Norman, Oklahoma 1942-1946 and 1952-1959
NATTC Norman, the largest technical training center in Naval Air Technical Training Command during World War II, was commissioned on September 20, 1942 when facilities of three West Coast schools were consolidated to form the technical training center. AMM and AOM schools at NAS San Diego, AMM and AM schools at NAS Alameda and AMM and AOM schools from NAS Seattle moved to Norman, complete with instructors, equipment, supervisory personnel and trainees, and the school went into operation a month later. The first graduates completed the course in December of 1942 and nearly every Saturday since another class finished while every Monday morning a new group would enroll. By the war's end over 65,000 naval personel were trained there.
Click Here to read more about the early history of the base.
A comprehensive look at daily life at the naval center from training, administration and entertainment.
Included within this section are some unique and rare aerial photos of NATTC and Shawnee during construction of 1942. Also included is a 1943 aerial photo of NAS during wartime operations.
Very informative section! Includes several articles and book excerpts from naval publications of the time period. Many otherwise unseen photos are featured in every article. Gives overview of the entire Naval Air Technical Training Command.
NATTC's first photographic souvenir booklet, 32 pages, sold at all Ship's Service Stores beginning in June of 1943. It sold for 30 cents, or about $5.00 in 2018 dollars. Opens in separate browser.
The Welfare Department of NATTC published and distributed this 31 page book for naval personel in the Norman area. The book's purpose was to inform the reader of spots of interest and enjoyment within Oklahoma's borders. Opens in separate browser.
As the war started to wind down the navy published the equivilent of a school yearbook for most of its bases. All Hands 1945, 155 pages, is of great historical significance and well worth a look. Opens in separate browser.
Many high quality photos from a myriad of sources are included in this section. Included will be more recent photos as well. This section will continue to grow and change over time as new material surfaces.
Life at NATTC as described in their own words in letters and postcards written home to their folks or girlfriends and boyfriends. Includes postcards sent by WAVES.
Technical training was the purpose of NATTC and all naval life revolved around that one function. So it makes sense to document what exactly the students did. This section contains several great articles that are a MUST READ!
USO Camp Shows, Hollywood stars, famous singers and big band dances were a common "thing" at NATTC. Ship's Service, souvenirs, commissary, major holidays, liberty, travel, sports and much more all covered in this section.
The first attachment of WAVES arrived on January 29, 1943 straight from boot camp for training in the AMM and AM Schools. Eventually over 2000 WAVES were trained at NATTC, Norman during the war.
NATTC had its own dedicated newspaper, the Bull Horn, that was published every Thursday. It was free to station personnel and five cents to the general public.
This section will explore the post World War II years which includes the base reactivation from 1952-1959 and subsequent permanent closure. Why did the Navy leave Oklahoma and who received the buildings and land?
July 1943 Ratings
Aviation Machinist Mate
AMM
Aviation Metalsmith
AM
Aviation Ordnanceman
AOM