Camp Matthews was a Marine Corps rifle
training post near La Jolla. All Marines had to pass the "Record
Day" qualifications. The rifle was the 1903 Springfield.
Later the M1 Garand became the standard rifle for American troops.
The Camp was named in honor of Brigadier General Calvin Bruce
Matthews, a trophy rifle marksman.
In the winter of 1918, the Marines established their new rifle
range about 13 miles north of San Diego and just east of La Jolla.
The range was built under the direction of Brigadier General
Earl C. Long, who was then a Captain. Initially, five or six
Marines were stationed at what became known as Rifle Range, Marine
Corps Base, San Diego.
Captain Karl J. Busse became the facility's first commanding
officer in 1921, and the first permanent structure, the headquarters
building, was erected in 1927.
During World War II thousands of Marines, Navy and Army troops
trained at Matthews. New service buildings were built to accommodate
the increased output of training personnel. The Marine Corps
Gazette, stated that while at Matthews, " a Marine talks,
thinks, lives and practices shooting from early morning until
late at night. Everyone is put through the paces on numerous
ranges, from distances of 50 to 1,000 yards. The men shoot in
standing, kneeling, sitting, off-hand and prone positions, firing
more and more each day until the full course is fired on record
day."
In 1964, the site of Camp Matthews was turned over to the University
of California: The Marine Corps relocated rifle training to Camp
Pendleton in Oceanside, California.
Reference: Traditions, San Diego's
Military Heritage, June 1994, Vol. 1, No. 1. pg. 3. La Jolla,
San Diego County.
Camp
Matthews
by CW2 Mark Denger
California Center for Military
History
Up to World War II the camp
had no name and was known simply as the Marine Rifle Range, La
Jolla, and fell under the command of Marine Corps Base, San Diego.
The camp was officially designated Camp Matthews on March 23,
1942 in honor of Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier General)
Calvin B. Matthews, USMC., a distinguished Marine marksman of
the 1930s period.
Camp Matthews continued
to serve as the firing range for the Marines with a permanent
garrison of 700 men. In March 1942, a new administrative building
was ready for occupancy, along with a large mess hall, a post
office, swimming pool and outdoor theater.
Marine Corps recruitment
following Pearl Harbor so taxed the ranges limited facilities,
that some 5,000 Marines who enlisted shortly after Pearl Harbor,
had to be rushed to an Army camp at San Luis Obispo for their weapons training. During the peak of
the war as many as 9,000 men were rushed through the range every
three weeks. The rifle range was also used by Marine Aviation
units, as well as Army and Navy units.
Camp Matthews continued
to function through the Korean War and into the 1960s. In May
1963 it was necessary for the Marines to discontinue using one
of their 65 target ranges because of civilian encroachment and
consequent safety hazards. Finally it was decided to relocate
Camp Matthews and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot's weapons training
to Camp Pendleton.
Closing ceremonies occurred
at Camp Matthews on 21 August 1964 and 46 years of Marine training
at that portion of the San Diego Marine Base came to an end.
California State Military
Department