Near Dateland in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Datelan Army Air Field

Photographed By Frank Houdek, October 12, 2002

1. Datelan Army Air Field Marker

Inscription. Datelan Army Air Field was established here January 1, 1943. The site was chosen due to the availability of water and the adjacent location of the Yuma Gunnery Range. Construction was completed June 1, 1943. Datelan AAF was a sub-base of Yuma Army Air Field, which was the location of the Army advanced flying school. Colfred, Stovall, and Wellton Gunnery Ranges were also established nearby. The base was originally designed for single engine gunnery training, but was converted to twin engine gunnery school in September 1943. The post was garrisoned on July 8, 1943. In addition to security and maintenance of the base, the troops provided services for several flying organizations. Among these were Mather Army Air Field, which based 60 B-25J gun ships here from December 25, 1943 to January 20, 1944, logging a total of 11,000 hours of flight training.

This monument is dedicated to all the soldiers and airmen that served here, especially those that gave their lives in training and in the skies above Europe, Asia, and the Pacific as they defeated the Axis powers.

Erected 2002 by Lost Dutchman, Billy Holcomb, John P. Squibob, Queho Posse, Peter Lebeck and Matt Warner Chapters of E Clampus Vitus and Dateland Elementary School. (Marker Number 111.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1925.

Location. 32° 47.965′ N, 113° 32.443′ W. Marker is near Dateland, Arizona, in Yuma County. Marker is on Ave 64E near Interstate 8, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at the Dateland Travel Center, near the parking lot, at Exit 67. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dateland AZ 85333, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hyder Divisional Camp-Horn Divisional Camp Desert Training Center (here, next to this marker); Boeing B-50A The "Long Ranger" (here, next to this marker); The 81st Infantry Division (approx. 8.4 miles away).

More about this marker. This was a double marker dedication. The gathering was a Hexagonal (6-way) Desert Training Center dedication, the first such gathering for the Billy Holcomb Chapter. The combined efforts of the Lost Dutchman, Peter Lebeck, John P. Squibob, Matt Warner, Queho Posse and Billy Holcomb Chapters with the Dateland Elementary School succeeded in making this a successful event. It was much appreciated by the Veterans Associations,

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

2. Datelan Army Air Field Marker

the Dateland Elementary School students and local residents.
SOURCE: Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 35th Anniversary Plaque Book by Phillip Holdaway

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

3. Datelan Army Air Field Marker

Datelan marker is lower marker on monument.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

4. Datelan Army Air Field Marker

Marker is at left in photo.

Rear of Datelan Army Air Field Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

5. Rear of Datelan Army Air Field Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,730 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on May 24, 2010, by Frank Houdek of Kingman, Arizona. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.