World War II history of NSD Clearfield, Utah

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, March-April, 2003 by Greg R. Johnson

An interesting footnote about the NSD Clearfield railway is that the rails used were drawn from the tracks at Promontory Point for use at the Clearfield depot. In their own way these rails that had unified the nation at the driving of the golden spike in 1869 were now helping to win the war by speeding shipments of urgently needed supplies to the fleet.

While most shipments were sent by mail, critical requirements could be expedited by air shipment from nearby Hill Army Air Field or from the Salt Lake Airport. Shipments could arrive at the West Coast in a matter of hours. This was a precursor of the overnight air shipments that we today take for granted.

World War II introduced many new logistical concepts that helped to win the war against Japan. Without the efforts of the dedicated personnel assigned to NSD Clearfield this logistical campaign to support the Pacific Fleet would have been immensely more difficult. The logistical lessons learned in this campaign are still in use today as the U.S. Navy prosecutes the War on Terror. The former employees and veterans of NSD Clearfield can take comfort in the thought that their efforts helped to make possible the victorious conclusion of the Pacific campaign.

Commander Greg R. Johnson, SC, USNR Logistics Planner, Logistics TaskForce Pacific

CDR Greg Johnson is a DAWIA Level II Certified Contract Negotiator at the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in his civilian career.