Grenade Training at Camp Adair, Oregon

During World War II, hand-grenade training was an important part of preparing American infantrymen for combat at Camp Adair, Oregon. Established north of Corvallis, Camp Adair trained four infantry divisions between 1942 and 1945: the 70th, 91st, 96th, and 104th Infantry Divisions. Soldiers received instruction in the weapons and combat skills they would need before deploying overseas.

The live-grenade courts

One of the most significant features of Camp Adair's wartime training landscape was its system of live-grenade courts. U.S. Army historical records identify three separate areas: Live Grenade Court East, Live Grenade Court No. 129, and Live Grenade Court West. Together, these sites covered approximately 75 acres and were used by the Army between 1942 and 1945.

These courts gave soldiers the opportunity to become familiar with the use of fragmentation grenades and to develop confidence in handling them under controlled military training conditions. The Army used both high-explosive grenades and practice grenades at the Camp Adair sites. Practice grenades helped soldiers learn the fundamentals, while live-grenade exercises exposed them to the seriousness and danger of using actual explosive weapons.

Grenade training was intended to prepare infantrymen for the realities of battlefield combat. A soldier might need to use a grenade when facing enemy positions, fighting around obstacles, or operating in terrain where ordinary rifle fire alone might not be sufficient.

Training for the battlefield

Grenade exercises formed part of a broader program of infantry preparation. Camp Adair's soldiers trained with small arms, explosives, mortars, antitank weapons, and other equipment. Their training was intended to prepare them for the physical and psychological demands of modern warfare.

For young men preparing to enter combat, throwing a live grenade would have been a particularly serious exercise. Unlike classroom instruction or practice with an inert training device, a live-grenade exercise involved a real explosive and required soldiers to follow Army safety procedures and instructor commands. The purpose was to build familiarity and confidence while reinforcing discipline under pressure.