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Nurses, cooks, mule packers, tank battalions, a Greek infantry battalion, and an Italian ordnance company - literally soldiers of every variety - trained at Camp Carson during the war years. Camp Carson was also home to nearly 9,000 Axis prisoners of war - mostly Italians and Germans. The internment camp at Camp Carson opened on the first day of 1943. These POWs alleviated the manpower shortage in Colorado by doing general farm work, canning tomatoes, cutting corn, and aiding in logging operations on Colorado's Western Slope.
Between 1942 and 1956, pack mules were a common sight at Camp Carson. The first shipment arrived by train from Nebraska in July 1942. The mules were used by Field artillery (Pack) battalions to carry equipment, weapons and supplies over mountainous terrain. The most famous of these animals was [[Hambone]], the pride of the [[4th Field Artillery Regiment]]. For 13 years, he carried First Sergeants up Ute Pass to [[Camp Hale]]. Camp Hale, located near [[Leadville, Colorado]] was where the Army conducted cold weather and mountain warfare training. Hambone died in March 1971, and was buried with full military honors.
Activity at Camp Carson was greatly reduced following the end of World War II. By April 1946, the military strength at the Mountain Post had dropped to around 600. It appeared that Camp Carson would be closed. With the onset of the Korean War however, activity once again increased. Many Reserve and National Guard units were called to active duty and stationed at Camp Carson during this time.
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