During World War II, Camp Patrick Henry, located near Newport News, Virginia, played a significant role in the war effort. Originally established as a staging area for troops heading overseas, the camp was a bustling site where soldiers waited for deployment to Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. At its height, the camp housed over 300,000 troops, serving as a major point of departure for the U.S. Army. While most of Camp Patrick Henry no longer exists today, its legacy remains—and with it, numerous stories of ghostly soldiers and unexplained phenomena.

Although the camp’s physical structures are mostly gone, the surrounding area has earned a reputation for being haunted, with local legends describing the spirits of soldiers who never made it back from the war and the lingering presence of those who passed through its gates. These spectral figures are said to still patrol the grounds, their voices and footsteps heard long after the last soldier left.

The History of Camp Patrick Henry

Camp Patrick Henry was established in 1942 as a military base and transportation hub for American soldiers heading overseas during World War II. Located near the Newport News Shipyard and adjacent to the city’s vast port system, the camp was named after Revolutionary War patriot Patrick Henry. It featured barracks, mess halls, and training facilities, as well as a hospital to treat wounded soldiers returning from the front lines.

The camp operated at full capacity throughout the war and remained active until 1946, after which it was decommissioned and largely demolished. The land was later repurposed for civilian use, and the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and surrounding areas now occupy much of the former camp’s grounds.

Despite its transformation, stories of paranormal activity have persisted in the years since the camp’s closure, particularly in the area near the former barracks and hospital.

Ghostly Soldiers Marching

One of the most enduring ghost stories from the site of Camp Patrick Henry involves the phantom soldiers said to still march through the area at night. Locals have reported seeing shadowy figures walking in formation, particularly in the wooded areas surrounding the former campgrounds. These figures are often described as wearing military uniforms, though their faces remain obscured in the darkness.

The most commonly reported sightings occur near what was once the main parade grounds. Witnesses have claimed to see groups of soldiers marching in silence, as if performing drills, only to disappear when approached. Some have described the figures as having an almost “foggy” appearance, blending into the mist that frequently covers the area in the early morning hours. These apparitions are typically seen in the distance, often vanishing as soon as they are noticed.

In addition to visual sightings, some people have reported hearing the sound of boots striking the ground, marching in unison, even when no one is visible. These sounds are often heard late at night, long after the area has quieted down. Paranormal investigators who have visited the site in recent years have attempted to capture evidence of these ghostly processions, though no definitive recordings have been made.

Voices in the Night

Another common phenomenon associated with the former Camp Patrick Henry involves disembodied voices. Local residents and visitors have reported hearing faint conversations, often in the dead of night, near the remnants of the camp. These voices are usually described as male and are sometimes accompanied by indistinct laughter or the sound of distant talking, as though soldiers are gathered around a campfire or preparing for deployment.

One of the most chilling reports involves the sound of a bugle, often heard at dusk or dawn. The bugle, traditionally used to signal the start or end of the day at military camps, has been heard echoing across the fields where the barracks once stood, despite no physical presence. Those who have heard it describe the sound as distant but clear, evoking images of soldiers lining up for roll call, long after the camp has ceased to exist.

The hospital site, where many wounded soldiers were treated upon their return from combat, is also said to be a hotspot for paranormal activity. People have reported hearing moans, coughs, and faint cries for help coming from the area where the hospital once stood, though the structure was demolished long ago. These sounds are fleeting and often vanish before anyone can investigate.

The Residual Energy of Wartime

Many who have studied the paranormal believe that locations like Camp Patrick Henry—which saw so much human activity, fear, hope, and tragedy—can retain “residual energy.” This type of haunting is often described as a replay of past events, with spirits or sounds repeating the actions they performed in life, unaware of the living world around them. In the case of Camp Patrick Henry, the ghostly soldiers seen marching in formation or heard speaking in hushed tones may be such residual hauntings, their spirits stuck in the routines they followed during the war.

The immense emotional weight carried by the soldiers—many of whom were preparing to go to battle for the first time, unsure if they would return—could explain the presence of such energy. The camp was not just a place of preparation, but a place of farewell for many soldiers who never made it back home. For some, the uncertainty and fear experienced during their time at the camp may have imprinted on the land itself, leaving behind an echo of their presence.

Modern-Day Reports

Although Camp Patrick Henry is no longer an active military site, its reputation as a haunted location has persisted. Local ghost tours and paranormal enthusiasts have explored the area, hoping to experience the ghostly phenomena firsthand. While much of the land has been developed for civilian use, those familiar with the camp’s history say that it’s not uncommon to hear stories from airport workers or visitors who sense something eerie in the air.

In addition to the reported ghostly sightings and sounds, there have been occasional mentions of cold spots—sudden drops in temperature that cannot be explained by the weather—particularly near the old camp’s periphery. These cold spots, which are often associated with the presence of spirits in paranormal folklore, add to the mystery surrounding the site.

Conclusion

Though Camp Patrick Henry is now largely a memory, its ghostly legacy lives on. The stories of phantom soldiers, disembodied voices, and unexplained sounds paint a picture of a place where the past has not fully faded. Whether these reports are the result of residual hauntings or simply the imagination fueled by the area’s wartime history, the former site of Camp Patrick Henry continues to be a place where history and the supernatural seem to overlap.