Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Majors Army Airfield
In 1941 the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) informed Greenville officials that the city would receive Federal assistance to build a civilian airport as part of the country's preparation for possible entry into World War II. In April 1941 U. S. Congressman Sam Rayburn notified Hunt County that the civilian airport project would become part of a $5 million Army Airforce training base housing 3,000 to 4,000 personnel and 300 airplanes. The base was named for Lt. Truett Majors, the first pilot from Hunt County killed in action in World War II.
Construction of the base and three auxiliary airfields in the county boosted the local economy and provided employment for thousands of area residents. The base became fully operational on January 5, 1943.
Majors Army Airfield provided cadet pilots with preflight and primary training. When not exercising, studying, or training in BT-13s and P-47s the cadets visited Greenville for recreation and to socialize with local citizens. In addition to U. S. Army Air Corps pilots, companies of Women's Army Corps members, Royal Air Force pilots, and Mexican Air Force pilots were trained here. The base became an advanced training center before being deactivated on July 15, 1945.
Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845 - 1995
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7815.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1943.
Location. 33° 3.936′ N, 96° 4.608′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County. Marker is at the intersection of Highway 2101 and Majors Road, on the right when traveling north on Highway 2101. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenville TX 75402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. William Lane (approx. 1.6 miles away); Ende-Gaillard House (approx. 4.2 miles away); Library Movement in Greenville (approx. 4.2 miles away); Gen. Hal C. Horton Home (approx. 4.6 miles away); Fred Douglass Elementary School (approx. 4.9 miles away); Kavanaugh Methodist Church (approx. 4.9 miles away); Caddo Indians in Hunt County (approx. 4.9 miles away); Benjamin D. Martin (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2021, by Jesse Nelsen of Farmersville, Texas. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2021, by Jesse Nelsen of Farmersville, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.