Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
After the fall of France to Germany in June 1940, there was an increasing possibility of United States involvement in World War II, and an urgent need for naval aviators and naval air stations to train them. Coastal south Texas was considered an ideal location for its flat terrain, suitable weather for year-round flying, ready availability of fuel and seaplane training access. Subsequently, construction began and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NAS-CC) was commissioned on March 12, 1941.
The first cadets began arriving in March 1941 and received their wings on November 1, only weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Before World War II ended, NAS-CC exceeded all other airfields, graduating 35,000 aviators, and became known as “The University of the Air.” Notable WWII pilots who received their wings at NAS-CC included later President George H. W. Bush, and later astronaut and Senator John Glenn. In addition to Americans, trainees came from Canada, England, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Scores of W.A.V.E.S. (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) served at NAS-CC and its auxiliary fields as link trainer instructors, pressure chamber technicians, air traffic controllers and gunnery instructors.
In addition to the main station, auxiliary airfields were added at Rodd Field (primary flight training), Cabaniss and Cuddihy (intermediate flight training), Kingsville (advanced flight training, fighters and dive bombers), Waldron (torpedo bombers) and Chase Field in Beeville (specializing in instrument flying). Twenty-five additional outlying practice landing fields (“P-Fields”) dotted the surrounding countryside. In 1945, NAS-CC established a camp for German prisoners of war. NAS-CC served as a vital military training facility and as a catalyst of postwar economic activity in the area.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16478.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1941.
Location. 27° 39.786′ N, 97° 17.245′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is on Graham Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 654 Graham Rd, Corpus Christi TX 78418, 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. German POW Camp at NAS Corpus Christi (here, next to this marker); Flour Bluff (here, next to this marker); Duncan Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Flour Bluff Independent School District (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sunshine Cemetery (approx. 4.1 miles away); Ward Island (approx. 4.2 miles away); Karankawa Indians (approx. 4.4 miles away); Coastal Hide, Tallow and Packing Industries (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corpus Christi.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.