Venice in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

337th Army Air Field Base

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 4, 2010

1. 337th Army Air Field Base Marker

Inscription. Venice Army Air Field opened during WWII, on July 7, 1942. In June of 1943 the first combat aircraft operated from the field. By March 1944 the base was moved to this location. In all nine groups were trained for combat, with the 337th being the permanent party. There was a constant stream of personnel flowing through the training reservoirs and into active theatres. Airplanes filled the skies as hundreds of pilots were trained in P39's, 40's, 47's, and 51's. The base was officially designated Venice Army Field in 1945 when Col. Vincent B. Dixon, who was universally admired, was assigned as Commanding Officer. The field was decomissioned and the City of Venice was granted a license to operate the airport on May 20, 1946.

On June 10, 1947, by Quit Claim Deed from the United States of America to the City of Venice under provisions of the Surplus Property Act of 1944, the City was designated as sponsor to operate the facility.

Erected 1992 by the Venice Aviation Society, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Places • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1944.

Location. 27° 4.689′ N, 82° 26.469′ W. Marker is in Venice, Florida, in Sarasota County. It is on Airport

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Avenue East west of Cooper Street, on the right when traveling east. This historical marker is located on the northern edge of the Venice Airport, just outside of the chain link fence that surrounds the airstrip, and at the edge of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 262 Airport Avenue East, Venice FL 34285, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Venice Army Air Base (here, next to this marker); The Circus in Venice (approx. half a mile away); Venezia Park (approx. one mile away); The Venice-Nokomis Bank (approx. 1.3 miles away); Triangle Inn (approx. 1.3 miles away); Eagle Point Bell (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fred Albee Municipal Airport (approx. 1.4 miles away); Venice Apartment District (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Venice.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 4, 2010

2. 337th Army Air Field Base Marker

View of historical marker with the Venice Airfield in the background.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 4, 2010

3. 337th Army Air Field Base Marker

View looking east of the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 4, 2010

4. 337th Army Air Field Base Marker

View looking west of the historical marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,551 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.