Rediscovering Fort Knox

By Matthew Rector, Fort Knox Cultural ResourcesOctober 26, 2018

"Friendliness is Fort Knox" banner
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pumpkin
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"It's Fun to be Friendly" bumper sticker
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Barbara Greer, who worked in the Post Comptrollers's Office, displays her "It's Fun to be Friendly" bumper sticker. The colorful stickers were part of Project Friendliness, an October 1971 campaign which aimed to make Fort Knox a happier place t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Project Friendliness Month was a unique program spearheaded by Fort Knox's post commander, Major General William R. Desobry, in October 1971.

"The whole idea is just to get people thinking, to treat others with courtesy and respect," Desobry explained in an interview with the Courier-Journal. He went on to say, "This whole friendliness thing fits into my idea of how the modern volunteer Army should work."

Colorful signs, bumper stickers, and buttons were produced to promote the campaign which aimed to make Fort Knox a happier place to live and work. This included a large "Friendliness is Fort Knox" banner that was posted above the US 31W Brandenburg Station Road overpass. A contest recognized ten members from the Fort Knox community for their friendliness. The first place winner received a $25 US Savings Bond and the second place winner was given a seat on the commanding general's helicopter for a tour of the Post. The project was contagious and the nearby community of Vine Grove soon proclaimed November as their "Friendliness Month."

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