Del Rio in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lt. Jack T. Laughlin
Photographed By James Hulse, October 19, 2019
1. Lt. Jack T. Laughlin Marker
Born in Del Rio on Sept. 17, 1914, Jack Thomas Laughlin graduated from Del Rio high School and earned a degree from the University of Texas. In 1940, he joined the Army Air Corps and the following year received his pilot’s wings at Stockton, CA. On Jan. 29, 1942, during World War II, his B-17 Flying Fortress was shot down over the Java Sea in the Indonesian islands. The U.S. Army established an airfield in Del Rio that year, and citizens and officials requested it be named for Laughlin, the first Del Rio-born pilot killed in the war. Despite the official policy for naming bases, the idea prevailed, and in March 1943 Laughlin Field was dedicated with the pilot’s widow and daughter in attendance.
Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13495.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1943.
Location. 29° 22.07′ N, 100° 47.926′ W. Marker is in Del Rio, Texas, in Val Verde County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Liberty Drive, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Del Rio TX 78840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Military Aviation in Val Verde County (here, next to this marker);
this page online
Photographed By James Hulse, October 19, 2019
2. Lt. Jack T. Laughlin Marker
The Lt. Jack T. Laughlin marker is the second marker from the left in this group of four markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 14, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
