South San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kelly Air Force Base
Kelly Field, named for George Edward Maurice Kelly, the first military pilot killed in a plane crash at nearby Fort Sam Houston in 1911, trained aviators, mechanics and support personnel for war duty. After additional land was acquired, the field was divided into Kelly Number 1 (later renamed Duncan Field) and Kelly Number 2. The Air Service Advanced Flying School, which headquartered at Kelly Number 2, trained pilots including Charles Lindbergh, Curtis LeMay and numerous future Air Force chiefs of staff.
During World War II, Kelly saw a tremendous increase in its civilian and military workforce, including women, who were known as “Kelly Katies.” After the Air Force became an independent military service in 1947, the field became known as Kelly Air Force Base.
Personnel at Kelly were significantly involved with air transport and maintenance during the Korean conflict, the Cold War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Once the largest employer in San Antonio, Kelly Air Force Base realigned in 2001 in response to peacetime defense spending cuts.
Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12443.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1872.
Location. 29° 22.968′ N, 98° 33.563′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in South San Antonio. Marker is at the intersection of General Huddnel Drive and Crickett Drive, on the right when traveling north on General Huddnel Drive. Directly across the street from static display of a jet fighter. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Antonio TX 78226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dedicated to Brigadier General Harold E. (Hal) Confer (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); B-58 Hustler (about 300 feet away); FB-111A (about 600 feet away); F-106B (approx. ¼ mile away); F-15A "Eagle" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Spaatz Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Station "X" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wilber B. Miller (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
More about this marker. The marker is at the entrance to a memorial park which honors the military and civilian heros of Kelly AFB. The park is paved with hundreds of memorial bricks.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2013, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. This page has been viewed 1,285 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 12, 2013, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.