JulyAugMedallion Final/05 (Page 1)

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION September/October 2005Preservat ion News

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WORLD WAR II SPECIAL EDITION

FROM HEROIC ACTIONS IN OVERSEAS BATTLES TO EVERYDAY SUPPORT

THROUGH HOME FRONT ACTIVITIES, TEXANS WEATHERED WORLD WAR II WITH

BRAVERY, DETERMINATION, SPIRIT AND RESOLVE.

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WWorld War II was a global event that insome way affected every family in everyAmerican community. Transformationsbrought about by the war — on bothmilitary and home fronts — also foreverchanged the character of Texas. Thepeople and communities of the state,shocked by world events into a com-pletely new way of life, did not returnto their pre-war existence, but insteadwere catapulted into a new era follow-ing the war. Nothing was the sameafter monumental events on the worldstage brought the war home to everycommunity in Texas.

Through its special Texas in WorldWar II initiative, the Texas HistoricalCommission (THC) will commemoratenot only Sept. 2, 2005, the 60thanniversary of the end of the war (V+60),but also is developing plans to recog-nize and interpret the people andplaces significant in the history ofWorld War II within our borders.

“During the war, Texans cametogether for a specific cause,” said THCCommissioner Shirley Caldwell, “andnow is the time to come together againto preserve the sites and stories of thatimportant era in our history. Membersof the World War II generation experi-enced a time unlike any other, andwe need to act now to capture thosememories to ensure a lasting legacy forcurrent and future generations.”

Still reeling from the devastationand hardships of the Great Depression,Texas was largely an agrarian state atthe outbreak of World War II. Fewfamilies owned automobiles, telephonesor even radios; the majority of women

worked in the home or on family farms;only about 40 percent of the populationhad a high school education; and ethnic

minorities, most notably Hispanics andAfrican Americans, continued to sufferthe injustices of segregation. With theUnited States’ entry into the war inDecember 1941, the wheels were set inmotion, and drastic changes camequickly to the Lone Star State.

One hundred seventy-five majormilitary installations in Texas were eitherbuilt or enlarged for the war. In addi-tion to the Texans who served both athome and overseas, nearly 1.5 million

WITH A SHARED SENSE

OF PURPOSE,

ALL SEGMENTS OF THE

POPULATION — MEN,

WOMEN AND CHILDREN —

PARTICIPATED IN

INDIVIDUAL AND

ORGANIZED EFFORTS TO

HELP WIN THE WAR.

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From Battlefields to Backyard GardenSFrom Battlefields to Backyard GardensTEXAS DURING WORLD WAR II

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Children and a helpful donkey, at left, lend a hand to the war effortby collecting scrap metal.

Rosie the Riveter, below, inspired women to do their part in supportof the war.

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service men and women trained or werestationed at Texas military installationsbetween 1941 and 1945.

In more than 70 counties aroundthe state, the government established65 Army airfields, 35 Army posts, ninenaval installations and eventually morethan 70 prisoner of war camps thatheld mostly German, but also someItalian prisoners. In addition, the U.S.Department of Justice operated threealien detention camps in Texas — in Kenedy, Seagoville and Crystal City —which housed citizens of Japanese,German and Italian ethnicity from theU.S. as well as from South and CentralAmerica.

More than 750,000 Texans servedin uniform during the war. AlthoughTexas represented about five percent ofthe country’s population at that time,Texans accounted for more than sevenpercent of military personnel.

Many famous World War II militarypersonalities were either from Texas orhad strong Texas connections. SupremeAllied Commander Gen. Dwight D.Eisenhower and Pacific Fleet CommanderAdm. Chester W. Nimitz were bothborn in Texas. Gen. Douglas MacArthurattended a military high school in

San Antonio. Col. Oveta Culp Hobby,commander of the Women’s ArmyCorps, hailed from Bell County.

The war’s most decorated soldier,Audie Murphy, grew up in Hunt County,and Gen. Claire Chennault, commanderof the famous Flying Tigers, was fromCommerce, also in Hunt County.Lt. Col. James Earl Rudder, a native ofEden and mayor of Brady after the war,commanded the Army’s Second RangerBattalion and led his “Rudder’s Rangers”in the D-Day invasion at Pointe du Hoc,famously scaling 100-foot cliffs underheavy fire to destroy German gunbatteries.

Countless other Texans, perhapslesser known but no less significant,made major contributions to the wareffort. Waco native Doris (Dorie) Miller,an African American mess attendant inthe U.S. Navy, performed heroicallyduring the attack on Pearl Harbor andearned the Navy Cross. Leonard RoyHarmon, a native of Cuero, also a messattendant in the Navy, died while help-ing rescue injured shipmates during the1942 Battle of Guadalcanal and wasposthumously awarded the Navy Cross.The destroyer escort USS Harmon,christened by Harmon’s mother and

launched in 1943, was the first U.S.warship named for an African American.José Mendoza Lopez, who died earlierthis year in San Antonio, was one offive Hispanic Texans who earned theMedal of Honor during World War II.

Texas was home to the legendaryWomen Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)who trained at Avenger Field inSweetwater. The WASP flew more than60 million miles performing suchduties as towing targets for live gunnerypractice, ferrying military planes to airbases throughout the U.S., and test-flying new or damaged aircraft. Thirty-eight WASP lost their lives in service tothe war effort, and the survivors, officiallyclassified as civilian rather than militarypersonnel, had to wait until speciallegislation was passed in 1977 to receiveproper recognition and veteran benefits.

But the military history of Texasin World War II is only part of thestory. Located throughout the state arereminders of the impact on the lives ofthose who supported the war effort onthe home front. Nearly a half-millioncivilians, many who relocated to Texas,worked in war-related industries, andmanufacturing in the state increasedfour-fold from 1940 to 1945.

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Texas troops played a pivotal role in attaining victory in World War II.

Dalhart Army Air Field, 1942

In particular, the Texas oil industryand southeast Texas shipbuilding activi-ties had a tremendous impact on thewar effort. Tens of thousands of Texansmoved from rural areas into citiesseeking war work, and the resultingpopulation shift continued to affect thedemographics of Texas for decadesafter the war. Women and minorities,although still experiencing unequaltreatment, gained better employmentopportunities through war work.

A unified home front broughtcommunities together to find ways foreveryone to make a difference. With ashared sense of purpose, all segments ofthe population — men, women andchildren — participated in individualand organized efforts to help win thewar. Popular slogans such as “use it up,wear it out, make it do, or do without”spurred citizens to patriotically embracegovernment rationing of foods (sugar,meat, coffee, butter) and other goods(rubber, silk, gasoline, paper) to priori-tize these items for the troops. Familiesand community groups organized scrapdrives to collect materials needed forthe military, including metal, in theform of tin cans, steel razor blades, evenbrass lipstick tubes; rubber, such asold tires, garden hoses, raincoats andbathing caps; and kitchen fat for use inmanufacturing explosives.

War bond drives, often with

celebrity sales pitches, raised millions ofdollars. Volunteers rolled bandages forthe Red Cross, served sandwiches, coffeeand doughnuts to soldiers travelingthrough their towns on troop trains,and entertained troops at dances andcanteens sponsored by local UnitedService Organizations or other philan-thropic clubs.

Countless families, both rural andurban, tilled individual and community“victory gardens” so commercial cropscould be devoted to the military. Theyjoined the rest of the country in changingto simpler modes of dress to accommo-date shortages in wool and other fabrics.Women’s dresses sported narrower,shorter skirts and simpler styles to elim-inate ruffles and pleats; men’s suits nolonger included vests, patch pockets,cuffs or wide lapels. Texan Stanley Marcuscalled the new look “patriotic chic.”

From heroic actions in overseasbattles to everyday support throughhome front activities, Texans weatheredWorld War II with bravery, determina-tion, spirit and resolve. Their legacycontinues to inspire the generationsthat followed them.

In appreciation and recognition ofthat legacy, and through the generosityof charitable foundations, corporatesponsors and individual donors, the THCis planning a wide array of programsand projects to identify, interpret andpreserve the sites and stories of Texasin World War II. The following listprovides an overview of the THC’sthree-year plan:

■ Texas in World War II initiative featur-ing a special celebration on Sept. 2, 2005,the 60th anniversary of the war’s end —A festive V+60 event at the State Capitolin Austin will honor World War IIveterans; two new Official TexasHistorical Markers will be dedicated;military bands and bagpipes will providemusical entertainment; and WorldWar II-vintage airplanes will fly overthe crowd.

■ Texas in World War II brochure —A full-color brochure, highlightingnumerous historic and cultural sitesrelated to the war, will be launched atthe Sept. 2, 2005 event in Austin andwill be distributed free of chargethroughout the state.


Students in San Augustine County sit in the shadow of a war bond poster, April 1943.

A patriotic pin

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

■ World War II sites identification — Each countyhistorical commission has been asked to provideinformation regarding World War II military andhome front sites in their counties, and volunteers —including members of the Texas ArcheologicalStewardship Network and student interns — havebeen gathering data on sites throughout the state.In addition, the THC hopes to obtain funding for acomprehensive statewide survey of World War II-related sites and structures.

■ Vignettes of Wartime Texas historical markerprogram — A series of 15 new historical markers forsignificant World War II topics not yet adequatelyinterpreted will be placed across the state. The markerseries will reflect the regional and cultural diversityof Texas and tell important stories of life on thehome front and the role of business.

■ Texas in World War II online — Additions to theTHC web site will provide features for students andveterans, general information regarding the war inTexas, and links to oral history collections, veteransorganizations, historic sites, museums and otherWorld War II-related sites.

■ Here and There: Recollections of Texas in WorldWar II oral history project — THC staff will coordi-nate an oral history training program centering onstories from the home front as well as war experiencesof Texans. A series of workshops will be conductedaround the state to train local volunteers to gatheroral histories relating to the war years in their homecommunities.

According toCommissioner Caldwell,these projects will play asignificant role in docu-menting Texas’ contribu-tion to World War II.

“The Texas in WorldWar II initiative is excit-ing because it gives countyhistorical commissionsand local preservationistsopportunities to tell theirparts of the bigger story,” she said. “We encourageeveryone to join us and rally to the task at hand —documenting the legacy of wartime Texas and ensur-ing its preservation for future generations.” ★

This article was written by Cynthia Beeman, director of the THC’s History Programs Division.Page 4 photo of students: Library of Congress, Prints & PhotographsDivision, FSA-OWI Collection (LC-USF35-1326)

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THELP PRESERVE TEXAS’WORLD WAR II LEGACY

The Texas Historical Commission is embarking on a three-year project to

commemorate the pivotal role that Texas and Texans played in World War II.

The project will focus on the enormous socioeconomic and cultural changes affecting

our state both before and after the war. Details about this multi-year initiative

of regional and statewide activities appear in the article at left.

The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission is raising funds to support the projects of the

Texas in World War II initiative. The following donors have generously designated

their contributions to this important project. If you would like to join them in this

initiative honoring Texas’ contributions to World War II and preserving the memory

of the sacrifices and heroism of the “Greatest Generation” of Texans,

please use the enclosed contribution envelope or call 512/936-2241.

ChevronTejon Exploration Company

Wells Fargo BankThe Cain Foundation

The Dian Graves Owen FoundationThe Dodge Jones FoundationThe Hoblitzelle FoundationThe Houston EndowmentPineywoods Foundation

Ebby Halliday AcersThomas Alexander

Killis and Beverly AlmondShirley and Clifton CaldwellHarold and Joyce Courson

David GravelleLewis and Judy Jones

John Nau/Silver Eagle DistributorsVirginia Nicholas

Dr. and Mrs.W. D. NorthcuttBrian and Debra Shivers

A San Antonio Army camp postcard

to the canteen, the volunteers ran overand handed a sandwich or a stack ofcookies to the soldiers hanging out ofthe train windows.

While exploring this era of Palestine’shistory, a time marked by fear for troopsabroad and reassuring smiles to servicepersonnel passing through town, Odominterviewed several of the women whoonce worked at the canteen.

“The thing I remember most isthat the people at home went throughan awful lot — the concern of all of ourloved ones in battle,” said Celia Smith,who, as a young bride, worked at thecanteen along with her mother. “Thismotivated us to do something for thesesoldiers on the trains. They representedour loved ones. Most were coming fromboot camp or basic training and headedstraight on into battle.”

While sifting through long-forgottenitems in the Anderson County HistoricalCommission office, Palestine residentJimmy Odom discovered a treasuretrove. A worn box of World War IImemorabilia — scrapbooks, newspaperarticles, photos of local servicemen,magazine articles and letters — containedremnants of a rich era of local history.

Odom wasn’t exactly sure aboutthe box’s origins, but he is now confidentit came from the attic of longtimePalestine resident Rose Plaisance. Sincefinding the box nearly six years ago,Odom has used the artifacts to piecetogether the story of a canteen (a militaryrecreational facility) for servicemenoperated by local volunteers duringwartime.

“This has intrigued me so much foryears. I have thought about it with everyproject we’ve done,” Odom said, addingthat he plans to compile his research forothers to use and enjoy.

Dozens of Palestine-area womenworked at the canteen, known as thePalestine Service Men’s Club, from April1942 through December 1945. Insteadof contributing to the United ServiceOrganizations’ efforts at military bases,the community wanted to do somethinglocally. They raised funds and createdthe club on the ground floor of theO’Neill Hotel, across the street from thetrain depot.

Club proprietor Zula Hanks ran atight ship: there was no alcohol and noside door for unseemly exits. During atime of rationing and food stamps, thePalestine community provided refresh-ments for several troop trains each day.They also offered a letter-writing desk,a piano and a stack of records for ajitterbug or two.

Most trains only stopped forapproximately 30 minutes. When troopsdidn’t have time to go across the tracks

Memories of A Canteen DISCOVERY SHOWCASES PALESTINE’S WORLD WAR II COMMUNITY SERVICE

Smith, whose husband and twobrothers were stationed overseas, said sheand the other women wanted to do what-ever they could to make the troops’ tripmore enjoyable.

“You felt like you were doing some-thing in a way — in a very small way,”she said.

The Palestine Service Men’s Clubcontinued operating for several monthsafter the war officially ended, providing fortroops coming through town on their wayhome, where happier times awaited them.Today, only a single wall of the clubremains, painted with a mural honoringthe men and women from Palestine whoserved the nation during World War IIand other military conflicts. ★

This article was written by Linda C. Henderson, ahistorian with the THC’s History Programs Division.

The Palestine Service Men’s Club provided refreshments for the troops passing through town. At right: Servicemen recorded spoken messages on phonograph records for loved ones at home.


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★ ★ ★Leadership LetterWhen World War II hit us, I was proud to see Texans swarm to the enlistmentoffices. I was proud to be a Texan in uniform to serve with the other Texansthat fought so well for Texas and the United States.

Our family got into World War II with both feet. Our dad, a World War I combat veteran, raised vegetables for the military and the public after trying to re-enlist. Mother joined the WAACs at 44 years of age; my brother and I were inarmored divisions, and our teenage sister worked with the USO.

I was a second year cadet at Texas A&M when I joined the Army at19 with five years of ROTC behind me. Texas A&M furnished moreofficers for the military than West Point and seven Aggies receivedthe Medal of Honor.

The Texas National Guard Troops made a big difference everywherethey fought. The Army was glad to have the 36th Infantry Divisionwith its field artillery, engineers, medical, quartermaster and obser-vation squadron. The 112th Cavalry, changed to amphibious infantry,made five invasions in the South Pacific and the 124th Cavalryserved as mule packers and infantry in Burma.

My duty was a Buck Sergeant Tank Commander, 92nd CavalryRecon, 12th Armored Division. We received three battle stars andserved in the 7th Army, the 3rd Army and the French First.

One of my tank gunners was Fred Rosales of El Paso, and I want tosay that all Texans of Mexican descent were great fighters and neverheld back. One great example is Sgt. Manuel Gonzales of Fort Davis.When the 36th T-Patches hit the beach at Salerno, September 9,1943, Manuel and his company were pinned down by German fire.Manuel crawled, under fire alone, and knocked out four machinegun nests, one mortar squad and 88 with its crew. All of this in hisfirst day of combat. He received the Distinguished Service Cross;but it should have been the Medal of Honor.

My art career started when I was five. I’ve been drawing, painting and sculpting ever since. My subjects have been the life I’ve led. Military, Texas A&M, cowboying in Texas and two years in Mexico for the Foot-and-Mouth Commission. Whatever I was doing, I did art at nightsand weekends and have been a full-time artist since 1975. My largest bronze is a six-foot sculpture of Audie Murphy at Camp Mabry. I made a life-sized bronze of Reveille I and designed the interior displays for theCorps Center at Texas A&M.

Living in Texas has been my reward. It’s the best.

Siempre,

Bill LeftwichWorld War II veteran

Bill Leftwich, pictured at top in Germany in 1945,

and recently with his wife Mary Alice.

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Each generation must analyze and under-stand the past for itself based on its ownsystem of values. History is not static; itis dynamic and ever changing. Althoughsome basic elements of any historicalevent may be indisputable, many moreare open to conjecture, subject to theframes of reference of individual partici-pants or observers.

People with first-hand knowledgeof historical events are, in effect, the firsteditors of the story. How they pass theirmemories to the next generation is thebasis of preservation. The more informa-tion bequeathed from one generation toanother, the better the chances of accu-rate interpretation.

Because history is alive and current,its movement continues on a sliding scaleof time. A perfect example of that phe-nomenon is World War II. A finite eventin our collective past, it continues to havean influence on our society and even ourgeographical landscape. Since the formalconclusion of the war on Sept. 2, 1945,though, the available elements of thatevent have diminished. The first to disap-pear were the war materiel and supplies,followed by more artifacts, archivalrecords and architecture.

Then, over time, we have lost theassociated memories on a grand scale.Gone is the government leadership of theera, and most of the officer class. Timehas also taken its toll on the military rankand file. Within a generation, the avail-able stories to be collected will be thosedealing with the home front and thechildren of World War II. And then, asthe scale slides on, only the interpretationof past memories will remain.

Two important components of theTexas Historical Commission’s (THC)Texas in World War II initiative speakdirectly to the preservation and interpre-

tation of memories. The first is an oralhistory project that will focus on collect-ing stories at the local level throughoutthe state. Currently, more than 300,000World War II veterans live in Texas,but that number decreases significantlyeach year. No one agency or group canfind all those individuals and recordthe remaining stories, but with a jointeffort of multiple partners — the countyhistorical commissions (CHCs) centralto that effort — there will be moreinformation to pass along.

Through the oral history componentof the initiative, THC staff will conductworkshops in each region of the state,training family members, friends, students,historians and others in creative ways tocapture the remaining stories. There willbe special emphasis on developing depthwithin interviews through focusedquestioning, on understanding the layersof the home front story and on the needto be inclusive and comprehensive inthe approach.

As Baylor University oral historianThomas L. Charlton observed, “The

strength of oral history is in the individualdimension it brings to an understandingof our past. It allows us to share common,universal emotions and perspectives thathelp us view history in a personal wayfrom the bottom up and from the insideout.” Teaching individuals how to recordand preserve those added dimensions tothe broad story of Texas in World War IIwill be the primary objective of theTHC oral history workshops.

It is not enough, however, to merelycollect the stories. History must be sharedto remain alive. It is important that thegenerations who did not experience theWorld War II era weave those storiestogether so they can be understood andappreciated by those who will follow.One important way to accomplish thatobjective is through the placement ofOfficial Texas Historical Markers. Sincethe early 1960s, the THC has markedsites and histories associated with the war.Much has been told through that venue,but much more remains to be told aboutthe bases and fields, the units, the heroes,the home front efforts and countlessother relevant stories.

Through the Texas in World War IIinitiative, the THC will place 15 specialmarkers around the state during the nextthree years to commemorate the wartimeyears. The Vignettes of Wartime Texasmarker project is made possible throughthe generosity of the HoblitzelleFoundation of Dallas, longtime friendsof the state marker program. Specialmarker topics have been selected, and theassociated CHCs will be notified soonof their involvement. However, thesemarkers represent only a sample of whatshould be interpreted and shared.

THC Commissioner Tom Alexander,who is providing leadership for the initia-tive, noted, “The war affected every

Interpreting World War IIAcross the GenerationsTEXANS INVITED TO TRANSFORM MEMORY TO HISTORY


county in the state in some significantway, and as the appointed guardians ofthe past it is important the CHCs dowhat they can to share those stories.”

Alexander suggests the CHCs surveytheir unique stories and then assesswhere markers might be most effective ineducating the public about war-relatedstories and places. He added, “The markersshould be promoted as integral compo-nents of local heritage tourism efforts.”

Memories are at the core of theTexas in World War II initiative. Oralhistory and Official Texas HistoricalMarkers are two means of utilizing thosememories and turning them into histories,bringing generations together to discusswithin a broad forum the impact ofthe war on our state. They are also a meansof ensuring future generations will havea more complete story to interpretand understand in their own fashion andthen, as history dictates, to pass it alongonce again.

For more information on the variouscomponents of the Texas in World War IIinitiative, visit the THC web site atwww.thc.state.tx.us. ★

This article was written by Dan K. Utley, chief historian with the THC’s History Programs Division.

Opposite: An African American soldier in World War II. Photo courtesy National Archives.

Clockwise from top: Texas Medal of Honor winner, Cleto Rodriquez.

Marine volunteers departing San Antonio fromthe Southern Pacific Depot. Photo credit: Instituteof Texan Cultures.

Students in San Augustine County (April 1943). Photo credit: Library of Congress, Prints &Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection (LC-USF35-1326).

This African American gun crew received theNavy Cross for distinguished service. Photo courtesy National Archives.

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“Sir, we have a 500-pounder (bomb)hanging nose-down in the back shackle.”

This grisly announcement fromthe flight engineer sent shivers downPampa resident Mike Porter’s spine ashe piloted his B-24 over the AdriaticSea in 1944. But it didn’t stop himfrom fulfilling his duty. He vowed todiffuse the situation.

“I told the co-pilot, ‘Hold thisbaby steady,’ and I grabbed the fire axe,” Porter says.

The catwalk to the rear of theplane was a tight fit, so Porter had toremove his parachute. When he finallygot to the bomb bay doors to cut themissile loose, things went south.

“I thought I had a real good graspon the axe, but the next thing youknow, the bomb fell, the axe fell andMike fell,” Porter recalls.

Somehow, miraculously, his oldA-2 bomber jacket got caught on theplane and jerked him back upward.Porter proceeded to crawl back to hispilot’s seat and safely land the plane.

“It’s just one of thosethings that happened,” heunderstatedly claims.“I tell you what, though —a few hours after that Icompletely went to pieces.It finally hit me what hadhappened.”

Porter’s incrediblestory comes to life atFreedom Museum USA,where his bomber jacket —complete with the tearacross the back where itcaught on the plane —resides along with count-less other World War II-related memorabilia.Porter is curator of thisPampa museum, which isfeatured in the TexasHistorical Commission’s(THC) new Texas inWorld War II brochure,along with dozens of othersites across the state with ties to the war.

Porter’s Texas connection isundoubtedly similar to some of thenearly 300,000 World War II veteransstill residing in the Lone Star State.He trained at Pampa Army Air Field,where he learned to operate twin-engineplanes (AT-17s, AT-10s and AT-9s),and returned to Pampa after the warto raise a family and make a living.

“Texas has had an enormousimpact on my life as a soldier, husband,father and businessman,” Porter said.“I’ve always appreciated being in thePanhandle. Everybody around heretreats you like family — they’ll reachout to you whenever you need a hand.That really made an impression on me.”

For decades, Pampa Army AirField hosted reunions for U.S. ArmyAir Corps servicemen, and by the late1980s, discussion turned to preservingtheir legacy by opening a museum.In 1995, Porter was named interimdirector, a title he retains to this day,and the Freedom Museum USA wenton to amass a significant collectionof military artifacts. They include:a B-25 bomber, a personnel carrier, aGerman uniform from a nearby prisonerof war camp and a wedding dressmade from a parachute.

To learn more about other WorldWar II-related heritage tourism destina-tions, order a free copy of Texas inWorld War II by calling 866/276-6219.In the meantime, consider visiting thefollowing sites around the state.

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION10

RELIVE THE LEGACY OFTEXAS’ POWERFUL CONNECTION TO THE WAR ENDURES AT HER

Mike Porter of Pampa holds the flight jacket that saved his life.

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GREENVILLEThe Audie Murphy/American CottonMuseum combinesstories of HuntCounty’s most historic crop, cotton,and its most famous native son,Audie Murphy, World War II’s mostdecorated soldier. The museum groundsinclude a working cotton patch, picnicareas, and native grass and herb gardens.

Artifacts from Murphy’s militaryexperience intermingle with items fromhis post-war career in the entertainmentindustry. One exhibit displays thecontrol panel of the crashed civilianplane in which he died in 1971 whileon a business trip. The museum alsohosts an annual Audie Murphy Dayscelebration.

FREDERICKSBURGAfter guiding Allied forces to victoryover Japan, U.S. Navy Adm. ChesterW. Nimitz was among those whosigned the 1945 instrument of surrenderthat formally ended World War II.He was a native of this Hill Countrytown that honors his life and timesat the Admiral Nimitz State HistoricSite and National Museum of thePacific War.

The museum’s George Bush Galleryprovides a powerful overview of thewar, and an exhibit on pre-attack PearlHarbor features a Japanese two-manmidget submarine (the only one ondisplay in the continental U.S.). Themuseum also includes the JapaneseGarden of Peace, a gift from Japan as asymbol of reconciliation.

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WORLD WAR IIEVENTSACROSS TEXASWORLD WAR II

RITAGE TOURISM SITES

Visitors pause at the Japanese Garden of Peace at the Admiral NimitzState Historic Site in Fredericksburg.

Audie Murphy

■ SEPTEMBER 2, AUSTINThe Texas Historical Commission (THC)invites all Texans to attend a special freecommemoration ceremony of the 60thanniversary of the end of World War II onthe south lawn of the State Capitol inAustin. Gov. Rick Perry will deliver thekeynote address at the event honoringTexas’ “Greatest Generation.”

Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. and includea performance of World War II-era music,several distinguished World War II veteransand a dramatic flyover including a B-17“Flying Fortress.” For more information,call 512/463-6100.

■ SEPTEMBER 2, MADISONVILLEMadison County Museum event with theDaughters of the American Revolutioncommemorating Texas in World War II.Call 936/348-5230.

■ SEPTEMBER 3, COLLEGE STATIONThe Brazos County Historical Commissionwill co-sponsor an event honoring local connections to World War II at theGeorge Bush Presidential Library. Call 979/862-1555.

■ SEPTEMBER 17, MASON Reunion for World War II veterans includesa flyover, parade, barbecue dinner, musicalentertainment, speakers and a veteransmarker dedication. Call 325/347-5605 orwww.masontxcoc.com/groups/histcomm.

■ OCTOBER 22, HALLETTSVILLE Lavaca County Historical Commission’s“On the Homefront: Lavaca County in World War II,” with distinguished speakers,a band concert and air show featuring a B-25 bomber and an AT-6 Texan. Call 512/798-5833 orwww.rootsweb.com/~txlavaca/histcom.htm.

■ COMING THIS FALL, BONHAMSam Rayburn House Museum opens aspecial exhibit about Sam Rayburn andWorld War II. Call 903/583-5558.


These sites represent a samplingof the communities profiled inTexas in World War II, a heritagetourism brochure producedby the THC’s Texas HeritageTrails Program. It highlightsTexas’ vital connections to thewar on both the home front andoverseas, and showcases count-less heritage tourism attractionsin 34 cities across the state.

Order a free brochure todayto begin your journey acrossTexas’ remarkable and enduringWorld War II legacy.

This article was written by Andy Rhodes, managing editor of The Medallion.

SWEETWATERIn 1942, the U.S. Army Air Forceslaunched the civilian Women AirforceService Pilots (WASP) program afterwomen started taking home-front jobsonce considered exclusively for males.From 1942 to 1944, these first womento fly U.S. military planes logged 60 million miles, ferrying military aircraft to bases nationwide.

The pilots trained at SweetwaterArmy Air Field (Avenger Field) whichcurrently serves as a municipal airfieldand campus of Texas State TechnicalCollege. A monument bears the namesof 1,074 women pilots who receivedtheir WASP silver wings here, and amemorial sculpture honors the 38 womenpilots who died in service. A 1929 hangarnear campus is the home of theNational WASP WWII Museum, whereexhibits tell the pioneer pilots’ stories. ★

HARLINGENHarlingen’s Marine Military Academyis home to the original full-scaleworking model of the famous IwoJima statue at Arlington NationalCemetery. In February 1945, fiveU.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy corps-man raised a giant American flagatop the island of Iwo Jima after avicious battle. Joe Rosenthal’s PulitzerPrize-winning photograph of theevent became one of World War II’smost enduring images, and artistFelix de Weldon’s model allows Texansto experience this lasting legacy.

An adjacent museum featuresMarine Corps memorabilia, a 30-minute film dedicated to the Battleof Iwo Jima, and a veterans hall offame. The monument and museumare next to Valley InternationalAirport, built on the site of HarlingenArmy Air Field, a World War IIinstallation.

LA PORTEThe only surviving pre-World War Idreadnought battleship, the USS Texasis now permanently anchored in theHouston Ship Channel as part of theTexas Parks and Wildlife Department’sSan Jacinto Battleground State HistoricSite. During World War II, thisesteemed vessel served as the flagshipfor the 1944 D-Day invasion ofEurope, commanded by Texas nativeGen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The USS Texas was the first U.S.battleship equipped with anti-aircraftguns and commercial radar, and thefirst to launch an aircraft. Visitorscan climb up to the flying bridge orexplore deep into below-deck areas.The USS Texas is listed as a NationalHistoric Landmark and a NationalMechanical Engineering Landmark.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The USS Texas, anchored in La Porte, served as the flagship for the 1944 D-Dayinvasion of Europe.

Americans showed their patriotism with victory pins.

For more information visitwww.thc.state.tx.us.

POW


Gone but not ForgottenFormer POW Camp Captures Interest of Several Generations

People are often surprised to learn thatduring World War II Texas had more pris-oner of war (POW) camps than any otherstate and the highest number of detainees.The numbers tell the story: an estimated50,000 POWs, mostly Germans and someItalians and Japanese, inhabited more than70 camps across Texas.

One site was on the outskirts ofHearne, in Robertson County near Bryan.With so many men serving in the armedforces, farmers around Hearne desperatelyneeded workers, and they saw POWs asthe answer, according to Cathy Lazarus,chair of the Robertson County HistoricalCommission and president of Roll Call:Friends of Camp Hearne. In early 1942,Hearne civic leaders began the campaignfor a POW camp, and in June 1943 thefirst wave of prisoners arrived.

Today the town is again taking theinitiative, this time by turning the site ofthe camp into Robertson County’s firstplanned tourist attraction and a featuredpart of the Texas Brazos Trail Region.In the fall of 2005, the city of Hearne willunveil an Official Texas Historical Markerat Camp Hearne that describes its historyand significance to the war effort.

In October, the Brazos Valley Museumof Natural History in Bryan will open anexhibit about Camp Hearne and theGerman POW presence in America, withsome of the displays later transferring tothe Hearne Chamber of Commerce.

The exhibit promises a fascinating lookat Camp Hearne, one of the first andbiggest POW camps in the U.S., housingmore than 4,800 German soldiers, mainlynoncommissioned officers in FieldMarshall Erwin Rommel’s battle-wearyAfrika Korps. Now, thanks in large partto the historical and archeological work ofDr. Michael Waters and his students atTexas A&M University, it is one of themost thoroughly studied camps in the state.

As part of his research, Waters inter-viewed former Camp Hearne POWs andmade an intriguing discovery. By andlarge, the Germans remembered their timein captivity with fondness. Officers werenot required to work, and noncommissioned

officers could be assigned only to supervi-sory duty. Since junior enlisted menaccounted for only 15 to 20 percent of thecamp population, nearly everyone else wasfree for such pursuits as playing musicalinstruments — there were three orchestrasat Camp Hearne — and constructingfountains, statues and miniature castles.The food was good and plentiful too, theysaid. In general, the German POWs weretreated decently.

A little too decently, some Americansthought, as they endured rationing. Butthe U.S. military was operating accordingto the Geneva Prisoner of War Conventionof 1929, which required that POWs betreated exactly the same as U.S. soldiers,Waters explained.

“They also wanted to show the POWsthat this is what America is like, this is theway we are,” he said. “They wanted to winthem over with kindness.” And perhapsjust as important, the U.S. hoped theGermans would reciprocate in their treat-ment of American soldiers held overseas.

Shortly after the war, the camp wasdismantled. Some buildings were sold andmoved, the rest demolished. Nevertheless,remnants of camp life survived, hiddenbeneath the weeds and brambles.

Waters’ archeological team locatedfountains the Germans built, remains ofother structures and approximately 1,400artifacts — including military insignia,buttons, cigarette lighters and hair-tonicbottles — some of which will be ondisplay at the Brazos Valley Museum andlater at the Hearne Chamber ofCommerce.

This brief, previously obscure chapterin Texas history is now better documentedthan ever in Waters’ recently publishedbook, Lone Star Stalag. Additional newsabout the site is available at www.camphearne.info. ★

This article was written by Molly Gardner, editor with the THC’s Archeology Division.

“Every piece of ground hasa story to tell. The cementslabs and decaying fountainsobscured by vegetation atthe site of Camp Hearneecho a time forgotten of abustling city of nearly fivethousand men broughttogether by world conflict.”

— From Lone Star Stalag by Dr. Michael Waters

German POWs learned about wood carvingat Camp Hearne.

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residences, and the former headquartersbuilding is the Marfa National Bank.

Artist and sculptor Donald Judd,who transformed many of the remainingstructures into gallery space and officesfor the Chinati Foundation’s internation-ally renowned art installations, purchasedthe remainder of the abandoned post inthe late 1960s. Painted signs in Germanfor POWs remain on the walls of theformer storage warehouses alongsideJudd’s rows of stainless steel cubes.Murals painted by German POWs stilladorn the walls in Building 98, whichwas recently designated a Recorded TexasHistoric Landmark.

On the other side of the state alongthe Houston Ship Channel, the HitchcockNaval Air Station was commissioned in1943 to protect the area from invasionby Axis submarines in the Gulf of Mexico.Hitchcock had a massive timber-framestructure (more than 300,000 square feetof floor space) built specifically to houseapproximately six blimps, also known as“lighter-than-air craft.”

After redesignation as a naval airfacility, the hangar was used for storingrice, and, according to the Handbook ofTexas Online, the state could have storedits entire rice harvest in the building.Hurricane Carla damaged most of thehangar in 1961, and it was eventuallydemolished.

Nearby, Fort Travis on the BolivarPeninsula contains structures from bothWorld War I and World War II. TheRepublic of Texas established the fort in1836, and during World War II the sitehoused German POWs. The barracksare gone now, but gun revetments (gunemplacements) remain. Fort Travis iscurrently part of the Galveston CountyParks System.

Many deactivated military baseswere dispersed when public and private

entities purchased the buildings for relo-cation and reuse as schools and churches.

Bartlett school trustees purchasedfour buildings from Bastrop County’sCamp Swift in November 1949 toaccommodate growing enrollment at theAfrican American campus; however, theschool complex has since been demolished.In addition, Austin’s Hyde ParkPresbyterian Church incorporated bar-racks from Camp Swift into its parishhall. Likewise, when its 19th-centuryLutheran church was destroyed by ahurricane in 1945, the community ofDanevang, the heart of Texas’ Danishsettlement, rallied and bought the chapelfrom Camp Hulen in nearby Palacios;the church continues to keep Danishtradition alive.

In La Grange, a former barrackfrom Camp Swift Infantry Base is nowan espresso bar and live music venuecalled the Bugle Boy, in tribute to theWorld War II-era hit by the AndrewSisters (“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”).Another unusual conversion is a formerunderground concrete revetment turnedinto to a hotel spa at San Luis Resort inGalveston, though its original purposeis hardly recognizable from the interior.

Many structures in use during thewar have also been converted to museums.The Rattlesnake Bomber Base Museumis in Pyote, and the National WASPWWII Museum in Sweetwater is atnearby Avenger Field, where the WomenAirforce Service Pilots trained. One ormore World War II hangars from BryanArmy Air Field are now being used atTexas A&M University to conserve andreassemble the Belle, the French ship thatwrecked in 1686 under the command ofRobert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle. In SanMarcos, the original 1873 Hays CountyJail became a World War II USO centerfor black servicemen, and now has new

Valuable Lessons from RECYCLE BUILDINGS, CONSERVE MATERIALS

★

FFor many Texans, the end of World WarII marked the beginning of a fascinatingarchitectural journey.

After the war, military installationswere deactivated and countless structureswere abandoned, returned to originalownership, donated to the state or sold.Often, buildings from deactivated campswere dispersed and relocated for useelsewhere as schools, churches and hous-ing. What remains of World War II inTexas varies from recognizable militaryfacilities to eerie ruins visible fromremote highways.

Texas hosted every type of militaryinstallation and related facilities duringthe war, including Army Air Forces,prisoner of war (POW) camps, UnitedService Organizations (USO) facilitiesand hospitals. Many of these sites wereconstructed just prior to or during WorldWar II, whereas other facilities alreadyexisted, such as Fort Sam Houston inSan Antonio and Fort Bliss in El Paso.

Preserving Texas’ war-relatedstructures, in their various current usesor states of neglect, depends heavily oncitizens conducting surveys documentingsites for official records.

Gen. Franco DiBello, an officer inthe Italian army who became a prisonerof war housed in a Hereford camp inApril 1943, returned to the town in 1981to celebrate the restoration of a chapelbuilt by the prisoners.

“There is no sign of what was here,”DiBello said. “All is covered by wheat;this is a symbol of peace and prosperousfuture over the mistakes of humanity.”

Fort D.A. Russell (formerly CampMarfa) in Brewster and Presidio Countiesserves as an excellent example of a closedmilitary installation with many originalstructures still in use. The city of Marfaacquired much of the fort after its deacti-vation; now former barracks serve as local


of the rich story of Texas’ wartimeexperience, and each serves as a tributeto the men and women whose dedicationto the war effort is remembered acrossthe state today. The architectural remnantsof this era are appropriately being usedin a way that World War II taughtits generation — in the true spirit ofconservation and reuse. ★

This article was written by Amy Lambert andSusan Tietz of the THC’s Architecture Division.

life as the Calaboose African AmericanHistory Museum.

Interesting from a military stand-point, Amarillo’s Pantex Ordnance Plant,authorized in early 1942 following theDec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor,is still in business. The plant, built innine months, transformed a 16,000-acrewheat field into a bomb factory site.Its use reversed course over the years,moving from an initial mission ofassembly to one of disassembly.

Many other decommissioned WorldWar II buildings and structures are a part

World War II

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

An aircraft hangar at former Fort D.A. Russell in Marfa now contains modern art sculptures as part of the Chinati Foundation.

At right: The restored POW chapel in Hereford stands in a cornfield.


“Bam! The next thing they knew, they werein battle,” said Doug Kubicek, chair of theLavaca County Historical Commission.

Student pilots at Foster Army Air Field,a few miles away in Victoria, were learninghow to navigate by using just a compass,and the spiral atop the Lavaca CountyCourthouse served as a reference pointsignifying when to return. Accordingto official crash reports, pilot error likelycaused the majority of accidents. Thefliers, mostly in their early 20s — someeven younger — often got lost, or “justplain ran out of gas,” Lincke-Fisseler said.

The Lavaca County markers appear tobe unique in Texas, and possibly in thenation. U.S. Air Force historian Dr. BruceAshcroft said he knows of no other com-munity in which citizens contributed theirown funds to mark the locations whereaviators died during World War II. AndLincke-Fisseler, despite years of researchand hundreds of pages of notes, reportsand clippings, did not find any evidenceof a similar phenomenon elsewhere.

A statistic might help explain thestrong feelings of those Lavaca Countyresidents of the 1940s.

“About 90 percent of the men of fightingage in the county were in service duringthe war, so almost every family had a sonor husband or brother in the military,”Kubicek said. “There was such a feelingof helplessness. They couldn’t do anythingto help their family members, but theythought, ‘Here is something I can do.’ ”

Lavaca County will honor the downedfliers again this year at a special event inHallettsville on October 22. Organizershope some of the men’s relatives will beable to attend, but it is sometimes difficultto locate family members, said Lincke-Fisseler. Many of the dead were so youngthey did not have wives or children.

Before the October event, the LavacaCounty Historical Commission will place afinal marker for a pilot who died towardthe end of the war, but was somehowoverlooked. This memorial will be exactlythe same as the others, chiseled in thesame lettering by the same monumentcompany.

All the markers, and the memories ofthe sacrifices they represent, are expectedto last far into the future because of theefforts of Lavaca County residents.

“In every case, someone has taken thetrouble to mow around the markers,”Kubicek said. “I know of a man whoweeds around one in his field, and anotherwho puts flowers on his.”

Oil company employees working in thearea even built a small fence around oneto protect it, he said. “These markers arelike hallowed ground.” ★

This article was written by Molly Gardner,an editor in the THC’s Archeology Division.

People could hear the explosionfrom miles away. Houses shook“as if by an earthquake,” a localnewspaper reported. The B-25Mitchell bomber with enginetrouble, carrying at least 500gallons of gasoline, gouged acrater in a field near Hope, Texasthat is still visible today, morethan 60 years after the crashthat killed six young aviators.

This was the first of seven fatal ArmyAir Corps crashes in Lavaca County duringWorld War II. The loss of life affected theresidents so deeply they took up a collec-tion to place a marker at the exact spotthe B-25 went down, and they continuedto set up markers as more airmen diedin their county.

Each marker bears the Army Air Corpsinsignia, the aviator’s name, the date ofhis death and an inscription that reads,“Lost his life in Army Air Corps in theperformance of duty.” The small tomb-stone-like monuments dot the fields andpastures of these rolling coastal plains abouthalfway between Houston and San Antonio.

“It was strictly a grassroots effort, aresponse to the deaths of these young menin defense of their country,” said BrendaLincke-Fisseler, Lavaca County HistoricalCommission member. No governmententity or official organization promptedthe initiative.

By the end of the war, county residentshad volunteered to honor 13 aviators.Most had been based at nearby Army air-fields, where they were taking advancedtraining in single-engine AT-6s. In the rushto get pilots into combat as quickly aspossible, this instruction would be theirlast before shipping overseas.

Lavaca County Markers Honor DownedWorld War II Aviators

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In 1943, a WASP recruiter contactedFlournoy about serving in the group; sheaccepted, and spent the rest of the year train-ing in Sweetwater. After graduation she wasassigned to training command in Hondo,Texas, for navigation school. Her duty wasroutine test flying — slow-timing newengines, checking throttle settings, andrecording instrument flight gauges. It wasthe WASP’s job to fly the planes for twohours over Hondo, but sometimes theyveered a bit off course.

“This was before radar was being used extensively, so theycouldn’t track us. Occasionally,I'd go over to San Antonio just totake a look at Randolph Field orthe Kelly base,” Flournoy recallswith a chuckle. “We flew justhigh enough so people couldn’tsee our tail numbers, and wealways got back to Hondo in twohours. Two hours is two hours —we did our job and did it well,but we also had a good time.”

Flournoy says the thought offlying combat missions neverentered the WASP's minds; theydid not expect to take those jobs frommale pilots. But their patriotism was strong,and they viewed their duty as fulfilling animportant mission for their country.

“That was why most of us wereflying — we wanted to do our part,”Flournoy says. “Other people were doingwhatever they could to help by rationingsupplies or growing vegetables. We wereflying airplanes instead.”

After the WASP disbanded in 1944,Flournoy took a job as a company pilot inAlice, Texas. There, she met her husbandLucien, a prominent oilman, and remainedon the ground for 15 years while she raisedtheir family. Eventually, she took to the skiesagain in her own Beech Baron for leisureand to attend THC meetings.

As a member of theWomen Airforce ServicePilots (WASP), MaxineFlournoy deftly maneu-vered AT-7s, the standardtrainer planes for naviga-tors during World War II.She never imagined that60 years later she wouldonce again find herself inthe cockpit of an AT-7.

The opportunity arose during a WASP reunionearlier this year at Avenger Field in Sweetwater,where these pioneering pilots trained from1942 to 1944. Thirty-one alumnae of theprogram were in attendance, and Flournoywore the biggest smile of them all.

“When you’re 84 years old, flying oneof those planes is quite a treat,” she says,adding that she researched the AT-7’s flightinstruments to re-acclimate herself with theaircraft. “It felt wonderful — everythingwas right there just the way I remembered.It was such a thrill. I was really grateful forthe opportunity to do that.”

Flournoy logged hundreds of flighthours over the past six decades as a privatepilot and for recreation. As a Texas HistoricalCommission (THC) commissioner in the1980s, she flew her Cessna 337 to meetings,and she took pride in flying to WASPreunions across the country.

“There’s satisfaction in getting frompoint A to point B without someone elsedoing the flying for you,” she says. “WhenI couldn't fly my own plane, I had to takethe airlines for awhile, and that really hurtmy feelings.”

Flournoy’s interest in aviation took offat Joplin Junior College (Missouri) in theearly 1940s. A friend was enthusiasticallydiscussing her recent experience doingaerial spins and stalls in a small plane, andher stories inspired Flournoy to eventuallyseek a pilot’s license.

It is her WASP experience, however,that keeps her head in the clouds.

“It was a wonderful time, but we’re allover 80 now, and many have made their lastflights,” Flournoy says, adding that she hascontinued to be involved with the group byrecently serving as president of the alumnaeorganization. “I consider myself veryfortunate to have experienced the sisterhoodof being a WASP.” ★

This article was written by Andy Rhodes, managing editor of The Medallion.

Earning Her WingsMaxine Flournoy Recalls Experience as a WASP over Texas Skies

Maxine Flournoy is happy to be in the cockpit after 60 years of flying.

Left: Flournoy during training in 1944.

Far left: The official WASPlogo, Avenger Field inSweetwater


HISTORY IN THE MAKING

AT-6 TEXANMany U.S. pilots in World War II flew the AT-6 Texanat some point, and most Army Air Forces’ fighterpilots trained in the AT-6 before graduating fromflying school. Many of the Royal Air Force pilots whoflew Spitfire and Hurricane planes trained in theBritish version of the AT-6.

B-17 FLYING FORTRESSThe B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most famousairplanes ever built. It served in every World War IIcombat zone, but it’s best known for long daylightbombing raids over Europe. The B-17 becamefamous because it usually brought crew membersback to base even if the plane was damaged in battle.With up to 13 machine guns on it, the B-17 was con-sidered a flying “fortress in the sky.”

B-24 LIBERATORThe B-24 Liberator was one of the most abundant ofall of the U.S. planes in World War II. It served indifferent kinds of combat, delivering large bombloads over long distances. Its oval-shaped rudderswere one of a kind, and it had special “roller-shutter”doors that pulled back into the plane when bombswere dropped.

B-29 SUPERFORTRESSThe B-29 Superfortress came onto the scene in thelater years of World War II to serve as the long-awaited “magic weapon” in the war against Japan.The B-29 was known for its great range, which camein handy for the long flights to attack Japan frombases in China and the Pacific Islands.

P-51 MUSTANGThe P-51 Mustang is considered to be one ofgreatest single-seat fighters used in World War II. Its ability to fly great distances made it famous duringthe long missions to Germany and over the endlessstretches of the Pacific Ocean. By the end of the war,pilots in P-51s had destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraftin the air, more than any other fighter in Europe.Photos courtesy National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

My History

Mathis Clay, a ninth grader at VanguardPreparatory School in Dallas, has aspecial connection to World War II.His grandfather, Matthew Honer Clay, Sr.,served in the war in the Pacific Theater.Mathis recently spoke with his grand-father about the war, and afterward hewrote an article about what he learned.If you have a relative or neighbor who isa World War II veteran, perhaps youcan ask them about their experience andwrite something similar to Mathis’ story.

My grandfather was drafted for World War II in April 1943. He reported to Fort Sam Houston inSan Antonio and was sent to Camp Bonnevillein the state of Washington for basic training.

His duties included “supervising theoperation of machines used in fumigating andbath units.” He was promoted to technicalsergeant, but he became separated from hiscompany because of hernia surgery.

My grandfather especially remembers whenbombs were dropped on their troops’ ship, andthe anti-aircraft didn’t provide much protection.Just as he and others boarded the L.C.M.(Landing Craft Men), Japanese suicide bombers“split the ship into pieces,” and it sank whilethe rescued troops floated near the shore.

My grandfather says, “It is important forTexas students to realize that many sacrificeswere made to accomplish the peaceful surrenderof the Japanese after the atomic bombs weredropped in 1945.”

He earned enough service points andcombat badges while serving guard duty onwarehouses and supply dumps in Japan to qualifyfor an honorable discharge in May 1946.

A recruiter at Fort Sam Houston asked mygrandfather if he would ever reenlist in the ArmyReserve. His reply was, “Man, after all I've beenthrough, I wouldn’t join the Salvation Army!”

NOW YOU KNOW Airplanes played a very important role in World War II. In fact, the war started andended with aircraft action — the Germans attacked Poland by air in 1939, and theU.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Japan from a plane in 1945. During the war, manydifferent kinds of planes took to the skies, and a lot of them had colorful nicknames,such as the C-47 “Gooney Bird,” the C-119 “Flying Boxcar,” the P-61 “Black Widow”and the P-63 “King Cobra.” Here are a few of the best-known World War II planes:

Matthew Honer Clay, Sr. and Mathis Clay

19

WHERE ON EARTH... IN TEXAS

here on Earth? You tell us! Write to the Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276. You also may fax your answer to512/463-6374 or email it to [email protected]. The first three

people who correctly guess the site will be named with the answer in the November/Decemberissue of The Medallion. The first correct mail answer will be counted, even if correct emailsand faxes arrive first.

Want a clue? The World War II soldier depicted in this statue is the focal point of an annual festival in this northeast Texas community.

Answer to the photo from the last issue: The Nazareth Academy building is in downtownVictoria. Designed in 1904 by noted South Texas architect Jules Leffland, this Alsatian-designRococo Revival building housed students until 1951.

Congratulations to Debbie Curti of Lubbock, and Shirley Melvin and Peter Riesz ofVictoria. Winners receive prizes from our Texas Heritage Trails Program, the Texas HistoricalCommission’s regional tourism initiative, as tokens of our appreciation for taking part in the fun. Thanks to all participants!


W

The Medallion is published bimonthly by theTexas Historical Commission. Address correspon-dence to Editor, The Medallion, P.O. Box 12276,Austin, TX 78711-2276. Portions of the newslet-ter that are not copyrighted or reprinted fromother sources may be reprinted with permission.Contributions for the support of this publicationare gratefully accepted. For information aboutalternate formats of this publication, contact theTHC at 512/463-6255.

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSIONCommissioners:John L. Nau, III, ChairThomas E. AlexanderJane Cook BarnhillBob BowmanEarl Broussard Jr.Diane Bumpas Shirley W. CaldwellDonna CarterLareatha H. Clay

Commissioner Emeritus: T.R. Fehrenbach

Executive Director: F. Lawerence Oaks

ISSN 0890-7595

Vol. 42, No. 9–10www.thc.state.tx.us [email protected]

The Medallion is financed in part by a grant fromthe National Park Service, U.S. Department of theInterior. All of the agency’s public programs andactivities are operated free from discriminationon the basis of race, color, national origin, age,gender or disability. Any person who believes he orshe has been discriminated against should write toOffice of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Departmentof the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

Medallion Staff:Heather McBride Director of MarketingBarbara Putrino EditorAndy Rhodes Managing EditorLinda Adkins Senior Design CoordinatorMandi Sutliff Graphic Designer

Frank W. GormanDavid A. GravelleAlbert F. (Boo) Hausser Sarita A. Hixon Dr. Eileen JohnsonThomas R. PhillipsMarcus W. WatsonFrank D. Yturria

The Medallion is available online atwww.thc.state.tx.us/medallionmag/mddefault.html. If you would preferto receive The Medallion electroni-cally instead of through the mail,please send your name and addressto [email protected]. You will benotified by email when each newissue is available on the THC website and will no longer receive aprinted copy.

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDAUSTIN, TX

PERMIT NO.1938

The MedallionTexas Historical CommissionP.O. Box 12276Austin, TX 78711-2276

P.O. BOX 12276 • AUSTIN, TX 78711-2276PHONE 512/463-6100 • FAX 512/475-4872

www.thc.state.tx.us

Our MissionTo protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the use, education, enjoyment

and economic benefit of present and future generations.

he Texas Historical Commission urges you to ensure Texas’ World War II legacy endures for the benefit of current and future generations.

Those who experienced World War II lived through a time unlike any other — learn from them about this vital era of our past that changed history forever.

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