Looking for former Scribner Airbase airmen

[Bob Furr]

Last August I purchased an ultralight and ended up renting a hanger at the Scribner Airbase in Nebraska. This was one of the air bases that were used to train thousands of airmen to man B-17's and B-25's and then later P47's. If you served at the Scribner Airbase I would love to talk to you about some of the history. There are odd things like the asphalt having bits of ground corn cobs in it that raise questions. The base has a lot of history but most of it I am unaware of... but would love to talk if you can help fill me in.
Bob Furr

[steveinindy]

We don't get many WWII vets on this forum sadly. One suggestion I have is to find out what units were assigned there and see if they have any organizations formed for the veterans. The other option is to look for the veterans groups centered around the particular aircraft in question. Those are going to be two of your better resources. The county archives for the area may also have some records as may the national military archives.

[Zack Baughman]

Some links with information about Scribner Army Air Field:

http://nebraskaaircrash.com/aaf/scribner.html

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/09/ap-pilots-once-trained-at-scribner-air-base-090411/

I suggest posting your inquiry on a warbird-specific forum such as www.armyairforces.com, www.warbirdinformationexchange.org, or http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/index.php. I'm not all that familiar with Scribner, but I'd also check to see if there is a local historical society - it might be your best bet and connecting with people that worked on the base or trained there.

Zack

[EMBLEMHUNTER]

Might also want to try this site, US Militaria Forum

[dewi8095]

. ... as may the national military archives.

Bob:

If you can identify the military units at the base, contact the National Archives in Washington, D.C., with the information. Most military units prepared official unit histories and these are in the National Archives. Even if you can't find the unit designations, give the National Archives a try. It may just take a little longer to get a response without the unit id's. Bear in mind that during WW II the records would be considered U.S Army, (USAAF) records not the U.S. Air Force (USAF), but some may have been retained by the USAF after the transition. Try the following for a start:

Finding Unit Histories
Unit records are preserved at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For unit records of World War I contact the Archives I Textual Reference Branch of NARA, Washington, DC 20408; telephone (202)-501-5430. For unit records of World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Conflicts contact the Archives II Textual Reference Branch at NARA, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001; telephone (866) 272-6272.
NPRC has morning reports for the Army (from November 1, 1912 to 1974) and the Air Force (from September 1947 to June 30, 1966). In addition, NPRC has Army unit rosters from 1912 to 1974, with certain exceptions. For more information on unit rosters and morning reports, see the NPRC website at http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/morning-reports-and-unit-rosters.html.

See also:




Center or Museum

Telephone Number





Air Force U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency
600 Chennault Circle
Building 1405
Maxwell AFB, AL 361 12-6424
http://www.afhra.af.mil/index.asp


(334) 953-2395







Air Force Historical Studies Office
AF/HOH
Research and Analysis Division
3 Brookley Avenue, Box 94
Boiling AFB, DC 20032-5000
E-mail: afhso.research@pentagon.af.mil (http://www.history.navy.mil/library/guides/mailtoXafhso.researchXpentagon.af.mil)
http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil

(202) 404-2264






National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

(937) 255-3286





Army U.S. Army Center of Military History
Collins Hall
103 Third Avenue
Fort Lesley J. McNair
Washington, DC 203 19-5058
E-mail: CMHAnswers@conus.army.mil (http://www.history.navy.mil/library/guides/mailtoXCMHAnswersXconus.army.mil)
http://www.history.army.mil/


(202) 685-4042







U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
950 Soldiers Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013-5021
E-mail: carl_usamhi@conus.army.mil (http://www.history.navy.mil/library/guides/mailtoXcarl_usamhiXconus.army.mil) (research inquiries)
http://usahec.org






I used to fly out to Scribner from the old Council Bluffs airport back in the early 1960s to practice landings on those long concrete runways.

Don