FLORIDA IN WORLD WAR II

by Toni Collins

October 6, 2020

            On Saturday, October 17th, the Levy County Historical Society will present the first of a three-part series entitled Florida in World War II.  Starting at 2:00 PM, the history of the MONTBROOK ARMY AIRFIELD, known today as the Williston Airport, will be presented by F. Don McCormick, local historian and author. The presentation will be held in the hanger of the Williston Airport, 1800 SW 19th Avenue, Williston, FL

            On May 19, 1942, 1,080 acres of land southwest of Williston occupied by 26 families was selected as a facility to be used as a training field for all types of military aircraft. Housing was to be provided for 75 officers and 300 enlisted men. Three runways of 5,000‑ft. in length were planned along with 16‑hard stands and 11,000‑ft of 50‑ft wide taxiways. Hard stands were paved areas for parking heavy vehicles.

            When it was learned the Army planned to send heavy bombers to the field in December, one of the runways was extended to 7,000‑ft. The cantonment consisted of 30 buildings which provided facilities for 112 officers and 320 enlisted men. On February 5, 1943, the B‑25 equipped 99th Bomb Squadron (BS) arrived from Orlando. Only two of the runways at Montbrook were hard surfaced. The third runway was constructed with Marston Matting.\

            The Army then sent 14 B‑17s to Montbrook to lessen the congestion at Lakeland.  Eventually the following aircraft were stationed at Montbrook: 14 B‑17s, 12 B‑25s of the 99th BS, and an undetermined number of B‑26s of the 430th BS.  The 99th BS transferred to Brooksville on November 14, 1943 and five days later the 465th BS arrived from Alachua. The 465th, an operational training and demonstration unit, operated the Douglas A‑20.  On March 2, 1944, the 465th BS transferred to Orlando and one month later, Montbrook Airfield closed.  Today, the Montbrook Army Airfield serves as the Williston Municipal Airport.

            The Historical Society members are pleased to welcome our speaker, Fenwick Donald McCormick.   Donald served in the US Army 2nd Battalion, 23 Infantry from 1959‑61 completing his basic combat training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Donald is well known for his numerous vocational and agricultural teaching positions in area schools.  A listing of his leadership roles with National and State Vocational and Agricultural associations cover a page and a half! His interest in local history led him to pen several history books, which includes being a contributor to "Williston: Crossroads of Florida".

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