Wendover Air Force Base, South of Interstate 80, Wendover

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,23-WEN,2-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Wendover Air Force Base comprises the Southern half of Wendover, Utah, South of Interstate' 80 in Tooele County Quadrangle: Wendover, Nevada-Utah UTM: Date of Construction: Most of the structures were constructed between and Repairs were made in Present Owners: City of Wendover, Utah

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,23-WEN,2-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Wendover Air Force Base, now called "Wendover Airport", is used as a Public Use Airport. Many of the buildings on the airport are leased, many are vacant. The Air Force is presently leasing approximately 10 barracks and the Enola Gay Hangar. The Enola Gay Hangar is vacant due to asbestos contamination. The Air Force and National Guard train at the Airport.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,23-WEN,2-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The history of Wendover Airport spans a period of 50 years, and has gained historical recognition due to the critical role it played during World War II. During World War II events at Wendover proved to be invaluable in the outcome of the war effort. The construction of the airbase in and of itself is an example of the tremendous Army mobilization effort during World War II. Beyond that, Wendover was the training ground for many Army Air Corps soldiers, including those who participated in the planning, assembly, and delivery of the atomic bomb.

The Airport is also the site of missiles testing which took place under the Air Materiel Command postwar weapons development program in the late and The Airport was used by Strategic Air Command training crews in the late WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 2 Wendover was one of the few military installations in the Country placed on the National Register of Historic Places prior to being more than fifty years old at the time of its designation. Since designation, documentation of the Historic Airfield has been undertaken by several sources, including the military, the public, the federal government, and the media. Wendover is significant for several reasons.

First, at one time it was the largest (in terms of land area) military reserve in the World.1 It is an example of the tremendous building program associated with the World War II mobilization. Wendover also served as the training facility for thousands of soldiers in World War II. It served as the training base of the unit responsible for the atomic bombing of Japan. The Enola Gay Aircraft which carried the bomb dropped over Hiroshima was housed in a hangar at Wendover. The atomic bombs which were dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were reportedly assembled at Wendover. In the training of soldiers, the assembly of the atomic bomb, and the training for the atomic bombing mission Wendover contributed significantly to this country's success in World War II.

The structures which now remain at the airfield are physical proof of the incredible mobilization effort undertaken to successfully train soldiers in World War II. The hangar which housed the Enola Gay still stands, albeit vacant, at Wendover Airfield. The pits which reportedly at one time held atomic bombs for loading and the foundations of buildings where the bombs were assembled are still evident at . the Airfield. Time has slowly deteriorated what little evidence remains of the role Wendover played in World War II. During a USO visit, the comedian Bob Hope, in jest, but with prophetic insight, once coined the phrase "Leftover Field" when referring to Wendover Airbase.2 Preparer: Barbara J. G. Johnson, Federal Aviation Administration WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 3

Historical Information

World War II Mobilization As a result of the German Army's sudden military assaults in Europe in the United States began mobilizing for war in June Passing legislation urged by President Roosevelt, Congress appropriated over a billion dollars for military mobilization. Included in these monies was a program of construction of facilities for housing an expanded army. Before G.I.'s could fight abroad, they had to be housed and trained in the continental United States. Unlike World War I when many G.I.'s were trained abroad, during World War II, with the fall of France and England under barrage, training troops in the continental U.S. was a necessity. The building program to house the troops began in earnest during fall of and rapidly expanded.

In the fall of the army consisted of approximately men, a number that strained the War Department's capacity to house them. By November the army provided adequate housing for over six million troops in the United States. Most of these troops were lodged, fed, and supplied in upwards of wood, temporary buildings, nearly all of which were constructed between and Only of a total six million troops were lodged in buildings labeled "permanent". By the close of World War II, the Nation had witnessed a program of military construction which had few parallels.3 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 4 With eyes on the immediate crises, the army built mobilization structures with the expectation that they would be "temporary", lasting 5 to 20 years.

However, in March of an army inventory showed that nearly of these "temporary" World War II structures were still standing. A large but undetermined number were still in use. While existing as testimony to the soundness of army construction, these buildings have begun to show the testimony of their unplanned long existence. 4 These World War II buildings sheltered few celebrities, and their architecture is straightforward, based on simple calculations of cost, efficiency and speed of construction. Yet, for forty years, millions of American "citizen-soldiers" passed through these buildings on their way to battlefields around the world.5 Tens of thousands passed through the Wendover Air Base.

The 700 series of Army Quartermaster Corps construction which was developed in the and revised in was the preferred series for mobilization. The 700 series included provisions for a central heating system instead of stoves in the barracks and toilets and showers inside the barracks. This reflected longer troop occupancy and higher living standards. Construction for the Air Corps, which was a branch of the Army throughout World War II, was undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers. Over million dollars in Air Corps construction was underway in June of Fine and Remington7 record that the number of men employed on military construction projects rose from in July WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 5 to in January of The mobilization program involved much more than just building barracks and mess halls. By the time a camp was complete, it had the appearance of an Army camp, but many of the conveniences and functions of a city. In his annual report of Secretary of War Stimson noted, A program of housing involving the construction of over 40 veritable cities qualified to receive population running from a minimum of to a maximum of over inhabitants and containing all the necessary utilities and conveniences including recreation buildings, theatres, service clubs, chapels, athletic areas, hospitals, bakeries, laundries, and cold storage plants was carried through on time and with a minimum of hardship to the troops.

In the case of Wendover Air Base, the population of the Air Base exceeded The original population of the Town of Wendover prior to mobilization was approximately 100 inhabitants.9 In preparing mobilization construction plans, five principles were considered: speed, simplicity, conservation of materials, flexibility, and safety. Throughout the stages of construction program, speed was given highest priority. The U.S. entry into war in December of necessitated a reorganization of construction policies within the War Department. The shift in focus from a defensive war to an all-out press for victory gave munitions and combat equipment production highest priority. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 6 However, the Corps of Engineers were able to provide all the troop housing the army needed. Total housing capacity increased throughout the war from in January to 2.4 million in June of and finally to a capacity for 4.6 million soldiers in January of Hitherto, Theatre of Operations construction had only been used at theaters of war. These structures were of the most temporary kind, essentially consisting of flimsy framing and board and batten, tar paper sheathing. Believing the Theater of Operations type too rude for stateside troops, a Modified Theatre of Operations type was developed. In February Theater of Operations construction was ordered to be modified for use in the Zone of Interior and Circular Letters detailed the changes to be made.

In April the "Wax Department Construction Policy, Zone of the Interior" ordered that, Construction at camps, posts, and stations will be Theater of Operations type modified or mobilization type temporary construction. Modified Theater, of Operations type construction will be used for all new camps.

Mobilization type temporary construction may be used in the expansion of existing posts, camps, and stations when this type of construction has been previously used, and for those projects where advance planning has been completed and construction will be seriously delayed by revising the construction type.11 The policy was further articulated in June with the directive that, In general, all construction shall be of the cheapest, temporary character with structural stability only sufficient to meet the needs of the service which the structure is intended to fulfill during the period of its contemplated war use.12 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 7 In order to modify existing Theater of Operations plans as quickly as possible, District Engineers throughout the country were assigned specific plans to design. The result was a one-story structure with wood or concrete floors, whose studs and rafters were 4 feet on center, 15 pounds felt was used for sheathing, and magazine stoves or space heaters provided the heat. Latrines were in separate buildings.13 By October the Modified Theater of Operations type of construction had been superseded by the T.O. 700 Series.

In making the change, the Chief of Engineers stated that, Experience has shown that the original Theater of Operations drawings issued in conjunction with Technical Manual and the Modified Theater of Operations drawings (11 point M Series) are not sufficiently flexible for use over the entire United States, nor have the designs been completely satisfactory in utilizing presently available construction materials.14 The new 32-man standard T.O. barracks replaced the T.O. and T.O. Twenty feet wide and 100 feet long, the barracks were similar to the Modified Theater of Operations predecessor. Although still built with framing 4 feet on center, the structural weaknesses were bolstered by additional bracing. The greatest difference was the increase in comfort the new series provided.

Buildings were better insulated and ventilated.15 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 8 Camp layouts were concurrently revised. For example a triangular division, once built around 79 companies of four 74-man barracks of the drawings, were now based on 91 companies in 15 32-man units of the T.O. drawings. Floors were of wood construction except in dry regions where concrete and tile on grade could be used. Millwork was to be of standard design. Overhanging eaves were to be eliminated as was standard practice. And the usual conservation measures such as the use of metal substitutes were to be applied.

These structures were still quite minimal, an Inspector General report complaining that "As designed that unit is little more than self-supporting as to superstructure, being incapable of resisting snow and wind loads of more than moderate intensity."16 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 9 III. HISTORICAL INFORMATION Wendover Airport The history of Wendover Airbase began in the late as the War Department pursued the development of Air Power and worked steadily to increase U.S. capacities in that area. By the Quartermaster Corps was already working on worth of Air Corps construction.

Following the German Blitzkrieg and the visible destructiveness of enemy air bombing operations large funds were appropriated for construction of runways, hangars, and other components of airbases.17 In early a special board headed by the War Department began the search for potential bombing and gunnery training ranges.18 A. The Selection of Wendover as an Army Air Base Military leaders found the little town of Wendover on the Utah-Nevada border to be ideally suited for the development of the required ranges.

Once the bottom of pre-historic Lake Bonneville, this "no-man's land" consisted of the barren and desolate salt flats of the Great Salt Lake.19 Meteorologically, the sterile area averaged more than 300 days a year of sunny skies and received little rain or snowfall even during winter months.20 The clear weather and the wide expanse of uninhabited flat landing surface provided a natural setting for bomber crew training.21 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 10 Wendover's geographic location conformed closely to Air Corps needs for protection and transportation. It lay far enough inland to afford protection from enemy attack on the west coast. The Western Pacific Railroad ran directly through town.

The selection of Wendover was also influenced by the War Department's plans to turn the infantry post at Fort Douglas into an Air Corps post, using the municipal airport at Salt Lake City as a station for heavy bomber units. The Salt Lake City Municipal Airport (located within 5 miles of the City), which had previously served as a storage arsenal for ordnance material, could not continue to stockpile such high explosives so close to the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

Since military planes based at the airport already flew practice bombing missions over the Salt Lake Desert, it was logical to move the armament from the airport to Wendover, a more remote site.22 In this respect, Wendover, located over 90 miles from Salt Lake City, was able to accommodate practice bombing missions over the Salt Lake Desert as well as the storage of ordnance material. The acquisition of the required land for the vast ranges and airfield itself presented few problems because the Department of Interior owned virtually all of the desired area.23 B. Wendover's Military Mission Wendover's primary mission during World War n was to train the crews of and Bombers. Under the direction of the 2nd Air Force, no less than 21 heavy WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 11 bombardment groups were trained at Wendover. The goal of the training was teamwork. The groups were activated, sent to Wendover, formed complete units, trained together, and . then were reassigned to other bases or directly to combat zones in Europe or the South Pacific.24 The Bombardment Group was the first such outfit assigned for training at Wendover. Equipped with Flying Fortresses, the arrived in early April The group encountered numerous training difficulties resulting primarily from the inadequate facilities of the infant base.25 By July, however, Wendover personnel had constructed a city of salt near the mountains where bomber crews could practice.

In addition, life-size targets of enemy battleships were formed and an electrical system for night illumination was installed.26 Workers hurriedly began construction of Wendover's machine gun range located north of Highway 40 and east of the Town of Wendover. Because of the lack of necessary resources to build the range, officers in charge of the construction illegally "requisitioned" much of the lumber and other materials from contractors and the government. One of the training officers reportedly involved in these "midnight operations" was later brought before a court martial tribunal. However, the board exonerated him after receiving a telegram from General Douglas McArthur praising Wendover's gunners as the best trained in the Army.27 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 12 In an effort to duplicate actual gunnery, Wendover developed significant training systems which gained nationwide attention. One such device incorporated three machine guns mounted on a railroad car which moved along a section of track at speeds up to 40 miles an hour. This allowed gunners to practice firing at moving targets from a moving mount.

Known as the Tokio Trolley", this apparatus gained fame because it posed realistic challenges to aerial marksmen.28 In April the first unit equipped with aircraft, the Bombardment Group, arrived at Wendover.29 By early the base could easily handle two complete groups at a time.30 To weld crews into effective fighting units, training included extensive exercises in high altitude formation flying, long-range navigation, target identification, and simulated combat mission.31 Beginning in April fighter pilots successfully trained at Wendover in aircraft. This program came to an abrupt halt in September and pilots were quickly transferred to other locations because of the impending formation of the Composite Group at Wendover.32 General Henry H.

Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Corps, chose Colonel Paul Tibbets to lead this organization, and commissioned him to choose his own training site from several possible locations.33 Tibbets stated, "Wendover was my first stop, and after flying around WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 13 the area for a while, looking at its remoteness, and at the availability of bombing ranges, I felt that if the base facilities were just half as good, this was the base I wanted, and that's the way it turned out."34 Officially activated on December 17, the was no ordinary unit.

Equipped with Superfortresses, it became the first unit organized and trained expressly for atomic warfare.35 The code name "Silver Plate" was the military designation for the complicated effort of assembling and training over men to drop the first atomic bomb.36 This do-it-yourself outfit was completely self sufficient with its own bombardment, engineer, supply, transport, security and ordnance squadrons. Personnel were handpicked, and rigid security checks were conducted into the background of each individual.37 The men were ordered never to discuss Wendover, their jobs, or their mission, even with each other.

Hundreds of FBI agents combed the roads around Wendover, as well as the streets of Salt Lake City and Elko, Nevada.38 Men who talked too much received immediate transfers to such outposts as Alaska. In addition to these security precautions, each person knew only what was necessary to do his own job.39 The soldiers at Wendover named the unknown "thing" they were working on "the gimmick".40 The Wendover base itself was given the code name "Kingman" 41 and work in the ordnance area was termed "Project # WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 14 Wendover's treeless flat expanse of salt, far from civilization, provided the perfect hiding place for the secret mission.

Since plans called for the atomic bomb to be dropped visually, as opposed to using radar, Wendover's bright clear skies were precisely what Colonel Tibbets required for training purposes.43 Furthermore, by this time, Wendover had developed unequaled expertise in training heavy bomber crews.44 The personnel of the accomplished most of their training at Wendover.

Initially, this involved individual instruction for the pilots, navigators and bombardiers.45 Assembled crews then practiced together in the dropping only one dummy bomb called a "pumpkin" at a time.46 The group left Wendover in segments, beginning April 26, for Tinian Island in the Marianas.47 In preparation for the eventual atomic bomb drops, the flew missions over Japan employing "pumpkins" which contained conventional explosives.48 Meanwhile, ordnance personnel at Wendover continued to assemble and test components for the bombs.

By mid-July the necessary modifications to the "units" had been completed to the satisfaction of the scientists.49 The atom bombs were delivered to the at Tinian in late July where technicians and scientists made the required final adjustments.50 On August 6, the "Enola Gay," piloted by Colonel Tibbets, dropped the first atomic bomb, called "Little Boy," on Hiroshima.51 Three days later, the second bomb, known as "Fat WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 15 Man," was dropped on Nagasaki from "Bock's Car," flown by Major Charles Sweeney.52 Japan quickly surrendered, bringing a swift conclusion to the war.

Only then did the majority of the people of Wendover realize what their base had housed for over nine months.53 C Construction of Base Facilities Construction of base facilities on the south side of the town of Wendover began in November During the winter, workers constructed temporary barracks, two gravel runways, taxiways, and an aircraft parking ramp. The second phase of construction, completed in provided four 63 man barracks, a mess hall, officer's quarters, an administration building, a signal office, two ordnance warehouses, a dispensary, three ammunition storehouses, a bombsight storage warehouse, a powerhouse and a theatre.

In addition, workers finished the grading and paving of Wendover's runways.54 These facilities greeted the first personnel assigned to Wendover, two officers and ten enlisted men comprising a gunnery and bombing detachment. Officially activated on July 29, the detachment arrived at the field August 12, In Wendover was not officially recognized as an army air base since it was a subpost of Fort Douglas.56 However, the increased involvement of the United States in World War II resulted in Wendover Field being designated as an independent air base in March of WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 16 An ambitious construction program began in and for the most part was completed in New facilities, mostly constructed of the Modified Theater of Operations and T.O.

Series 700 type were constructed. They included a machine shop and parachute shop, hangars, and bombsight maintenance and turret buildings.

The great influx of personnel necessitated building a Federal Housing Administration Project, Nev-tah Apartments for civilian workers, finished in June of Community type facilities constructed to accommodate the growing number of personnel assigned to Wendover consisted of a 300-bed hospital, gymnasium, swimming pool, library, post exchange, chapel, cafeteria, bowling alley, two theaters, guard house, consolidated mess hall, and 361 housing units for married officers and civilians.59 The construction of a water pipeline in to Johnson Springs Nevada, approximately 32 miles away, solved the critical water shortage problem.60 A total of 668 buildings dotted the once barren land. By the end of approximately civilians and military personnel were assigned to Wendover.

Encompassing 3.5 million acres, the base became the largest.military reserve in the world. The government's investment in Wendover exceeded $13 million dollars by that time.61 Much of Wendover Air Base was constructed in the 6 month period when the Army provided an overall housing capacity for an additional 2.2 million soldiers. Shortages in building material, particularly metals, largely influenced construction. Required to provide additional shelter, forced to avoid certain types of lumbers, glues, canvas, and metals, the Corps of Engineers maximized construction of a building type with which they were quite WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 17 familiar -- Theatre of Operations.

62 Construction types typified at Wendover were the Modified Theater of Operations and Theatre of Operations 700 series construction. Most of the barracks were constructed of wood with dimensions of 20 by 101 feet ft square) and held 24 persons and were heated using space heaters or stove heaters. In the T.O. 700 series, lavatories and bath houses were placed in separate buildings. This construction reflected the critical stage of the war in which it was built when speed was of the highest priority and acute material shortages existed. D. Wendover - After World War II The end of the war brought drastic changes to the remote Utah base.

The need for training large numbers of bomber crews for combat no longer existed so personnel assigned to Wendover dwindled to under In December the Army transferred jurisdiction to the base from the 2nd Air Force to the Air Technical Service (later Air Materiel) Command. With that change, the mission at Wendover shifted to weapons development.63 As a prelude to the development of the spectacular missile industry of the and Wendover began testing and developing three types of missiles in April These included power driven bombs called "Weary Willies," glide bombs, and remotely piloted # WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 18 vehicles such as GAPA, the ground-to-air pilotless aircraft.

German V-2 rockets, which had plagued Great Britain during World War II, were also taken to Wendover for evaluation.64 In March the Army Air Force transferred Wendover to the Strategic Air Command's Air Force. Except for the bombing ranges, however, base facilities went unused. As early as the base itself was completely deactivated and was declared surplus property the following year. The Air Force returned the installation to the Air Materiel Command, in July under jurisdiction of Hill Air Force Base.65 A skeleton crew of 13 personnel occupied the base between and The temporary structures deteriorated rapidly during this time.

Some buildings burned to the ground, some were torn down, and others were sold and removed from the base.67 In the Tactical Air Command (TAC) expressed an interest in using Wendover as a gunnery and mobility staging area. The Air Force reactivated the base, placing it under the jurisdiction of the 9th Air Force, on October Workers renovated and reopened old buildings, extended runways, and constructed new targets on the bombing ranges. New jet bombers and fighters arrived, revitalizing the base. However, the anticipated influx of large numbers of personnel proved to be highly exaggerated. In the work force totaled only and by there were less than 300 people assigned to Wendover.68 WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 19 The Air Force deactivated the base in December and the following month renamed it Wendover Air Force Auxiliary Field. The field was placed under the jurisdiction of the Air Materiel Command with Hill Air Force Base as caretaker.69 During the late and early the Utah National Guard and various Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units used the base for summer encampments and other training purposes. Wendover also served as a clear range area where new supersonic aircraft such as the were dropped from larger airplanes and tested.70 On July 15, the Air Force reactivated the field with only a fire-fighting detachment of about 15 men. By 128 of the original 668 buildings remained on the dismantled base and it was again declared surplus property.

The General Services Administration (GSA) of the Federal Government prepared to sell the base, possibly to the town of Wendover, with only the bombing ranges and radar site being kept by the Air Force.71 Disposal of the base property, however, did not immediately occur. The city of Wendover tried to influence commercial firms, particularly Utah's missile manufacturers, to locate on the unused base. These attempts proved unsuccessful.72 The civilian fire-fighting crew remained the only permanently assigned personnel at Wendover until WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 20 Meanwhile, Air Force units from Hill Air Force Base and Air National Guard units from several states, including California and Montana, continued to intermittently occupy the base and the ranges for training.73 In the late Wendover and the surrounding salt desert were named as a possible site for a NASA spaceport for the space shuttle program. The citizens of Wendover and Utah's congressional delegation campaigned vigorously for the Base's selection. Hopes were dashed, however, in April when sites in Florida and California were selected.74 Undaunted, Utah's political leaders continued to pursue other possible uses for the airstrip.

A proposal in listed Wendover as a potential alternate landing site whenever the Salt Lake City International Airport was closed due to adverse weather conditions.75 This idea also never came to fruition. Earlier,, the Wendover Range was incorporated into the Hill Wendover/Dugway Range complex which later was named the Utah. Test and Training Range.76 However, "Leftover Field" was simply leftover. Twenty-three years after the Air Force first declared Wendover surplus to its needs, it did so again in Even before the GSA began the complicated disposal procedures in concerned Wendover citizens and members of the fire-fighting "crew proposed that the base be considered as a possible historic site.

They argued that Wendover's role in the training of WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 21 the Composite Group and ushering the world into the atomic age should not be overlooked or forgotten.

In July the base was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.79 This placed Wendover under the auspices of the National Historic Preservation Act of ensuring that protective stipulations were followed prior to any further demolition of the base or its structures.80 On July 9, the water system and its annexes were transferred to the city.81 The runways, taxiways, hangars, and old hospital complex, and several warehouses were deeded to Wendover by GSA on August Approximately 86 acres of the old containment area north and west of the flightline and about 164 acres on the east side of the base comprising the radar site were retained by GSA.83 Since Wendover Airport has served a variety of functions.

The Wendover City offices have been located in one of the buildings adjacent to the aircraft parking ramp. Private aircraft make use of old hangars. The Air Force has signed yearly lease agreements with the city to be able to continue using the runways -and facilities for practice takeoffs and landings, as well as mock war games. And, Air Reserve and National Guard outfits train at Wendover's facilities.84 In early the GSA began the disposal process of the 86 acres located in areas and D of the base. The report entitled The History of Wendover Air Force Base WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) > HABS No. UT-125 Page 22 documented the government owned buildings remaining as of within those areas.

85 In Wendover Airport was being considered as the possible site of an electronic combat test range by the Air Force Logistics Command. Wendover, as a preferred site for such a facility will be considered should funding ever be appropriated for the project. Since the town of Wendover has held the to the remaining airport and as such has had responsibility for the remaining base buildings under their jurisdiction. Some buildings have been destroyed either deliberately or as a result of an accident. The remaining buildings have been the subject of this HABS documentation. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 23 IV.

PROJECT INFORMATION Building Histories As part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Section 106 responsibilities, this history of the Wendover Airport accompanied by building histories of buildings still remaining on airport property is provided for the Historic American Building Survey. The majority of the information references previous military documentation including references contained in the February draft report entitled World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army which, when completed, is planned for publication by the National Park Service, HABS/HAER Division. The Wendover Airport Master Plan includes both the HABS documentation of the buildings at the airport and the recommended disposition of the buildings.

The actual disposition of the historic structures has not been agreed to but is planned to be incorporated into a programmatic agreement between the City of Wendover, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, and the Federal Aviation Administration. The individuals and/or organizations that participated in this recordation are as follows: James E. Sirhall (Muller, Sirhall & Associates, Inc.) - Project Manager, Photography, Donna L. Seter (Muller, Sirhall & Associates, Inc.) - Project Coordinator/Planner, Site Plan WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 24 Barbara Johnson (Federal Aviation Administration) - History of Wendover Airport, Regulatory Compliance Paul Wayman (Wendover) - Photography, Arnold Thallheimer (Custom Photography) - Processing of Photos Allen D. Roberts (Cooper, Roberts Architects) - Building Descriptions James W. Denney (Bush & Gudgell, Inc.) - Building Sketch Plans The records contained in this document were prepared from September to February WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 25 V. Further Information Following this narrative are copies of original construction plans for several of the buildings at Wendover. Brief building descriptions and sketches for each building in the study (listed below) are found following the photograph of the corresponding building.

UT-125-1 Overall Of Base, Looking Northwest. UT-125-2 Overall North End Of Base, Looking North. UT-125-3 Overall Munitions Bunkers, Looking Southwest. UT-125-4 Overall of Base, Looking Southwest. UT-125-A Building Swimming Pool. UT-125-B Building Swimmer's Bath House. UT-125-C Building Power Plant. UT-125-D Building Commissary. UT-125-E Building Squadron Hangar. UT-125-F Building Alert Building. UT-125-G Building Headquarters Building. UT-125-H Building Electric Building. UT-125-1 Building Supply and Equipment Warehouse. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 26 UT-125-J Building Control Tower. UT-125-K Building Magazine Building. UT-125-L Building Officer's Service Club. UT-125-M Building Squadron Hangar.

UT-125-N Building Armament Inspection and Adjustment Building. UT-125-O Building Bomb Squadron Administration. UT-125-P Building Squadron Hangar. UT-125-G Building Squadron Operations Building. UT-125-R Building Squadron Hangar. UT-125-S Building Squadron Operations Building. UT-125-T Building School Building. UT-125-U Building Maintenance Hangar, UT-125-V Building Squadron Operations. UT-125-W Building Bomb Trainer Building/Fire Station. UT-125-X Building Link. Trainer Building. UT-125-Y Building Boiler House. UT-125-Z Building Administrative Office. UT-125-AA Building Bomb Site Storage. UT-125-BB Building Navigational Aids Shop. UT-125-CC Building Maintenance Field Hangar, (Enola Gay Hangar). UT-125-DD Building Administration Building. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 27 UT-125-EE Building Administration Building. UT-125-FF Building Administration Building. UT-125-GG Building UT-125-HH Building Warehouse. UT-125-11 Building Warehouse. UT-125-JJ Building Ice and Cold Storage Building. UT-125-KK Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-LL Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-MM Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-NN Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-OO Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-PP Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-QQ Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-RR. Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-SS Building Airmen's "Dormitory. UT-125-TT Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-UU Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-W Building Latrine. UT-125-WW Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-XX Building Airmen's Dormitory.

UT-125-YY Building Airmen's Dormitory. # WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 28 UT-125-ZZ Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-AAA Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-BBB Building Latrine. UTM25-CCC Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-DDD Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-EEE Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-FFF Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-GGG Building Dining Hall. UT-125-HHH Building Dispensary (Also Airmen's Dormitory). UT-125-m Building Administration Office. UT-125-JJJ Building Medical Supply and Issue Building. UT-125-KKK Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-LLL Building Dispensary (Also Airmen's Dormitory). UT-125-MMM Building Bachelor Officer's Quarters. UT-125-NNN Building Airmen's Dormitory.

UT-125-OOO Building Base Supply and Equipment Warehouse. UT-125-PPP Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-QQQ Building Base Communications. UT-125-RRR Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-SSS Building Squadron Headquarters. UT-125-TTT Building Airmen's Dormitory. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 29 UT-125-UUU Building Airmen's Dining Hali. UT-125-WV Building Heating Facility Building. UT-125-WWW Building Base Mortuary, UT-125-XXX Building Multi-Purpose Recreation Building. UT-125-YYY Building Exchange Sales Store. UT-125-ZZZ Building Officer's Quarters. UT-125-AAAA Building Airmen's Dormitory. UT-125-BBBB Building Exchange Service Outlet. UT-125-CCCC Building NCO Open Mess. UT-125-DDDD Building Base Theater. UT-125-EEEE Building 21, Warehouse for Inert Comp.

Storage. UT-125-FFFF Building 25, Warehouse for Inert Bombs. UT-125-GGGG Building 28, Magazine for Small Arms Ammunition. UT-125-HHHH Building 29, Small Arms Ammunition Storage. UT-125-IIII Building 32, Magazine for Small Arms Ammunition. UT-125-JJJJ Building 33, Base Warehouse. UT-125-KKKK Building 36, Post Ordnance for Pyrotechnics. UT-125-LLLL Building 37, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-MMMM Building 38, Post Ordnance Magazine for Pyrotechnics. UT-125-NNNN Building 39, Black Powder Storage. UT-125-OOOO Building 40, War Reserve Strategic Storage. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 30 UT-125-PPPP Building 41, Magazine for Segregated Storage. UT-125-QQQQ Building 42, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-RRRR Building 43, War Reserve Strategic Storage.

UT-125-SSSS Building 44, Post Ordnance Magazine for Pyrotechnics. UT-125-TTTT Building 45, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-UUUU Building 46, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-WW Building 47, Magazine for Chemical Bomb Storage. UT-125-WWWW Building 48, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-XXXX Building 49, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-YYYY Building 50, Post Ordnance Magazine for Pyrotechnics. UT-125-ZZZZ Building 51, War Reserve Strategic Storage. UT-125-AAAAA Building 52, Chapel, (not officially a part of the survey, but photography only is included). UT-125-BBBBB Building Base Sewage Facility UT-125-CCCCC Building 53, Target Butt WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 31 Endnotes for the History of the Wendover Airport 1. Leonard J.

Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall pp 2. History of the Wendover Army Air Base and Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, 7 December - 31 December p. 11 in Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Scott C. Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July Office of History, Ogden Air Logistics Center, hereafter referred to as Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 3. Lenore Fine and Jesse Remington. The Corps of Engineers: Construction in the United States. The U. S. Army in World War II Series, Washington D. C: Office of the Chief Military History, U. S.

Army hereafter referenced as Fine and Remington; Alice Rose, Military Construction in the United States Under the Direction of the Quartermaster Corps and the Corps of Engineers. Office of History, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, Virginia Box John J. O'Brien to Commanding General, Army Services Forces, "Overall Housing Capacity," November Washington National Records Center, Record Group 77 - Entry 107 -Box all referenced in Diane Wasch, Perry Busch, Rusty Echols February 23, Draft Report entitled, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army, edited by John Burns, planned for publication by the HABS/HAER division of the National Park Service, Washington hereafter referred to as Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army, February Draft. 4.

Corps of Engineers, Housing Support Center - Environmental Resources, Information Paper 27, June Department of the Army, "Policy on the Disposal of World War II Temporary Buildings," February 27, Fort Belvoir Office of History, Box referenced in Wasch. World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army. February Draft. 5. Diane Wasch, Perry Busch, Rusty Echols, February 23, draft report entitled World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army, edited by John Burns, planned for publication by the HABS/HAER division of the National Park Service, Washington hereafter referred to as Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army. February Draft. 6. Ibid WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE . (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 32 7. Fine and Remington, referenced in Wasch.

World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv. February Draft. 8. Annual Report of the Secretary of War. National Archives, referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army. February Draft, page 17. 9. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas Alexander, World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base. Utah State University. 10. "Camps awarded and/or underway," [undated], National Archives, RG 107 Entry 23- Box War Department Corps of Engineers, Monthly Progress Report, February 28, Corps of Engineers Library; "Chronology of the use of advance planning funds for new camps," undated, National Archives, RG 107-Entry 23 - Box Fine and Remington, referenced in Wasch. World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv. February Draft. 11.

"War Department Construction Policy, Zone of the Interior." Reproduced in U.S. Command & General Staff School, . Construction. (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv February Draft, page 42. 12. War Department, "Directive for War-Time Construction," June 1, Washington National Records Center, RG 77 -0 Entry 107 -Box referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army February Draft, page 42 13. Engineering Manual. Chapter X, Part I, Paragraph Corps of Engineers Library, referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv. February Draft, page 42. 14. Circular Letter No. 2105/Construction Division No.

"File Index Numbers for Standard Construction Drawings," October 19, Washington National Record Center, RG 77 - Entry 107 - Box referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv. February Draft. 15. Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv. February Draft. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 33 16. Arthur Allen, Major, IGD, to Inspector General, "Emergency Type Barracks," May 28, Washington National Records Center, RG 77 - Entry 107 - Box Rose, 427 citing WD. AGF. Assistant Adjutant General, to Commanding General, Service of Supply, "Construction for Triangular Infantry Divisions," May 30, Engineering Manual.

Chapter X, Part II, Paragraph Corps of Engineers Library; see also, "Memorandum to Accompany File Index Numbers for Standard Construction Drawings," January 26, Washington National Records Center, RG 77 - Entry 107 - Box see also, "Comments on Plans and Specifications Submitted to O.C.E. for Review," February Washington National Records Center, RG 77 - Entry 107 - Box How the new Barracks took advantage of local materials was examined in "New Barracks Save Lumber," Engineering News-Record 130 (November 2, All of which was referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army.February Draft, page 44. 17. Though the Corps of Engineers did not take over all Air Corps construction until December of they entered the field of airport engineering much earlier.

Alice Rose, Military Construction in the United States under the Direction of the Quartermaster Corps and the Corps of Engineers. Office of History, U. S. Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, notes that by the fall of the Civil Aeronautics Administration awarded million to the engineers for building and improving approximately 600 civil airports in the United States, referenced in Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Army. February Draft. 18. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, pp in Ogden Air Logistics Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 19. Ibid. 20. 'Training Camp for the Atomic Age: Wendover Field." Aerospace Historian. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht.

History of Wendover Air Force Base. 21. History of Wendover Army Air Base, Installment I, 1 January December pp in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 22. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall pp 23. Ibid. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 34 24. Helen Rice, History of Ogden Air Materiel Area. Hill Air Force Base. Utah. (March p. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 25. History of the Wendover Army Air Base and Base Headquarters and.Air Base Squadron, 7 December - 31 December pp.

1-2 in Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 26. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 6, Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 27. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 28. History of the Wendover Army Air Base and Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, 7 December - 31 December p 9 in Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 29.

Helen Rice, History of Ogden Air Materiel Area. Hill Air Force Base. Utah. (March p. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 30. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 5, Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 31. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, pp Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 32. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 8, Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base.

July WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 35 33. Michael Amrine, The Great Decision. The Secret History of the Atomic Bomb (New York, pp. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 34. Paul W. Tibbets, "Twenty-Eight Years Ago: Training the for Hiroshima," Air Force. August p. 51, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 35. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, Air Force Combat Units of World War II (Washington Maurer Maurer, editor, p. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 36. 'Training Camp for the Atomic Age: Wendover Field," Aerospace Historian. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 37. History of the Composite Group, Activation -15 August p.

1, in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 38. Paul W. Tibbets, Twenty-Eight Years Ago: Training the for Hiroshima," Air Force. August p 52, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 39. Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II, No High Ground (New York, p. 82, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 40. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, The Army Air Forces in World War II (Chicago, W. F. Craven and J. L. Gate, editors, V. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 41. Leslie R. Groves, Now It Can Be Told. The Story of the Manhattan Project (New York, p. referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 42.

James Les Rowe, Project A Never Disclosed Chapter in the A-Bomb Storv. (Livermore, Ca., ii, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 43. Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II, No High Ground (New York, p. 83, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 36 44. Documentary film, "Leftover Field: Wendover, the War Years," KSL Television production (Salt Lake City, UT, in Hill Air Force Base film library, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 45. Interview, Arthur K. Marmor with Paul W. Tibbets, September, in Historical Division Files, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 46.

Jay Ellis Ransom, "Wendover: Home of the Atom Bomb." Northwest Rural Light. November pp. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 47. History of the Composite Group, Activation -15 August p. 19, in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 48. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, The Army Air Forces in World War II (Chicago, W. F. Craven and J. L. Cate, editors, V, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 49. James Les Rowe, Project A Never Disclosed Chapter in the A-Bomb Story. (Livermore, Ca., referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 50. Stephane Groueff, Manhattan Project: The Untold storv of the Making of the Atomic Bomb (Boston, p.

referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 51. History of the Composite Group, Activation - 15 August pp in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 52. Frank W. Chinnock. Nagasaki: The Forgotten Bomb (New York, pp. referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 53. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 54. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 3, Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

UT-125 Page 37 History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 55. History of Wendover Army Air Base, Installment I, 1 January December pp in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 56. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 4, in Ogden Air Logistics Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 57. History of the Wendover Army Air Base and Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, 7 December - 31 December pp 1-3 in Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July U.S.

Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 5, Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 59. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fail p referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 60. Document, Basic Information for Master Planning Purposes, Wendover Field, Utah, May in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 61. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht.

History of Wendover Air Force Base. 62. Wasch, World War II Temporary Structures: The U.S. Armv. February Draft. 63. Ibid. 64. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, "Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, p 11, Ogden Air Logistics Center Historical Files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. July 65. Ibid. 66. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 38 Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 67. Documentary film, "Leftover Field: Wendover, the War Years," KSL Television production (Salt Lake City, UT, in Hill Air Force Base film library, referenced in Fritschknecht.

History of Wendover Air Force Base. 68. Leonard J. Arlington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall pp referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 69. Helen Rice, History of Ogden Air Materiel Area. Hill Air Force Base. Utah. (March p. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 70. Leonard J. Arrington and Thomas G. Alexander, "World's Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 71. Ibid. 72. Ibid. 73. Interview, Scott C. Frischknecht and Lt. Mike Bell with Fred G.

Kenley, retired Wendover fire chief, 16 July in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 74. 'Training Camp for the Atomic Age: Wendover Field," Aerospace Historian. Fall p referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 75. Ibid. 76. History of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, 1 October - 30 September volume 1, p. 18, in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 77.

Staff Summary Sheet, Civil engineering division, Ogden Air Logistics Center, subject: Supplemental Agreement of License of Wendover Town, 1 July in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 78. Jay Ellis Ransom, "Wendover: Home of the Atom Bomb." Northwest Rural Light. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 39 November pp. referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 79. Document, Entries In The National Register, 1 July in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 80. Letter, Donald E.

Notarmuzi, Director, Real Property Division, Federal Property Resources Service to Thomas Slattery, Chief, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, subject: Disposal of Wendover Air Force Auxiliary Field, 3 September in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 81. Document, Quitclaim Deed covering transfer of the Johnson Springs Water System Annex, Nevada; the Wendover Air Force Auxiliary Field, Utah, Water System; and the Wendover Water System Annex, Utah; to the Town of Wendover, Utah 9 July in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 82.

Document, Quitclaim Deed covering transfer of the Wendover Air Force Auxiliary Field runways, taxiways, hospital complex, and other buildings to the Town of Wendover, Utah, 98 July in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 83. Letter, Donald E. Notarmuzi, Director, Real Property Division, Federal Property Resources Service to Thomas Slattery, Chief, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, subject: Disposal of Wendover Air Force Auxiliary Field, 3 September in Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files, referenced in Fritschknecht, History of Wendover Air Force Base. 84. Fritschknecht. History of Wendover Air Force Base. 85. Ibid.

WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 40 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS Amrine, Michael. The Great Decision. The Secret History of the Atomic Bomb. New York: Putnam's Sons, Includes material on the Composite Group, Wendover Field, and the atomic strikes at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Chinnock, Frank W. Nagasaki: The Forgotten Bomb. New York: The World Publishing Company, An hour-by-hour account of the dropping of the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki by "Bock's Car." Groueff, Stephane. Manhattan Project: The Untold Story of the Making of the Atomic tBomb. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, Story of the people who made the scientific, technological, and military contribution to the project. Groves, Leslie R. Now It Can Be Told: The Story of the Manhattan Project.

New York: Harper and Brothers, The wartime head of the project relates the events, scientific and engineering, which produced the atomic bomb. Knebel, Fletcher, and Charles W. Bailey; No High Ground. New York: Harper and Brothers, Events in the United States and Japan leading to the first atomic strikes including eyewitness accounts of the survivors of the holocaust. Lawrence, William L. Dawn Over Zero: The Story of the Atomic Bomb. 2nd ed. New York: Alfred A Knopf, A newspaperman who witnessed much of the development of the bomb and the actual Nagasaki attack relates the entire story as he saw it. Miller, Merle and Abe Spitzer. We Dropped the A-Bomb. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, Observations of Spitzer, radio operator of th that dropped the Nagasaki bomb. Rice, Helen.

History of Oeden Air Materiel Area. Hill Air Force Base. Utah. # WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page. 41 Account of the origin and responsibilities of this command including a chronology of Wendover Air Force Base. Rowe, James Lee. Project A Never Disclosed Chapter in the A-Bomb Story. Livermore, Ca.: JA A RO Publishing, Captain Rowe, the Project Officer of the military detachment responsible for the modification, testing, and final asssembly of the atomic bombs at Wendover Field, Utah, recounts the hurried activities to prepare the weapons during the summer of U.S. Air Force Historical Division. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maurer Maurer, editor. Washington: U.S.

Government Printing Office, Encyclopedia of AAF Combat units with their insignia shown in black and white. U.S. Air Force Historical Division. The Armv Air Forces in World War II. Wesley F. Craven and James L. Cate, editors. 7 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, The official AAF history written and edited by historians who served on active duty during the war. # DOCUMENTS Drawings and Specifications Each is located in the Ogden Air Logistics Center and consists of engineer carpentry, water, electrical, and heating system plans of the stated structure.

Motor Maintenance Shop, Wendover Air Force Base, Wendover, Utah, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, 14 October Motor Maintenance Shop, Wendover Air Force Base, Wendover, Utah, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, 12 October Officers Club Wendover Air Force Base, Wendover, Utah, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, 5 August Provost Marshall Office, Wendover Air Force Base, Utah, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, 10 August WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 42 Rehabilitation of Purchasing and Contracting Office, Installations Engineer Office Air Base Squadron, Wendover Air Force.

Base, Utah, 3 November Rehabilitation of Base Chapel, Wendover Air Force Base, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, 9 August Rehabilitation of for use as Bowling Alley, Wendover Air Force Base, Utah, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, 3 October Reroofing Installations Engineer OFfece, Air Base Squadron, Wendover Air Force Base, Utah, 4 November Service Club, Wendover Air Force Base, Wendover, Utah, Director of Installations, Headquarters, Ninth Air Force Shaw Air Force Base, 16 August Telephone Operators Quarters, Type T.O.Q.-17, War Department, Office of the Chief of Engineers-Construction Division, Washington, 27 June Layout Plans Each document is located in the Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files and consists of base maps with building names and numbers and other pertinent data.

Base Layout Map, Installations Engineer Office, Air Base Squadron, Wendover, Air Force Base, Utah, 20 April Basic Information for Master Planning Purposes, Wendover Field, Wendover, Utah, May Layout Plan for Wendover Field, Office of the District Engineer, Salt Lake City District, U.S. Engineers Layout Plan for Cantonment and Housing Areas, Wendover Army Air Base, Wendover, Utah, December WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 43 Quitclaim Deeds Transfer of the Johnson Springs Water System Annex, Nevada; the Wendover Air Force Auxiliary Field, Utah Water System; and the Wendover Water System Annex, Utah; to the Town of Wendover, Utah, 9 July In Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files.

Miscellaneous Each document is located in the Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files. Other miscellaneous maps, including layout plans and construction plans are located at the airport manager's office, Wendover, Utah. Entries in the National Register, 1 July The official notification that Wendover Air Force Base, Utah is listed under the National Register of Historic Places. Service Club Activities Report to the Base Unit, Wendover Field, Utah, April June Account of the several services provided and functions performed by the Enlisted Men's Service Club at Wendover.

Staff Summary Sheet, Civil Engineering Division, Ogden Air Logistics Center, subject; Supplemental Agreement to License of Wendover Town, 1 July Data concerning the lease of the swimming pool at Wendover Air Force Base to the Town of Wendover. FILM "Leftover Field: Wendover, the War Years," KSL Television production (Salt Lake City, Utah: in Hill Air Force Base film library. A documentary account of the history of the base including its construction, the training of the Composite Group, and later missions. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 44 HISTORIES Field History History of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, 1 October - 30 September Account of this command including data on the "Wendover Range' area.

Unit Histories History of the Wendover Army Air Base and Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, 7 December - 31 December Story of the upsurge in activity at Wendover following the attach at Pearl Harbor. History of the Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, Includes data on personnel, training, facilities, and the various units assigned to Wendover Field. History of the Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, March Contains material on important events at Wendover in early including training of bombardment groups, manpower employment, and social activities.

History of the Composite Group, Activation 17 December - 15 August The historian assigned to this famous outfit recounts the details of the group's assembly and training at Wendover Field, its move to Tinian Island, and the atomic bomb drops on Japan. History of the Guard Squadron, 1 January - 15 December History of the police detachment at Wendover Army Air Base including its establishment, mission, facilities, and personnel. History of the Air Base Squadron, 1 July - 31 December Account of this Tactical Air Command unit assigned to Wendover Air Force Base: its aircraft, mission, operation, and special services.

History of the Army Air Forces Regional Station Hospital, Wendover Field, Wendover, Utah, 1 January - 15 December The story of the medical unit at Wendover including its organization, facilities, and comprehensive treatment program. History Finance Detachment, Second Air Force at Large, Wendover Field, Wendover, Utah, WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 45 1 January - 15 December The establishment of Wendover's Finance Office is related here. Wendover Air Force Base Histories History of Wendover Army Air Base, Installment I, 1 January - 7 December Contains material on the activation of Wendover, its original construction and personnel, and the mission of the first military units assigned to the base.

History of Wendover Army Air Field, 1 October - 31 December The postwar activities at Wendover are told focusing primarily on the new missile mission. U.S. Air Force Historical Division, Brief History of Wendover Air Force Base, This synopsis includes accounts of all the major events at Wendover from its establishment up to the Tactical Air Command era of the mid-fifties. Copies of each history are located in the Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files. INTERVIEWS Dean, Donald, retired Wendover firemen. Interview by Scott C. Frischknecht and Lt. Mike Bell, 7 July A man who spent nearly 30 years at Wendover relates his knowledge of the construction and use of several base buildings. Kenley, Fred G., retired Wendover Fire chief. Interview by Scott C. Frischknecht and Lt.

Mike Bell, 16 July The story of Wendover Field from - as seen by a man who spent much of his life in the Wendover area. Scobie, Robert, retired Wendover fireman. Interview by Scott C. Frischknecht and Lt. Mike Bell, 6 July Includes material on many of Wendover's remaining buildings. Tibbets, Paul W. Jr. Telephone interview by Scott C. Frischknecht, 13 July The Commander recites his memories of the activities at Wendover Field during the training of his group. WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 46 Wadsworth, Darrel B., retired Wendover engineer. Interview by Scott C. Frischknecht and Lt. Mike Bell, 6 July Includes specific data on many buildings at Wendover, particularly the original base headquarters and surrounding structures.

Transcripts of these interviews are located in the Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files. LETTERS Lt. Guy C. Hunt, Adjutant, Air Base Squadron (TAC) to Commander, Ogden Air Materiel Area, subject: Deactivation of Wendover Air Force Base, 1 October Includes specific information on the buildings, runways, water system, electrical system and acreage on the base prior to its transfer to the Air Materiel Command. Donald E. Notarmuzi, Director, Real Property Division, Federal Property Resources Service to Thomas Slattery, Chief, Management and disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, U.S.

Corps of Engineers, subject: Disposal of Wendover Auxiliary Field, 3 September Indicates status of the government-owned buildings in Areas C and D, and requisite mitigation steps necessary for the transfer of the property. The letters are located in the Ogden Air Logistics Center historical files. PERIODICALS Arrington, Leonard J., and Thomas G. Alexander, "Worlds' Largest Military Reserve: Wendover Air Force Base, Utah Historical Quarterly. Fall, vol. 31, no. 4, pp Account of the selection and construction of Wendover Field and its missions including the training of the Composite Group. Ransom, Jay Ellis, "Wendover: home of the Atom bomb," Northwest Rural Light. November pp.

Includes material on the happenings at the base during World War II particularly the testing and assembling of the atomic bombs. Tibbets, Paul W. 'Twenty-Eight Years Ago: Training the for Hiroshima," Air Force. August vol. 56, no. 8, pp. The commander of the first atomic bomb bombardment group relates his account WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No. UT-125 Page 47 of choosing Wendover as a training site, the group's activities there, and the eventual strikes against Japan. 'Training Camp for the Atomic Age: Wendover Field," Aerospace Historian. Fall vol. 20, pp. The story of Wendover's role in ushering the world into the atomic age and efforts to keep the base active after World War EL WENDOVER AIR FORCE BASE (Wendover Airport) HABS No.

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