FORT RILEY HISTORY
Fort Riley was initially established for what purpose?
ANSWER: As a military post to protect the movement of people and trade over the Oregon-California and Santa Fe trails.
What event occurred in early 1855 that took 70 lives including that of Captain Edmund Ogden?
ANSWER: Outbreak of Cholera
Who was the first commander of Camp Funston?
ANSWER: Major General Leonard Wood
In what year was the first hospital erected?
ANSWER: 1854
When was the current hospital dedicated?
ANSWER: February 7, 1958
For whom was the post named?
ANSWER: Major General Bennet C. Riley, who led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail in 1829.
In the early stages of the Civil War, what was Fort Riley used for?
The fort was used to confine confederate prisoners.
What heavyweight boxing champion trained at Fort Riley during World War II?
ANSWER: Sergeant Joe Louis
Where was the first hospital located?
ANSWER: Near the present-day Cavalry Museum and Patton Hall.
Irwin Community Hospital is named after whom?
ANSWER: Brigadier General Bernard John Dowling Irwin
On what date was Fort Riley officially established?
ANSWER: 27 June 1853
The 10th Cavalry Regiment, "Buffalo Soldiers", was stationed at Fort Riley during 1868 and later in 1913. For what purpose did they return to Fort Riley during the 1920's and 30's?
To be Cadre for the Cavalry School
The first permanent hospital was erected in what year?
ANSWER: 1855
Brigadier General Irwin is nicknamed "The Fighting Doctor" for what reason?
ANSWER: He received the Congressional Medal of Honor for distinguished gallantry in action during and engagement with the Chiricahua Indians near Apache Pass, Arizona in February 1861.
The precursor to Fort Riley was named Camp Center for what reason?
Surveyors at that time believed the camp to be near the center of the United States.
When did the first mechanized cavalry brigade arrive at Fort Riley?
ANSWER: October 1938
Where is the current location of the first permanent hospital?
ANSWER: The Post/Cavalry Museum
What does the blue, red, and white design of the encircling band of the hospital crest represent?
ANSWER: It represents the colors of the first design of the Medal of Honor, awarded to BG Irwin.
In early 1855, construction of the new fort was under the supervision of whom?
ANSWER: Captain Edmund Ogden
When was the last tactical horse unit inactivated at Fort Riley?
ANSWER: March 1947
The second permanent hospital was built in 1888 and served as the Post main medical facility until what year?
ANSWER: 1957
What does the sword, interlaced with the crossed arrows commemorate?
ANSWER: It commemorates General Irwin's gallantry when he took command of a unit to rescue a detail surrounded by an Apache war party.