Elmendorf Army Air Base’s first commander

  • Published
  • By Doug Beckstead
  • 3rd Wing Historian
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  On Nov. 28, 1942, a C-47 assigned to the 54th Troop Carrier Squadron, took off from Naknek en-route to Elmendorf Army Air Base. Thirty minutes after the plane departed, the Naknek control tower lost contact with it. The weather at the time required instrument flying with severe winds, up to 70 mph, reported.

On board the flight were Col. Everett Davis, the first Eleventh Air Force commander, and seven others.

The Eleventh Air Force launched a month long search for the missing transport when it failed to arrive at its destination. Frequent storms made the search difficult. A standing order remained in effect for anyone flying the route to maintain a vigilant look for the aircraft.

The search resumed Aug. 19, 1943, when the snow had cleared from the tops of all but the tallest mountains.

Later that month, searchers found the wreckage at the 2,000 foot level on the south shore of Lake Iliamna. It had apparently struck at full power instantly killing everyone on board.

The remains of Colonel Davis and the crew were brought back to Elmendorf where formal services were held. Colonel Davis was buried with full military honors Sept. 10 in the Fort Richardson Cemetery. The service included a flyover by three B-25s from the 406th Bombardment Squadron.

Following the incident, on Jan. 4, 1945, the airfield on Adak was named in his honor.

In addition to Colonel Davis, those killed in the accident were: 1st Lt. George W. Hinton II, 2nd Lt. James W. Moore, Staff Sgt. Virgil V. Bingham, Staff Sgt. Herbert W Dale, Cpl. William, Cpl. Arhtur W. Plumb, Pfc. Wallace L. Anderson, and Pvt. A.O. Jensen.

On Aug. 12, 1940, then Major Davis, arrived at Merrill Field in Anchorage, Alaska charged with establishing Elmendorf Army Air Field. Major Davis and his two assistants established their headquarters in a one-room wanigan, a portable building on skids, at Merrill Field, where they remained for more than a month.

As fall progressed, Major Davis continued to increase troop strength eventually moving to Elmendorf Field in September.

The first aircraft, a twin-engine Douglas YOA-5 Pelican, landed at Elmendorf Field Nov. 8, 1940.

By Jan. 9, 1941, the Elmendorf cadre consisted of two officers, nine sergeants, one corporal and 16 privates.

The Alaska Defense Command General Order 3, activated the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Alaskan Air Force, with a permanent station at Fort Richardson and an initial strength of 15 officers and 158 enlisted men Jan. 15, 1942. The order establishes the beginning of the lineage and honors of the Eleventh Air Force. Colonel Davis remained in command at the time.

Due to his seniority, Col. Lionel H. Dunlap assumed command from Colonel Davis after a month of command. Davis became his chief of staff. Dunlap's tenure was likewise temporary because the command position for the newly created Eleventh Air Force required command by a general officer. Gen. William O. Butler assumed command March 8, 1942, with Davis continuing as his chief of staff.

Davis was promoted to colonel June 5, 1942 and General Butler recommended him for promotion in August. Unfortunately what appeared to be a bright and shining career was cut short on that fateful day in November.