pueblo army air field (1942)

8/8/2019 Pueblo Army Air Field (1942)

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Pueblo Army Airbase1942 - 1946

Training Defenders of Freedom

And Democracy During WWII


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Table of contents

I. World context

II. National ContextIII. PAAB 1942IV. PAAB 1943V. PAAB 1944

VI. PAAB 1945VII. PAAB After WWIIVIII. Lasting Effects of PAABIX. PAAB Remembered

Practice formation overPAAB


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World Stage

Pueblo Army Air Base would notexist until after the Japaneseattack on Pearl Harbor; however,the nature of its purpose wasdefined long before WWIi even

began

The root causes of what was tobecome known as World War II were

complex and imbedded in botheconomic and sociologic problemsaround the world.

nationalistic dreams, religious fears, overcrowded regions, and economic needsbegan planting the seeds of conflict long before the realities of war would sprout

and put cities upon cities on the map of military conquest.


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Rise of Dictators

Joseph Stalin

Used Five-year plans to turn the SovietUnion into The worlds second-largestindustrial world power surpassed only by

the United States between 1928-1937.

Purged those who threatened his power andby 1939 had established a totalitarian statethat exerted complete control over its citizens.

Rose to power in 1924 afterCommunist leader V.I. Lenin

died.


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Benito Mussolini1921 Established the Fascist Party.

October 1922 Marched on Rome with thousands ofBlack Shirts (his followers). Government officials, the

Army and the Police force sided with him.so theItalian King stepped down and appointed Mussolinithe head of the Government.

Established a Fascist state and began allying Italy

with Germany.then began territorial conquests.


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Adolf Hitler1919 Joined the NAZI Party in Germanyquickly rose to thetop of the party.

Applied principles laid out in his book Mein Kampfto form

Nazism. Components of Nazism:Extreme NationalismWanted to Unite all German-speaking people in a Great German Empire.

Racial Purification.necessary to allow the Aryan race(AKA The master Race) the opportunity to rule the world.

National Expansionto establish Lebensraum (LivingSpace) for the German people.


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Hideki Tojo

Became Prime Minister ofJapan in October of1941.

His rise to power marked the success of theMilitaristic faction in Japan. He soon developed atotalitarian government in Japan.

One goal during WWII was to expand territory thatbelonged to the Empire of Japan to create livingspace for the Japanese people.

He was the most powerful government leader inJapan during WWII and approved the attack on PearlHarbor as well as attacks in China, South East Asia

and the Pacific.


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National ContextThe United States moved cautiously awayfrom neutrality

September 1939: Cash-and-carry provision passed which

allowed the U.S. to sell arms to Warring nations (Britain andFrance) as long as they paid cash and transported the goodson their own ships.

1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress toincrease spending for national defense.

1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked congress to passthe countries first peacetime military draft called the Selective

Training and Service Act. Drafted 16 million men between the ages of 21 and 35 to

serve in the western hemisphere

March 1941: Lend-Lease Act was Passed which allowed theUnited States to lend or lease arms and supplies to anycountry whose defense was vital to the United States


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Pearl Harbor Is AttackedDecember 7, 1941: A Day That Will Live inInfamy. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Japandeclared war on the United States and Britain onDecember 8, 1941. The U.S. Senate and HouseVoted 470 to 1[i] to declare war on Japan, and Britain

declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941.Germany and Italy declared war on the United Stateson December 11, 1941 and Congress replied withdeclarations of war.[ii] (Sisson pg. 4)

[i] World War II Extra, (Maui News, No. 5592), Castle Books, 1999, p 81.

[ii] The World Almanac Book of World War II, A Bison Book, London, 1981, p 136.


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Pueblo Colorado Designated a

Defense Area December of 1941President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated Pueblo as adefense area on December 10, 1941 creating expectations ofoperations, which would affect the business life of the city. Itwas learned on December 21 that Pueblo had definitely been

selected for the location of an ammunition storage facility atNorth Avondale.[i][i] The Chieftain, 125th Commemorative Edition, May 30, 1993, p 7DD. (Sisson pg. 4)

On December 27, 1941 The War Department obtained 3700

acres of land through condemnation and purchases from privateowners to construct the Pueblo Army Air Base (PAAB)approximately four miles east of the city limits of Pueblo.[iI]Concurrently, land was being obtained for construction of thePueblo Ordnance Depot (POD) just north of North Avondale.[iI] Colorado Aviation Historical Society Journal, 1995 Third Edition, by Ruby Lee Ballantyne, WASP. (Sisson pg. 4)


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Pueblo Army Airbase 1942Construction began March 25, 1942

The original construction contract called for the following facilities:

Housing facilities for enlisted men 3,919Housing facilities for Officers 400Mess facilities for enlisted men . 4,165Mess facilities for officers . 475Hospital beds 1763 Runways 7,500 ft.Parking apron, length approx4,000 ft.

5 Hangars, total area 68,200 SQ. Ft.Engineering Shop, area 19,890 sq. ft.2 A. F. Warehouses, area ..48,000 sq. ft.4 Quartermaster Warehouses, total area 46,800 sq. ft.

The total cost was in the neighborhood of $9,000,000.[i]

[i] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2475, Frame 1154.

(Sisson pg. 4)


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(Sisson)


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Function of Pueblo Army Air

BaseTrained Air Groups which consisted of three or four Squadrons.Each squadron consisted optimally ten airplanes with their 8-10man air crews and ground crews.

Two Types of Training took place:

Tactical Groups (OUTs): Trained together at Pueblo ArmyAir Base and then rotated to WWII theaters of operationmostly in Europe.

Training Groups: Trained together and remained in theUnited States for the purpose of training replacement crews

that could be utilized wherever needed.


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Units Who Trained at Pueblo

Army Air BaseTRAINING: 302nd BG(H) (30 Sept. 1942 to 30 Nov. 1942[i]), with B-24s;including 355, 356, 357, 420 Bomb Squadrons[ii]. This Group was a trainingGroup only, and did not rotate to an overseas assignment. A new 506 BombSquadron was formed at PAAB by transferring personnel from the 302 BG. The506 BS would train with the 308 BG, and upon the completion of training wouldbe transferred to the 44th Bomb Group, of the 8thAir Force based in Shipdham,

England. (Sisson pg. 2) [i] Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 174. [ii] Special Order No. 167, HQ Army Air Base, Wendover field, Utah, Sept. 26, 1942. PHAS #

TACTICAL: 308th BG(H) (28 Nov.1942-2/8 Feb. 43); with B-24s; including 373,374, 375, and 425 Bomb Squadrons[i]. (Sisson pg. 2)


TACTICAL: 94th BG(H) (Jan.-April 1943) with B-17s; including 331, 332, 333,and 410 Bomb Squadrons. [i] (Sisson pg. 2)

[i] Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 163.

TACTICAL: 351st BG(H) (1 Mar. 1943 to 12 April 1943) with B-17s; including508, 509, 510, and 511 Bomb Squadrons. [i] (Sisson pg. 2)

[i]Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 231

TACTICAL: 381st BG(H) (5 April 1943 to 9 May 1943) with B-17s; including 532,533, 534, and 535 Bomb Squadrons. [i] (Sisson pg. 3)

[i]Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 269.

TRAINING: 400th BG(H) (2 May 1943 to 30 Jul 1943) with B-24s;including 608, 609, 610, 611 Bomb Squadrons. [i] (Sisson pg. 3)

[i] Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 285.


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Groups Who Trained at Pueblo Army

Air Base ContinuedTRAINING: 471st BG(H) ( 7 May, 1943 to 27 January, 1944[i]) (3 June 1943[ii]-)

with B-24s; Converted to TACTICAL including 804, 805, 806, 807 BombSquadrons. [iii] (Sisson pg 3)

[i]Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 345.

[ii] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2475, Frame 1490.

[iii]Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Division, p 345.

TACTICAL: 491st BG(H)(1/12/44[i] to 4/18/44[ii] ), Air Echelon, with B-24s; including 852,853, 854, 855 Bomb Squadrons. (Sisson pg. 3)



TACTICAL: 8th Chinese BG(H), (3 August 1944 to May 5, 1945) with B-24s. Sisson pg. 3)

TACTICAL: 466th BG(VH)[i], (25 July 1945-15 August 1945[ii]) with B-29s. (Sisson pg. 3) [i] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2479, Frame 0012.

[ii] The World Almanac Book of World War II, A Bison Book, London, 1981, p 342.


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Planes Used For Training Purposes At

Pueblo Army Air Base


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Pueblo army Air Base 1942Kenton Russell Darr, after having graduated from Centennial High School, was hired tobuild the air base. He was one of many civilians who was hired to do this. Darr went on to flyB-24s completing 30 missions over Germany during WWII. He is now a volunteer at theWeisbrow Airplane Museum which stands on the site of the Pueblo Army Air Base. (sissionpg. 6)

August 16, 1942: Pueblo Army Airbase Band was activated (Sisson pg. 7)

Imelda Kiff, a teacher from Fountain grade school wrote The Pueblo Army Air Base March:

All Hail Pueblo Air Base, you men have courage true.

Your country stands behind you, in everything you do.

Were fighting for our nation, the greatest one of all,

She needs cooperation, so answer to her call.[I] (sisson pg.7)

[i] Pueblo Chieftain, by Ron Martinez. PHAS #5011.

Imelda and husband Dewitt often performed the song at nightclubs in downtown Pueblo


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Pueblo Army Air Base 1942

ContinuedAugust 28, 1942: The first train load of soldiers arrived at PAAB. This issaid to be the date that the base became operational. (Sisson pg. 9)

On Sept. 8, the 369th Sub-Depot, with civilian employees, was established[i]. Itspurpose was to supply and maintain the Liberator bombers so that crews wouldreceive the maximum training required. By February 1943, a number of shopswere completed, including the parachute building, gas refueling system, engine-cleaning, and reclamation departments.The Signal Section was responsible forrepair and maintenance of all radio equipment in the Liberators. The ArmamentDepartment, established in November, 1942, was responsible for servicingmachine guns, power turrets, bombing equipment, automatic pilots andbombsights.[iii] (Sisson pg 9)[i] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2475, Frame 1197.


[iii] Pueblo Star-Journal & Chieftain, Victory Edition, Tuesday, May 8, 1945.


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Pueblo Army Airbase 1942

Continued

The Post Exchange opened

for business on

September 29. 1942.[i]



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continuedSeptember 30, 1942: The first planes to be stationed at PAAB arrived, flying information.[i] They were under the command of Tactical Group Commander Lt.Col. Joseph J. Nazarro. This was the 302nd Bomb Group of B-24s. The colonelsstaff immediately moved into base operations offices. (Sisson pg. 10)

October 1, 1942: Opening date for the base hospital. By 1945, it was staffedwith 17 medical officers, 12 dentists, and 14 nurses. It had 8 ambulances,operating roms and dental, eye, ear, and throat clinics. (Sisson pg. 11)

October 1, 1942: Control Tower opened


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Pueblo Army airbase 1942

ContinuedOctober 22, 1942: The Air-Scoop, the base newspaper beganpublication with Volume 1, Issue No. 1 . The newspapers name wasselected through a contest, won by Cpl. Thomas Walsh, who receiveda five dollar check for his submission.[i] The paper would be publishedweekly by the Star-Journal Publishing Corp. A review of the articles

published during the life of the paper indicates that standard featuresincluded: entertainment related activities, sports related activities,presentation of awards and medals, information items related to militaryand dependent benefits, editorials related to duty, honor, and country;WAC-activities, band notes, theater listings, the Red Cross, orderlyroom blues, pill rollins, chaplains column, U.S.O., [] disease control,bomb group and service group activities. (Sisson pg. 12)

[i] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base,

Nov. 12, 1942, p 7.


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Pueblo Army airbase 1942

ContinuedNov. 1942-- The armament department began operations torepair machine guns, power turrets, bombing equipment,automatic pilots and bombsights.[i] (Sisson pg. 13)

[i] Pueblo Star-Journal & Chieftain, Victory Edition, Tuesday, May 8, 1945.

In November 1942 the bombing range wasconstructed 10 miles south of Timpas, Colorado. Sixsections of level prairie were set aside for thisfunction; an observation tower and barracks wereconstructed 15 miles south of Manzanola.[i] Twothousand acres of land were purchased by the War

Department for use as a gunnery range. (Sisson pg.14)[i] Pueblo Star-Journal & Chieftain, Victory Edition, Tuesday, May 8, 1945.


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ContinuedDecember 22, 1942: The first fatal crashoccurred at the base. A three ship formationof B-24Ds from the 375th Bomb Squadron,308 BG, departed PAAB at about 0830 on 22December, 1942 on a mission which includedpractice at formation flying, use of thebombing range and then use of the air-to-ground gunnery range. (Sisson pg. 15)


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Total Officer & Enlisted 1942

Date No. Date No.

September 1 220

September15

365 November 15

3,490

September

29

753 November

30

1,413

October 15 3,420 December 15

3,416

October 31 3,152 December 31

3,195

(Sisson pg. 17)


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Pueblo Army Airbase 1943January 23, 1943: Crash landing was made by a b-17 from PAAB at Oklahoma Cityafter a tire had blown out on takeoff. (Sisson pg. 19)

January 1943: The 52ndAF Band was rated the best in the 2ndAir Force.

March 1, 1943: The 351st BG(H) with B-17s arrived. [i] with Lt. Col. William A.Hatcher, Jr., Commanding.[ii] The Group HQ symbol was an eagle dropping abomb from each claw.[iii] 1st Lt. Clark Gable, already one of the most famous offilm stars, (promoted to Captain before leaving the base and later to earn the rankof Major) was a member of this Group. He was assigned to the 508th BombSquadron. At PAAB, telephone lines were swamped with calls and it wasnecessary for officials to request the public to allow Gable to pursue his trainingunmolested. He ate at the officers mess and lived in officers quarters.[iv] (Sissonpg. 20)

[i] Air Force Combat Units of World War II, USAF Historical Divis ion, p 231

[ii] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base, March 11, 1943, p 1

[iii] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base, April 15, 1943, p 3

[iv] Pueblo Star-Journal & Chieftain, Victory Edition, Tuesday, May 8, 1945


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Continued: Segregation at PAABColored soldiers at Pueblo Army Air Base served in a period of time whenthe armed forces practiced segregation. Prior to the war, Pueblo, Coloradowas not known for practicing segregation. Kay Keating[i] points out thatwhile there were neighborhoods which attracted specific ethnic groups,partly by design of the founders of CF&I (who envisioned a multi-ethnicwork force), Pueblo businesses did not as a rule practice segregation, andgovernmental units certainly did not do so. PAAB brought together notonly the heretofore unknown military peculiarities, but also colored soldiersfrom across the nation. Many from southern states where segregation wasthe norm, but many also came from states where officially condonedsegregation did not exist. For the former group, the nature of segregationthey encountered in Pueblo was not a big deal, but for the latter group itwas troublesome.

The Quartermaster Corps on base had white units and colored units. Theircolored units had colored officers as well. The 94th Aviation Squadron wasa colored unit without colored officers- the commissioned officer in chargewas white.

[i] Keating taped interview with R.J. Schults, January 25, 2001


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ContinuedJune 3, 1943: Lt. Col. John A. Way II, 400th BG presented theTop Hatters insignia, The Duke, whose motto is Death at theHands of Gentlemen. The ruby stud indicates our wealth andloyalty and contented minds. The Top Hat represents the elite of

high flyers, and the tilt of our hat shows our attitude and selfassurance. The monocle represents our keen insight and thewhite tie proves our esprit de corps. Last of all, the two dicewhich The Duke always has handy, indicates our willingness topit our skill against the enemys even though the odds may beagainst us. (Sisson pg. 25)


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Continued: Top Hatter GroupJuly 29, 1943-- This issue of the Air-Scoop was dedicated to the TopHatter Group. The Top Hatters song, which was composed andrecordings made through the good offices of Mr. Bing Crosby wasfeatured. The lyrics are:

Duke the Spook

The night is calm the sky is clear,A perfect set-up for a bombardier.

Motors roar with an angryspark

The big B-24s on their marks;

From the ground with shrieks and wails,

A ghostly figure hits the ether trails,

A mascot, in a high hat and tails.

Meet the gallant swell Duke the Spook,Charming as all hell Duke the Spook.

With floweryphrase on his lips

Hell annihilate those Nips

when his killing smile greets the foe.

Death is done in style, dontyouknow?

Class will win and theyll give in;

Youll shake the hand that shookBerlinOh, Duke the S ook!

(Sisson pg. 26)


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Pueblo Army Airbase 1943Continued: WAACs

August 6, 1943: The WAACs were officially taken into the USArmy and were honored at retreat ceremonies at Headquartersbuilding of PAAB. After a brief address by Base Commander Lt.Col. Hillix, the now designated WACs marched back to their

barracks as the Army band played Youre in the Army Now.1st Lt. Alice E. Lampson became their first CommandingOfficer. (Sisson pg. 28)


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Pueblo Army Airbase 1943Continued

Oct. 27, 1943-- WACs on the base werepresented with service ribbons denotingservice in the original WAC.[i] Thename of the organization had beenchanged from 769th WAC PostHeadquarters Company to WAC

Detachment on October 8, 1943.[ii](Sisson pg. 31)[i] Pueblo Star-Journal & Chieftain, Victory Edition, Tuesday, May 8, 1945

[ii] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2476, Frame ???.


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The prominent attention accorded Gables military service didnot go unnoticed by the Nazis, who placed him on their list ofmost wanted war criminals. Hermann Goering, the head of theluftwaffe, posted the equivalent of a $5000 reward for the Nazi

flyer who would bring Gable down. If Gable was captured alive,the German pilot was also to receive a promotion and furlough

with all expenses paid. [i] (Sisson pg. 35)[i]Air Classics, Vol. 23, NO 12, December 1987,

Challenge Publications, Canoga Park, CA.


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January 6, 1944--Nineteen ships fromPAAB joined to makeup a group of 100Liberators, FlyingFortresses and pursuitplanes to stage a mockbattle over ColoradoSprings. All flew at20,000 feet in battleformation.[i] (Sisson pg.36)[i] Pueblo Star-Journal & Chieftain, Victory Edition, Tuesday, May 8, 1945


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March 9, 1944: Noted war correspondent Cecil Brown is quoted in theAir-Scoop[i] reminding airmen that we are at war against Fascism. Hegoes on to provide a description of Fascists, ...the people who causedthis war. A few examples are:

A Fascist hates freedom for others; has contempt for the people,calls them rabble and scorns their individual rights. A Fascist thrives onhate, blind hate. He adores bigotry and prejudice. He schemes towhiplash minds into ugly snarls. A Fascist will not live in peace besidethose who are unlike him, whether next door or a thousand miles away.The Fascist must sway his neighbor, -enslave him or exterminate him.The Fascist expects to do the thinking for you. (Sisson pg. 39)

[i] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base, March 9, 1944


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May 1, 1944: On the first day of May, 1944, activation ofWASP fliers at the PAAB was initiated. Nine WASPs arrived atthis field on that date. In the beginning of their utilization theywere used as pilots of TB-26s towing targets for air to airgunnery practice. The flying of administrative personnel was

then added to their duties as it relieved Army pilots of doing thiswhen key personnel were obliged to travel by air in theperformance of their responsibilities. The WASP also ferriedaircraft and crews from point to point as part of their program.They were used as pilots in the Test-Hop section as well. In theopinion of the officer in charge of this group, the WASP at thebase were superior as regards their ability and conduct.

Officers with whom they flew had the highest regard for theirpersonal conduct and their flying ability. (Sisson pg. 41)


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June 29, 1944: Air Scoop[i] reported that the GI Bill recentlypassed by Congress provides:

A maximum of 52 weeks unemployment compensation atthe rate of $20 per month.

A guarantee of 50% (but not more than $2,000) on loans forpurchase of farms, small businesses and homes, at 4%interest.

A maximum of 4 years educational aid if you joined theservice before age 25. $500 will be provided for tuition, plus,an assistance allowance of $50/month if single, or$75/month if married.

Veterans placement service.Hospitalization, obtainable through the Veterans

Administration. (Sisson pg. 45)

[i] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base, June 29, 1944, p 2


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August 3, 1944-- The first all Chinese heavybombardment group ever to train in thiscountry arrived at PAAB. Ten crews arrived

on this date and an additional twenty threecrews processed in at later dates throughOctober. They began their training asreplacement units, but were ultimatelyreformed to function as an Operational

Training Unit Group[i]. The CommandingOfficer for this group was Col. Hsu KangLiang.

[i] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2478, Frame 1114


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Chinese Nationals Who Trainedat PAAB in 1944


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November 30, 1944: Base strength at the end ofNovember was 1,120 Officers and 3,827 EnlistedMen. On 27 November, Provisional Group PB 11-25,consisting of 56 crews,[i] departed the base.[ii] The

average number of airplanes assigned to this basefor training purposes was 52.3. Total flying time for allsections was 7,626 hours. In Provisional Group PB12-25, 33 American Crews had flown 3,397 hours, anaverage of 103 hours per crew. Two of the Chinesecrews were dropped during the month, leaving 21

crews. Fifty-five crews of PB 1-26 began trainingNovember 3, 1944.[iii] (Sisson pg. 52)


[ii] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2477, Frame 1659

[iii] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2477, Frame 1779


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December 20, 1944-- The WASP programwas deactivated.[i] (Sisson Pg. 53)



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Thirty three American crews of PB 12-25 completedtheir training on December 25, 1944. The 21 Chinesecrews of this Group completed their first three monthstraining at this station and were combined with the 10Chinese crews from class PB 11-2 to form a newClass PB 3-31, to begin training on Jan. 2, 1945.[i]



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Base Strength on January 1, 1945 stood at1,006 officers and 3,546 enlisted men.Provisional Group PB 1-26 left the base, then

230 officers and 336 enlisted men arrived toform Provisional Group PB 4-16 on 30January, bringing the total to 1,013 officersand 3,507 enlisted men.[i] (Sisson pg. 55)



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April 15, 1945-- A memorial Servicewas held for our late President and

Commander-in-Chief, Franklin D.Roosevelt.[i] (Sisson pg. 61)



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May 6,1945: Marked the last training flights of B-24sat the base. No further flights were made as all crewshad completed their training and the preparation of

the aircraft for transfer was begun.[i] (Sisson pg. 65)



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May 7, 1945: Germany surrendered atEisenhowers headquarters in Reims,France. (Sisson pg. 65)


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May 13, 1945: The WAC observed their 3rdanniversary with an Anniversary Dinner in theWAC Mess Hall. (Sisson pg. 66)


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May of 1945: Schooling of B-29instructor personnel in all phases of

ground and flight instruction methodsbegan to take place at PAAB. (Sissonpg. 66)

B-29 Superfotress (used to drop atomic bombs in Japan)


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August 6, 1945: the B-29 Enola Gay dropped a uranium

atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Honshu. (Sisson pg. 70)


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Pueblo Army Airbase Headquarters

September 2, 1945: Japansigned surrender terms onbattleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

September 6, 1945: In co-operation with Pueblo Jr.College an off duty educationprogram was initiated. Theprogram was curtailed, when on24 Sept. the base was informed

that personnel numbers wouldbe reduced to 500 officers andmen within 20 days. By the endof the month only 25 remainedenrolled.[i]

(Sisson pg. 71)


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September 20, 1945: In its effort to inducethe government to make PAAB a permanentbase, the Chamber of Commerce in

conjunction with the Army and civilianweather bureaus revealed that flying weatherhere ranks third in the nation as mostfavorable. Ninety three percent of the yearoffers excellent flying conditions.[i] (Sissonpg. 71)

[i] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base, September 20, 1945.


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September 24, 1945: All flying activities and crew training wasdiscontinued[i]September 27, 1945: The 2nd Air Force sliced the base manpower to500 GIs and officers within 15 to 20 days. Civilian personnel nowemployed would remain. It was stated that this action had noconnection with any possible post war mission for this station. The basehospital was closed- almost three years to the day it first openedshop.[ii]

Base Strength: 31 July[iii] 31 August 30 Sept.Officers 444 446 492Enlisted 2,333 3,226 2,409

AttachedOfficers 214 182 85Enlisted 464 219 180


[ii] The Air-Scoop, Pueblo Army Air Base, September 27, 1945.

[iii] Historical Data PAAB, Microfilm B2479, Frame 0096.

(Sisson pg. 72)


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Base Strength:

December 1, 1945:

157 officers

2,240 enlisted men

December 31, 1945:

78 Officers

732 enlisted men

(Sisson pg. 74)

Photo courtesy of Steve Parri, Ball turret Gunner.


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Pueblo Army Airbase 1946January 2, 1946:The Post Engineer report indicatedthat a total of 185 buildings have been put on stand-by and 24 more are now in the process of being puton stand-by. The total number of buildings on base is

329 plus a total of 36 structures, making a grand totalof 365 buildings and structures. The inactivationprogram now in force is approximately 65 per centcomplete.[i] (Sisson pg. 75)



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Many of the buildings on the base were declared surplus andmade available for purchase. This took place over a period ofyears. An advertisement in the Pueblo Chieftain in February,1950 was titled:

Last Call, SurplusBarracks Sale at Pueblo AirBase. It included One- 1Story Building- 25 ft. wide by 110 ft. long. Has good 8 inch drop siding, wired forlights, has a fine heating plant, Has space for 5 nice big apartments, can bemoved most anywhere. Only One, Priced to SellCost to build $12,500, only$2,250. The second part of the add was for 8-Only- 2 Story Buildings. Thesebuildings are 30 ft. wide by 90 ft. long. There is material enough in thesebuildings to build 5 nice 5-room houses.------- Yours for less than $3,100. If oneso chose, arrangements could be made to have the buildings left on site for

Rental Purposes.[i] (Sisson pg. 75)

[i] Pueblo Star Journal and Sunday Chieftain, Feb. 12, 1950. PHAS 4844.

Building that was purchased and

removed from PAAB(Sisson pg. 75)


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Pueblo Army AirbaseRemembered

The Pueblo Army Air Base had done its job and played an importantrole in preparing thousands of airmen for the task of meeting anddefeating the enemies of our country. Many died in the trainingprocess. They would all have preferred to live, and if death was tocome, let it be in combat with the enemy. But their contribution tovictory is no less important and no less valued than had they died in

Europe, North Africa, Alaska, China, or the Pacific. Most left this basewith the best preparation this country could provide. They were postedall over the world, in every theater of war. To the people of Pueblo, theywere OUR boys, they were our friends, brothers, uncles, cousins,fathers, and sons. We have vowed not to forget them and theircontributions which effect our lives every day that we live. The womenwho served in that era did so in the firm belief that their efforts wouldhelp assure victory. They were right, and they too, are an important partof the history of this air base. ( Sisson pg. 75)


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Pueblo Army AirbaseRemembered

While this ends a chapter in history, it wascertainly not the end of the effect that Pueblo

Army Air Base had on the city of Pueblo and

its citizens. The facility left behind and themen and women who participated in itshistory continued to play a vital role in futuredevelopment. (Sisson pg. 75)


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Bibliography

Sisson, Dr. R. L. (2001). Pueblo armyAir Base: A Chronological History.

Pueblo, Colorado: Pueblo HistoricalAircraft society.

pueblo army air field (1942)

Documents