Vintage Military T-Shirt – McCoy Officers’ Mess

Vintage Inspired Military Tee
Sizes: S-2XL
Colors: Yellow on Military Green and White on Forest Green
Fabric: Fine Jersey | 100% Cotton
Feel: Comfortable & Lightweight
Label: Tear Away
Care: Machine Wash Cold | Dry Low
Screen printed in Wisconsin

Also available: Camp McCoy Tree Design

A History of Fort McCoy

Click here to view a recent Wisconsin Veterans Museum Instagram post on the McCoy family: 
A Family Immersed in Military Service

A History of Fort McCoy (From the US Army History of Fort McCoy)

The Early Years

Fort McCoy began as a military camp for artillery training. Named after Maj. Gen. Robert Bruce McCoy, Sparta, WI, who recognized the impact that modern artillery would have on warfare. So he sought large enough areas where artillery training could be conducted.

In 1905, Maj. Gen. McCoy gained access to 4,000 acres in the area around Sparta. Then in September of that year, under the recommendations of Maj. Samuel Allen, the US Army conducted the first military training exercises there. Shortly thereafter, Allen recommended that the Army purchase this land.

Altogether, 14,000 acres were purchased in 1909 and named the Sparta Maneuver Tract.  It was divided into Camp Emory Upton, a maneuver camp in the north and Camp Robinson, an artillery camp in the south.

By 1910, the US War Department gave funds for construction and area improvements. Then on November 19, 1926, the site was officially designated Camp McCoy. By 1942, an additional 45,000 acres had been added.

Fort McCoy Today

In 1973, Camp McCoy became aligned in the US Army Forces Command. Then in 1974, officially became Fort McCoy.

Throughout the years, many different units trained at Camp McCoy, including the 2nd Infantry Division, the 76th Infantry Division, the 100th Infantry Battalion, among many others.  Since the 1980s, more than 100,000 military personnel annually have trained at Fort McCoy. Subsequently many would go on to serve in U.S. military engagements from Operations Desert Shield/Storm though the War on Terror.

Did You Know?

Fort McCoy offers many different activities to the public all year round.  For example,  the public can camp there. Also, McCoy has Whitetail Ridge Ski Area, a space dedicated to skiing and snowboarding. Supported by the National Ski Patrol, Whitetail Ridge has slopes with a vertical drop of 185′.   Additionally, spaces for snow tubing and cross-country skiing are offered.  Finally, Fort McCoy offers three paintball and laser-tag courses for the public to use.