Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Camp Weatherford
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2017
1. Camp Weatherford Marker Side 1
Inscription.
Camp Weatherford. . (side 1) , With baseball suspended for the duration of world war two, present-day McKechnie Field was closed between 1941-48 and taken over by the U.S. Army and named Camp Bradenton. Under command of Maj. Joseph H. Dunlap, it was designated a Signal Corps basic training facility and substation of Drew Field, Tampa. First troops arrived March 27, 1942. City Annex is where headquarters stood. Name was changed to Camp Weatherford in April 1943 in honor of Pfc. Willie M. Weatherford of Miami who was killed in the Philippines during world war two. Maj. Louis A. Cary became the commanding officer.
(Continued on reverse side). (side 2)
(Continued from other side). Troops were housed in tents and used existing buildings for the mess hall and classrooms. On April 1, 1943, the 740th Signal Aircraft Warning Company was activated at Drew Field with a cadre of 37. They moved here with 300 enlisted men and officers on July 6, 1943. Arriving in New Guinea in April 1944, this unit was assigned to and became Company A of the 596th S.A.W. Bn. and later served in the Philippines and Okinawa. Marker dedicated June 17, 1993 on the 50th anniversary of the 740th and 18th reunion of the 596th by Ernest Roy Singleton, Jr., chairman.
(side 1)
With baseball suspended for the duration of WWII, present-day McKechnie Field was closed between 1941-48 and taken over by the U.S. Army and named Camp Bradenton. Under command of Maj. Joseph H. Dunlap, it was designated a Signal Corps basic training facility and substation of Drew Field, Tampa. First troops arrived March 27, 1942. City Annex is where headquarters stood. Name was changed to Camp Weatherford in April 1943 in honor of Pfc. Willie M. Weatherford of Miami who was killed in the Philippines during WWII. Maj. Louis A. Cary became the commanding officer.
(Continued on reverse side)
(side 2)
(Continued from other side)
Troops were housed in tents and used existing buildings for the mess hall and classrooms. On April 1, 1943, the 740th Signal Aircraft Warning Company was activated at Drew Field with a cadre of 37. They moved here with 300 enlisted men and officers on July 6, 1943. Arriving in New Guinea in April 1944, this unit was assigned to and became Company A of the 596th S.A.W. Bn. and later served in the Philippines and Okinawa. Marker dedicated June 17, 1993 on the 50th anniversary of the 740th and 18th reunion of the 596th by Ernest Roy Singleton, Jr., chairman.
Erected by Manatee
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County Historical Society in cooperation with City of Bradenton, 740th S.A.W. Co., Janet B. Hampton, Barclay S. Horney and the Weatherford Family Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is March 27, 1942.
Location. 27° 29.247′ N, 82° 34.27′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. Marker is on 9th Street West south of 13th Avenue West, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of the Bradenton Public Works. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1411 9th St West, Bradenton FL 34205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Camp Weatherford Marker and Bradenton Public Works building
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 694 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.