davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
$1,000 Payroll

AT the first payroll on June %,
$4,000 was paid out TO 800 em-
ployes and the previous day a
large shipment Of lumber was ex-
pected TO hasten employment Of
many more.
Keesler soldiers, still a handful.
were housed in Biloxi's Boy Scout
camp and were fed by a civilian
who prepared mess. Several Quar-
termaster groups had arrived but
large numbers were not expected
until August |.
Said the Biloxi Daily Advertiser
on July 8.
The big payroll at the
air school Saturday, the fresh
Iy paid soldiers and the usual
visitors gave the business Of
Biloxi its biggest weekend in
history. Several cafes yester-
day were installing new and
additional refrigeration TO in
crease their storage and stock
space. The workers are lit
orally eating everything In
sight"
Lieutenant Colonel William p.
Sloan had been appointed Assist
ant Commandant OF the school TO
Colonel Brock on July IL. His duty
here was to take charge of the
Air Mechanics school, job he had
done with eminent success at
Chanute Field. He was the holder
Of worlds speed record for am
phibians over distance OF 1000
kilometers.
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
ManiIa-Bound

First Keesler promotion, on July
is, was that Of Capt. Samuel
Mundell to the rank OF Major. He
is now Lieutenant Colonel
Keesler Fields headquarters
moved from the downtown srmory
after a week into the old Biloxi
Country Club. There. in rooms
still marked with the clests Of
golfers shoes. Keeslers first poll
cies were mapped. II was strange
that where nothing more serious
than the loss Of three golf balls
had been discussed, important
steps should be planned. In back
Of the club house was sign
which read, practice Tee" and il
pointed smack at a row OF bar
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
BY PFC. RICHARD r. JOycr

When the is and National Defense is but a
name tag Tor period when America stood fought will
be asked of Keesler Field:
What did YOU do in the war"
And she shall answer
i trained air mechanics thousands OF them Over my
shell packed streets and sandy taught them
march in cadence fed them housed them kept them
clothed entertained them trained them hundred differ
ent jobs And when the time off do their
duty-and they did it."
keesler Fields is proud history and like many had an
unusual beginning keesler Field grew from golf
When Biloxi golfers for the first time in the March
is copy Of the BlloxiGufpor Daily Herald that Air
they know they standing it.
The air base they expected would be quite large About
$500 men would be stationed here and the huge field would
cost s500000 On March q the figure jumped little instead
of $500 there would be 1900 and the field would
the government sl0090000. Eyebrows raised the
field might be tremendous
Prophecies grew and rumors spread The school to
have three big halls 10000 would be needed for
construction At the school, aircraft armorers machn
lists aircraft metal workers. parachute riggers weather
observers elepe operators and photographers would
trained. Some mention made of air mechanics but
22eek to train 10000 aviation echncans
Early in the spring the then Major, 1t Col Robert
E. York OF the y. Engineers Corps in Biloxi making
taking charge of plans for construction for the gov
ernment The new field il announced would include
historic old Naval Reserve Park which had been given
city of Biloxi by the in 1906 for park and
terry purposes and which Biloxi returned to the Govern
men the Biloxi ball park airport country club and Boy
Scout camp
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
Col. Brock Inspects KeesIer

Capt H. Wyatt engineer of the construction division
OF the Quartermaser Corps of the first officers to
arrive. Col. Arthur w Brock Jr, Commanding Officer,
made several visits here talk with local officials of Biloxi
utive Officer of the Air Corps Technical Schools chair
of the War Department board which officially approved
Biloxi site for the school, Major Harold L. Kreder
also early visitor.
the latter Of May
field predicted to be about
Zonng Of the Biloxi City
regulations governing Air region
for the Air Technical
ment embarrassment the zoning board amended the city
ordinance.
On 10 the field Air and
H. the first enlisted officer
It. Col Samuel A Munden OF Field.
Captain and the enlisted NJ Harold f.
Chanute Field ILL., historic a
10 enlisted with n
Chanute Field. private
There technical inspectors photographer. three
clerks 10 attached to Air Corps Supply and four to the Motor
pioneered
follows ey listed with the grades they held that tme)
Walter Schwager Harold E. Sinner S Jack
William Butler Charles L. H. W. Gilbert
Householder W C. Tyhur and Corps William Wilson and
W. who by private
Coming bv convoy from Chanute Ses off and
Miller Anderson Corps Russell Johnson
Curtis, Harold Van Horn and William Walsh; Pvts
Fields staff with its back loaded with
writers.
The following reported for duty to Captain
Munde who with Lieutenant Psaltis had set headquar
Keeslers first the Biloxi Armory, and they used
mainly = supply office.
golfers decided playing golf when
1t unlucky day for the Biloxi Country Club
Friday. the 18th Of June.
Jones awarded the
first sl0000000 thousand expected
to be employed within 80 days of that date June e
1t Col William Hanlon from Chanue take
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25

Rent that extra soom with
classified advertisement In The
Daily Herald
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25

real work. The giant task Of
training recruits and students
staiwarts behind Ameri-
cas- sky defense was al hand.
These men at 7 am. that Au4
gust morning got their first
glimpse Of Biloxi in = SIX by six
truck that had picked them UP al
the railroad station, carried them
through the residential district
and then turned on 10 the Back
Bay road. Reaching the field. busy
with workmen, noisy with irac-
tors, saws. hammers and steam
shovels, they wondered at which
unfinished building they would
stop. This was the Keeslef Field
they had talked 80 much about
on the train. wondering what /
would be like. This raw sprawllns
tumble Of buildings with vacant
windows, empty doorways. sonit
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
Keesler's Saga; Golf Course to Air School

June IS he asiaal work under
contract began With the bresk-
ins q he sol. snoiher rung IN.
the nstioaas defense ladder had
been reached. keesicr Yield was
born and taok is place with
Chanute. Scoti. and Lowry. A. TIE
same time N Wichita Falls. Tex.
another younsSter was bern
Sheppard Fiela--keesleF's sister
field.
And, sz with every birth. the
problem ARISES. What shall We
name itf'' Some Biloxians suggest
ed Harrison Field. after the late
Mississippi Senator Pat Harrison
who had inspected the air school
site in December. 1910. Others
wanted Il called BienVille Field
after the Frenehman who founded
Biloxi in 1899 But no name could
be agreed upon.
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25

only the best planes. hu, the most
efficient mainienanee.
Phases taught in the new school
were sircraii maintenance funda-
msntals, structures. hydraulic
syaiems, propelirra. Instruments,
engines. electrical sYs,sms. car
huFction. engine operation. single
engine Inspection and maintenance
and double engine inspection and
maintenance.
Now that three fnurths Of the
barracks were ready for occu-
paney. recruits from some 30 odd
induction Centers poured in on
every south hound tram. Sitting
at mess table in on. Of the new
ness halls you could dissinguts
the dialects Of Nov Workers,
pennsylvanians. BoStonians. lioas-
icrs, Texans. and Kentucklans.
Occasionally you eeuid detect
Polish, spanish or southern Euro
pean coloratfon Essentially
American. Keesler Field, too. was
q melting POT.
In the second week In 0cto-
ber. kcesiers first ratings
were given 10 hundreds who
had helped In setting up per-
sonnel. squadron maintenance
and special duty sffices.
teoutinued on psss etshsl
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25

racks down A street. So fast mad
the field grown tnai no one had
had time TO take Il down.
People who were so tired of hav-
ing to call the new air base, 'thc
field at Biloxi were glad when
the War Department announced
that the new base would be named
Keesler Field. after 2nd 1t. SAM
uel Reeves keeslcr. an observer
shoi down behind German lines in
1918. The name was incorrectly
spelled .kessler' on the message
from Washington and many siens
had 10 be repalnied when the War
Department corrected the error,
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
Hello Biloxi!

The truck drove along the Bay Of
Biloxi shore into Naval Reserve
Park and stopped In front OF them
they saw rows Of tents pitched
among great hlouching oaks And
through the tree trunks and the
moss. they caught the flicker OF
blue water and sunlight This
ought 10 be great experience,
the six men thought as they
brought out their new mess kits
for breakfast, Aud they were
right
In those DAYS there was lit-
tie farmaiity at Keesier Field.
Recruits and old timers, priv
ates and non-eoms worked
side by side 70 pitch trnis and
ditch them against the late
summer rains that might last
DAYS al a time. All had the
same Inconvenience, laughed
about them. and Joined In an
attempt To eliminate them.
Often. when II rained. water
swept over the bitches and tent
floors and when the men awokc
In the morning they found their
bunk an island But 10 men who
spent leisure time swimming up 70
their necks In the bay. this was no
tragedy.
There we're no gyms. basketball
courts, boxing rings. But there
was cool water to swim and fish
in, there were boats 70 row across
the bay and forests 10 explore on
the other side.
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
Here They Come

On July 20 il was announced
tina. $50 men would leave Chanute
soon for keesler. These men were
more OF the 69th Air Base Group,
20 OF whom had made up the or
iginal shipment, plus the mess sec
ton OF the $40 School Squadron,
Convoy Commander was Capt.
Harry C.. Douglass.
Following close on their
heels was the rest Of The
310th School Squadron and
69ih Air Base Group from
hCanute Field and the follow
ing groups from Scott Field.
Headquarters and Headquar-
ters Squadron ACTS and nine
other school sauadrons. num-
bered from 30l 10 309.
When. on August 20. SIX re-
cruits arrived from Fort Nc
Clelian Ca. KeesIer Field be-
gan a new phase. No long
er did il prepare and plan.
now II rolled up It's sleeves for
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
Start Work

First building for Air Corps per-
sonnel began June "a with the
start Of construction on = barracaS
building.
The downtown employment
office of the construction COM
pany 20 congesied Lameuse
street thai officials had to
move 1t; 500 men were already
at work.
Sightseers had 10 be stopped
from driving abont the field.
Onls workmen with passes
were allowed In and out, and
all were required 10 wear
Identification badges.
The city was crowded. Many
spent their first night here
looking for lodging. Some
times as mans as so applicants
would apply ever the week
end. In some eases there
were four and five men In one
room.
II was on July that The BIZ
loxi-Gulfport Herald announced
that Col. Arthur w. Brock Jr.
would take over as Commanding
Officer Army men and towns
people alike were elated. Biloxi
ians were glad because il had been
through Colonel Brock that nego-
tiations We're carried out concern
ing the field. And Mrs. Brock
was a Mississippian, her birthplace
being in Magnolia. Miss.
Trapsients attracted by the
Biloxi boom sought work here
often found II was not i'm
mediately available. Many
slept in cars. fearing to return
home lest there be a sudden
demand for their services.
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25

men ate standing up At mezs tables
Ike eaealrymen after ihsir first
day On horseback.
Meanwhile Kscslers buildings
were shooting up from foundations
10 ffameworks 20 finished strue
turcs. one fourth Of the buildings
were ready tor occupancy on
September , and about taher Day
the exodus from tent cliy - The
new barracks began. First 10 move
were the 90i, 9OJ and s0s school
Sauadrons. After the men had
swept away the chips. washed the
siiekefs off tho windows and SCI
np their hunks. the first thing they
said was. Now let 1t fainla
A yet the mess halls were IN
complete. compelling the men llV-
lng IN the barracks 20 march back
10 the tent city mess. The walk
before breakfast wasn't half as
hard on tho boys as is was on the
supply nf army chow.
The younsster that Was
keesler Field two months be-
fore now took lis first steps.
walked alone for the first
time. On September ~ II
spoke lis first words in
The kecsler Field News. Iis
first banner head read. "A NJ
school 10 Open Monday: 500
Enrolled" Other stories told
about the barracks being 90
per cent complete, how the
thaplains. The Rev Aubrey
A. J. xellner and The Rev.
Kenneth VI. Gefrhart, aided
camp morale: ana the story Of
End IL. samuel keesier's gal
liant war action.
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
School Days

School days began that Monday
Some who had icf1 school for the
Army found Themselves beck In Il
again. This 2week course vas to
give The student a thorough know
ledge of air mechanics. psrfce
iicn. IL is understood would only
come after actual experiences ION
The line" For America has not
The Keesler field news., 1942-02-25
Brick Mess
Ovens

Back OF = log picnic shelter
built BY the HYA for the park
were the brick mess ovens. Break
fsxts; lunches and dinners we're
served and eaten IN the open. The
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
Calendar of Social Events


TODAY
Past Maous Association Ypsauti Chapter Eastern
star. 80 with Mrs Ross Bower
Queen city Lodge number 67 Knights Pyhas o'clock, H. p
Hall
Circle three OF Baptist womens Union 1880 business
and White Elephant sale az home of Mrs. Carl Glow
Ypsnti Chapter Order Of DMoy public installation officers
1880, Masonic Temple lodge room.
lambda Chi OMEGA business meeting 30 Charles MeKeuuy Hail
Norkngmens Benevolent Society. 3d. Ar1clter Hall.
Monday Whist Club will omit meeting week.
lpsanu ChOristers 80 Ypsiauti School
Ypsant Lodge number 5iS IOOF O'Clock Fellow Han
fpsianu Garden Club Starkweather Hall Topic.
Michigan Gardens.
TUESDAY
Ypsant Grange all day meeting home Mrs Walter Gale
CONGREGATIONAL supper Club SUPPER 1880 Discussion
plans for the expanded program Of the church
Ladies Library Board. o'clock az library.
Phoenix Lodge number - r and NJ Fellowship
Masonic Temple lodge
Past Presidents OF Degree Of Honor 40
Mothesnger Chorus of city schools 49, Npsauu High
Jolly Mixers O'Clock with Mrs Gordon Wright
Red Cross sewing and knitting five Wech Hall to- o'clock
Girl Scouts five. $50 Roose1 & II, o'clock Pros
poet; troop T. &.l5. ST John. 49, 4 O'Clock. Harriet
Brownie, 345 Prospect
Victory Pedro Club o'clock Of Ore Dale Mrs
Annahele Reynolds hostess.
Get Together Club. O'Clock. with Mrs Nora Holmes.
Ypsanu Business and Professional Womens
ing = 30 Cleary College auditorium will
speak Fire Emergoucy and conduct
pills of Jimmie Hunt will dance numbers Mabel
Marsh. chairman
Spencer. Club a Harold Badger y
Huron St for all day meeting beginning at 10
"nose-bag' lunch noon.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
Coffee Brewing Method
Given by LaGuardia

New York, Nov ms Mayor
F. Il LgGuardia urged today that
the coffee percolstor be shelved
fol the duration
He recommended the old fash
toned coffee pot and gave iusuuc-
tioHs on how to brew coffee just
as his mother had brewed it when
hci vas a boy IN Arizona.
tJust take a spoonful 10 a cup.
that's plenty strong, and then brew
II. Let r. come 10 a boil for a very
short time then set IL aside and
let it settle and also strain the
coffee i'm serving IT, / wouldn't
throw the grounds away II any
one i'm the family IS accustomed
10 have coffee for the midday or
evening meal. just adding a sprink-
lie on top Of the old grounds will
make a very good cup Of coffee
sOr the evening
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
INVESTIGATE DEATH

Detroit, Mich, Nov. 2-INS-Po-
lice superintendent Louis L. Berg
today launched a personal inyesti-
cation, into the case Of Charles Vail,
~. who died from a skull fracture
apparently incurred before he spent
nine hours In a jail cell booked on
a Golden Rule intoxication count.
In a preliminary report, Police In
spsctor Thomas Wysocki declared
he had learned that Vail was in
jured in a fall when he collapsed
over the hood OF an automobile. He
was placed in a cell, Wysocki said,
and when he was found uncon-
scious nine hours later. sent 10 Re
ceiying Hospital where he died.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

The Junior Membership OF the
American Legion Auxiliary mem-
beers, at their business meeting sat
urday afternoon al the Legion
home. made plans for their next So
cial party, and TO remember three
soldiers with Christmas boxes.
Carol Schaab presided at the meet
ing which had an attendance Of Nc
mem bers. The next social party will
be at the home OF Jean Clark, Nov
Is at O'Clock. After the meeting,
Mrs. Manley Roe, lirectOr. served
Halloween refreshments
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
HgHHYg
Our Service Men

Mr. and Mrs. Judson B. King
5s1 Davis St, have returned from
a months trip during which hey
visited their son, Pvt Juds7u j.
King, formerly an employe Of Ford
Motor Co. He is now stationed at
Camp Roberts. Calf
During their visit they saw
and marching. mach.ne.guu
ming and sharp-shooting contests.
They reported many facilities there,
including three theaters. several
chapels for different denominations,
a guest house. service club. tele-
graph, telephone and post eX-
changes.
Pvt Kings platoon Of SO men
has been presented colors more
than any other for honors achieved
i'm combat. and cleanliness I'm bar.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
CLAIMS TERRORISM

Detroit. Mich. Nov. > ms --
WAYNE County Prosecutor william
Z. Bowling today declared many
Detroit families are consuming in
ferior fruits and vegetables due to
a wholesale firms forcing their
products on retailers through en-
ployment Of terrorist methods.
Several retail merchants, Downing
said, report much first quality pro-
duce has spoiled as a result of their
intimidation by a firm seeking 10
monopolize the business. The prose
cutor explained that merchants ap-
preached by representative Of the
firm place orders with them TO es-
cape possible retributive action.
However. he added, holder dealers
defied the alleged racketeers and
We're said to have reported truck
tires being hacked or motors decom-
missioned.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

Miss Elinor Strafer, Cincinnati. IS
spending a few days al her former
home here
MI and Mrs. Earl Rowe and chill
dren. Carolyn and Dean, Dexter.
were dinner guests, sunday. OF M.
and Mrs. Neil Allen.
Fred Parker. Jr.. and Charles
Bausano were indicted into the
Army at Detroit. Friday.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
Birthday Observed

A surprise party observing the
birthday Of Mrs. Herman Oltersd6rf
was given her by twenty relatives
and friends Saturday night at the
home OF Mr.. and Mrs. Cecil Houck
Light refreshments were served
and the honored guest received
many lovely gifts
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

Mr.. William Cattermole attend
ed the 5lst anniversary celebration
OF the Orient Chapter OF the O.ES.
in Worthwhile with her niece, Mrs
Carl Nelson. member OF the Lewis
Cass Chapter. Detroit. There were
about l2j present at the banquet
Friday night.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

racks and mess hall. they report
Pvt. King, who Is in the infantry
division. will complete his thirteen
weeks basic training In two weeks.
In their automobile trip OF 1000
miles, Mr.. and Mrs. King also saw
two other Ypsilanti service men,
Robert Oltersdorf in Los Angeles.
Calf and Pvt. Manuel Nochmsn.
who is with the Service Club at
Camp Roberts.
Lieut.-Col. William Bergin, who is
member OF the Signal Corps and
formerly commanded the Ypsilanti
company. had the unique experience
Friday at Fort Custer. Of inducing
his son, William, Jr., 10, into the
Army Air Corps, and his daughter.
Betty Mary Bergin, %. into the
WAC. Miss Bergin has been a sec
rotary az Michigan State College.
East Lansing, where the Bergin
family now resides. Lieut.-COl. Der.
gin is brother of Mrs. Carrie
Chadwick and Of Freddie Bergin,
whose band was for some years
nationally famous organization
He served In the World War 1 with
the Ypsilanti company and held an
important position as a liaison Off
Ger stationed for some time in
Paris. He is now an officer in the
Army Reserves and expects to be
called to active duty soon.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. E. Cushman, sos
E. Ainsworth St, have received
word that their son, Lyle Vinton.
with the Army Air Corps at Keesler
Field. Miss, has been promoted
from sergeant to the rank of staff
sergeant.
Duane Fox returned to Great
Lakes Naval Training School Sun
day evening after nine-day leave.
Sergt. Giles Fox. who had been
in Fort Bliss. Texas, will be trans
ferred TO Camp Davis, y. c., at the
end OF his l2-day leave, which he is
spending with his wife in Ypsilantl
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
HEADS SCHOOL

Lapeer Nov. 2-AP- Appoint
ment of DR.. Robert L. Dixon as act
ing superintendent Of the Lapeer
State Home and Training School
was announced Sunday. DR.. Dixon
was head OF the institution here
in 1888, when he was transferred
to superintency Of the Caro- State
Hospital He returns to replace
Dr. Fred r. Hanna, who died last
week.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

Reginald p. Miller, Chicago. Wis.
tied his mother. Mrs. j. A. Miller.
sunday.
Miss Agnes Becker, after a week s
visit with her sister, Mrs. Glenn
Groosbeck, returned to her home in
81. John today.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wnburn Schattler
and their two Toys. Robert and
James, came from Center Line 10
spend sunday with Mrs. Schattlers
mother. Mrs. Gertrude Grant.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Padget and
Mr.. aud Mrs. Jdcs McCandless en-
feriaiRrd ~ Halloween party. at
the ratset home. saturday evening.
There were fifteen present Wien
ers We're roasted outdoors, after
which f1e lro4p Went indoors for
social hour cider and doughnuts
were served.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Il. Dunn
entertained at dinner in their hone
Saturday evening a company of
guests who had attended the Mich
isan-lllinois game with them in the
afternoon in Ann Arbor. A five
course steak dinner was served at
: o'clock Mr. Dunn is attorney in
the civil service Of the state Of
Michigan, and guests were attor.
neys general and their wives and
civil service commissioners and
their wives.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02
We'll Attended

The card parfy AZ veterans Ham
Saturday evening, was well attend
ed by families Of the Auxiliary,
Veterans Of Foreign Wars. The
guests were I'm costume and the
evening was spent with cards and
dancing. Cider d0ughnuts, and
pumpkin pie we're served, Mrs.
John Granger, Mrs. Bert Lutz and
Mrs. Helen Atkinson Of the AuXil-
iary were I'm charge Of arrange
mpnts
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-02

The name of Linda Ann has been
chosen FOR the daughter OF Mt and
MIS-. Max LeayenWorth, born in ST.
Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor,
and weighing seven pounds twelve
ounces on oct %. Mrs. Leayen-
worth, who is the daughter Of Or.
and Mr. G.. F. Wolf, is temporarily
residing with Linda Ann in the
Wolf home while Mr.. Leavenworth
is in training iH the Navy Teachers
Training School Chicago.