Rep. Craig Announces Savage’s Designation as a World War II Heritage City

October 20, 2026 Press Release EAGAN, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that the National Park Service (NPS) has officially designated Savage, Minnesota a World War II (WWII) Heritage City, recognizing the city for its outstanding contributions during WWII and the community’s commitment to preserving its rich history. Rep. Craig penned a letter of support to NPS last April, urging the agency to recognize Savage for its wartime contributions. “The City of Savage and its residents played a critical role during World War II, and today, they are finally getting the recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Craig . “Whether it was offering translation services, building ships or distributing supplies to aid the war effort, folks in Savage went above and beyond to show their patriotism and commitment to America’s national security. I am proud that the National Park Service is designating Savage a World War II Heritage City and cementing its place in our nation’s history.” From 1942-1944, Camp Savage was home to the secret Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) where 6,000 Nisei American soldiers were trained in military intelligence and linguistics, significantly aiding U.S. forces throughout every campaign and major battle in the Asia Pacific. According to Major General Charles Willoughby, the Nisei linguist soldiers helped shorten the Pacific war by two years, saving roughly one million American lives. After the victory in the Pacific, MISLS-trained linguists helped translate more than 20 million pages of documents and played a crucial role in postwar war crimes trials. The City of Savage was also home to the Savage Shipyard, converted by Cargill to employ over 3,500 workers. The shipyard built 18 ships for the Navy and four tugboats for the Army, receiving an Army-Navy “E” award for excellence in the production of war equipment. The City of Savage is unique in Minnesota for its preservation of heritage and legacy. Savage has established a memorial to Camp Savage and the MISLS at the Scott County Library. In addition, the Scott County Historical Society has been critical in cataloguing and preserving Savage’s wartime contributions. ###