Taylor Field - 578
Montgomery's first military flying installation was established 200 yards south of this spot in November of 1917. The facility was named for Captain Ralph L. Taylor, who was killed in an airplane crash at Mineola Field, New York in August of 1917. The primary flying school here included 16 hangers, repair shops, warehouses, quarters, a hospital, and nearly 200 JN-4 and DH-4 aircraft on its 800 acres. One hundred and thirty-nine fledgling pilots completed the eight-week course and some served in France during the First World War. Taylor Field closed in April of 1919 and reopened as Gunter Auxiliary Air Field No. 5 during World War II. It was closed again in July of 1946. Erected by the Montgomery Chapter of the Air Force Association and Founders Flight, Order of Daedalians. Location: Montgomery County

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Eglin Air Force Base FL106

Originally established on June 14, 1935, as Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Range with 1460 acres of land donated by James E. Plew, this site was renamed on August 4, 1937, for Lieutenant Colonel "Frederick I. Eglin, killed in an airplane crash. Eglin Field became a separate opening base August 27, 1940.

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The Thunderstorm Project FL414

On a typical summer afternoon thunderstorms will be seen in the skies surrounding this site. So common they are often ignored, thunderstorms are nevertheless vital to the State's economy. They provide most of Florida's annual rainfall, but lightning and strong winds from occasional severe storms can be costly. It was here in the summer of 1946 that scientists used weather radar, aircraft penetration flights, balloon soundings and an extensive network of surface instruments to gather - for the first time - observations which led to an understanding of the structure and life cycle of thunderstorms. This site was chosen because the frequency of thunderstorms in Florida is higher than anywhere else in North America. The Thunderstorm Project was conducted by U.S. Weather Bureau, Air Force, Navy and NACA (forerunner of NASA). Scientists working at the University of Chicago analyzed the resulting data. Theories they developed from observations made here in 1946 - and in the Ohio Phase of the Project the following summer - remain the cornerstone of our understanding of thunderstorms and related weather such as hail, strong winds, heavy rain and tornadoes.

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Cairo Skywatch Tower IN133

U.S. Air Force commissioned observation tower August 16,1952 for Operation Skywatch, part of Civilian Ground Observation Corps during Korean War. Constructed by community volunteers. Approximately ninety people alternated shifts to maintain twenty-four-hour watch for enemy planes because there was no national radar system.

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Freeman Field IN232

Activated December 1942 as U.S. Army Air Forces advanced training school for World War II twin engine pilots; graduated over 4,000 by February 1945. Construction of 413 structures and four 5,500-foot runways supervised by U.S.Army Corps of Engineers; named for Indiana pilot Captain Richard S. Freeman (1907-1941). Deactivated in 1948.

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Freeman Field IN233

Activated December 1942 as U.S. Army Air Forces advanced training school for World War II twin engine pilots; graduated over 4,000 by February 1945. Construction of 413 structures and four 5,500-foot runways supervised by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; named for Indiana pilot Captain Richard S. Freeman (1907-1941). Deactivated in 1948.

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Kiffin Yates Rockwell 1C20
Born in a house 500 yards south, he attended W & L University and Y.M.!. Enlisted in the French Foreign Legion, August, 1914; incapacitated for infantry service by wounds, May, 1915. Transferring to the French Air Force, he helped found the Escadrille Lafayette. The first American aviator to down an enemy plane, May 18, 1916, he was killed in aerial combat over Alsace, Sept. 23, 1916. He is buried in France.

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