On the brink of World War II, Texas was still largely a rural state,
a closed society. Few chose to leave, and even fewer outsiders
found any reason to enter. A frontier morality dictated adherence
to strict moral guidelines regarding temperance, frugality,
tolerance, fidelity, and moderation. Cultural activities and
educational opportunities were limited.
The state’s economic situation was dire as a result of the Great
Depression and persistent drought. President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, needing to put unemployed men back to work and at the
same time begin preparing for a looming war, called for building
more than fifty thousand new military aircraft and training more
than thirty thousand pilots to fly them.
And that’s when Texas began to change. In the next few years,
sixty-five army airfields would be located in Texas, more than in
any other state. Some citizens may have been troubled initially at
the prospect of uniformed strangers trooping down their streets,
perhaps up to all manner of nefarious deeds. Those concerns,
however, were all but obscured by the reality of federal dollars
flowing into citizens’ pockets long empty and civic coffers all but
bone dry.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, a
surging spirit of patriotism universally overcame any shreds of
lingering doubt about the need not only to have the bases close by
but to welcome military personnel to the community with open
arms.
The air force had come to Texas in a big way, and changes, as
well as the wings of thousands of airplanes, were in the air, from
Dalhart to Laredo and from El Paso to San Antonio.
_________________________________________________________
THOMAS E. ALEXANDER is the author of two other books on Texas
military history, volumes one and two of The Stars Were Big and
Bright: The United States Army Air Forces and Texas During
World War II. Volume I received the San Antonio Conservation
Society 2001 Book Citation. Alexander, who received his flight
training in Texas, served as a captain in the air force and as a major
in the Illinois Air Guard. He lives in Fredericksburg, Texas, and
previously was owner/operator of Alexander Cattle Company and
executive vice president/marketing for Neiman Marcus in Dallas.
Number Two: Military History of Texas Series
What people are saying about this book
"This book will please both the military historian and the student of
Texas history. . . . an enjoyable read and a useful reference for the
student of Texas history, or of World War II history in general."—The
Journal of America's Military Past
". . . a clear, concise, well-written, and enthusiastic history."—Military
History of the West
"This is an excellent book. . . . It belongs in all public libraries and
secondary-school libraries."—Review of Texas Books
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading the accounts. . . . I strongly recommend
The Wings of Change."—T. Lindsay Baker, WTHA Year Book
"I recommend this book not only for the historian or aviation
enthusiast but for anyone who enjoys good stories about real people
and places."—East Texas Historical Journal
Five Stars!!!!! Expertly written by Thomas E. Alexander (a former
Air Force Captain and Major in the Illinois Air Guard), The Wings of
Change: The Army Air Force Experience In Texas During World War
II is a superbly presented military history of how sixty-five Army
airfields came to be located in Texas during the years of World War
II. From an economic influx that helped spur the state's lift out of the
Depression, to the local residents adaptation to living with Army Air
Force soldiers, The Wings of Change blends history, black-and-white
photography, and historical insights to accurately portray the manifold
changes that the Army Air Force brought to Texas. The Wings of
Change is a welcome and original contribution to Aviation History and
Military History reference collections.—Midwest Book Review, Oregon,
WI USA
Other World War II Titles
