Utah history is long and interesting; the state even played a role in World War II. During the war, more than 425,000 prisoners of war (POWs) were sent to camps all over the United States. Approximately 15,000 POWs were sent to Utah, and were housed in camps in Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Salina. The camps were staffed by American soldiers who were unable to fight overseas for reasons including those with physical or discipline issues.

The POW camp in Salina, known as Camp Salina was home to one soldier who had a long record of discipline problems, and in 1945, he went on a heinous killing spree, which would come to known as the Utah prisoner of war massacre and was the largest killing of enemy soldiers in the U.S. during the war.

In 1944, Camp Salina was opened. It housed 250 German POWs, who were sent there to help with the sugar beet harvest.
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook
The camp consisted of 43 large tents and three guard towers. It was a temporary camp to handle overflow from Fort Douglas and provide local labor.
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook
The German soldiers helped with the harvest, and residents in Salina reported that they were helpful and friendly. The war ended in May, 1945, but in July they were still waiting to be sent home to Germany.
CLSH/Google
Guard duty at a POW camp was not a preferred assignment, and many of the men at the camps around the country were bitter that they weren't fighting overseas. One man at the Salina Camp, Private Clarence V. Bertucci, was particularly upset that he hadn't been given the chance to fight against the Germans.
Linda Rawson/Google
A sixth-grade dropout, Private Bertucci was court-martialed twice during his service. He had ongoing discipline problems, and though he had been enlisted for more than five years, had never managed to raise his rank above that of a private.

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On July 7, 1945, Private Bertucci went to a bar in town and spent the evening drinking. He stopped in at a cafe before returning to camp, and told a waitress there that she would hear about something interesting happening at the camp that night.
CLSH/Google
At the start of his shift, Bertucci climbed up into a watchtower that was outfitted with a .30 caliber machine gun, then began firing into the tents full of German POWs. After 250 rounds, he was out of ammunition, and yelled, "Send up more ammo! I'm not done yet!"
The carnage was horrifying. Nine German POWs were killed, and 19 were seriously injured.
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook
Bertucci showed no remorse about his crime, and was later found to be insane. He was sent to a mental hospital in Brentwood, New York.
In 2016, a museum was built at the site of the POW camp. Visitors can see photos, memorabilia, and displays, and learn more about Utah history, particularly the history of the camp.
James S Turner/Google
The POWs who were killed were buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery. They were given full military honors. As soon as they were recovered enough to travel, the wounded men were sent home to Germany.
Frans R. Lambrechtsen/Google
The murder of the German soldiers was nicknamed "The Midnight Massacre," and the tragedy is the largest killing of enemy prisoners on U.S. soil during World War II.

 

So, did you know about Camp Salina and its ties to World War II? Ever visited the historic site and its accompanying museum? If so, what’d you think? Know of another interesting historic site in Utah or have a tidbit of Utah history you’d like to share? Whatever you have to say, we want to hear it, so share your thoughts with us.

Read to plan a visit to Camp Salina? For more information, check out the Camp Salina Facebook page, where you’ll find information on the site as well as operating hours and lots more.

Can’t get enough Utah history? Check out this historic small town in Utah. Small in size only, it’s so well preserved that it offers a glimpse into the past like no other.

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Camp Salina

Daniella DiRienzo | April 26, 2023

Are there any other POW camps in Utah?

During World War II, there were several prisoner of war (POW) camps in Utah that housed German and Italian prisoners of war. Here are a few of the POW camps in Utah:

  • Topaz War Relocation Center - The largest of the POW camps in Utah was the Topaz War Relocation Center, which was located in central Utah and held Japanese Americans who had been forcibly removed from their homes and communities and detained during the war.
  • Ogden POW Camp - Located near the city of Ogden in northern Utah, this POW camp was in operation from 1944 to 1946. It was designed to hold up to 250 German prisoners of war, who were typically housed in wooden barracks surrounded by barbed wire fences and guard towers.
  • Brigham City POW Camp – In operation from 1944 to 1946, the prisoners at this POW camp were put to work performing various tasks, such as agricultural labor or maintenance work at military installations.

 

What are the best historic attractions in Utah?

Utah history is rich and, because of such, the state is home to many fascinating historic attractions that visitors can explore. Here are some of the best historic attractions in Utah:

  • Temple Square - Located in downtown Salt Lake City, Temple Square is the spiritual and cultural center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The square features several historic buildings, including the Salt Lake Temple and the Tabernacle, and offers free tours and concerts.
  • Natural History Museum of Utah - This museum in Salt Lake City features exhibits on the natural history of Utah and the Intermountain West, including dinosaur fossils, Native American artifacts, and geological wonders.
  • This Is The Place Heritage Park - This park in Salt Lake City offers visitors the chance to step back in time to the pioneer era of the mid-1800s. It features historic buildings, reenactments, and hands-on activities.

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