Fairmont in Fillmore County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fairmont Army Air Field
Photographed by Dan Shurtliff, April 19, 2015
1. Fairmont Army Air Field Marker
The 1,980-acre field began as a satellite of the Topeka Army Air Base. Early in 1943 the name was changed to Fairmont Army Air Field. A short-lived training school gave way to the 451st Bombardment Group, which arrived in September 1943. Other groups were the 485th, 504th, 16th, 98th, 467th and 489th. Hangers of various sizes housed B-24s, B-17s, and B-29s. Extensive concrete runways and other structures were built. The field had barracks for nearly 6,000 officers and enlisted men. Its 350-bed hospital was the largest in Nebraska.
In September 1944 Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets visited Fairmont and selected the 393rd Bomb Squadron of the 504th to join the 509th Composite Group at Wendover Field, Utah. This group dropped both atomic bombs on Japan.
The field was declared surplus in the spring of 1946.
Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society, the Fillmore County Historical Society and the 451st Bombardment Group (H) Ltd., Robert M. Karstensen, Sr., President. (Marker
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1944.
Location. 40° 35.819′ N, 97° 35.671′ W. Marker is in Fairmont, Nebraska, in Fillmore County. It is on County Road H 0.1 miles east of U.S. 81, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairmont NE 68354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fairmont Creamery Company (approx. 2.7 miles away); American Freedom Defenders Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named Fairmont Army Air Field (approx. 3.4 miles away); Fillmore County (approx. 5 miles away); Fillmore County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 8.2 miles away); 1879 Exeter 1979 (approx. 8.2 miles away); The Pioneer Chapel and Cesky Bratri Cemetery (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairmont.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2015, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 693 times since then and 30 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 20, 2015, by Joan Shurtliff of Seward, Nebraska. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area picture of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
