Fox Hills Army Camp

Fox Hills Army Camp

  • <p>"Fox Hills Base Hospital Rosebank, Staten Island, N.Y. [aerial view]" Courtesy of the Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy. New York Public Library Digital Collections.</p> <p>http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-cb1f-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99</p>
  • <p>"Port Company trainees receive instructions on land training ship, Fox Hills Cantonment, S.I." 1944. Courtesy of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs. New York Public Library Digital Collections.</p> <p>http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c597ca6c-a078-c97f-e040-e00a18061e13</p>
  • <p>"Port Company trainees receive instructions on land training ship, Fox Hills Cantonment, S.I." 1944. Courtesy of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs. New York Public Library Digital Collections.</p> <p>http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c3f32792-cde3-956e-e040-e00a180653c0</p>

During the Second World War Fox Hills was home to between 4-5000 African American troops. They were stevedores involved in shipping supplies to the European war effort. Racial tensions rose in the area around the base.

In early 1945 a crime wave occurred in the vicinity of the Fox Hills base including robbery and assault, and culminated in the rape of a local widow. All the crimes were allegedly committed by GIs from the base. A Grand Jury was convened and heard testimony. The Army was blamed for a lack of discipline and recreation for the troops stationed on Staten Island. The Army set about building a club and brought Joe Louis, world's heavyweight boxing champion, and 3 other fighters to Fox Hills for a morale building mission through athletics. The Army also committed to moving five companies to other bases.

Read about the alleged crimes in the articles below.

  • <p>Staten Islanders Ask Closing of Army Camp. The Central New Jersey Home News, 18 Mar 1945, p18.</p>
  • <p>U.S. Jury Probes S.I. Crime Wave. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 20 Mar 1945, p2.</p>
  • <p>Inspect 4000 Negro GI's for Rapist's Bitten Hand. Daily News, 15 Mar 1945, p252.</p>
  • <p>Probers Blame Army for S.I. Outbreaks. Daily News, 4 Apr 1945, p18.</p>
  • <p>5 Negro Units to Leave S.I. in Rape Sequel. Daily News, 16 Mar 1945, p226.</p>
  • <p>"Red Cross Guest House Where the Folks Meet Their Boys, U.S.A. General Hospital No. 41, Fox Hills, Staten Island, N.Y." Courtesy of the Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy. New York Public Library Digital Collections.</p> <p>http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-cb1e-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99</p>