In June 1942, the War Department authorized the building of Camp Hereford on a section of land along the border of Castro and Deaf Smith counties.

The War Department purchased 330 acres (1.3 km2) of farmland from Loyal B. Holland for $14,375, and bought a neighboring half-section of land from Walter N. Hodges for $16,475;[2] ground was broken in July 1942.

[3] The federal government awarded the building contract to the Russell J. Brydan Company of Dallas, with architectural design by the Fort Worth firm of Freese and Nichols; construction was supervised by the Army Corps of Engineers.

[6] Upon completion, Camp Hereford was capable of housing 4,800 enlisted men, 1,000 officers, and the American soldiers needed to operate the facility.

[3] Although the buildings were not designed to be permanent structures, Camp Hereford was constructed as a maximum security facility and precautions were made to prevent escape.

[6] Once in camp, after being fed and allowed to shower, the prisoners experienced a restless few days in which they were assigned barracks, vaccinated, examined by a doctor, interviewed, and given a serial number.

"[18] In September 1943 the Allied forces and the Kingdom of Italy signed the Armistice of Cassibile, and the government of Pietro Badoglio subsequently declared war on Germany in October.

In return for their loyalty, the men who joined these units were removed from the prison camps and sent to military bases around the country in need of labor.

[25] Prisoners from Camp Hereford performed all types of agricultural work in the surrounding community including processing carrots, picking cotton, and sacking potatoes and onions.

[27] The prisoners were not allowed to have any real money in their possession[24] so they received their monthly credits, and wages for any paid work, in scrip which could be redeemed at the canteen or post exchange.

Stationery, toiletries, additional clothing, playing cards, magazines, as well as cigarettes, tobacco and other smoking supplies could also be bought at the canteen.

[35][36] In July 1943, a reporter for the Amarillo Daily News detailed the three courses that were served that day: breakfast consisted of cereal, fruit, eggs, milk, bread, tea, and apple butter.

[36] Around the same time, a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram found the prisoners had "chicken cacciatore, peas, spaghetti with sauce, bread, cake and coffee"[35] for their noon-day meal.

Bacon, eggs, raisins, and bread had been served with coffee and milk for breakfast, and for supper they were to have baked beans, beets, and a salad.

With their rations reduced and food items from the canteen strictly cut back[44] the prisoners were forced to find supplemental calories anywhere they could.

Army Sergeant John Coyle, who provided transportation for prison laborers, would shoot jackrabbits in local farmers' fields in between trips to and from the camp.

At the end of their workday, Coyle would give the prisoners a few dressed rabbits which they smuggled into camp beneath their pants, tied tightly to their thighs.

[47] Reverend Achilles Ferreri, the camp priest, passed his concerns about the reduced rations along to the Bishop of Amarillo, Laurence Julius FitzSimon.

As a result of this letter, and various prisoner complaints that escaped the notice of censors, a military investigation into the conditions at Camp Hereford was launched involving the Italian ambassador, the International Red Cross, the Diocese of Amarillo, and the Provost Marshal General's office.

[50] Although not obligated by the Geneva Conventions, recreational equipment and entertainment was provided to the inmates at Camp Hereford under the assumption that happier prisoners were more easily controlled and incarcerated.

Additional equipment and supplies were provided by non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross and the YMCA, or purchased by the prisoners themselves with the profits from canteen sales.