This image is the cover for the book Fort Lesley J. McNair, Images of America

Fort Lesley J. McNair, Images of America

See how Fort Lesley J. McNair withstood the trials, tribulations and test of time and continues to protect our nation's capital today.


From southeast Washington, DC, where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers meet, Fort Lesley J. McNair still protects America's capital. In 1791, Pierre L'Enfant designated it as a military reservation. The post is the third oldest in continuous operation--as an arsenal, a penitentiary, a hospital, and now, a military education center. It was renamed in 1948 to honor Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair, who was killed in World War II. Over the course of two centuries, the fort has borne witness to the British ransacking during the War of 1812; a Civil War explosion that killed female arsenal workers; and the incarceration, trial, and hanging of Lincoln assassination conspirators.

Over time, it became the home of several artillery commands, the first federal penitentiary, the US Army Engineer School, the US Army Music School, the US Army War College and the US Army Band ("Pershing's Own"). Today, it has evolved into the National Defense University, Inter-American Defense College and the headquarters of the Military District of Washington.

John Michael

John Michael, a military historian, photographer, and heraldist, previously authored Fort Myer. His work, especially the collection Final Honors at Arlington National Cemetery, is world renowned. For the first time in one work, he has compiled photographs and stories from the Library of Congress and other collections, resulting in another milestone in his ongoing mission of preserving memories for others.

Arcadia Publishing