Hondo in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Hondo Army Air Field

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

1. Hondo Army Air Field Marker

Inscription. At the beginning of World War II, on March 31, 1942, the United States War Department authorized the construction of an Air Force Training School at Hondo to cost in excess of five million dollars. H.B. Zachry construction company was given 100 days to complete the construction of a self-sufficient airfield, with utilities, streets, runways, taxiways, parking aprons and all of the buildings. On July 4, 1942, Hondo Army Air Field (HAAF) was activated; Col. Linus D. Frederick was the commanding officer. With many families having to give up their farms and homes, HAAF occupied 3,661.5 acres when completed at a cost of $7,215,933.66. At this time, the navigation school, was officially named the Army Air Force Navigation School, Hondo Army Air Field. In addition to the navigation school, there were glider pilot trainees, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, Women's Air Force Service pilots, and the B-29 Flight Engineer School. On July 16, 1945, the navigation school was closed and HAAF was redesignated the Army Air Force Flight Engineer School. On December 31, 1945, HAAF was officially deactivated. During its three and a half years

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of activation, approximately 14,000 navigators, 3000 glider pilots, and 300 B-29 flight engineers were trained. Besides these trainees, over 10,000 other military personnel and 6000 civilians were involved in the operation of the base. Hondo Army Air Field brought economic and cultural changes to Medina County.

Erected 2005 by Medina County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1942.

Location. 29° 21.476′ N, 99° 10.13′ W. Marker is in Hondo, Texas, in Medina County. It is on Vandenberg Road 0.1 miles north of Harper. The marker is located at the front entrance to the South Texas Regional Airport terminal building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Vandenberg Road, Hondo TX 78861, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

The Hondo Army Air Field Marker in front of the airport terminal building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

2. The Hondo Army Air Field Marker in front of the airport terminal building

itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Hondo Army Air Field (a few steps from this marker); Southern Pacific Depot (approx. 1.2 miles away); Mission Valley (approx. 1.4 miles away); Stephen F. Austin Memorial Oak Tree (approx. 1.7 miles away); Medina County Courthouse (approx. 1.7 miles away); Leinweber Building (approx. 1.7 miles away); Hondo (approx. 1.7 miles away); Old Medina County Jail (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hondo.

Also see . . .
1. Hondo Army Airfield.

Hondo Army Airfield is in northwest Hondo off U.S. Highway 90 in Medina County. In early 1942 Hondo applied for a United States Army Air Force pilot-training facility. Citizens acquired guarantees of 400 housing units in less than two days. Authorization for construction of the navigation school arrived from Washington in March 1942. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on March 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. WWII’s Tragic Aviation Accidents.

The Hondo Army Air Field Marker is the marker on the left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

3. The Hondo Army Air Field Marker is the marker on the left

During World War II, more than 13,000 American aviators lost their lives in training accidents at home before they ever faced the enemy. Their sacrifice is all but forgotten today. Source: Warfare History Network

(Submitted on March 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the markers in front of the South Texas Regional Airport terminal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2022

4. The view of the markers in front of the South Texas Regional Airport terminal

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,082 times since then and 119 times this year. Last updated on May 9, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.