Walnut Ridge Army Flying School

Date: 20 Jun 1942 to 15 Mar 1945
Location: Walnut Ridge, Lawrence, Arkansas, United States
Surnames/tags: Lawrence County, Arkansas US_History

Contents 1 Overview 2 Air Base Construction 3 Base Operations 3.1 Walnut Ridge Army Airfield 3.2 Transfer to Navy 3.3 Salvage Depot 3.4 Aircraft Linked to Prominent Figures 3.5 Controversy Surrounding Commanding Officer's Residence 4 Walnut Ridge Veterans Memorial 5 Museum Wings of Honor 6 Sources

Overview

Walnut Ridge Army Flying School

Established during World War II, the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School, also known as the Walnut Ridge Air Base, emerged as a pivotal military installation constructed in 1942. Operational in October 1943 under the name Walnut Ridge Army Airfield, this facility served as a training hub for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Commanded by the 324th Army Air Force Base Unit and affiliated with the AAF Southeast Training Center, its initial design as an Army Airfield evolved amid considerations to become an Advanced Glider School. While preparations for glider operations were underway, the base primarily trained over 4,500 pilots, producing graduates who later attended significant service academies. Transitioning to the Department of the Navy on September 1, 1944, as the Marine Corps Air Facility Walnut Ridge, it briefly hosted Marine Corps training before decommissioning on March 15, 1945, marking the conclusion of its military service.

Air Base Construction

Walnut Ridge Army Air Field

The Walnut Ridge Army Flying School, known as the Walnut Ridge Air Base, was established during World War II on approximately 1,800 acres of land, carved from the Mount Zion community, and situated three-fourths of a mile east of Highway 67. Construction began in 1942, transforming the site into a bustling hub under the 324th Army Air Force Base Unit. A Nashville-based contractor oversees the development of streets, runways, and structures to accommodate over 4,000 military and civilian personnel. The facility boasted three 5,000-foot runways and an expansive apron area for aircraft parking, alongside gravel-surfaced streets and alleys. Amidst a housing shortage, lodging prices surged, creating financial strain for residents. The base catered to distinct military units with segregated facilities for officers, cadet pilots, and support personnel like military police and WACs. Several buildings, including a hospital, chapel, and hangars, were erected, initially intended for temporary use. A railroad spur from the Frisco Railway linked the base to Hoxie, named the "Walport" stop within the complex. However, a scandal arose around the construction of a commanding officer's home, prompting investigations due to its misuse of funds. Post-war, the base saw activities such as aircraft scrapping, with thousands of warplanes flown to Walnut Ridge for storage, sale, and eventual dismantling in smelters. The legacy of the air base persisted post-closure, as the city repurposed firebricks from the smelters to build an administration/terminal structure on the site in 1952.

Base Operations

Walnut Ridge Army Airfield

BT-13

Colonel Guilette, hailing from the Louisiana National Guard, assumed the role of the initial commandant at the military base. Under the direction of the Army Air Force, multiple cadet groups underwent comprehensive training, specializing in heavier aircraft. While some focused on twin-engine aircraft instruction, others pursued training with single aircraft to specialize as fighter pilots. Cadets in twin-engine training pursued roles as bomber or transport pilots, fostering a diverse skill set among trainees.

Transfer to Navy

Coasair

In 1944, the Army Air Field's tenure at the airport concluded, and it was exchanged with the Marine Corps for a field in New York state, transforming into the Walnut Ridge Marine Air Facility. Under Marine Corps management, the facility served as a training ground for a fighter pilot "wing." Operating the swift and robust "Gull-Wing Corsair" aircraft, this unit underwent intensive training at the facility, before being deployed to the Pacific Theater during the final months of the war. Their mission involved contributing to the concluding efforts against the Japanese forces.

Salvage Depot

Mothballed Aircraft

In 1945, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) repurposed the airfield into a salvage depot for dismantling Army Air Force aircraft. Over 10,000 warplanes descended upon Walnut Ridge during 1945 and 1946, creating a colossal gathering, purportedly the largest assembly of aircraft worldwide at the time. This array included hundreds of imposing bombers, transports, trainers, and various other aircraft types, some arriving directly from the production line, while many showed signs of extensive wartime use. Among them, approximately 67 out of 118 B-32 Heavy Bombers were ferried to Walnut Ridge, with numerous planes considered "war-weary" due to their arduous combat experiences.

The War Assets Administration took charge of managing this extensive inventory. Roughly half of the aircraft were sold, finding buyers in both military and civilian sectors worldwide. Several friendly nations integrated these planes into their military operations, while many were acquired for civilian purposes, notably the transports. Slick Airways, based in Texas, purchased eight Model F Curtis Transport C-46 planes, pioneering the inaugural civilian air freight service in the United States.

However, around 4,871 fighters and bombers stored at Walnut Ridge, constituting the majority of the collection, were sold to the Texas Railway Equipment Company, a subsidiary of the renowned contractor Brown & Root Company of Houston, Texas, in September 1946 for scrapping. This marked the construction of two colossal smelters on the southwest corner of the base to melt the aluminum scrap, shaping it into substantial ingots for shipping. Despite surviving enemy fire and strenuous combat, the proud warplanes met their fate in these smelters.

The smelters ceased operations around 1951, and in 1952, the City of Walnut Ridge repurposed the firebricks from the smelters, using them to erect an administration/terminal building on the site of the World War I Base Operations building.

Aircraft Linked to Prominent Figures

Walnut Ridge Air Base held associations with notable military personalities, hosting executive aircraft connected to distinguished figures such as Admiral Halsey and General MacArthur. However, upon arrival, these planes were subject to some neglect, with military personnel scavenging souvenirs from their interiors upon landing, leaving them in a destitute state.

Moreover, Mr. Reynolds, the inventor of the ball-point pen, purchased a B-26 twin-engine bomber from this site, embarking on a record-setting global journey. Piloted by Odom, the same aircraft circled the world solo. Yet, shortly after this remarkable feat, Odom returned to Walnut Ridge seeking parts for the B-26. Tragically, Odom met his fate in an air race accident in Akron.

Controversy Surrounding Commanding Officer's Residence

Amidst the construction efforts at the northwest corner of the facility, a building intended as a residence for the commanding officer sparked controversy and subsequent inquiry by the War Department. Initially presented as a guest house for visiting military dignitaries, the structure was under scrutiny when Walter Winchel, a prominent radio newsman, revealed that this permanent construction was situated on a site designated for temporary use. This revelation prompted a spotlight on Sunday night network news and led to an investigation by the Truman Senate Committee on Government Waste in the Military. The project, a sizable "U"-shaped building with over 4,000 square feet, equipped with steam heating and attic fans, encountered funding issues, forcing the commandant to seek unconventional means for its completion. Allegations emerged that cadet trainees were involved in its construction, diverting from the intended disciplinary action, while materials were purportedly sourced from the demolition of the Pocahontas Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

Walnut Ridge Veterans Memorial

The Veterans Memorial in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, situated at the junction of Main Street and U.S. Highway 67B, stands as a poignant tribute to the valor and sacrifice of all U.S. Armed Forces veterans. Crafted from black granite, the memorial bears the engraved names of countless veterans who bravely served their country.

List of Cadets Killed:

• Second Lieutenant John W. Gillette III, Date of Death 15 Nov 1942.
• Coporal Donald H. Bucklin, Date of Death 15 Nov 1942.
• Cadet Charles E. Thiede, Date of Death 1 Dec 1942.
• Second Lieutenant Harry B. House, Date of Death 4 Jan 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Frank W. Roberts, Date of Death 29 Jan 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Arthur Krasne, Date of Death, 29 Jan 1943.
• Cadet William M. Cosine Jr., Date of Death, 6 Feb 1943
• Cadet John L. Malm, Date of Death 6 Feb 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Thomas E. Munger, Date of Death 15 Feb 1943.
• Cadet William T. Hartman, Date of Death 15 Feb 1943.
• Cadet Robert S. Haws, Date of Death 16 Mar 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Seymour E. Auburn, Date of Death 29 May 1943.
• Cadet Charles F. Conn Jr., Date of Death 29 May 1943.
• Cadet Walter J. Tomaszewski, Date of Death 23 Jul 1943.
• Cadet Arthur H. Stein, Date of Death 23 Jul 1943.
• Cadet Dean Preston, Date of Death 4 Aug 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Leon G. Spitzer, Date of Death 4 Aug 1943.
• Cadet Alfred M. Tua, Date of Death 4 Aug 1943.
• Second Lieutenant George F. Woessner, Date of Death 4 Aug 1943.
• Cadet Henry J. Lavan, Date of Death 23 Sep 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Roy D. Hammond, Date of Death 29 Sep 1943.
• Cadet William J. Canovan, Date of Death 28 Sep 1943.
• First Lieutenant Francis D. Stegna, Date of Death 28 Sep 1943.
• Second Lieutenant Frank J. Sramek
• Cadet Charles M. Moravick, Date of Death 17 Dec 1943.
• Cadet Daniel Melie, Date of Death 24 Dec 1943.
• Second Lieutenant H. E. Bodel, Date of Death 5 Feb 1944.
• Cadet Galen K. Saul, Date of Death 5 Feb 1944.
• Cadet Rolland E. Schonck, Date of Death 20 Feb 1944.
• Cadet John R. Andrews
• Second Lieutenant Charles Irbeneck Jr., Date of Death 17 Apr 1944.
• Cadet Eugene C. Lenz, Date of Death 17 Apr 1944.
• Second Lieutenant James Henry Jr. Date of Death 22 Apr 1944.
• Private Cleve C. Balkcum, Date of Death 22 Apr 1944.
• Cadet Donald M. Ryan, Date of Death 20 May 1944.
• Second Lieutenant Lawrence L. Helton, Date of Death 1 June 1944.
• Second Lieutenant Barto B. Hay Jr. 1 Jun 1944.

Museum Wings of Honor

The Walnut Ridge Flying School Museum in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, commemorates the legacy of the former Walnut Ridge Army Flying School during World War II. The museum showcases artifacts, exhibits, and memorabilia that highlight the history of the airfield and its role as a significant training base for pilots during the war. Visitors can explore displays featuring photographs, documents, uniforms, and various aviation-related items from the era. The museum offers a glimpse into the lives of the cadets, instructors, and personnel who trained and served at the airfield. It serves as a tribute to their contributions and sacrifices, while preserving the heritage of the site. The museum aims to educate visitors about the pivotal role the airfield played in training pilots for the war effort, and its impact on the local community.

Sources

• Wilkerson, Lyn. Slow Travels-Arkansas. United States: Lulu Press, Incorporated, 2009. "Slow Travels-Arkansas." Accessed 7 Jan 2024.
• Walter, Jon., Whitlow, James. Walnut Ridge and Hoxie. United States: Arcadia Publishing Incorporated, 2016. "Walnut Ridge and Hoxie." Accessed 9 Jan 2024.
• Assembly. United States: Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy, 1990. "Assembly United States Military Academy, Association of Graduates." Accessed 7 Jul 2024.
• Lawrence Co, AR. United States: Turner Publishing Company, 2001. "Lawrence County, Arkansas." Accessed 7 Jan 2024.
• Johnson Harold, Walnut Ridge Army Flying School Museum, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 11 Dec 2023. "Walnut Ridge Army Flying School." Accessed 7 Jan 2024.
• The Historical Marker Database (HMdb), (n.d.). "The Civil War in Lawrence County / Skirmishes in Lawrence County." Accessed 7 Jan 2024.
• Wings of Honor Museum, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, 2021. "Wings of Honor." Accessed 8 Jan 2024.

See Also

• Walnut Ridge Army Air Field - 1st Lt. Elgie L. Tabor, Sagerton, Texas, Abilene-Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas, 14 Aug 1944, Mon. - Page 2. Newspapers Clip: 138292567, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Syracuse Cadet Dies with Officer in Plane, Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, 28 Aug 1943, Sat. - Page 11. Newspapers Clip: 138292655, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Flying Cadets Killed, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama, 24 Jul 1943, Sat. - Page 10. Newspapers Clip: 138292678, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Rahway Flyer Killed, The Courier-News, Bridgewater, New Jersey, 26 Jul 1943, Mon. - Page 13. Newspapers Clip: 138292714, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Rahway Air Cadet Killed in Training Plane Crash, The Central New Jersey Home News, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 25 Jul 1943, Sun. - Page 7. Newspapers Clip: 138292745, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Aviation Cadet Killed, The Ponca City News, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 26 Dec 1943, Sun. - Page 2. Newspapers Clip: 138292770, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Fliers Die in Crash, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 2 Jun 1944, Fri. - Page 8. Newspapers Clip: 138292789, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Killed in Plane Crash, Big Spring Daily Herald, Big Spring, Texas, 2 Jun 1944, Fri. - Page 1. Newspapers Clip: 104364417, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Flying Instructor Dies After Being Hit By Truck, Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi, 26 Apr 1944, Wed. - Page 7. Newspapers Clip: 138292844, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Floridian Killed, The Bradenton Herald, Bradenton, Florida, 22 May 1944, Mon. - Page 2. Newspapers Clip: 138292881, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Two Die in Plane Crash, The Kansas City Star, Kansas City, Missouri, 19 Dec 1943, Sun. - Page 19. Newspapers Clip: 138292912, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Two Lieutenants Killed in Crash, The Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana, 2 Jun 1944, Fri. - Page 10. Newspapers Clip: 138292940, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Cadet Dies in Crash, Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, Muskogee, Oklahoma, 26 Dec 1943, Sun. - Page 12. Newspapers Clip: 138292962, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Killed in Plane Crash, Big Spring Daily Herald, Big Spring, Texas, 2 Jun 1944, Fri. - Page 6. Newspapers Clip: 216808, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Two Army Cadets Die in Air Crash, Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, 25 Jul 1943, Sun. - Page 7. Newspapers Clip: 138293018, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Three Flyers Killed, Panama City, News-Herald, Panama City, Florida, 29 Sep 1943, Wed. - Page 5. Newspapers Clip: 138293059, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.
• Two Officers Killed in Arkansas Plane Crash, Wichita Falls Times, Wichita Falls, Texas, 2 Jun 1944, Fri. - Page 2. Newspapers Clip: 138293088, Accessed 8 Jan 2024.