When land started to run out in central Massachusetts, the state’s National Guard units began to search for sufficient space on which to hold their annual training. They found what they needed on Cape Cod. This land would become Camp Edwards and later the Massachusetts Military Reservation and the Otis Air National Guard Base. When World War II loomed, the reservation became a significant training area for units heading overseas, a proving ground for amphibious operations landing vehicles and equipment, and a major duty station in the lives of thousands of America’s military men and women.

Donald J. Cann served in the U.S. Army and works as a park ranger for the National Park Service at the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. John J. Galluzzo leads public programming for the Massachusetts Audubon Society and has authored more than 30 books on coastal American history. Together they have written six previous titles for Arcadia Publishing, including Squantum and South Weymouth Naval Air Stations.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.