NATTC Timeline: January - March 1943

Choose Year/Month Combo:    
1942 May-Aug 1942 Sept-Dec 1943 Jan-Mar 1943 Apr-Jun 1943 Jul-Sept 1943 Oct-Dec 1944 Jan-Mar 1944 Apr-Jun 1944 Jul-Sept 1944 Oct-Dec 1945 Jan-Mar 1945 Apr-Jun 1945 Jul-Sept 1945 Oct-Dec 1946 Jan-Mar


January 7, 1943
  • Glenna Lemon, a local Norman resident who worked as the secretary in the Civil Service personnel office, wins the station's War Bond Queen title with a total of 120,350 votes. One vote was equal to each dollar maturity value of bonds purchased. It was a close contest among the 10 contestants. See Figure 001
  • Beginning the 4th of January the Naval Training School adopted a new work day routine applicable to personnel of the AMM, AM and AOM Schools. The new schedule allowed the school to operate in two shifts. Additionally it allowed for a new physical fitness program to be implemented.
  • Lieutenant Commander Olin E. Darby, Commissary Officer for the station, was recognized. With about 640 men working under his supervision Commander Darby operated three galleys by January 1942 feeding up to 20,000 men and women.
  • New regulations for personnel, contractors and guest entering and leaving the gates of the base was issued.
  • Bilge Water tells the tale that many years earlier the men under Captain Griffin's command affectionately named him Captain "You-all". The rich, Southern-flavored accent of Captain Griffin is one of the outstanding characteristics his command admires.
January 14, 1943
  • Ship's Service announced the opening of the station's full laundry and dry-cleaning services, one of the largest and best equipped in the Southwest, in Building 94.
  • USO-Camp Show to present the comedy show, The Male Animal, in Building 23 at 1845 (6:45 PM). Additionally the Boxing Tournament opened in Building 22 at 1900.
January 21, 1943
  • The first station's dance was held on Friday January 15, 1943 in Recreation Building 24 from 2000 to 2300. Music was furnished by the station's band which recently reported aboard. Girls from the University of Oklahoma were on hand as hostesses. See Figure 002
  • Lieutenant H. B. Long, Training and Indoctrination Officer, introduced in short biography in the Bull Horn weekly newspaper.
  • First dance announced at the new YMCA-USO center in Norman for Saturday January 23rd at 8:00 PM located in the National Guard armory just east of the Sante Fe depot. The station's band would provide the music.
  • The station's band, Gremlins, made their first broadcast over Norman radio station WNAD on Tuesday January 19th. Plans were made to continue broadcasting every Tuesday from 1730 to 1800 and to broadcast over the Oklahoma radio network which covered the entire state.
January 28, 1943
  • Commander J. P. Forsander, senior chaplain, following his congratulatory address, presented certificates to the graduates of the Machinist's Mates class of 15-43 last week. Allenby Adams is pictured saluting the commander after receiving his diploma. At left is Ensign E. T. Leach, assistant operations officer of the AMM School. See Figure 003
  • Little Miss Jean Marshall, 10 year old girl from Oklahoma City who sang at the station's Thursday night variety shows, named station's Sweetheart and presented an engraved wrist watch by Captain Griffin. Record shows she ran over to her mother shouting, "Mama, it's real!" See Figure 004
  • Transportation arrangements were made with Nichols Hills Transportation Company and Santa Fe Transportation Company to gather at a central spot on the station to pick up men leaving on weekend liberty. The busses entered through the North Gate and proceeded to the parking lots in Area B at the north end of barracks 59 and 60.
  • Aviation Ordnance Class 18-43 raised $53 plus another $24 from a graduation dance for the Navy Relief Society. They hoped to start a precedence for future graduating classes.
  • First WAVE to report aboard NATTC, Dora Ellen Michael, seaman second class, is welcomed by Lieutenant Commander George M. Glenn, executive officer. See Figure 017
February 4, 1943
  • WAVES Arrive!!! The first attachment of WAVES arrived on January 29, 1943 straight from boot camp in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Lieutenant (jg) Myrtle O. Poultney was the Officer in Charge. This detachment of WAVES held the distinction of being the very first to enter the Naval mechanical schools. See Figure 005 and Figure 006
  • A sailor and a WAVE enjoying a soda in the Ship's Service. Friendly relations were quickly established soon after the first WAVE detachment arrived at the Training School. Pictured here are Gladys Joyce S2c, from Jeanette, Pennsylvania, and Russell Linder, S2c, from Long Island, New York. See Figure 007
  • A Naval Commissary Store was opened on February 1st in Building No. 111 for families and dependents on service personnel. See Figure 008
  • The Thursday night Variety show in Building 23 featured S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of the Barber Shop Quartet Singing of America), one of the most popular radio and stage shows of the South. Known as the "Boresome Foursome", the group was composed of Oklahoma City business men.
  • Horace M. Finch, Warrant Officer stationed at NATTC, designed and invented the automatic self-inflating rubber life raft that was standard equipment for U. S. Navy planes and allies as well.
  • Dedication ceremonies for the new USO Center at the Norman Armory were announced for 3:00 PM Sunday February 7th with M. L. Wardell, president of the USO council, presiding and Commander J. P. Foresander, senior chaplain of the Training School, participating along with the NTS band. The USO Center was one of the largest in the state was located on the east side of the Norman Train Depot adjacent to the Norman Courthouse. The combination gymnasium and dance floor took up the major part of the first floor, which itself could be subdivided into three sections. Additionally there was a very nice reception room with a snack/fountain bar, game room complete with pool and ping pong and a dark room for photography. On the upper floor were a number of club rooms to be used for a variety of needs including a furnished hobby and craft shop, a well stocked library and writing room with voice recording services and shower rooms. See Figure 009
  • The musical revue, Hullabaloo, was presented Friday February 5th in Building 23 at 7:30 PM.
February 11, 1943
  • Station name officially changed from Naval Training School (AM) to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC).
  • The Thursday night Variety Show in building 23 featured Chief Tex Beneke of the NATTC Welfare Department and his tenor "sax". Chief Beneke, a featured member of Glenn Miller's band until he joinded the Navy in January of 1943, would supervise the station's orchestras. Most notably was the station's first band, the Gremlins. See Figure 010
  • The Welfare Department introduced a new entertainment program for the station. The 4.0 Variety Show would be held at 2:00 PM every Sunday in Building 24. It was basically an amateur taland show featuring local talent. Station personnel would audition every Wednesday in the presence of Chief Beneke. Ship's Service script was given out as prizes to the top three winners.
  • The WAVES initiated their physical training program under the supervision of a sextet of volunteer co-eds from the Physical Education department of the University of Oklahoma. The program was patterned along the same lines as the bluejackets program which included twenty-five minutes of calisthenics, obstacle course running and competitive athletics each afternoon.
  • Announcement that Henry Fonda would visit the station on Saturday February 13th in Building 23. The attraction was the movie "Rings on Her Fingers" starring Henry Fonda.
  • The WAVES participated in their first Captain's Inspection with Ensign Minnie Adams, the WAVES drill officer, marching with the other company officers for the officers' review.
February 18, 1943
  • 35mm movie equipment was installed this week replacing the original 16mm equipment. This enabled the station to show first-run movies direct from Hollywood. Additionally new and improved film screens were added.
  • Charles "Al" West, S2c, attending the Aviation Ordnance School at NATTC, was presented the Moran Morris Sportsmanship Trophy Tuesday February 16th in Oklahoma City when the Golden Gloves Championship fights brought the 1943 tournament to a close.
  • Station's library opens in Building 24. The hours of operation were from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
  • Carl F. Shultz, AMM3c, exhibits a scale model of the Lockheed P-38 (Lightning) that he constructed in his leisure time in the NATTC model airplane shop, building 6. See Figure 011
  • The WAVES announce their first social event, a formal dance to be attended by invitation only, for Friday February 19th from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM in Building 23. The Gremlins under the direction of Chief "Tex" Beneke furnished to music. A floor show along with refreshments rounded out the evening. Only 250 invitations (bids) were presented to the sailors. Ensign Katherine Crumpacker, officer in charge of the Welfare Department for the WAVES was in charge of the arrangements.
  • A Beauty Shop for the exclusive use of WAVES of the Training Center opened Thursday February 18th on the first floor, center section, of Building 6. Hours of operation were 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Appointments were made through Mrs. Hazelton, Beauty Shop Manager. A haircut would run you about 40 cents. Of course adjusted for inflation that would be about $6.78 in 2019 dollars. See Figure 012
  • Announcement that admission to all Variety Shows and USO-Camp Shows will be by passes only. With the increasing number of men and women being brought to the station and the limited capacity of the auditoriums in Buildings 23 and 24 this action became necessary until the completion of the new, larger, auditorium then under construction. This new building would soon become known as Building 92.
  • Announcement, the initial social event for officers of the station will be held Saturday February 20th from 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM. Members of the Bachelor Officers' Mess will entertain all officers on the station at the launching party and dance in the B.O.Q. Music for dancing will be provided by Chief "Tex" Beneke and the Gremlins.
February 25, 1943
  • This week's Thursday night Variety Show featured Lewis Childs, "a new drummer who can really lay on the sticks." Lewis was formerly with the Charlie Spivak Orchestra but now was playing for the Corsairs under the direction of Steve Smith. Show started at 7:30 PM in Building 23.
  • Friday night USO-Camp Show announced that featured Ray Herbeck and his fourteen piece band in building 23 at 6:15 PM and 7:45 PM.
  • Captain Griffin designated February 22-27 as Fighting Dollar Days where civilian employees of the base were encouraged to pledge 10 percent, or more, of their pay to the purchase of War Savings Bonds.
  • The Class 14-43 AM (Aviation Metalsmiths) graduated 83 students. This was the first class of metalsmiths to receive their entire training at NATTC, Norman. Training started October 1, 1942.
March 4, 1943
  • Commander Arthur G. Norwood takes over as Executive Officer replacing Lieutenant Commander George M. Glenn who was transferred to NATTC, Memphis, TN becomming the School Superintendent there. Lieutenant Glenn reported for duty at NATTC, Norman in September of 1942. A farewell dinner and dance was given for Commander and Mrs. Glenn Saturday night, February 27th, at the Bachelor Officer's Quarters (BOQ). See Figure 013
  • NATTC swimming instructors begin training a special fifteen hour training course at the University of Oklahoma in preparations for their duties with the opening of the NATTC pools in April, 1943. NATTC had three swimming pools, in Areas B, D and E. The pools were 75 feet by 164 feet and had a capacity of 550,000 gallons of water filtered twice a day through three filters installed at each pool. Depths ranged from 4 feet, 6 inches at the shallow end to 9 feet at the deep side. Each pool came equipped with five one meter boards, one twelve foot catwalks and hawser lines and cargo nets. Two were indoor and one, Area E, was outdoor.
  • Three brothers named Robert, John and Charles enlisted in the Marine Corps together on November 21, 1942 went through boot camp training together and later transferred together to NATTC Norman for training. Robert and John were twins and Charles the younger brother. They were referred to as a pair and a spare.
  • The Main Street USO maintained the "Lost and Found Box" for the city of Norman. Items were often found in such places as the interurbans, buses and local business places.
March 11, 1943
  • Announcement, the General Electric House Of Magic show to perform Tuesday night March 16th in Building 24. The show featured unusual electrical phenomena for the time period.
  • The USO Armory Camera Club begin its activities this week. The USO darkroom was completed and ready for use. It was open for use by service men at all times. Also available was voice recordings for men. In 1943 recordings were done on records and played back with a record player.
  • Mrs. Edythe Johnson and her staff were recognized for all their hard work keeping the Administration Building, B.O.Q. along with other buildings clean.
  • Seeding operations for bermuda grass were begun. All plowed and posted soil areas were restricted zones, station personnel were required to keep to the sidewalks and roadways.
  • Tim Hudson, shoe shine boy in the barber shop of Building 23, was recognized by Bull Horn as being an "old timer". He had worked at the station since July of 1942 doing construction work at originally. See Figure 014
March 18, 1943
  • Lieutenant W. A. Clark, Officer-in-Charge, organized a soil conservation program to beautify the station grounds and combat blowing dust. Thousands of tree seedlings were planted begining March 15th intended to coincide with Arbor Week. Station personal were required to all participate with each man planting at least four trees. See Figure 015
  • This week's Variety Show was held, for the first time ever, in the station's large new auditorium, Building 92. While being the first show it was not the opening and dedication of the auditorium. That was scheduled for the following Wednesday and a full production USO show, musical comedy Hit the Deck, on the Monday before.
  • Lt. (j.g.) Jerry Spann, Ship's Service officer, announced that the WAVES beauty salon in Building 6 was now open to the wives of Naval personnel in the area. Patrons were instructed to call Mrs. Hazelton at extension 432 for appointments. Hours of operation were Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
  • The WAVES of Building 161 came off a five day quarantine Saturday March 13th. They were restricted to their building during this entire time.
  • Varsity baseball opened at the station this week. An all-state service league was formed that included Will Rogers Army Eagles, Enid Army Fliers, Altus Army Flying School, Norman Naval Air Station, Purcell Naval Gunnery School, Oklahoma City Air Depot and Fort Sill.
March 25, 1943
  • Captain Griffin addressed the station's transportation problem, taking issue against three companies in particular. He named Santa Fe Trailways Co., Oklahoma Transportation Co., and Nichols Hills Lines as willfully blocking attempts to get additional transportation. Lack of adequate transportation was an impediment to expanding weekend liberty to the station's personnel. See Figure 016
  • Thomas E. Merritt, ACRM, USN, a famous "sea dog" who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition for his outstanding services in several major battles early in the war was announced to be speaking at the station Friday March 26th from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM in the new auditorium (Building 92). After only a few hours he headed on to his next speaking engagement, the Naval Air Gunnery School in Purcell.
  • First dance to be held in the new auditorium in Building 92 was annouced to be held Friday March 26th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.


            

Copyright © 2019 Oklahoma Naval Air History
Website created by Joel Silvey, 2019