Parksley in Accomack County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Civil Air Patrol Coastal Base Four

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2021

1. Civil Air Patrol Coastal Base Four Marker

Inscription. The Civil Air Patrol, a civilian organization established during World War II, operated Coastal Patrol Base Four about one mile west of here at the Parksley airport. Volunteers constructed runways and hangars, converted a farmhouse and chicken coop into headquarters and barracks, and donated private aircraft for patrol duty. The base, commanded by Maj. Isaac W. Burnham II, was active from May 1942 to Aug. 1943. Pairs of pilots and observers flew dawn-to-dusk patrols up to 60 nautical miles from shore along the entire Virginia coastline looking for German submarines and escorting merchantmen.

Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WY-25.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1942.

Location. 37° 46.935′ N, 75° 39.23′ W. Marker is in Parksley, Virginia, in Accomack County. It is on Bennett Street (Virginia Route 176) just west of Dunne Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24258 Bennett St, Parksley

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VA 23421, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Freedom Is Never Free (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); You Are Not Forgotten (about 400 feet away); This corner portion of the brick foundation (about 500 feet away); The Hopeton Passenger Station (about 500 feet away); Barber Shop Bench (about 500 feet away); The Railroad Tracks That Run Through Parksley (about 500 feet away); Diner #6061 (about 600 feet away); Maintenance-of-Way Tool Shed (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2021

2. Civil Air Patrol Coastal Base Four Marker

of all markers in Parksley.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 729 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.