TEXAS IN WORLD WAR II: Vignettes of Wartime Texas
A Special Series of Official Texas Historical Markers
Funded through a generous grant from the Hoblitzelle Foundation of Dallas, with additional
funding from the Pineywoods Foundation of Lufkin, Vignettes of Wartime Texas is a special
series of Official Texas Historical Markers through the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas
in World War II initiative. The topics selected provide a broad interpretation of the Texas
contribution to the U.S. military and home front effort in World War II. The THC has already
marked many World War II topics and sites, but this special series of 21 markers represent
important aspects of the story that have not yet been told fully. In scope, content, culture and
geography, they reflect the diversity of the Texas effort.
Funded by Hoblitzelle Foundation of Dallas:
201st Fighter Squadron (The Aztec Eagles), Victoria, Victoria County (dedicated October 24,
2007)
Comprised of Republic of Mexico aviators, the squadron trained in Texas and served with
distinction in the Philippines. The marker mentions Foster and Aloe airfields, Victoria County
installations where the squadron trained.
American GI Forum of Texas, Corpus Christi, Nueces County (dedicated March 25, 2008)
Formed by Mexican-American veterans in response to their treatment at home after the war, the
forum and its Women’s Auxiliary pushed for civil rights through the G. I. Bill of Rights and other
federal veterans’ aid programs.
Arledge Field, Stamford, Jones County (dedicated November 2005)
Located near Stamford, Arledge Field served as a contract flight school designed to provide primary
flight training to army aviation cadets. The site is representative of the smaller bases and installations
that nonetheless played major roles in the war effort.
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, Fort Worth, Tarrant County (dedicated April 18, 2008)
This marker recognizes the unique relationship that existed between the U.S. Army Air Forces and a
major industrial firm, and calls attention to the important role Texas women played in attaining
victory through work at such aircraft plants.
Crystal City Family Internment Camp, Crystal City, Zavala County (dedicated November 10,
2007)
An often neglected story of the war is that of internment camps, where people of Japanese, German
and Italian ancestry were detained by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. The largest of the seven sites located in Texas was at Crystal City.
Dalhart Army Airfield, Dalhart, Dallam County (dedicated August 7, 2010)
This remote field, once the site of B-17, B-29 and glider training, symbolizes the scope of the World
War II experience in the Panhandle.
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Del Valle Army Airfield/Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, Travis County (dedicated January
10, 2006)
Opened in 1942, Del Valle Army Airfield served as a major base of operations for important troop
carrier units. The base was renamed for Capt. John August Earl Bergstrom, Austin’s first casualty of
the war, and is now the site of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Ellington Field, Houston, Harris County (dedicated April 18, 2006)
An important field in two world wars, Ellington served as a major training center for World War II
pilots and navigators.
German POWs and the East Texas Timber Industry, Lufkin, Angelina County (dedicated
February 14, 2007)
During the war, when the need for Texas lumber was high and the number of available timber
workers was low, German prisoners of war (POWs) were utilized to harvest East Texas trees in
support of the U.S. war effort.
Kingsville Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Kingsville, Kleberg County (dedicated July 4, 2008)
Still active, the Naval Air Station served as a major training center during the war.
Marfa Army Airfield, Marfa, Presidio County (dedicated July 19, 2007)
This vital training field consisted of nearly 3,000 acres and was located adjacent to what is now the
Texas Department of Transportation’s Marfa Lights observation area east of town. Visitors to the
popular tourist site are provided no interpretation of the airfield, where almost 8,000 airmen earned
their silver wings during the war.
Oveta Culp Hobby and Women’s Army Corps, Killeen, Bell County (dedicated May 31, 2007)
This marker at the major military town of Killeen, the birthplace of Col. Hobby, commemorates the
formative years and war accomplishments of the first commander of the Women’s Army Corps.
The Texas Home Front, Cleburne, Johnson County (dedicated November 11, 2010)
The marker recognizes the war efforts of the home front, from metal and fat drives, to rationing and
war bonds drives to civil defense, home guard and Red Cross bandage rolling.
Texas Petroleum in World War II, Midland, Midland County (dedicated February 27, 2009)
The Texas petroleum industry played a major role in the war effort, and the marker interprets
exploration and delivery accomplishments during that time.
Victory Grill, Austin, Travis County (dedicated February 20, 2010)
Located in East Austin, the blues club served as a major entertainment venue for African American
soldiers who, due to segregation, did not have full access to USO facilities (The property is listed in
the National Register of Historic Places).
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In addition to the primary marker on German prisoner of war camps (POW), funded by the
Hoblitzelle Foundation, the following six markers for East Texas POW camp sites were
underwritten by the Pineywoods Foundation:
Camp Alto - World War II Prisoner of War Camp, Alto, Cherokee County (dedication date
September 26, 2007)
The marker commemorates the site’s historical significance as a prisoner of war camp during World
War II.
Camp Center - World War II Prisoner of War Camp, Center, Shelby County (dedication date
January 19, 2008)
During World War II, the U.S. government operated a prisoner of war camp in Center.
Administered through the semi-permanent Camp Fannin (Smith County), Camp Center began at the
request of the U.S. Forest Service and Texas Timber Salvage Corporation to alleviate local
manpower shortages.
Camp Chireno - World War II Prisoner of War Camp, Chireno, Nacogdoches County
(dedication date June 17, 2008)
During World War II, the U.S. Government operated a prisoner of war camp in Chireno.
Designated a “permanent” branch of Camp Fannin (Smith County).The Frost Lumber Co.
(Nacogdoches) and the Angelina Lumber Co. (Lufkin) requested that the War Manpower
Commission establish Camp Chireno.
Camp Fannin Internment Camp - World War II Prisoner of War Camp, Tyler, Smith County
(dedication date October 2, 2008)
Camp Fannin U.S. Army Infantry Replacement Training Center Housed an Internment Camp
During World War II. The site was designated a POW base camp, administering a number of
smaller branch camps In East Texas to combat a regional agricultural manpower scarcity brought on
by the strain of a two-front war.
Camp Huntsville - World War II Prisoner of War Camp, Huntsville, Walker County
(dedication date April 27, 2007)
The marker commemorates the site’s historical significance as a prisoner of war camp during World
War II. After the war, Sam Houston State University (College) obtained the property and established
its Riverside Campus, increasing the region’s educational opportunities during the post war years.
Camp San Augustine - World War II Prisoner of War Camp, San Augustine, San Augustine County
(dedication date September 5, 2009)
During World War II, the U.S. military established multiple prisoners of war (POW) branch camps
at the request of East Texas communities seeking to boost federal economic investment and address
local labor shortages. Camp San Augustine, a branch of Camp Fannin (Smith County), was
completed in March 1944. POWs worked primarily on forestry projects and the camp remained
open longer than any other branch camp in East Texas. After the war, several area branch camps
closed and sent their POWs there, and later Camp Fannin, before repatriation to Europe.
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