Viewing page 13 of 74

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

HISTORY OF GODMAN FIELD

★

Godman Field, Army Air Base, is located 30 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky, and is under the jurisdiction of the First Air Force Headquarters, Mitchel Field, L. I.

Since May 6, 1944 the primary mission of Godman has been the training of the 477th Bombardment Group (changed to the 477th Composite Group——26 June 1945). In addition, the runways serve adjacent Fort Knox as a landing field.

Godman attracted worldwide attention on 1 July 1945 when the present Commanding Officer, Colonel B. O. Davis, Jr., assumed command, taking over from Colonel Robert R. Selway, Jr.

The field is unique in that it is the first and only army installation, within continental USA to be commanded and staffed by all Negro personnel.

Many of those stationed at Godman Field have served overseas in actual combat and are proud wearers of decorations representing many theatres of operation and major campaigns.

Through training in actual on-the-job experience at various Air Forces Technical Training Schools, the men and women of Godman hold a wide variety of Military Occupational Specialties. They are qualified to perform all of the many different and complex tasks required to operate an Air Forces installation. Measured by the same high standard of U. S. Army Air Forces that have applied the world over, they compare favorably with the best.

Among the technicians to be found at Godman are:

Bombardier-Navigator, Armament Specialist, Airplane Mechanic, Bombsight Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker, Machinist, Radar Specialist, Meteorologist, Control Tower Operator, Ordinance Specialist.

The value of this training, both to the soldiers themselves and to a brighter peacetime America is obvious. Many of the members of this command have already been discharged to civilian life to carry on in their specialties. Others are looking forward to the time when they will follow.

Of Godman Field it can be truthfully said:

"We Did Our Share For Victory."