The Camp Atterbury Rock

Carved Rocks at Camp Atterbury

The 1537th SU Rock

The Italian Prisoners of War carved a second rock, originally located in what was the guard's cantonment area, east of the POW compound. IT was approximately 50 feet east and 20 feet south of the southeast corner of Mills Road and Garrison Road. This was in the yard area of barracks building 3019. The rock is inscribed "Atterbury Internment Camp - 1537th SU, 12-15-42.

The 1537th Service Unit, Army Service Forces, was activated 15 December 1942 and was the Guard & Administration Unit for the POW camp. On 1 February 1945, the 1537th was re-designated the 1560th Service Command Unit, Army Service Forces. The 1560th SU was the Post Garrison Unit.

The rock was moved to its present location, near the Italian Prisoner of War built "Chapel in the Meadow, where it may be seen today.

The A. S. Rock

This rock was mentioned in an issue of the 1942 Camp Crier with an award offered to anyone who might know the meaning of the large letters, "A.S." that were carved into the boulder. It originally stood near the Judge Advocate's Office, and some have speculated that it stood for "Atterbury Security". But the true meaning is un-known, as is the present location of the rock. Near its original location, is now a huge dug lake near the now Hoosier Horse Park. It may be at the bottom.

The Camp Atterbury Rock

The Camp Atterbury "rock" was originally almost completely buried near the West bank of the drainage ditch North of Hospital Road and East of Durbin Street, at a point approximately due East of Building 350. This would have been on the farm of Mr. Ira Pritchard, one of the first land-owners forced to move. The late Mr. Francis Lutes and his son, Bill Lutes, of Nashville, were contract construction workers during the initial excavation work and assisted in digging the rock up and dragging it to it's present location. The area from which the rock was removed was being cleared and leveled preparatory to construction of a grenade practice court and a bayonet instruction court (ref. Drawing TA - 3, dtd August 1942, Post Engineer)

The rock was drug to its present location at the intersection of Hospital Road and Edinburg Street, in February or March of 1942 with the initial purpose of getting it out of the way and the intention of using it for some form of monument at a later date.

According to Bill Lutes recollection, the Italian POW's didn't actually carve the rock until a year and a half later. If correct, this may indicate that the carving was done after the Italian surrender on 8 September 1943. (The Italian POWs were here until 4 May 1944.)

During the official unveiling of the rock, Army officials were a little surprised to see the "Italian Dagger" in the middle of the date.

The rock was carved by Mr. Libero Puccin.

Click here for his story.

Article by Sgt. Hinds, Post Historian