Complex sentence: The base was sold as war surplus in 1949 for $143,777 to John W. Mecom, Sr., who leased the building during the Korean War to remanufacture half-track vehicle and WWII tanks for use in the Korean War.
Split into simpler sentences: The base was sold as war surplus in 1949 for $143,777. Bought by John W. Mecom, Sr. who leased the building during the Korean War, to remanufacture half-track vehicle and WWII tanks for use in the Korean War.