09-A-1 Charlie Mac Cox Tribute - Laserfiche WebLink

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COX FIELD Coa Field as we know it today was originally conceived in 1942 with an authoriud eapenditure of $ 3.5 million. The sirport was completed a miilion dollars under budget and activated in February 1943. A number of military otTicials, eight commanding officers, and notable squadrons passed throug6 the field. In addition to training and for protective use, the field served as an invaluable auailiary landing place, where iliers from other bases in this locality took oft and landed in the course oT their transition flights. Composed of more than 1500 hundred acres, there originally were a few buildings, five tanks for the storage of sirplane gasoline with a total capacity of 63000 gallons. There were 5400 hundred feet runways 150 feet wide with cone lighting and retlectors and delineators, a flash beacon tower and an approac6 with no hazards from any direction. Originaily is was considered a sub- base of Abilene Army Air Field, later assuming designation as a command airport associated with Barksdale Field Air Base in Shreveport. During the wartime period there were no serious accidents. In 1945 the airport was deactivated but it continued to serve as a landing field for numerous prominent ofricers who came to inspect Camp Maaey. These included Lieutenant Ben Lear commander of the Army Ground Forces, Generai Joseph W. "Vinegar Stillwell" who arrived in his aptly naroed plane "Uncle Joe's Chariot, General Walton Walker, Eight6 Service Command Chief, and last but certainly not least General Jonathan M. Wainwright with whom we are all acquainted. German prisoners of war were brought in for maintenance purposes. On Apri15, 1943, the field was a named for Charles Mac Coa, Lieutenant Caa was 6orn in Paris in July 31,1919. His Mother was Cora Lee Kincaid who later married Herbert A. Turner and who lived at 230 31st SE. Aftectionately referred to as Charley Mac, he attended Paris schools and graduated from Paris Junior Coliege in 1938 following a distinguished two years. He took a civil $eronautic course, and on September 6,1940 received his appointment as an Aviation Cadet. He attended Hancock Military Academy, later finis6ing his training at Moliat Field in Stockton California. He was then assigued to Bakerstield, California where on July 24,1941, with a student in the plane, 6e crashed into some wires near Wasco, California and both men were killed. As such he was considered t6e first military man from Lamar County killed in WWII. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery with his Mother and Step Father.