarians fled to neighboring countries, primarily Austria, creating the largest European refugee crisis since World War II. In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower activated Operation Safe Haven on November 8, 1956, designating Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, as the primary U.S. reception and processing center for refugees granted parole status outside normal immigration quotas. The first group of refugees arrived at Camp Kilmer on November 21, 1956, via U.S. military airlift, with the facility rapidly expanded from mothballed status to accommodate thousands under Army management. Over the ensuing months, Camp Kilmer processed approximately 32,000 Hungarian refugees, representing the bulk of the roughly 35,000 total admitted to the United States by September 1957. Processing at Camp Kilmer involved coordinated efforts by multiple federal agencies, including the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS, predecessor to USCIS) for immigration interviews and security screenings, the Public Health Service for medical examinations to ensure refugees met health standards, and the State Department for oversight. Nonprofits such as the National Catholic Welfare Conference and provided resettlement assistance, including job placement and sponsorship matching, while the handled logistics like housing in and meal services for up to 5,000 residents at peak capacity. Intelligence units, including the Army's Historical and Statistical Survey Team, conducted discreet debriefings to gather data on Soviet tactics and Hungarian society, producing thousands of reports without impeding humanitarian flows. The operation emphasized rapid throughput, with most refugees completing processing within days to weeks before dispersal to communities nationwide. Evacuation to the U.S. relied heavily on (MATS) flights, totaling 214 sorties from and other staging areas, supplemented by five Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) voyages and 133 chartered flights via the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM). The U.S. Navy and collaborated on sealifts and airlifts from European ports, transporting refugees primarily to near Camp Kilmer for final legover. This 90-day surge phase, peaking in late 1956 and early 1957, efficiently moved over 10,000 via dedicated air operations alone, demonstrating logistical prowess in averting prolonged European border strains. The operation concluded successfully with Camp Kilmer's closure in early May 1957, having facilitated the swift integration of refugees—many skilled professionals like engineers and technicians—into the U.S. economy through parole-to-permanent residency pathways enabled by 1958 legislation. This effort underscored U.S. commitment to anti-communist humanitarianism, filling intelligence gaps on while minimizing long-term welfare dependency, as voluntary agencies reported high employment rates within months of arrival.

Role in Anti-Communist Immigration Efforts

During the late and early , Camp Kilmer functioned as a primary East Coast reception and vetting center for displaced persons from Soviet-dominated , including , , and Poles fleeing communist consolidation, where U.S. authorities conducted rigorous ideological screenings to identify and prioritize individuals with demonstrable anti-communist histories. These processes involved interviews by Immigration and Naturalization Service officials, military intelligence assessments, and cross-checks against declassified Allied records to exclude potential infiltrators or sympathizers, reflecting heightened concerns over Soviet espionage amid the Iron Curtain's solidification. The McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 further codified stringent security requirements for entrants from communist countries, mandating exclusion of those affiliated with subversive organizations, which Kilmer staff enforced through on-site document verification and loyalty oaths. A significant facet of Kilmer's anti-communist efforts involved processing enlistees under the Lodge Act of 1948, which authorized up to 2,500 annual recruitments of stateless foreigners—primarily Eastern European displaced persons—for U.S. Army service, expanding to approximately 12,000-15,000 total enlistments by the Korean War era. Recruits, often former anti-Soviet partisans or forced laborers with combat experience against communist forces, underwent background vetting at Kilmer to confirm non-communist credentials before naturalization pathways and deployment, thereby augmenting U.S. forces with personnel possessing tactical knowledge of Eastern Bloc warfare. This integration provided causal advantages in countering Soviet military doctrine, as evidenced by the recruits' contributions to specialized units and intelligence on communist tactics derived from their pre-flight experiences. These protocols at Kilmer exemplified a security-first approach to from adversarial regimes, contrasting with less ideologically filtered entries by emphasizing empirical verification of applicants' opposition to through wartime records and peer testimonies, thereby minimizing risks of while harnessing refugee expertise for national defense. Declassified military archives reveal that such screenings yielded high-confidence admissions, with subsequent enlistees and civilians aiding U.S. technological and operational edges, including translations of captured Soviet materials and innovations in drawn from Eastern European insurgencies. This role underscored Kilmer's contribution to broader U.S. strategies for ideological , admitting only those whose backgrounds aligned with anti-communist objectives.

Deactivation, Reuse, and Modern Developments

Closure and Federal Land Transfer

Following the cessation of major military operations after the , Camp Kilmer underwent phased deactivation in the 1960s as part of broader U.S. Army drawdowns aimed at eliminating excess installations and reallocating resources to more strategically vital sites. In 1963, the U.S. Army II Corps headquarters departed the camp for on , signaling the end of significant active-duty presence and initiating the disposal of surplus infrastructure. That same year, approximately 1,500 acres of the camp's land—constituting nearly the entirety of its holdings—were sold or auctioned by the federal government, driven by fiscal imperatives to reduce maintenance costs on underutilized properties amid a peacetime military contraction. The residual federal parcels persisted under Army control until addressed through the (BRAC) framework in the 1990s, with BRAC 1995 designating Camp Kilmer for excess property disposal to streamline base management and minimize long-term federal expenditures. This process commenced in 1995, facilitating handover to non-federal entities while preserving government interests through encumbrances on the transfer. Under the BRAC 1995 disposal alternative, the opted for encumbered conveyance, which retained federal easements for essential utilities and oversight of lingering obligations, as detailed in the Final Environmental Assessment completed in ; this approach prioritized fiscal prudence by shifting primary stewardship to local authorities without absolving the government of accountability for prior federal liabilities.

Civilian Conversion: Rutgers Campus and Housing Projects

Following its deactivation in 1968, portions of the former Camp Kilmer site underwent for civilian purposes, including educational expansion and residential development. In 1964, acquired 540 acres—approximately one-third of the original camp's footprint—from the U.S. federal government through a public auction process initiated in 1963. This land, located in , was transformed into the Livingston Campus (initially Livingston College), which opened in 1969 with new academic buildings, lecture halls, dormitories, and recreational facilities constructed after the demolition of much of the military-era infrastructure, such as barracks and administrative structures. The conversion supported Rutgers' growth amid post-World War II enrollment surges, enabling the addition of undergraduate programs in liberal arts and sciences while repurposing underutilized federal land for higher education, thereby contributing to regional through job creation in construction and academia. On the remaining undeveloped portions of the site in Edison Township, the Kilmer Homes project emerged in the as a key example of residential . Developed by a partnership including the Alpert Group and utilizing 2015 Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), the initiative constructed two three-story buildings totaling 120 units of targeted at low-income families, with a focus on veterans and individuals requiring supportive services. These units, restricted to households earning 60% or less of the area , incorporated on-site amenities like community spaces and access to veteran-specific resources, addressing housing shortages in Middlesex County without significant historical preservation conflicts. The project exemplified efficient land reutilization, generating construction employment and long-term stock that bolstered local stability for over 120 households, while federal tax incentives facilitated private investment in what had been idle property. These conversions prioritized practical economic and social benefits, such as expanded educational capacity at Rutgers—serving thousands of students annually—and veteran housing solutions at Kilmer Homes, over retaining obsolete military structures that offered limited utility post-deactivation. Developer records highlight minimal community disruption during phased demolitions and builds, underscoring the value of repurposing federal assets for pressing civilian needs like and university infrastructure in a growing suburban area.

Recent Infrastructure and Shelter Expansions

In 2021, Pennrose completed and opened Truman Square, a 172-unit development on the former Camp Kilmer site in , designating units primarily for veterans and low-income families, with 32 units reserved for formerly homeless households. The project incorporated on-site supportive services to facilitate resident transitions toward housing stability and employment. The Ozanam Family Shelter, managed by on the repurposed Camp Kilmer grounds, received a lease extension in August 2025 from the Edison , prolonging operations from June 2029 to June 2035 and enabling continued accommodation for up to 16 homeless families. This unanimous approval reflected local assessments of the shelter's role in addressing immediate housing needs without broader township infrastructure overhauls. As of October 2024, of and at the site confirmed adherence to remediation protocols, including use restrictions and periodic sampling, which have underpinned the viability of these and housing expansions by mitigating residual contamination risks from prior military activities. Long-term oversight ensures compliance with federal standards prior to further approvals.

Environmental Impact and Remediation

Sources of Contamination from Military Activities

During its active period from 1942 to 1969, Camp Kilmer's military operations, including troop processing, vehicle maintenance, fuel storage and distribution, and waste management, resulted in the release of various contaminants into soil and groundwater. Fuel storage tanks and handling activities led to petroleum hydrocarbon spills and leaks, contributing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene, while vehicle and equipment maintenance introduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and toluene from solvents and fuels. Waste disposal practices, including open dumping and incineration common to wartime logistics, released heavy metals including lead from batteries and paints, and arsenic potentially from pesticides or ordnance residues. These activities affected portions of the 1,573-acre site, with (BRAC) environmental site assessments in the 1990s identifying soil and groundwater exceedances of residential standards, particularly for PAHs and like lead and . plumes were traced to former fuel storage areas and maintenance yards, where leaks from underground tanks and surface spills migrated into the . Explosives residues and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) were also noted in localized areas from training and disposal, though at lower concentrations. The scale of stemmed from the site's high-intensity use—processing over 2.5 million personnel during alone—necessitating rapid infrastructure expansion and operations under resource constraints, where environmental controls were minimal compared to modern standards. Assessments confirmed detections slightly above regulatory thresholds but no widespread , countering claims of severe endangerment absent empirical support beyond routine military legacies.

Federal and State Remediation Efforts

Following its designation under (BRAC) Round IV in 1995, the U.S. initiated at Camp Kilmer to address prior to property transfer, including excavation at identified hotspots and of protective caps over consolidated contaminated materials. These efforts, documented in federal environmental assessments from the late and early , focused on mitigating risks from historical military activities through targeted removal and , with land-use controls implemented to restrict future disturbance of remedied areas. The 's remedial actions also encompassed monitoring and treatment systems where volatile organic compounds were detected, achieving reductions in contaminant concentrations at select sites through extraction and on-site management. Five-year reviews by the U.S. of Engineers confirmed the efficacy of these measures in stabilizing conditions, though ongoing verification sampling indicated the need for sustained controls to prevent re-exposure. Oversight by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) supplemented federal efforts via administrative consent orders, enforcing compliance with state standards for excavation, capping, and monitoring at properties like the Ethel Road Complex within the former base. These orders facilitated partial successes, such as the installation of engineered caps over excavated soils deposited in designated areas like the Motor Pool site, thereby containing residual contaminants while enabling reuse under restricted conditions. Empirical data from post-remediation assessments show diminished hotspot extents, underscoring accountability in federal-state coordination without eliminating the requirement for periodic institutional controls.

Current Monitoring and Health Risks

As of October 2024, the Department of (NJDEP) and the U.S. Agency (EPA) maintain ongoing surveillance of the former Camp Kilmer site through long-term monitoring programs focused on , soil, and vapor intrusion. These efforts include semiannual sampling and analysis for contaminants such as volatile organic compounds and originating from historical operations, with results indicating isolated minor exceedances of regulatory standards but no evidence of widespread acute environmental or threats. Health risks at the site are primarily associated with potential chronic exposure to residual contaminants in reused areas, including portions converted to facilities and residential housing, though these are substantially mitigated by institutional controls such as use restrictions, soil caps on affected areas like soccer fields, and deed notices prohibiting certain land uses without further remediation. The EPA classifies the site as not posing a substantial potential risk under its Non-NPL () status, emphasizing that engineered barriers and monitoring protocols effectively limit pathways to human exposure. No population-level impacts, such as elevated cancer rates or acute incidents attributable to the site, have been documented in recent assessments. This monitoring framework reflects the inherent trade-offs at former military installations, where strategic contributions to national defense—such as refugee processing during the —necessitated activities that introduced localized contamination, now managed to prioritize reuse over unattainable environmental purity while containing hazards below thresholds of immediate concern. Five-year reviews by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, required under federal base realignment protocols, continue to validate the adequacy of these measures, with public access to reports ensuring transparency.

Notable Individuals and Events

Military Leaders and Personnel

The activation and initial operations of Camp Kilmer in June 1942 fell under the oversight of the New York Port of , commanded by General Kells, who directed staging activities across facilities including Kilmer to facilitate rapid troop deployment. This command structure enabled the camp to process 1,320,481 servicemen for overseas duty by the war's end, emphasizing logistical coordination for efficiency. In the post-World War II period, the camp's reactivation for mobilization in March 1951 was led by E. A. Henn as camp commander, who directed the reopening of key sections to accommodate incoming units and restore operational capacity within weeks. Henn's tenure focused on infrastructure rehabilitation and troop processing protocols, supporting the Army's expanded readiness demands. By 1954, Brigadier General Ralph Zwicker served as commandant of Camp Kilmer, managing garrison operations and unit training amid heightened military postures. Zwicker's leadership involved administrative oversight of the post's role in personnel staging, drawing on his prior combat experience in during .

Key Refugees and Their Contributions

One prominent refugee processed at Camp Kilmer was Andrew S. Grove, who fled amid the 1956 Soviet suppression of the revolution at age 20 and arrived in the United States via the camp's reception center. Grove, later known as Andy Grove, earned degrees in chemical engineering from and UC Berkeley before joining and co-founding Corporation in 1968, where he served as CEO from 1987 to 1998. Under his leadership, Intel pioneered of microprocessors, enabling the explosive growth of personal computing and solidifying U.S. dominance in semiconductors during the ; his strategic focus on execution and paranoia-driven management principles, outlined in his 1996 book Only the Paranoid Survive, influenced corporate America broadly. Gabor A. Somorjai, another who escaped in late 1956 with his wife, listed Camp Kilmer as their initial U.S. residence before relocating for studies at the , where he earned a Ph.D. in 1960. Somorjai became a pioneer in , developing techniques for atomic-level analysis of catalysts that advanced petroleum refining, automotive emissions control, and ; his research, spanning over 600 publications and numerous patents, contributed to breakthroughs in and , earning him the 2000 and membership in the . These and other skilled Hungarian refugees—often young professionals and intellectuals prioritized by the for resettlement—countered potential economic burdens through high employability and innovation; for instance, the cohort included engineers who bolstered NASA's programs and psychologists like Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, whose "flow" shaped . Their collective output, including patents in key technologies, enhanced U.S. scientific capacity against Soviet competition, validating the Eisenhower administration's emergency of over 37,000 as a net gain in .

References

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  25. https://livingstonalumni.org/timeline?print=print
  26. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/new-brunswick/sections/redevelopment/articles/rutgers-moving-forward-with-sale-of-camp-kilmer-land
  27. https://scarletandblack.rutgers.edu/archive/exhibits/show/namesakes/livingston
  28. https://www.rutgers.edu/news/livingston-campus-there-was-camp-kilmer
  29. https://sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu/2017/11/tracing-the-palimpsest-camp-kilmer-on-livingston-campus/
  30. https://www.thealpertgroup.com/properties/kilmer-homes/
  31. https://monarchhousing.org/housing-production/recent-projects/
  32. https://www.pennrose.com/news-views/news/2021/grand-opening-of-veterans-housing-at-former-army-camp-kilmer-base/
  33. https://thriven.design/project/kilmer-homes-i-ii/
  34. https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/development/2021/11/16/affordable-housing-nj-edison-officials-open-unit-families-vets/8625776002/
  35. https://patch.com/new-jersey/edison-metuchen/edison-opens-172-unit-affordable-housing-community-camp-kilmer
  36. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/edison/sections/government/articles/edison-council-extends-lease-agreement-for-homeless-shelter-to-2035
  37. https://patch.com/new-jersey/edison-metuchen/edison-extends-homeless-shelter-lease-agreement-catholic-charities
  38. https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2025/07/25/edison-moves-toward-long-term-lease-extension-with-homeless-shelter/85354680007/
  39. https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2024/10/24/environmental-oversight-continues-at-former-camp-kilmer-in-edison/75798355007/
  40. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/11146/chapter/9
  41. https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/Public-Notice-View/Article/492698/camp-kilmer-five-year-review/
  42. https://nj.gov/dep/srp/legal/archive.html
  43. https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0203426
  44. https://trailblazersww2.org/history_troopmovements_accounts_colliers.htm
  45. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM48235
  46. https://ethw.org/Oral-History:John_Vig
  47. https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2022/03/10/andy-grove-refugee-tech-pioneer-and-immigrant-entrepreneur/
  48. https://history.lbl.gov/Publications/today/2008/Apr/04-Fri/catalyst-pgs-7-9.pdf
  49. https://ahea.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/ahea/article/viewFile/255/440
  50. https://www.hungaryfoundation.org/56erhungariansinamerica/
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