Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Launching Site of First U.S. Army Warplane

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Launching Site of First U.S. Army Warplane Marker

Inscription. From Old Fort Brown Cavalry Drill Field, near this spot, was made the first flight of a U.S. Army plane to be fired upon in armed hostilities, April 20, 1915. Two Signal Corps officers, Lts. Byron Q. Jones and Thos. Milling, flew a Martin T.O. Curtiss 75 on the border to spot movements of Mexican revolutionist Pancho Villa. They reached 2,600 feet; were up 20 minutes. Though they did not cross the Rio Grande, the plane was hit by machine gun and small arms fire. Their patrols lasted 6 weeks. Planes were used more effectively in fighting against Villa in 1916. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3048.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Forts and Castles • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1915.

Location. 25° 53.933′ N, 97° 29.559′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is at the intersection of May Street and Taylor Avenue, on the left when traveling south on May Street. The marker is located in front of the Texas Southmost College-Gorgas building on the campus of Texas Southmost College. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Fort Brown Reservation (here, next to this marker); Post Hospital / Hospital Militar (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); History of 124th Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); William Crawford Gorgas (within shouting distance of this marker); Commandant's Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

More about this marker. The historic Fort Brown buildings are located around the campus of the Texas Southmost College.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. Launching Site of First U.S. Army Warplane Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.