Call Field
Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas
Marker Inscription
When the United States entered World War I, April 1917, the Aviation Section, Signal Corps, U.S. Army, had only 112 pilots. Yet the allies, relying heavily on the U.S., planned the greatest of all aerial fleets, and the U.S. moved at once to meet the expectations. In August, Wichita Falls was chosen, because of good winter weather, as location for a new aviation field for pilot training programs. Through efforts of local citizens, this 640-acre site was leased and named for Lt. Loren H. Call, a pilot killed on duty in Texas, 1913. Construction began September 4, 1917, on primary flight training school; 50 to 60 buildings went up north of this spot on Call Field Road; runways and 12 hangars were situated south of the road. Planes used included the standard JL and Curtis JN4. Major John Brooks (later Major Gen. Brooks) was the first commanding officer. (His horse stable, 360 feet north, is only surviving Call Field building) with him came 15 enlisted men from 6th Aero Sqn., Hawaiian Terr., and five flying cadets from San Diego, California. In time, over 3,000 officers, cadets and enlisted men were based here. Before Call Field closed in July 1919; the school gave commissions and wings to some 500 men and sent two aero squadrons overseas for combat duty. (1973)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the Army's aviation branch had only 112 pilots, and the nation scrambled to build the vast air fleet the Allies expected. Chosen for its good flying weather, Wichita Falls leased this 640-acre site and named it for Lt. Loren H. Call, a flier killed in Texas in 1913. From 1917 to 1919 the primary flight school trained cadets on Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplanes, ultimately winging some 500 officers and basing more than 3,000 men before it closed.
Why it matters
Call Field was part of the crash program that turned a tiny prewar air service into a modern military aviation force, marking the dawn of American air power.
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Related people
- · Loren H. Call
- · John Brooks
Themes & tags
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