Kelly Air Force Base
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
As World War I raged in Europe, the United States began to build up and expand its military aviation forces. In his search for a new army aviation training site, Maj. Benjamin Foulois found 700 acres of flat farmland with a water supply near the Missouri-Pacific rail line, then seven miles south of San Antonio. With the help of U.S. Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas, the site was acquired and cleared. Aviation operations began here on April 5, 1917, the day before the United States declared war on Germany. Kelly Field, named for George Edward Maurice Kelly, the first military pilot killed in a plane crash at nearby Fort Sam Houston in 1911, trained aviators, mechanics and support personnel for war duty. After additional land was acquired, the field was divided into Kelly Number 1 (later renamed Duncan Field) and Kelly Number 2. The Air Service Advanced Flying School, which headquartered at Kelly Number 2, trained pilots including Charles Lindbergh, Curtis LeMay and numerous future Air Force chiefs of staff. During World War II, Kelly saw a tremendous increase in its civilian and military workforce, including women, who were known as "Kelly Katies." After the Air Force became an independent military service in 1947, the field became known as Kelly Air Force Base. Personnel at Kelly were significantly involved with air transport and maintenance during the Korean conflict, the Cold War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Once the largest employer in San Antonio, Kelly Air Force Base realigned in 2001 in response to peacetime defense spending cuts. (2001)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Major Benjamin Foulois scouted farmland south of San Antonio in 1917, he found the site that became Kelly Field, opened the day before the U.S. declared war on Germany. Named for the first military pilot killed in a crash, it trained aviators and mechanics for two world wars and taught fliers including Charles Lindbergh and Curtis LeMay. Through the Korean War, the Cold War, and Desert Storm it grew into San Antonio's largest employer before realigning in 2001.
Why it matters
Kelly stands at the birth of American military aviation and traces the arc of U.S. air power across nearly every conflict of the twentieth century.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bent Easel Art Gallery4.2 mi away
- Contemporary at Blue Star4.2 mi away · 116, San Anonio, TX
- Magical Realism Photography Studio4.3 mi away
- Stone Metal Press4.3 mi away
- Alba DeLeon Studio4.3 mi away
- San Angel Folk Art4.3 mi away
Attractions
- Casa Navarro State Historical Site4.7 mi away
- Former Mission 4 Drive In4.9 mi away
- Mission San José5.0 mi away
- Yanaguana Garden5.0 mi away
- La Villita5.0 mi away
- River boat boarding5.1 mi away
Food & drink
- The Original Mexican Restaurant5.1 mi away
- Saltgrass Steak House5.2 mi away
- Paesanos Riverwalk5.2 mi away · 111 Crockett Way, San Antonio, TX
- McDonald's5.2 mi away · 101 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX
- Cafe Ole5.2 mi away
- Agave Bar5.2 mi away
Places to stay
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio5.0 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Hotel Contessa5.0 mi away · 306 West Market Street
- Holiday Inn Riverwalk5.0 mi away · 217 North Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
- Mokara Hotel and Spa5.1 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
- Omni La Mansión del Rio5.1 mi away · 112 College Street, San Antonio
- Hilton Palacio del Rio5.1 mi away
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Benjamin Foulois
- · George Edward Maurice Kelly
- · Charles Lindbergh
- · Curtis LeMay
Themes & tags
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