Pyote & Ft. Stockton, TX circa 1944-1945

[L. Thompson]

I am interested in aircraft photos taken at Pyote Army Airfield and Fort Stockton, Texas between April 1944 and October 1945.

My father, then a Staff Seargent and veteran of 50 B-17 combat missions in the MTO, got right seat time in the B-17s and B-25s at Pyote by the generous pair of Lt Ingram and Lt. Boland with whom he flew.

I believe in early October 1945 he first soloed. This was in a Stinson L-5 at what he called Fort Stockton Auxiliary Field. The L-5 may have been one of three he said were stationed at Pyote at the time. My Dad once wrote this (in a journal) about what was at Pyote in 1944:

"... three B-17s (my note: one was B-17G-60-BO, 42-102780 of 4104 Base Unit). "... flew also in their three B-25s, two C-47s with some training as Co-Pilot,...also have two B-26s, 2 A-24 Dauntlesses, some AT-6s, UC-78s, a UC-64, 3 L-5s, a C-46, and some single engine fighters..."

Any help would be appreciated.

Lowell Thompson

[Old SAR pilot]

A few (past and present) of Pyote (also known as Rattlesnake Base) at this site:
www.airfields-freeman.com/TX/Airfields_TX_W.htm