Crowder State Park near Trenton, Mo., is named for the Missourian credited as being "founder of the draft." The 1,912-acre park features camping, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, picnic sites and a 20-acre lake for fishing and swimming.

The park's honoree, Enoch Herbert Crowder, was born in Edinburg, Mo., in 1859. After graduating from West Point in 1881, he obtained a law degree from the University of Missouri in 1886. His military career was spent as a member of the Judge Advocate Corps. Although promoted to brigadier general of Volunteers (now known as the Reserves) in 1901, it was February 1911 before he attained General Officer status in the regular Army. Brigadier General Crowder was then appointed judge advocate general of the Army, a post he held for 12 years. In that position he spearheaded a complete revision of the Manual for Courts-Martial, and was primarily responsible for drafting the Selective Service Act in 1917. He was promoted to major general in 1917. Upon his retirement from military service in 1923, he was named U.S. ambassador to Cuba, a position he held until 1927.

At the General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site in Laclede, you can tour the home where Pershing grew up, view a statue of the general, and explore exhibits chronicling his life. Nearby Pershing State Park was established in honor of the general and gives visitors the opportunity to explore shrub swamps, marshes and a 1,000-acre wet prairie. A campground and four small fishing lakes also are found in the 3,566-acre facility.

Born in Laclede, Mo., in 1860, John J. Pershing entered West Point at the age of 22. His military career took him from San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War, to the Philippines and Japan, to battles against the Mexican rebel Pancho Villa, and eventually to Europe. He served as commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I, where he played a decisive role in defeating Germany, culminating with the signing of the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. By act of Congress, in 1919 Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing was promoted to general of the Armies, the highest military rank ever held by an American soldier.

Exhibits honoring a general who led the largest body of American soldiers ever assembled under one field commander can be found at the General Omar N. Bradley Memorial in Moberly. Though born in Clark, Mo., Omar N. Bradley's home was just up the road in Moberly. At the close of World War I, Lt. Omar Bradley considered himself a professional failure, having spent the war in the United States, not on the battlefields of France. Twenty-six years later, after serving for a period under Gen. George S. Patton Jr., Bradley was given command of the 12th U.S. Army Group, with which he led the invasion of Normandy during World War II. The 12th Army Group totaled more than 1.3 million troops. In 1950, he was promoted to the five-star rank of general of the Army (one rank below Pershing's general of the Armies) and became the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

To discover more of Missouri's military destinations, battlefields and veterans' memorials, log on to www.VisitMO.com, or order your free copy of the 2006 Official Missouri Vacation Planner, by calling 800-519-4800.