Williams Field, Az.-- Part 2: AT-10 Crashes

It was a flying school and had numerous runways and auxiliary airfields.  The main airfield had three 6000 foot concrete runways.

During World War II, Williams Field was under command of the 89th Army Air Force Base Unit, AAF West Coast Training Center.  Thousands of future  P-38 Lightning  pilots were taught twin engine flying on Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita (Wichita is from where they were built)at Williams.  These were built specifically for pilot training.  Some 2,371 were built.

By July 1942, there were 79 AT-10s assigned to Williams Field.  However, the dry, hot Arizona climate tended to dry out the wood and glue of the wooden AT-10s, causing at least ten  flying cadets to lose their lives in crashes.

Training with the AT-10s at Williams was suspended and the planes shipped off to more humid air bases.  Theyw ere replaces by the Cessna AT-17 Bobcat twin engine trainers.  However, these were seen as too easy to fly and were replaced by  the more demanding Curtiss-Wright AT-9.  By January 1943, almost 200 AT-9s were at Williams.

Was the death of Wendell Baie the result one of these crashes?

--GreGen

While On the Subject of Wendell Baie

His death notices all had him listed as an aviation cadet who was soon to get his wings when he was killed in the crash.  Did the Army Air Force promote him to second lieutenant after his death?

In several instances, and where I first saw his name, he was listed as a lieutenant.

Plus, the find-a-grave sites for his mother and father just listed him as their only child.  What became of his brother William.  I couldn't find any information on him.

--GreGen

Williams Field (Az)-- Part 1: Aviation Cadet Wendell Baie's Base

From Wikipedia.

Eventually became Williams Air Force Base.  Now closed.  East of Chandler, Az. and about 30 miles  southeast of Phoenix.  Designated a Superfund Site because of contaminants.  Operated 1941 to 1993.

Active as a training base for the Army Air Force and US Air Force.  About 25% of all pilots trained here.  Site has been largely annexed into city of Mesa and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

In 1941, citizens of Mesa were actively seeking an Air Corps facility.  The land where Williams Field was built was open and not used for agriculture because of lack of irrigation.  In June 1941, the War Department chose it as a site for an airfield.  Construction started July  16, 1941.   Initial construction completed in December of that year and the base became operational.

It was initially named Mesa Military Airport and then in Oct. 1941 it became Higley Field because of its proximity to Higley, Az..   In February 1942, it was changed to Williams Field in honor of pioneer aviator and Arizona native 1st Lt. Charles Linton Williams (1898-1927) who died in a plane crash 6 July 1927 in a plane crash  near Fort DeRussy, Hawaii.

According to Find-A-Grave, he drowned and his body was never recovered.

--GreGen

Lt. William Baie-- Part 6: His Brother An Ensign in the Navy

The only time that he had been home since entering the service was for two days in July.  he had accompanied the body of a buddy who was killed to Syracuse and had stopped in DeKalb for the two days while on his way back to his field.

I wonder if this body he escorted to Syracuse was of a fellow aviation cadet from Williams Field?

 BROTHER IS AN ENSIGN

His brother, Ensign William Baie, is stationed at Corpus Christi, Tex., both sons of Mr. and Mrs. Baie being in the service.  He is survived by his parents and the one brother in navy service.

The body of the DeKalb flyer will be brought back to this city for services but no arrangements  had been made early this afternoon.  Aviation Cadet Baie was very popular and active among the younger set of this city and his death will be mourned by  hundreds in the community.

A Sad Story.  --GreGen

Lt. Wendell Baie-- Part 5: "Has Now Made the Supreme Sacrifice"

Wendell enlisted in the Army Air Corps last November while a student at Northern Illinois  State Teachers College and was called to active duty on March 4 this year.  He had just about completed his training as an aviation cadet and would have graduated and been commissioned a second lieutenant sometime the early part of this month.

Aviation Cadet Baie would have been 21 years of age on December 30.  he was a graduate of DeKalb Township High School and was attending the teachers college at the time he enlisted for army service.

Although only nineteen when he enlisted he wanted to do his part to help his country  and he has now made the supreme sacrifice.

--GreGen

Lt. Wendell Merle Baie-- Part 4: Parents Receive Word of His Death

WENDELL BAIE DIES IN CRASH

DeKalb Aviation Cadet Killed in Plane Crash While On Duty

SERVICES HERE

Aviation Cadet Wendell Merle Baie, 20,  was killed in a plane crash according to word received in a message from the War Department just before the noon hour today by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Baie of  Normal Road.  No details of the crash were contained in the message and it is not known when he was killed.

The accident  happened near Williams Field, Chandlers, Ariz., where he had been stationed.

The message stated,  "Regret to inform you of the death of your son Aviation Cadet Wendell Baie who died  as a result of a plane crash.  The body may be returned at government expense."  Further  word concerning the accident is expected to be received shortly."

--GreGen

Lt. Wendell Merle Baie-- Part 3: Some More Information

Taken from a newspaper article.

He was not a lieutenant at the time of his death, but an Aviation Cadet.  Funeral service was held at Wirtz Funeral Home in DeKalb, Illinois.  Another one was to be held at the First Methodist Church in DeKalb and the American Legion Post  gave a military funeral  with a firing squad and ritual.

Burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Hinckley, Illinois.

He had been killed on a routine night time flying mission near Williams Field in Arizona, where he was stationed.

He had a brother, Ensign Warren Baie stationed at Corpus Christi, Texas.  Aviation Cadet Wendell Baie was to have been married to Joyce Olson of Chicago, who is a student  at Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now Northern Illinois University) at the present time.

They were to be married as soon as he graduated from his training program and earned his wings and commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.  He had met Miss Olson while attending the teaching college.

--GreGen

Lt. Wendell Merle Baie-- Part 2: Killed inTraining Accident in Arizona

He received his preliminary training at Santa Ana, Cal. and then was transferred to Williams Field, Ariz. where he shortly would have graduated and received his wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant.

The decedent was especially gifted in several lines of work, a favorite with his class mates and his engaging personality won him a host of warm friends, whose sympathy is with his family in his untimely death and their deep loss.

Born December  30 1921, in Waterman, Illinois
Died November 4, 1942 (aged 20)

Burial Greenwood Cemetery in Hinckley, Illinois.

--GreGen

Lt. Wendell M. Baie-- Part 1: DeKalb High School and NISTC

I wrote about a memorial to him in the last post.

From Find-A-Grave.  Obituary

MILITARY SERVICES CONDUCTED TODAY FOR DEKALB FLYER  (Nov. 10, 1942)

Military funeral services were accorded  this Tuesday afternoon for Aviation Cadet Wendell Merle Baie, DeKalb flyer, who was killed a week ago in a plane crash on a routine night flying mission near Williams Field, Chandler, Ariz., where he was stationed.

Wendell Merle Baie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Baie, was born December 30, 1921, at Waterman.  Since he was sixteen years old he has lived in DeKalb, where he graduated DeKalb High school, later attending N.I.S.T.C. (Northern Illinois State Teachers College, now Northern Illinois University) until he was called into active service in the Army Air Corps.  He had worked one year, but was enrolled at the college,  when called for duty March, 1941.

--GreGen

An Honor Roll for Methodists Serving in Military As Memorial for Wendell Baie

From the December 5, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"A new service men's and women's honor roll, listing the 200 who serve from the Methodists, will be dedicated at the church Sunday morning.

"This roll is being presented by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Baie and son Warren Baie, as a memorial to their son and brother, Wendell Baie, who was killed in flight a year ago."

--GreGen