The History Of The Famous Camp Atterbury Rock

by
posted on June 13, 2019
campatterbury-2020-2.jpg

The “Atterbury Rock” has been a symbol of Camp Atterbury (located near Edinburgh, IN) for well over 70 years. Over the years, this carved rock has become a monument to the troops that have been to the National Guard base and the greatness it represents. The rock was carved over three months during the summer by Libero Puccini (1924-2008), who was an Italian POW. He was in the hospital when his fellow POWs built the famous Camp Atterbury Chapel in the Meadow. (See Puccini pictured at the top of this article, along with the rock he carved that still stands today.)

About carving the eponymous rock at the base entrance, Puccini says, “We could have done it in three days, but we did it over three months. We wanted to stay here. People were bringing us drinks.”

Camp Atterbury Rock
The famed Atterbury Rock as it appears today, not much different than 75 years ago.


The origins of the carving had never been ascertained until Puccini came along. The annual pilgrimage to Indiana from Alabama for the reunion ranked among the highlights of his life. Puccini returned to Camp Atterbury for re-dedication ceremonies each year with his son until his passing in 2008. He made many friends at Camp Atterbury and was accepted by U.S. veterans as an equal, not the enemy.

The National Rifle Association of America plans to reunite the NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury in 2020 (Pistol, Smallbore and High Power Rifle), along with a new National Marksmanship Competition Center to be housed on site at this Indiana National Guard base in the near future.

Lead photo courtesy of 
Camp Atterbury/ING.

See more: 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Camp Atterbury.

Latest

Sauerland Dryfire Tips 2
Sauerland Dryfire Tips 2

Axioms Of Dry-Fire Training

USPSA competitor Joey Sauerland discusses dry-fire training for practical shooting.

Burrell Wins Sporter Title At 2025 JROTC 3-P Nationals

Burrell, Wells win sporter, precision titles at 2025 JROTC National Championship.

Wakefield Team Match Results 2025

The U.S. Wakefield Team is selected from the top 10 iron-sight shooters at the National Smallbore Metric Championships.

Daniel Horner Tops Tactical Leaderboard At 2025 Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Competition

Daniel Horner of Team SIG wins Tactical division at 2025 SMM 3-Gun match with score of 534.76.

Shooting Fitness With Justine Williams

This successful USPSA competitor trains daily for competition.

USA Shooting Shotgun Athletes Shine At 2025 Junior CAT Games

USA Shooting’s Junior Shotgun team victorious at 2025 Junior CAT Games in Barbados.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.