MCLB Barstow was established on December 28, 1942, when the U. S. Navy turned it over to the Marine Corps. It had originally been planned as a naval supply depot, but the Chief of Naval Operations directed that the facility be transferred to the Marine Corps as a storage site for supplies and equipment needed for the Fleet Marine Forces in the Pacific theater during World War II. It was then known as the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies and was under the military command of the Commanding General, Marine Corps Depot of Supplies in San Francisco, CA. The first local commander was Major David F. Ross. The land was purchased from several individuals, including the family of Walter Ross, whose tomb is located on the base in the Nebo area and is given perpetual care by the Marine Corps. By the end of WWII in 1945, the depot had outgrown it original facilities. In October of 1946, a 2,000-acre holding and re-consignment point belonging to the Army was annexed by the depot. Located 3 miles west of the town of Yermo, this became the Yermo-Annex. In 1954 the Commanding General, Marine Corps Depot of Supplies, moved his flag from San Francisco to Barstow. Since that time, the Logistics Base has grown in stature, strength and size. On November 1, 1978, the base was re-designated to its present title to emphasize its broad support mission. The base is divided into 2 areas, Nebo and the Yermo Annex. The base headquarters as well as administrative, storage, shopping, recreational and housing facilities are located at Nebo. Nebo is a Biblical word, and at one time, on the site where the base headquarters is now located, Mormon settlers organized the Nebo Sheep Company. Then the railroad came and when a name was needed for the railhead, Nebo was chosen. Thus, when the base was activated in 1942, its railhead name was Nebo, which has been translated to mean "Little Shepherd." History tells us that at least 3 Indian tribes lived in and around the Barstow-Yermo area. The word Yermo, according to longtime residents of the town of Yermo, is an Indian word meaning "Desert Flower." (MC)3 repair facility is located at the Yermo Annex as well as the base stables, Obregon Park, and the bulk of Fleet Support Division's outdoor storage.
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