Guide to the Napier Field World War 2 Scrapbook
Record Group 216
Date Span: 1941-1942
Extent: 5 File Folders
Historical Sketch: In 1939, the United States Army Air Corps built Napier Field to train pilots and other Army Air Corps personnel to fight in World War II. Napier Field was named in memory of Major Edward L. Napier, one of the first Army Flight Surgeons. The Field was located in Dale County, Alabama, and operated October 1, 1940 through October 31, 1945. Squadrons A, D, I, and H, and other units trained at Napier Field, including British Royal Air Force and Mexican Army pilots. (Source: Dothan Regional Airport, Dothan Regional Airport History and Information, accessed 20 November 2006, http://www.flydothan.com/about.htm). The USAAF abandoned Napier Field after World War 2. In 1968, residents incorporated to become the Town of Napier Field.
Scope / Content: Contains a souvenir booklet, B&W prints, two issues of Booster, the camp paper,
and a typed history, complete with photos, detailing the creation of the Napier Field
base and events of note, such as visiting generals.
Provenance: Landmark Park retrieved the Napier Field scrapbook from Houston-Love Library in its closeout/fire sale. The scrapbook’s earlier provenance is unknown.
Processing Notes: Scrapbook was received as three-ring binder. Due to the binder’s poor condition the scrapbook was removed from original binder and foldered. Items were foldered in the order they were remove from the scrapbook and based on obvious content divisions. File order retains the original scrapbook order. More detailed information available on separate Processing Notes page.
Preferred Citation: Napier Field WWII Scrapbook, RG 216, Wiregrass Archives, Troy University Dothan Campus, Dothan, AL.
Access: Open
Date processed: July 15, 2019
Processed By: DS
INVENTORY
File I.D. File Label
216-16-0630-001-001 Souvenir booklet, "Welcome to Napier Field . . ." [Photographic yearbook style introduction to life at Napier Field], n.d.
216-16-0630-001-002 Construction of US Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School, Napier Field, AL [46 B&W Prints]
216-16-0630-001-003 "History of Napier Field," typescript, author unknown [16 pgs w/ photos]
216-16-0630-001-004 Booster (Two issues: 11/15/41 & 8/27/42) [Napier Field Camp Paper]
216-16-0630-001-005 AT-6 Small Engine Fighter Plane (Dothan, AL 1941) [B&W print]
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