TABLE OF CONTENTS


Overview of the Collection

Historical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Administrative Information

List of Photographs

Photographs 1942-1945

PG 048, Bradley Field World War II Activities

Inventory of Photographs

Finding aid prepared by Connecticut State Library staff.

Copyright © 2012 by the Connecticut State Library


Overview of the Collection
Repository: Connecticut State Library
Creator: United States. Army Air Forces
Title: Bradley Field World War II activities
Dates: 1942-1945
Quantity: .5 cubic feet (217 photographs)
Abstract: Views of military life and training at the air base, the Sixth War Loan drive, redeployment, officers and medal presentations to families of servicemen.
Identification: PG048
Accession: T001771
Language: The records are in English.

Historical Note

On January 23, 1941, Governor Robert A. Hurley sent a proposal to the Connecticut General Assembly requesting the state buy land to lease to the United States Army for an air base. The U.S. Army had earlier indicated to state officials that it wished to have a base for fighter planes in or near Connecticut as part of the nation's defensive grid though the attack on Pearl Harbor had not yet occurred. In response, the state acquired 1,700 acres most of which was then a tobacco plantation. The tract was purchased and then leased to the federal government for $1.00 a year for twenty-five years. The field, which at the time was named the Windsor Locks Army Air Base, became ready for airmen and troops early in the summer of 1941.

The air base was later officially renamed "Army Air Base, Bradley Field, Connecticut," on January 20, 1942, but more familiarly called Bradley Field in honor of Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant Eugene M. Bradley. Lt. Bradley's P-40 fighter plane crashed after he went into a routine dive during training and failed to come out on August 21, 1941. Bradley hailed from Pushmataha County (according to multiple sources either Antlers or Dela) in Oklahoma, and arrived at the air base three days before his fatal accident. He was the first of many pilots to die in training accidents at the field.

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Scope and Contents

This collection of 217 black and white photographs is a representative survey of the aspects of military life and training on the base from 1942 to 1945. All the photos are numbered, identified, and stamped "Official U.S. Army Air Corps photo" on back. Activities represented include, among others, the Sixth War Loan drive, an open house for the public, redeployment, multiple training exercises, the training of Chinese fighter pilots, day-to-day life, and medal presentations to servicemen or the families of those missing in action.

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Arrangement

The photographs are numbered from 1 to 217.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

See the Rules and Procedures for Researchers Using Archival Records and Secured Collections policy.

Restrictions on Use

See the Reproduction and Publications of State Library Collections policy.

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Related Material

None.

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Index Terms

Subjects:

Bradley Field (Windsor Locks, Conn.)
Military bases -- Connecticut
Soldiers, Black
Women soldiers
World War, 1939-1945

Persons:

Baldwin, Raymond E. (Raymond Earl), 1893-1986
Bradley, Eugene M., 1917-1941
Finter, Clyde W
Johnson, Hubert E
Lovell, George E
Massey, Ivor

Organizations:

United States. Army Air Forces
United States. Army. Air Corps. Air Base Group, 30th
United States. Army. Air Corps. Air Base Squadron, 29th
United States. Army. Air Corps. Base Headquarters, 29th
United States. Army. Air Corps. Base Unit, 121st
United States. Army. Air Corps. Fighter Control Squadron, 94th
United States. Army. Air Corps. Materiel Squadron, 41st

Places:

Enfield (Conn.)
Hartford (Conn.)
Simsbury (Conn.)
Weatogue (Conn.)
Windsor Locks (Conn.)

Document Types:

Photographs

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Administrative Information

Alternative Form Available

Links to digital images of the documents are provided in the "List of Photographs" section.

Acquisition Information

This collection was presented to the Connecticut State Library by the public relations officer from Bradley Field at the end of the war.

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List of Photographs

Photographs, 1942-1945
Number
Lieutenant Eugene M. Bradley, circa 1942-1945 Link 1
30th Air Base commander and officers, circa 1942-1945 Link 2
30th Air Base Group en masse, circa 1942-1945 Link 3
Senior non-commissioned officers, circa 1942-1945 Link 4
Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron, circa 1942-1945 Link 5
41st Material Squadron, circa 1942-1945 Link 6
Colonel Clyde V. Finter, circa 1942-1945 Link 7
Colonel George E. Lovell, Jr., circa 1942-1945 Link 8
Major Charles W. Dewey, circa 1942-1945 Link 9
Lt. Colonel Gwen G. Arkinson, 1943 March 15 Link 10
Lt. Anita Cox, 1943 April 26 Link 11
Colonel Ivor Massey, circa 1942-1945 Link 12
General Hunter and Colonel Massey, circa 1942-1945 Link 13
Captain John W. Farrell, circa 1942-1945 Link 14
First Sergeant Edythe Griffiths, circa 1942-1945 Link 15
Colonel Hubert E. Johnson, circa 1942-1945 Link 16
Sergeant Beatrice McCuistion and George Ortseifer, circa 1942-1945 Link 17
First Lieutenant R.E. Larson, circa 1942-1945 Link 18
Staff Sergeant Raymond Dunn with Commissary Employees, circa 1942-1945 Link 19
First Lieutenant R.E. Larson, circa 1942-1945 Link 20
First Lieutenant R.E. Larson, Staff Sergeant Raymond Dunn, and Miss Irene Kristofac, circa 1942-1945 Link 21
First Lieutenant R.E. Larson and Miss Irene Kristofac, circa 1942-1945 Link 22
Staff Sergeant Dolphus W. Banks and an unknown cook, circa 1942-1945 Link 23
Staff Sergeant Dolphus W. Banks and First Lieutenant Morris F. Schwartz, circa 1942-1945 Link 24
Singing at Bradley Field Station Hospital, circa 1942-1945 Link 25
Book cart at Bradley Field Station Hospital, circa 1942-1945 Link 26
Bishop McAuliffe and Father Donoghue, circa 1942-1945 Link 27
Bishop McAuliffe and Father Byrnes, circa 1942-1945 Link 28
Auxiliary Marjorie H. Buckland and Private Mearl Luvass, circa 1942-1945 Link 29
Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Henry G. Woodward, 1942 January 30 Link 30
Cadets leaving Bradley Field for flying training, 1942 March 25 Link 31
Governor Robert A. Hurley is welcomed to Bradley Field, circa 1942-1945 Link 32
Victory parade in Enfield, Connecticut, 1942 May 16 Link 33
Bishop McAuliffe and Colonel Clyde V. Finter, 1942 May 29 Link 34
Mass officiated by Father Joseph F. Donoghue, Base Chaplain, 1942 June 17 Link 35
Chemical decontamination of a vehicle, circa 1942-1945 Link 36
Mess personnel operate a field kitchen, 1942 Link 37
The band plays in front of the barracks, 1942 July 14 Link 38
Colonel George E. Lovell, Jr., 1942 December 5 Link 49
Patient receives a box of homemade delicacies, 1942 July 9 Link 40
Major General James E. Chaney at Bradley Field, 1943 January 13 Link 41
M.P. Squadron on parade, 1943 April 3 Link 42
M.P. Squadron on parade, 1943 April 3 Link 43
M.P. Squadron on parade, 1943 April 3 Link 44
M.P. Squadron on parade, 1943 April 3 Link 45
Bivouac, 1943 June 12 Link 46
Bivouac, 1943 June 12 Link 47
Bivouac, 1943 June 12 Link 48
Bivouac, 1943 June 12 Link 49
Frederick E. Maples conducts Sunday worship, 1943 June 12 Link 50
Bivouac, 1943 June 12 Link 51
Bivouac, 1943 June 12 Link 52
Open ranks inspection, 1943 June 16 Link 53
Open ranks inspection, 1943 June 16 Link 54
Open ranks inspection, 1943 June 16 Link 55
Women's Army Corps weather class, 1943 June 19 Link 56
Unloading equipment, 1943 June 23 Link 57
On the Weatogue range, 1943 June 24 Link 58
On the Weatogue range, 1943 June 24 Link 59
On the Weatogue range, 1943 June 24 Link 60
On the Weatogue range, 1943 June 24 Link 61
On the Weatogue range, 1943 June 24 Link 62
Cleaning firearms, 1943 June 26 Link 63
Firing a furnace, 1943 June 26 Link 64
Mechanic repairing a tank, circa 1942-1945 Link 65
Photo technician, circa 1942-1945 Link 66
On parade at Bradley Field, 1943 July 12 Link 67
Messing in the field, 1943 July 17 Link 68
Gas decontamination drill, 1943 August 7 Link 69
Gas decontamination drill, 1943 August 7 Link 70
Gas decontamination drill, 1943 August 7 Link 71
Gas decontamination drill, 1943 August 7 Link 72
Gas decontamination drill, 1943 August 15 Link 73
Blockbuster, 1943 September 9 Link 74
Blockbuster, 1943 September 9 Link 75
Service at an outdoor chapel, circa 1942-1945 Link 76
Mr. and Mrs Anthony B. Kowalski are presented the Air Medal for their son, 1943 October 31 Link 77
Boxing match, circa 1942-1945 Link 78
Basketball game at the Base Gymnasium, circa 1942-1945 Link 79
General Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General, 1944 June 3 Link 80
Retreat parade, 1944 June 3 Link 81
American Red Cross helps out, 1944 June 27 Link 82
Master Sergeant H.V. Whitbeck, 1944 July Link 83
Master Sergeant H.V. Whitbeck, 1944 July Link 84
Mock court session, 1944 July 5 Link 85
Outing, 1944 July Link 86
Jewish Welfare Board outing, 1944 July 12 Link 87
Smoke screen demonstration, 1944 July 19 Link 88
P-47 Turbosupercharger graphic, circa 1942-1945 Link 89
Familiarization of the machine gun, circa 1942-1945 Link 90
Mrs. Ruth H. McGregor, Mr. Courtice H. Berry, and Captain J.W. DiGeronimo, circa 1942-1945 Link 91
Ordinance section at Bradley Field, circa 1942-1945 Link 92
Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 93
Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 94
Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 95
Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 96
Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 97
Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 98
Junior Birdmen at Open House, 1944 August 1 Link 99
Retreat ceremony, 1944 August 1 Link 100
WAC Day, 1944 August 8 Link 101
Civil Air Patrol cadets, circa 1942-1944 Link 102
Staff Sergeant George Watson, 1944 August Link 103
Staff Sergeant George Watson, 1944 August Link 104
First Air Force Chemical Warfare Team, 1944 September 2 Link 105
Chemical warfare demonstration, 1944 September 2 Link 106
Chemical warfare demonstration, 1944 September 2 Link 107
Demonstration of a P-47 at Bradley Field, 1944 September 6 Link 108
P-47, 1944 September 15 Link 109
Softball game, 1944 September 22 Link 110
Softball game, 1944 September 22 Link 111
African-American troops at Bradley Field, 1944 September 23 Link 112
Sergeant Blanche Rubenstein and Staff Sergeant John J. Barrett, circa 1942-1945 Link 113
Camouflage class, 1944 October Link 114
Fire drill at A.A.F., 1944 October 9 Link 115
Boxing match, 1944 October 20 Link 116
Boxing match, 1944 October 20 Link 117
Mechanical difficulties, 1944 October 21 Link 118
Unloading winter coal supply, 1944 October 21 Link 119
Inspection of train tracks, 1944 October 21 Link 120
Herman Trombley and Private First Class John Danhardt, 1944 October 21 Link 121
Transfer of freight cars, 1944 October 21 Link 122
Charles Minck of Danbury receives the Air Medal for his son, 1944 October 21 Link 123
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. D'Arcy receive the Air Medal for their son, 1944 October 21 Link 124
The Combat Infantryman Badge is presented to Michael A. Hetes, 1944 October 21 Link 125
Mrs. Dorothy Labaff is presented the Air Medal for her husband, 1944 October 21 Link 126
Mrs. James Ivain is presented the Air Medal for her son, 1944 October 21 Link 127
Parade at Bradley Field, 1944 September 23 Link 128
Parade at Bradley Field, 1944 September 23 Link 129
African-American troops at Bradley Field, 1944 September 23 Link 130
Corporal Thelma I. Terwilliger, 1944 November Link 131
Corporal Mary Alice Kadelak O'Brien, 1944 November Link 132
Private Aura M. Carpenter, circa 1942-1945 Link 133
Sergeant Jean Clouthier, 1944 September 23 Link 134
Private John Dawalo, 1944 November 25 Link 135
Private J.R. Klugh, 1944 November 25 Link 136
Sergeant R.C. Hobbs, 1944 November 25 Link 137
Sergeant Jack Taylor and Sergeant John Connors, 1944 November 25 Link 138
Medal presentation, 1944 November 29 Link 139
Sergeant Mary Pantelis and Major Albert S. Aiken, 1944 November 29 Link 140
Private Virginia S. Peirson, 1944 November 27 Link 141
Corporal Loretta P. Kenward, 1944 November 27 Link 142
Prayer at the Base Chapel, 1944 December 2 Link 143
Base Library, 1944 December 2 Link 144
N.C.O. Club, 1944 December 2 Link 145
N.C.O. Club, 1944 December 2 Link 146
National Polish Home Dance Hall, 1944 Link 147
Service Canteen, 1944 Link 148
Y.M.C.A. swimming pool, 1944 Link 149
Masonic Service Center, 1944 Link 150
Y.W.C.A. snack bar, 1944 Link 151
Rolling Kitchen at Hartford Railroad Station, 1944 Link 152
Hartford U.S.O., 1944 Link 153
Sixth War Loan, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 154
Blind officer, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 155
Sixth War Loan, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 156
Sixth War Loan, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 157
Sixth War Loan, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 158
Sixth War Loan, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 159
Sixth War Loan, circa 1944 November 20 - December 16 Link 160
Blockbuster and airplane display, circa 1942-1945 Link 161
Blockbuster and airplane display, circa 1942-1945 Link 162
Post Exchange, 1944 Link 163
Lieutenant Betty Gunn assists a surgeon, 1945 January 25 Link 164
Lieutenant Elizabeth Van Ormer and Lieutenant Betty Gunn, 1945 January 25 Link 165
Lieutenant Mary G. Reidy helps Private Bernard Massey, circa 1945 January 25 Link 166
Lieutenant Mary G. Reidy and Captain John R. Lucas, circa 1942-1945 Link 167
Lieutenant Colonel Frank R. Fleming and Captain Verena Zeller, 1945 January 26 Link 168
Movement, 94th Fighter Control Squadron, 1945 April 3 Link 169
Movement, 94th Fighter Control Squadron, 1945 April 3 Link 170
Movement, 94th Fighter Control Squadron, circa 1942-1945 Link 171
In the control tower, 1945 May 22 Link 172
Redployment of belongings, 1945 May 22 Link 173
Paper work during redeployment, 1945 May 22 Link 174
Physical examination during redeployment, 1945 May 22 Link 175
Working on an aircraft, 1945 May 22 Link 176
Working on an aircraft, 1945 May 22 Link 177
Unloading a truck alongside a train, 1945 May 22 Link 178
Piles of gear on the ground and in a truck, 1945 July 7 Link 179
Men load onto a truck during redeployment, 1945 July 7 Link 180
B-17 aircraft lined up, 1945 August 7 Link 181
Women mechanics, 1945 July 7 Link 182
Mechanical work, 1945 August 7 Link 183
Refueling aircraft, 1945 August 7 Link 184
Aircraft lined up, 1945 August 7 Link 185
Aircraft on the move, 1945 August 7 Link 186
Aircraft and four servicemen, 1945 August 7 Link 187
Boarding a train, circa 1945 May 22 - August 31 Link 188
Emergency War Service vehicle alongside train, circa 1945 May 22 - August 31 Link 189
Redeployment train, circa 1945 May 22 - August 31 Link 190
Redeployment train, circa 1945 May 22 - August 31 Link 191
Gear transfer, circa 1945 May 22 - August 31 Link 192
Gear transfer, circa 1945 May 22 - August 31 Link 193
Jewish service, circa 1942-1945 Link 194
Jewish service, circa 1942-1945 Link 195
Jewish service, circa 1942-1945 Link 196
Base Library, circa 1942-1945 Link 197
A crowd at the Post Exchange, circa 1942-1945 Link 198
Post Exchange, circa 1942-1945 Link 199
Recreation Hall, circa 1942-1945 Link 200
Recreation Hall, circa 1942-1945 Link 201
Recreation Hall, circa 1942-1945 Link 202
Recreation Hall, circa 1942-1945 Link 203
Base Library, circa 1942-1945 Link 204
Control Tower in operation, circa 1942-1945 Link 205
Chinese trainees learn the fundamentals of flying fighter planes, 1942 Link 206
Chinese trainees are tested for color blindness, circa 1942-1945 Link 207
Physical examination, circa 1942-1945 Link 208
Chinese trainees eating, circa 1942-1945 Link 209
Chinese trainees at a dance, circa 1942-1945 Link 210
Master Sergeant John P. Carey, Ordnance, circa 1942-1945 Link 211
Master Sergeant John P. Carey, Ordnance, circa 1942-1945 Link 212
Major General Hunter and Colonel Johnson, circa 1942-1945 Link 213
Corporal R.J. Thomas and Governor Raymond E. Baldwin, circa 1942-1945 Link 214
Mrs. Celia Tedone and Mrs. Frank T. Tedone receive the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal, circa 1942-1945 Link 215
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Aldrich receive the Air Medal for their son, circa 1942-1945 Link 216
Mrs. Marge Hadfield is presented the Air Medal for her husband, circa 1942-1945 Link 217