Stockton Field: History

History of
Stockton Field
Stockton, California

Note: This is a transcription of the original account by Sgt. Pete Pinkerton, entitled "History of Stockton Field" as it appeared in the March 17, 1945 edition of The Twin Prop -- official weekly newspaper of Stockton Field throughout most of World War II.

The first phase of Stockton Field's mission has been accomplished.

And behind the success of that mission lies a great story. In effect, it is the story of America's progress in the air. It is the inspiring story of patriotic Americans, military and civilian alike, realizing the need for a gigantic air force, quickly building a school to train thousands of the pilots who are today blasting the Axis into oblivion. It is the almost-romantic story of the teaching of class after class of cadets, maturing them into efficient, capable pilots, many of whose exploits, skill and daring have won us victory in the skies the world over.

The story of Stockton Field, in fact, is the story of Americans determined to win this war! That story will continue as the field enters the second phase of its mission--that of serving the ATC.

In Five Short Years . . .

Five years ago a small municipal airport was in business where Stockton Field now stands. At that time there were a few civilian places on the stubby flight line and the only building was an out-dated adobe hanger. From these meager surroundings, Stockton Field grew to become the oldest advanced flying school in the WFTC. Today it is a vast installation with some three-score buildings drawn up in neat, military lines. In addition, Stockton Field has four satellite fields located in the general vicinity.

Brigadier General Leo A. Walton, then a colonel, arrived here on August 31, 1940, to assume duties as the first CO of the field.

It was on Dec. 5, 1940, that the first groups of GI's disembarked from a convoy of Army trucks to take over the small, muddy field. The troops spent an amphibious first three months in shelter halves. Every effort to level the field and construct buildings for housing men and equipment progressed slowly under winter rains as machines bogged down in quagmires and torrents of water literally swamped all attempts at improving facilities.

Population Begins to Grow

Bt the end of that first dreary month a headquarters was established and 93 Cadets and 25 second Lieutenants had arrived. Flight instruction then started on Jan. 2, 1941, with a total strength of eight AT-6's.

On Jan. 11, 1941, the field was officially dedicated and two days later, was designated by the War Department as Stockton Field.

Five weeks after the arrival of the first class of cadets, the population of Stockton Field had been raised to the 1,300 mark with 177 officers. Three Air Corps squadrons were organized--the 68th Air Base Group to operate the post and schools and to furnish the principal officers and all flying instructors, and the 80th and 81st School Squadrons to provide men to overhaul and maintain the planes.

More Planes Arrive

Once a start had been made, the job of making this an outstanding school in the Air Force advanced rapidly. More planes arrived, until a fleet of 62 ships stood on the flight line. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, craftsmen and artisans worked in unison to transform the once deserted airport into its present state of development.

At the same time, flight instruction continued steadily until the first graduation was held here on March 14, 1941, and the first class of cadets were commissioned Second Lieutenants and became charter members of the air heroes who call Stockton Field their Alma Mater.

Still Stockton Field continued to grow. On April 28, 1941, it attained its full complements of commissioned officers, cadets, enlisted men and civilian employees. On Nov. 5, nine twin-engine planes arrived from Barksdale, La., and courses in the operation of medium bombers were added to the curriculum. By the end of the year, aerial traffic had outgrown the original capacity of the field and an 800 by 3600-foot runway, costing about $650,000 was completed, allowing eight times more traffic than when the school was established a year before.

Stockton Field's second year of existence was marked by continued rapid growth and development to meet the challenge presented by America's entrance into the war. The physical plant of the field was rushed to completion and the complement of the post reached its peak during the last month of 1942. Cadet classes also increased greatly in size until more than 2000 men completed their pilot training and were commissioned as flying officers during the year.

Those Taught Teach Others

On May 11, 1942 Col. Walton was assigned to Santa Ana Army Base and Col. Lloyd H. Tull assumed the duties of CO of this station.

During this time, Stockton Field did its share by contributing substantially to the expansion of the Western Flying Training Command. Many cadres left Stockton to activate new fields and many officers trained and commissioned at Stockton Field were sent as flying instructors to newly activated pilot schools.

The effectiveness of the flying training given at Stockton Field was attested by the combat records of its graduates. Eleven of the officers who accompanied General Doolittle on his historic bombing of Tokyo April 18, 1942, had won their wings at this post while many other graduates were cited for their skill and daring in the performance of other combat missions.

Stockton Field met the challenge of war in other ways. In the early summer of 1942, when the Japs took the Aleutians and enemy bombings were imminent, it served as a tactical base for combat planes. Also, during the latter part of the year, Stockton Field played an important part in the recruiting and training of enlisted specialists.

Wacs Arrive; PLM Organized

Early 1943 brought a feminine touch to Stockton Field with the arrival of the first contingent of Wacs on April 19. Fight-eight khaki-skirted soldiers took their places with enlisted men in the job of training pilots. Eighty-four more arrived May 9 to assume their share of the work load and release more me for other duties.

Airplane maintenance underwent a major change with the introduction of a production line maintenance organization on April 3, 1943. By the end of the first year of operation, PLM had set a new record in plane maintenance when a peak of 173 ships were inspected in one week and a high of 31 planes went the the maintenance lines in one day.

This work, with the cooperation of the line and shop engineering personnel, earned for Stockton Field the only "superior" rating awarded any station in the WFTC for the period and has given the local air base the distinction of having one of the most efficient maintenance organizations in all the 11 Western States.

Begin Weekly Radio Show

On August 6, 1943, Stockton Field Wacs were sworn in as members of the regular Army in an impressive induction ceremony near the band shell. A week later, the Twin Prop made its first appearance on the field in spite of many mechanical difficulties. Also, during this month, the Cadet Club, sponsored by Stockton citizens was dedicated as a haven of relaxation for field flyers.

The PRO inaugurated a weekly radio program in the summer of 1943 which was broadcast over local station for approximately 26 weeks. The program featured exploits of overseas returnees and dramatized historic events of this present conflict. In October, a spacious recreation hall was completed and dedicated to the EM of Stockton Field. Considered on of the finest clubrooms on the coast, this hall has been the setting for numerous squadron parties.

Early in 1944, Col. Tull was assigned to Washington, D.C. and Col. James H. Higgs was transferred from Fort Sumner, N.M. to assume duties as CO of the field.

Early in March, a new group of EM arrived at Stockton Field, to be instructed by line squadrons and Post Schools. These men were known as On-Line-Trainees and were given military, physical and mechanical training in both theory and practice.

Graduation Goes Hollywood

In May of 1944, all squadrons, detachments, and miscellaneous organizations of Stockton Field were consolidated into the 3033rd AAFBU to conduct administrative, operational and training functions of the field. Also, during this month, cadet graduation was filmed by 20th Century Fox and was later seen in production of "Winged Victory."

In early August, Col. Higgs was named CO of Hobbs Field, N.M., and Col. Charles Backers, veteran of Bataan, was appointed the new CO.

September of 1944 found the field with an acute shortage of manpower. To overcome this problem, the OLTs were screened through classification and all with special skills were assigned to jobs with established departments on the field. This not only relived the manpower shortage but gave the OLTs a broader concept of Army procedure.

Many Leave for Infantry

During the latter part of 1944, many Stockton Field GIs were transferred to the Ground Forces to relieve the great manpower shortage suffered there. A number of men were also sent to specialist schools for combat training in the Air Corps.

The 542nd AAF band, one of the oldest organizations on the field, became inactivated in January of 1945. About 12 men form the band were retained to furnish dance music for the field social affairs.

February of 1945 saw two rapid changes of CO's on Stockton Field. Lt. Col. Homer D. Bernard relieved Col. Backes as CO for about six days on Feb. 8. Lt. Col. Howard J. Bechtel assumed duties as CO on Feb. 14 and remained as such until the field closed.

Finally, on March 2, the War Department announced that this station will be taken over by the ATC. With the graduation of more than 200 cadets of Class 45-A, Stockton Field rung down the curtain as a training school.

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