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Transcribed and compiled by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
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© Kimberli Faulkner Hull
Independence Army Flying School 1943 Yearbook is from the military documents of Lt. Col. Ernest L. Faulkner, who was stationed at the Independence, Kansas Airbase 1942–1943. The yearbook can be viewed as a gallery and has also been transcribed, which is split into three parts:
Note: The book is tightly bound; if a clearer image of a service member is needed, please use the contact form with the soldier’s name and we will attempt to re-scan the image for you.
Independence Army Flying School 1943 Yearbook Transcription, Part 2
(Click image to enlarge)
Independence, Kansas
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding
HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENCE ARMY AIR FIELD, INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS
HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENCE ARMY AIR FIELD
INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS
May 12, 1943
To the Men of the Independence Army Air Field:
It has only been a few short months since our first troops arrived and began at once to make a home out of our Post. Followed shortly by ships, flying instructors, and cadets, we soon took on all the aspects of a real flying school. To date two classes of cadets have graduated and I can truthfully say they are as well equipped to successfully fulfill their mission as any Basic students anywhere.
The rapid strides which we have made in the development of our station has been wholly due to your unselfish efforts and continued interest as well as your burning desire to make this the best station in the Training Center. I congratulate you on your progress and I know that you will not rest until this war has been won and our right to live the American way assured. Ours is but a small part of the War Effort, but, nevertheless, the success of the whole undertaking hinges on the perfect fit ting of every cog in this great war machine.
We are proud of our Field, proud of our Air Force and proud of being able to play our rightful part toward ultimate victory.
Thank you for your cooperation, loyalty, and willingness.
You have been an inspiration to me.
R. M. Montgomery
Lieutenant Colonel, Air Corps Commanding
TEMPLE F. WINBURN
Lieutenant Colonel Executive Officer
HOWARD BRICKEY
Captain, Post Adjutant
JAMES D. DUNLAP
Lieutenant Colonel, Pos Quartermaster
LELAND C. TENNANT
Major, Administrative Inspector
JOSEPH P. CHAPMAN
Captain, Intelligence Officer, S-2
OSCAR B. HARRIS
Captain, S-4
WILLIAM E. DeHAVEN
Captain, Quartermaster Commissary, Sales Officer
JAMES E. FORSYTH
Captain, Post Surgeon
RICHARD H. GAINES
Captain Personnel Officer
JOSEPH GARRETSON, JR.
Captain, Public Relations Officer
JAMES 0. PAYNE
Captain, Base Technical Inspector
FRED C. T. SLAUSON
Captain, Post Operations Officer
WALTER J. STEUERNAGEL
Captain, Post Exchange Officer
STEWART S. WILLIAMS
Captain, Station Finance Officer
GRADY L. ALBIN
First Lieutenant Engineering Officer, 1087th BFTS
JOSEPH B. BINFORD
First Lieutenant, Commanding Officer 1089th Guard Squadron
JOSEPH 8. CUNNINGHAM
First Lieutenant, Assistant Base Technical Inspector
LLOYD W. DAHLQUIST
First Lieutenant, Post Chaplain
MICHAEL J. GALER
First Lieutenant, Assistant Base Technical Inspector
WARDEN N. HARTMAN, JR.
Captain, Post Engineer
GILBERT E. McDONALD
First Lieutenant, Base Adjutant
ROBERT F. McGUIRE
First Lieutenant Mess Officer, IC Officers’ Mess
FRED J. MITCHAM
First Lieutenant, Assistant Quartermaster Property Officer
CHARLES V. PERCIVAL
First Lieutenant, Mess Management Officer
CHARLES O. TAYLOR
First Lieutenant, Assistant Personnel Officer
JOSEPH A. WILSON
First Lieutenant Base Signal Office
SCHUYLER B. WORTHINGTON
First Lieutenant, Assistant Post Exchange Officer
JOHN C. ANDERSON
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Provost Marshall
JOHN W. ANDERSON, JR.
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Director of Physical Training
LEO C. AYERS
Second Lieutenant, Director of Physical Training
EMMETT N. BREEN
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Director of Physical Training
JOSEPH FLAA
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Base Signal Officer
JOHN W. GRAFF
Second Lieutenant, Base Chemical Officer
JAMES P. KATZ
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Engineering Office
THOMAS F. KNIGHT
Second Lieutenant, Base Classification Officer
ROBERT A. KORN
Second Lieutenant, Photographic Officer
PETER W. LANG
Second Lieutenant, Engineering Officer
CECIL B. LARSON
Second Lieutenant, Base Statistical Officer
FRIEND O. LOVE, JR.
Second Lieutenant, Engineering Officer
VICTOR S. RUX
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Personnel Officer
LEO C. SCULLY
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Administrative Inspector
PAUL A. SMITH
Second Lieutenant, Trial Judge Advocate
ROBERT WEINER
Second Lieutenant, Bond and Insurance Officer
EARL W. WINTERSTEIN
Second Lieutenant, Plant Protection Officer
ALLAN D. WITTERS
Second Lieutenant, Assistant Ordnance Officer
ALBERT W. WOOD
Second Lieutenant, Communications Officer
JOSEPH H. WYTHE, JR.
Second Lieutenant, Quartermaster Motor Transportation Officer
TRIGGS R. WHITE
Warrant Officer (j.g.), Assistant Base Technical Inspector
The story of this field differs sharply from that of many posts throughout the country in that its development and growth were the result of careful planning and long range plans rather than the mushroom growth so common to many fields.
In a sense, it is the story of the cooperation of the citizens of a city with their government to aid the expansion of our Air Forces, for, since its inception, the field has been fortunate in having the cooperation and hearty goodwill of the people of Independence.
The idea of an air field here began over three and one-half years ago when a group of airminded citizens of Independence decided that their town should cooperate in the air development then being undertaken. They secured approval from the CAA. then the principal party in air development, for a 640-acre port to be established here. The first attempts were coupled with the nearby city of Coffeyville, but soon this effort was discontinued and on the advice of the CAA some 30,000 acres were surveyed in this vicinity. The first site selected was turned down because it was located in a flood control project.
In October of 1941 and from that date on, all work was done through the Army engineers. City Engineer Glenn Hackmaster made the first survey, begun after the city had voted a $100,000 bond issue to finance the project. The survey began in October and took two months to complete. On December 1 the master plan was begun, which was completed and ready for submission in the latter part of January, 1942. This plan was approved by CAA officials on February 11, 1942.
In April the project was transferred from the CAA and placed under the WPA, which approved a $329,383 port for the city.
In this same month Army Engineers made their first check of the site, and following this check a group of airminded citizens went to Tulsa to confer with Colonel H. A. Montgomery, district head of the Army Engineers, who told them to proceed with their plans. A group of 40 Army engineers then made a complete examination of the site, remaining on the ground for a week, and a complete report was then sent to Randolph Field. Additional checks were then made on the schools, housing, and health facilities of the city to determine its ability to handle the crowd that would be stationed here in the event the field was built.
In the midst of these preparations and plans it was announced that the field would be built at Coffeyville, some 20 miles distant, and the hopes of the citizens who had worked so tirelessly for the field were dashed. However, they were reassured when word was sent from Tulsa that the field would be built.
On May 21, 1942, the city was advised to begin clearing the site of all utility wires and to complete all preliminary work in order that construction of the field could begin on June 17.
The official announcement that the field would be built came from Washington on May 27.
The first contractor to arrive at the field and begin work was Ottinger Brothers Construction Company, who began work on the flying field. Grading began on July 1 and the flying field was completed in April of 1943. The second contractor to arrive was J. 0. Burgwin Company, who constructed the base itself. This work was begun in August of 1942, and proceeded slowly, principally due to the difficulty in securing materials. The last contractor to assist in building the field was Jones Construction Company, which has just completed the WAAC housing project on the field.
The field area is 1,434 acres, with four auxiliary fields from eight to twenty miles distant.
The first officer to arrive at the new station was Lieutenant Colonel Tempie F. Winburn (then Maior). He was soon followed by additional members of the official staff, including the commanding officer of the field, Lieutenant Colonel Richard M. Montgomery.
The first troops arrived on December 22, 1942, and had Christmas dinner on the new field. No time was lost in beginning the operation for which the field was intended.
The first contingent of cadets, Class 43-F, arrived on February 17, and since that time classes have been arriving and departing on schedule.
The Director of Training for the field is Lieutenant Colonel Ralph B. Lister, and under his direction the field has had an enviable safety record to date.
Since its inception the field has enjoyed splendid relations with the citizens of Independence. A large and exceedingly well patronized U. S. O. has been established in the city, and the planting of shrubbery around the barracks has also been done by the citizens as an evidence of their goodwill.
The field is fortunate in that it has many of the original officers who arrived here at its activation still on the post, as well as many of the original cadre of enlisted men.
It is the determination of everyone on the field to continue to merit the confidence of the citizens of the city and of the country by continuing to do their duty well.
RALPH B. LISTER
Lieutenant Colonel, Director of Training
JAMES H. WILLIFORD
Major, Air Inspector
GEORG, E T. COWGER
Captain, Director of Flying
FREDERICK J. HOLL
Captain, Director of Ground School
JAMES T. GRAY
First Lieutenant, Commandant of Cadets
RODERICK S. HOWARD
Second Lieutenant, School Secretary
HARRY L. EVANS, JR.
Captain, Squadron Commander, Fourth Training Squadron
EDGAR G LEIMBACHER
Captain, Squadron Commander, Second Training Squadron
RICHARD H. WHITAKER
Captain, Squadron Commander, Third Training Squadron
HENRY H. REEVES
Captain, Squadron Commander, First Training Squadron
ASHLEY N. DENTON, JR., Captain
GLENN D. SCHNEIDER, Captain
JOHN G. BRADLEY, First Lieutenant
GEORGE E. BUCKINGHAM, First Lieutenant
MYRON A. CHRISTENSEN, First Lieutenant
RICHARD D. COLEMAN, First Lieutenant
MILTON M. CONNELL, JR., First Lieutenant
WILLIAM A. CUMMINS, First Lieutenant
WILBUR L. DUNN, First Lieutenant
IRVIN D. GENTRY, First Lieutenant
JAMES C. GILMORE, First Lieutenant
EDWARD B. HAMPTON, First Lieutenant
ARTHUR H. JAMES, First Lieutenant
DAVID C. JOLLY, First Lieutenant
ROBERT D. MACK, First Lieutenant
HOWARD S. MAUGER, First Lieutenant
PAUL F. PATCH, First Lieutenant
RAYMOND J. PETROSHIUS, First Lieutenant
CARLTON E. SELPH, JR., First Lieutenant
JAMES S. SHAPPELL, First Lieutenant
CLARENCE J. SIKKEMA, First Lieutenant
JAMES E. SMALL, First Lieutenant
HAROLD R. VANN, First Lieutenant
REX H. RITTER, Second Lieutenant
CHARLES D. ROBINSON, Second Lieutenant
HAROLD E. ROWE, Second Lieutenant [Handwritten – Deceased]. Note: Harold E. Rowe and a cadet in training, Randolph H. Boyen, were killed in a crash on 23 Aug 1943 near Cherryvale, Kansas.
HAROLD E. SARGENT, Second Lieutenant
JOHN J. SAWYER, Second Lieutenant
RICHARD K. SHELBY, Second Lieutenant
WILLIAM C. SLOCUM, JR., Second Lieutenant
JOSEPH B. SMALL, Second Lieutenant
WILLIAM J. SMITH, Second Lieutenant
DAVID H. SUTHERLAND, Second Lieutenant
MILLARD W. TULEY, Second Lieutenant
THOMAS L. TWYFORD, Second Lieutenant
HASKELL L. WALKER, Second Lieutenant
IRVING G. WILLIAMS, Second Lieutenant
HENRY C. WRIGHT, Second Lieutenant
MEDICAL
STEWART BARKDULL, Captain, Dental Surgeon
RAY A. EADS, Chief of Out-Patient Department, Station Hospital
JAMES E. FORSYTH, Captain, Post Surgeon
JOSEPH N. ALBINO, First Lieutenant, Assistant to Dental Surgeon Station Hospital
EDWARD I. BLOOM, First Lieutenant, Medical Officer
ROBERT C. GEARY, First Lieutenant, Assistant to Dental Surgeon
TURNEY LESTER KIRKWOOD, First Lieutenant, Medical Officer
SYDNEY A. LERNER, First Lieutenant, Chief of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Department
ARETUS D. MARTIN, First Lieutenant, Chief of Medical Service
ROBERT PARK, First Lieutenant, Flight Surgeon
JOSEPH H. PRINTZ, First Lieutenant, Chief of X-ray and Assistant Chief of Surgery
JOE B. SELMAN, First Lieutenant, Assistant to Chief of Dental Surgery
THOMAS M. WISE, First Lieutenant, Station Veterinarian
CHARLES P. PICKETT, Second Lieutenant, Medical Supply Officer
JOHN B. RICHARDSON, Second Lieutenant, Registrar
NURSES
EMMA LEONE BRITTON, First Lieutenant, Chief Nurse
JOSEPHINE C. BLICK, Second Lieutenant
MARIE B. BLICK, Second Lieutenant
MAMIE Y. DIXON, Second Lieutenant
ALICE M. DUSTMAN, Second Lieutenant
OLIVE M. FISHER, Second Lieutenant
LUCILLE M. LARSON, Second Lieutenant
VIRGINIA F. MILLS, Second Lieutenant
WANDA A. SHOLTS, Second Lieutenant
GROUND SCHOOL OFFICERS
CONRAD BANSPACH, JR., First Lieutenant
ARTHUR W. REYNOLDS, First Lieutenant
NORMAN F. THORPE, First Lieutenant
MORTON P. BRUNIG, Second Lieutenant
ANTONIO J. CEDDIA, JR., Second Lieutenant
GUIDO CHIESA, Second Lieutenant, Link Trainer Officer
PAUL D. ELROD, Second Lieutenant
DAVID JONES, Second Lieutenant
JAMES W. TAYLOR, Second Lieutenant
DONALD R. TORBERT, Second Lieutenant
WILLIAM D. WESSEL, Second Lieutenant
SUB-DEPOT OFFICERS
JOHN H. BELL, Major, Commanding Officer
JOHN A. DAUGHERTY, Captain, Supply Officer
MILLARD R. NEWLAND, Captain, Engineering Officer
VERNON F. ALBRECHT, Second Lieutenant, Assistant Supply Officer
ERNEST L. FAULKNER, Second Lieutenant, Assistant Engineer Officer
A cadet or a soldier arriving at Independence Army Air Field, whatever his interest may have been before joining the colors, soon becomes imbued with the zeal and the spirit that must be maintained by a military organization in order to attain the very maximum of efficiency. Coming to Independence Field for training the cadet is well on the road toward being a good soldier and officer. They realize, too, that what they learn at Independence Field may decide the great air battles of the future. Uncle Sam’s cadets, secure in the knowledge that they are the best trained flyers in the world, go about their business with a cocky grin and a chip on their shoulders, they can play hide and seek with clouds, and look down on mountains, knowing that when he hits the big show he’ll fly the best and fastest planes on earth.
The Links
Flying blind! The Link trainer teaches a student pilot to rely on his instruments, not on his sensual reactions while in actual flight and under adverse conditions. A mass of instruments, these little machines go through all the motions of a real plane and give the student pilot “under the hood” plenty to think about.
IT IS SCHOOL AGAIN FOR THESE SOLDIERS! Future fliers must learn to identify aircraft of all nations at a glance, enemy or friendly. Familiar with the plane, the gunner can judge his range by its size in the ring sight and knows when to fire.
Maintenance For every man in the air, there are fifteen men on the ground whose functions are to keep ’em flying. To them the expression, “Keep ‘Em Flying,” is more than a patriotic catchword. Upkeep of planes and speedy handling of routine work is important.
Doctoring an Army
Doctoring an Army Seeing that the soldiers remain in good health and treating the sick, is an important job of the Medical Department and as usual the men in white carry on in khaki with characteristic patience and sympathy. The Army gives every man the best of care. They have only to make an appointment to receive free treatment from personnel skilled in all phases of Medical Science.
Making Soldiers Out of Men A complete system of physical exercises of all kinds is planned for Uncle Sam’s soldiers in order to condition their bodies for the strenuous life that faces them–long, hard gruelling work, that will fit them for the problems that will arise on the foreign field.
Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, transcriber and compiler, “Independence Army Flying School 1943 Yearbook, Independence, Kansas, Part 2” Chasing Light Media, Cool Adventures
( https://cooladventures.com/collection/independence-army-flying-school-1943-part-2/: published 2020); Independence Army Flying School 1943 Yearbook (Independence, Kansas, 1943), from the collection of Lt. Col. Ernest L. Faulkner; privately held by the Faulkner–Hull Collection, Massachusetts.