Fort Wolters Photo Gallery by Keith Robinson at pbase.com

Fort Wolters

FORT WOLTERS. Fort Wolters, established as Camp Wolters in 1925, is four miles east of Mineral Wells in Parker and Palo Pinto counties. It was named for Brig. Gen. Jacob F. Wolters,qv commander of the Fifty-sixth Brigade of the National Guard, and designated a summer training site for his units. Mineral Wells donated fifty acres, leased 2,300 acres, and in World War IIqv provided land to increase the camp's area to 7,500 acres. The camp became an important infantry-replacement training center with a troop capacity that reached a peak of 24,973. Six months after the end of the war the camp was deactivated.

Local businessmen purchased the land and facilities and converted them to private use. The tensions of the cold war, however, resulted in the reopening of the camp in early 1951, under the authority of the United States Air Force. At the installation, then named Wolters Air Force Base, was housed the newly formed Aviation Engineer Force. Special-category army and air force personnel were trained there.

In September 1956 the base became the Primary Helicopter Center directed by the United States Army. In June 1963 it was renamed Fort Wolters. At the time all army rotary-wing aviators received basic and primary flight training there. The Vietnam War increased the need for pilots, and the base became the home for training not just army personnel, but also helicopter pilots for the Marine Corps in 1968 and for the Air Force in 1970. By 1970 Fort Wolters covered 8,500 acres and leased an additional 1,700 to help handle the 1,200 helicopters used at the camp. By January 1, 1973, 40,000 students had completed the twenty-week training program. The base was also the home of the Beach Army Hospital, the Eighty-fourth Military Police Detachment, the 328th United States Army Band, and United States Army Reserve Detachment 20, Sixteenth Weather Squadron.

In 1975 orders deactivating the base were issued. Part of the land and facilities became the property of the city and private businessmen; ninety acres and thirteen buildings became the Education Center of Weatherford College. A portion of the land was also transferred by the United States government to the state of Texas for development as part of Lake Mineral Wells State Park.qv

Main Gate circa 1945	Main Gate. . .circa 1964	Main Gate. . . . April 2006	Camp Wolters Entrance - 1935	Main Gate circa 1960
	Postcard	Arts & carfts center. . .then & now	Arts & Crafts Center 2010	One of many abandoned barracks
State historical marker at entrance	Remains of heliport #2 tower	Abandoned barracks	Heliport #2	Area just east of the main heliport. Shown on maps of Camp Wolters as "Ranges"
Beech Army Hospital. . .then	wolthosp.jpg	Beach Army Hospital. . .today	Rear of hospital
IMG_5920.jpg	Fire Station	Camp Wolters Chapel. . .	Camp Wolters Chapel. . . April 2006	Current National Guard Armory
IMG_1050.JPG		GasStation2.jpg	FtWolters_TX_66.jpg	Staging Fields
222838242_o.jpg	Wolters_Arena.png
Camp Wolters Map	Wolters Church #1		Easter Service 1959	Easter 1959
Nike missile in front of the Baker Hotel	IMG_1055.JPG	Fort Wolters	Camp Wolters Panorama	H-23 helicopter on approach to main heliport.
West main heliport tie-down area.	Bed Making Contest	Helicopter at main heliport.	Stephenville Band	Honest John Missile
Dental Clinic		105mm Howitzer	Beeah Army Hospital	Camp Wolters HQ
Location where the Camp HQ was once located	Wolters HQ aerial	Wolters aerial	Main Heliport aerial	Service Club
Wolters aerial	courtesy: Boyce Ditto Public Library, Mineral Wells, Texas.	Camp Wolters Map	courtesy: Boyce Ditto Public Library, Mineral Wells, Texas.	General William Westmoreland tours Dempsey Heliport
courtesy: Boyce Ditto Public Library, Mineral Wells, Texas.	courtesy: Boyce Ditto Public Library, Mineral Wells, Texas.	courtesy: Boyce Ditto Public Library, Mineral Wells, Texas.	Wolters HQ	Wolters HQ
	Fort Wolters HQ - Yesterday & Today	Barracks Interior	Barracks	Theater today
Theater	Base theater in 2001	Range	Baker Hotel
Wolters Gas Station	Stephenville Band	Brochure pg1	Brochure pg 2	Brochure pg 3
Camp Wolters Hospital Entrance (WWII)	Camp Wolters with troop train in distance (WWII)	Camp Wolters Rifle Range (12 October, 1942)	Wolters Pistol Range (October 12, 1942)

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Tom Johnson		29-May-2012 00:52
Hi Bob, I enjoyed my time at Wolters. I wanted to retire in Mineral Wells, but they closed the base after the Vietnam war, and I hear the town has pretty well dried up. I drove through back in 198o or '82, I think, and it looked dead then. I would still like to visit the old Post again some day, though.

Bob Whittaker		28-May-2012 07:39
I came to Ft. Wolters in June 1969 to attend flight training. The 6 months I was there was not the best of times in my army career,but I do have fond memories of it. I went back to see it in 1993 and what a change.

Tracy Travis Blunk		03-Apr-2012 14:43
Does anyone who was at Fort Wolters around 1942-1944 remember a James or Jim Travis? He was supposedly born in Canada around 1908-1918 and was stationed in Fort Wolters. He got married in 1943 to a Minerva "Minnie" Polvado in Dallas County. He disappeared in 1947 after he got divorced from my grandmother. Please, if anyone thinks they remember or know him, any information would be extremely helpful...a middle name, a dob, anything!

Leo McDonough		30-Mar-2012 02:33
I was at Wolters from April 1953 until Nov11, 1954 in the 1901 EAB. Shipped out to Saglak Labrador to build an airstrip in the middle of nowhere. Lived offbase with my wife in the cottages at Dan's Bar and restaurant on the Highway. Our company built the swimming pool that is still in use. Have been back twice, 1984 and 1995. Enjoyed the duty there. People and town were nice. Sad to see it all go downhill. My name is Leo McDonough and I was the air compressor operator at Saglak Bay on the demolition squad and the Company mailman while I was at Wolters. GREATduty!! If anyone remembers me I can be reached at leoachester9@aol.com. Living in the Allentown,Pa. area and have stayed in touch with at least 8 of the guys. Would like to hear from you.

Tom Johnson		24-Mar-2012 00:22
Thanks. That's a wonderful story.

J. Morris		23-Mar-2012 00:37
My dad was stationed at Camp Wolters when he met my mother in August 1941 at a USO dance in the Crystal Ballroom of the Texas Hotel in Ft. Worth. They planned their wedding for December 19th of the same year. He was released from the Army then went to Chicago to see his mother when Pearl Harbor was hit. Mother decided they would get married even though they knew he would be called back. He was and landed on Omaha Beach D-Day 4, June 10th, marched across Europe and through Berlin. Was released from service at Fort Sam Houston in 1945. Thanks to his training at Camp Wolters, he made it back.

Lisa		14-Feb-2012 14:29
The chapel on the hill is for sale. Call Lisa at (303) 578-9035 for details.

Tom Johnson		21-Jan-2012 16:36
Thanks for adding the new photos from 1942. We never used the rifle or pistol range while I was there. All the ammunition was being sent to troops in Vietnam. Our company did give us boxes of .22 shells every month and told us to practice on our own.

ED SONKIN		12-Dec-2011 06:57
WAS AT WOLTERS AFB FROM JAN 1954 UNTIL APRIL 1954 WHEN THE 826TH WAS SENT TO FROBISHER BAY, IN THE BAFFIN ISLAND. FOR 6 MONTHS WE TORE DOWN A MOUNTAIN TO EXTEND A RUNWAY. LEFT IN NOV 1954 FOR 1 YEAR TOUR AT PEPPERILL AFB AND 347 BN AT HARMON AFB NEWFOUNDLAND. CAPT GOMEZ WAS MY CO. FINISHED MY TOUR OF DUTY BACK IN THE ARMY AT FORT CARSON, COLO IN SEPT 1956.

Lt Col Peipelman		07-Dec-2011 18:53
Looking for someone who worked with my Grandfather, Elbert Vernon or E. V. Peipelman. i am his grandson, Lt Col Eric Peipelman and trying to track down co-workers and father of someone claiming to be my cousin/grandchild. It seems Elbert knew or worked with the father... Elberts daughter was the mother. I am trying to verify

Tom Johnson		08-Nov-2011 16:48
A lot of years have passed since then, Loren, so my memory has faded a bit. I was a patrol supervisor with the 84th MP Detachment in 1966 to '67, and I know we patrolled the area. I was a member of the Rod & Gun Club in France, and if I'm not mistaken I had thought about joining the club at Wolters, but didn't. As far as I can remember, I was never in the building. I sent a message to my buddy who was in helicopter training at the time, but haven't heard from him yet. We have a Yahoo Group for our Army Post in France, and stay in touch. But like me, his memory is shot too (lol). I'll let you know if when I hear from him.

Guest		08-Nov-2011 01:37
Tom, I was at Wolters, September 67 through April 68... Very few enlisted men, almost all work on base civilian forces. So few NCO's we pulled post duty NCO several times a month. Club had bar on left side of room, all wood floors, the gun store was in the East wing of the building. Sold shotguns and reloading suppliers. Some hand guns. A lot of skeet shooters. The stables were remote and I don't know if they were actually on property. I took over for a staff sgt. who has been there a very long time. My direct boss was a Lt. Col. (Can't remember the name's) I had no other staff. ran the entire facility, did the buying for club and shop. Also worked part time for KORC radio in downtown Mineral Wells during my stay.

Tom Johnson		07-Nov-2011 23:04
Hi Loren, if I'm not mixing this one up with the one at Fort Sam Houston, then I vaguely remember it. I'll see if my buddy who went through helicopter training in 1966 - '67 remembers it. If I find out anything, I'll give you a shout fadingshadows @juno.com

Sgt. Loren Wilhelm		07-Nov-2011 13:06
Great site. I was looking for photos of the gun club or stables. I ran the club for 6 months after returning from Viet Nam. It was located in plantation like building, had skeet and trap ranges, a gun store and of course the bar that WO's consumed huge quanities of kegs and bottled beer. Also signed out folks to deer hunt on property. Sgt. Loren Wilhelm.

Christopher Davis		29-Sep-2011 19:53
Looking for former members of the 328th Army band at Fort Wolters late 60's. My father, Mike Davis, served during that time as a trumpet player in the 328th.He passed away several years ago and I would like to meet some of the men he served with. Thank you, christopherdavis517@hotamil.com

Charlie Swenson		16-Aug-2011 05:28
I was a draftsman in the 826th Engineer Aviation Battalion in 1954-55. OIC was Captain McDermott. We were woorkin on surveying and doing cut and fill diagrams for the perimeter road and a layout for an asphalt plant. I was sent TDY to Fort Belvoir in about June of '55 for construction drafting school. Later I was transferred out of my unit to Fort Sam Houston so I lost track of my friends in the unit. I would love to hear from any of them. Are you out there: Bob Decker- wrestler-Penn State, Jimmie Downing, Thomas Jefferson (wife worked at U.N.)., Louie Williams (Seattle), Arne Oppeboem, Robert M. Hildebrandt.

Eric Luckett		03-Aug-2011 12:12
I asked for information on Audie Murphy circa 1942. I can be reached at edlco2009@gmail.com.

Eric Luckett		03-Aug-2011 12:08
I was doing research on Audie Murphy. Someone told me he was stationed at Camp Woltors for basic training. Is there anyone here that can add a little light to this?

Jack leadabrand		15-Jun-2011 19:11
More on solo alley. In 1970 a young Vietnamese student was tossed into the pool after his solo flight. Nobody bothered to ask if he could swim. He drowned. Sad story. Also remember flying at night in a thunderstorm. Anyone remember Yogi the marine?

Guest		02-Jun-2011 22:44
Thanks for the pictures. Very interesting as my dad and other family members worked there as civilians. I have heard many stories of this time in there lives. We often would go camping at Mineral Wells State Park and take a driving tour of what was left of Fort Wolters as we would go to Braum's for an ice cream.

Guest		09-May-2011 21:29
I was at Camp Wolters with my family from 1958-1962. I went to Lamar Elementary. We lived in one of the Duplexes on post at first. Then we had a house across from the Officer's Club. We had woods behind our house. I still remember hearing the helicopters. I rode my bike all over that post. My dad was Lt. Col. Dale Davis. We left Wolters when I was 11 and moved to Illinois Fort Sheridan. My dad died suddenly after being there for only a year. My mother and I moved to Fort Worth to be near my older sisters at TCU. I know live in FW. I love seeing all the old photos and reading every ones posts. I have some fond memories from the old place.

vern ediger		21-Apr-2011 05:29
I was stationed at Wolters from feb 61 until dec 64 with the 864th company C, a wheeled vehical mechanic and fuel truck driver. had a lot of good times, some not so good, I drove thru about 5 years ago and the barracks I was in is a prison, kind of like when I was there,. only now it had a fence, We had a lot of good times in Mingus also . a lot of the old buildings are gone on the west side where the hobby shop was, the rest is still there. LaVerne Ediger, Halstead Ks

Keith Robinson		19-Apr-2011 18:02
Hey Tom, Thankfully I have not heard anything in the Mineral Wells or Fort Wolters area regarding wildfires. I had been wondering the same thing myself. Most of the fires have been in and around PK Lake. Everything from Fort Worth west is pretty well bone dry and we have had some high winds the last several days which just makes things worse.

Tom Johnson		19-Apr-2011 15:28
Keith, have you heard if those fires in Palo Pinto are a danger to Fort Wolters? From all the reports, the Possum Kingdom area is being hit pretty hard. I wonder how close the fires are to Mineral Wells?

Tom Johnson		05-Apr-2011 16:00
Hey, Keith, try to locate the old MP Station for me, and get a picture of the building if it's still standing. Darn, one of these days I'm going to try to get down there to see the old Post after all these years. The last time I was in the area was in 1982, and I merely drove by the Gate entrance on my way to Fort Worth.

Keith Robinson		05-Apr-2011 03:10
You guys have some great stories. Thanks for sharing. I'll try to get over to Wolters to get more photos. Keith

Tom Johnson		04-Apr-2011 21:59
Hey, Red, I could probably tell you some stories about the Air Force and us. Your message has really rattled my poor memory (lol). I mentioned the TDY to Incerlik Air Base, and the NCO Club deal. Another problem we had, the old run-down area the AF stuck us in was between the main part of the Base and the Main Gate, so the airmen used to cut across our area. They must have thought we were something less than human because they wouldn't even salute our commander. He would get mad, tell us grab those boys and bring them to my office! We'd snap those youngsters up and drag them into his office, and he would proceed to go up one side and down the other. It finally got to the point, those airmen avoided our area when coming and going to town. What memories! Thanks for jogging them for me!

Tom Johnson		04-Apr-2011 14:34
COLD WAR HEROES By Tom Johnson is now available on Amazon. Pulp goes Top Secret in this military comedy drama set in Europe during the height of the Cold War. A group of misfit MPs must confront spies and the black market while dealing with a boxing tournament on Post! Not since MASH and Soldier In The Rain have we been treated to an inside look at military life with a touch of humor by a soldier who actually experienced it. The novel is loosely based on the author�s experience with the 202nd Military Police Company in France during the 1960s.

Tom Johnson		04-Apr-2011 14:32
I think the best meal I had while in Vietnam was the day I finally left. I was waiting for the Freedom Bird at Tan Son Neut (Not sure about the spelling) Air Base, and left the compound to find an Army Mess Hall. The cook loaded my plate with eggs, SOS, bacon, and yeah the toast looked like it was green. But darn I was starved for something besides C-Rats & K-Rats. I still miss Army chow (lol). fadingshadows@juno.com

Carrol C, "Red" Myers		04-Apr-2011 02:07
Thanks Tom, good to find someone that can relate to what I'm talking about concerning the A.F. When I got in the Army in 51, the Air Force was four years old. They were still wearing the old O.D army uniforms they wore when they were still Army air corp. ( My Father was in it in WW2 ) They didn't get so "cocky" till they started wearing their new blue duds. Thats about the time I was shafted, and put into that odd ball outfit, "Scarwaf". I guess we brought a lot of the grief they gave us on our selves after we got to Wolters. We used to antagonize hell out of them, calling them "bus drivers, sky guys, air dales," and a few other things I won't mention. Until we got there, they were the only occupants of the base, but when we arrived, we greatly outnumbered them. We teased them so badly, the Air Police, "AP's" started getting nasty, and harassing to us. It got so bad, that like your C.O, ours had to intervene demanding that they have M.P's along with the A.P's. That improved that situation. We had our own mess facilities, but when I went to Carswell in Ft Worth on tdy, we had to share their mess hall. The damn cooks tried to starve us to death! We were working out on the flight line, pouring concrete, Right out in that wide open space with no shade in the Texas heat. Needless to say, that would sap your energy, and the stingy bastards in that mess hall holdin back on us, I got so hungry I caught the bus into town one evening to get something to eat, and met a guy from home in the bar and grill I went into. He told me he had been watching me every morning when I came through the chow line, but hadn't said anything because he was afraid it might be a case of mistaken identity. I asked if he had anything to do with the mess hall, and he said he was the first cook. I called him some very bad things, but he assured me that from then on I would be fed.I told him that had to apply to all the men in that detail. When I got back to that Quansit hut, "bake oven" that evening, I told my buddies I had fixed the chow situation, but never told them how. I think they thought I had gone to the base Commander. From then on they were always trying to get me to "fix" things. I really liked the short time I spent in the Army, but would have preferred another assignment. If theres any more old Scarwaf types out there that might see this, i'd appreciate hearing from you. Red Myers, redsshed@tds.net

Tom Johnson		03-Apr-2011 23:35
Enjoyed your memories, especially the comment about the Air Force. While in the Army, I was unlucky enough to be sent TDY to a few Air Force bases also, and we were treated like barbarians by the Air Force. We got back at them at times, though. I was a corporal (NCO grade) when I was sent to Incerlik, Turkey for six months. The Air Force stuck us in some awful shacks, but at least they had walls and a roof. I mention my rank because the Air Force NCO Club allowed nothing but NCOs, and their NCO rank began as E-5. Our commander told them his corporals (E-4s) were NCOs, and they would be given NCO Club Cards. Every time one of us corporals walked into their Club we got some god-awful stares (lol)!

Carrol C, "Red" Myers		03-Apr-2011 04:55
This is a great site. Well done! I was at Wolters just after reactivation, when it was an air force base. My unit the 469th EAB an aviation engineer Battalion was shipped there from Fort Leonard wood Missouri in Febuary 1952. Camp wolters had been closed and pretty much dismantled after WW2 and the few buildings remaining were occupied by the Air Force, resulting in most of the Army engr units living in tents. They were pitched over wooden platforms about four inches off the ground, the walls were framed and screened for ventilation when the sides were rolled up. this did give some relief from the heat, but the wide cracks in the floor gave little protection from tarantulas and scorpions. Mess halls and latrines were tar paper shacks built over concrete slabs. all the streets in the tent areas were dirt, covered with limerock. There was a serious drought that summer, and when any vechicle came down the street, clouds of white as flour dust would drift across the area and cover everything. We had to buy zippered garment bags to protect our clothing. Scarwaf, or special category army reassigned with air force, as we were known, was in many ways, a "bastard" outfit. The Army loaned us out to the Air Force, and they didn't seem to have a lot of love for us. They would put us off on some "shit detail," and we had to scrounge, and steal stuff to do it with. We got sent on TDY a lot to other bases and got a break from sleepin in the tents. I stayed there till October that year and was discharged. I had to work hard, but made many good friends I'd really like to reconnect with. So if anyone reads this, and remembers, please contact me. I went back to Wolters on two ocassions, the first in 62 when the chopper school was operating. I saw a much improved Post than the one I left. The last time I went back, was in 02, and as your pictures depict the once proud old post filled with the sound of bugle calls, and cadence was decaying away. So sad...........

Guest		30-Mar-2011 20:00
Although civilians, my family lived at Fort Wolters when I was a child in 1961. My all-time favorite pet, a stray yellow tabby named Patti, became ours when a neighbor apparently left her behind by mistake. A July storm sent waters through our own duplex--one of the few, if not the only, house to be be flooded because we were in a low spot on base. Another time we woke up to cattle in our backyard when they escaped from a nearby rancher's land. I personally enjoyed the house inspection, where a tall military gentleman came in with white gloves to check out our housekeeping (don't think my mother liked it quite as much). And the woods behind our house was a great place to check out all kinds of wildlife (must be where the tarantulas and bull snakes came from). Much later, during the Vietnam War and after we had moved to Arlington, I briefly dated a young helicopter pilot named Terry Summers from the base who was about to be shipped out. I sometimes wonder if he survived the war intact.

stacie frye		29-Mar-2011 19:55
I am hoping that someone new will see this, and have some sort of information they can provide. I am looking for a gentleman by the name of Clarence E. Willimas who was stationed at Camp Wolters. I have no idea of any dates for when he was there but would greatly appreciate any information I can obtain. thank you Stacie Frye

Katie Mitchell		28-Mar-2011 14:58
On a whim I googled Ft Wolters and was amazed and delighted to find this site. What memories it brings back. I was born in the Nazareth Hospital in Mineral Wells, Nov 1956, and my Dad was a chief inspector at the base...John Mitchell. My earliest memories are of hearing and seeing the Huey's fly over. My dad (WWII vet) was a civilian on the base and I went to public school--but always felt a sense of pride and bonding with the military families. Have visited the area several times since moving away in 1968 and was sad to see the Baker in ruins....but, still can say, it was a GREAT childhood and, the best time in my life. Homesick in Missouri

Young&Stupid		07-Feb-2011 04:27
In the spring of 1970 I was to attend 70-41 but it took the Army a year to get me to Primary Flight. In that year I learned lots of things, one was I was anxious to get out of the Army. Two, on PCS you are permitted to a days grace. For me my report date was Easter Sunday, so I came in the next day and MISSED processing into Wolters/Primary Flight. Little did I know taking the few hours grace meant I was destine to be a 2 week hold over, now waiting for class 70-42 to start... My first night, that vary Monday, since I was on Top's shit list, two other hold overs and my self were sent out to guard the wreckage of a TH55 that crashed late that afternoon. Our orders were "don't let any civilians f--k with the wreckage and don't let any animals have dinner here tonight. Needless to say, a vary LONG nigh with lots to think about.... In the remaining days until my new class started, I can remember mowing lawn n painting rocks white around the hospital. But the most memorable thing I remember now is helping a E6 for a few days take EKG tests for pilot physicals at Wolters. During that time I saw lots of shot up WOs n Louies. I remember one guy looked like he had most of his calf shot off. BUT the most memorable one was a pilot that was burned. Only place he did not have scaring was above his helmet line n where his boots were on. From what I can remember every other place on his body had burn scars. Naturally it gets a tad worse, the next day reporting back to help the same E6 take EKGs (he drank coffee as I did the EKGing) I notice the same burnt guy this time with his nomex flight suit on sitting next to a pretty young woman that I suspected was his wife..... At that moment a little voice in my head sad "the Army ain't gonna do that to my wife"........ Guess it took sometime for my hold over time to sink in because I made it in to class 70-42 (WOCs Little n Raper were my room mates), 6th WOC, Ahead of the rest-ahead of the best I think was our marching cry....... I also remember a TAC officer first luie screaming at me "Don't beadie eye me candidate, Looking leads to liking, liking leads loving and loving leads to fucking AND I DON'T WANNA FUCK YOU BOY"..... Then he jumps in my shit for laughing....... Any way, some place along this line I realized I would be in the Army a totalI of 5 years since I was in a year already, flight school was better part of a year and I would have a 3 year commitment after I got my wings decided, so I decided volunteer in volunteer out...... A decision I REGERT TO THIS SECOND N MOST LIKELY WILL TILL THE DAY I STOP BREATHING...... Happy to be able to say that I did get my commercial rotor wing ticket along with building n flew a great little kit CH-7 Angel helicopter in the early 1990s. I also had perhaps the first web sight on recreational helicopters on the iNet called Sport helicopter n Pilot Global Information Exchange since the kit manufactures for the most part were only interested in receiving your final payment, not your safe flight with there craft. But that was 2o years ago, now it costs $4.oo per minute to rent a R22. Sad to say at 61, not too much I am willing to pay $4.oo a minute to do......... I am looking for WOC/WO Graham Bowles, any one seen him?

Merrilee McCarty Jones		16-Dec-2010 23:23
Thanks for the memories. My dad, Royce McCarty, was an instuctor and I remember going out and looking at the helicopters when I was a little girl.

G. Barnard		08-Dec-2010 11:16
for Thomas Oldham. You must have been about the last one flying from our class. I quit after 25 years. Went on to become paramedic, now retired in fl. George Barnard

Keith Robinson		07-Dec-2010 18:57
Here is a video on youtube many here may enjoy. . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wULbHHjJUjY&feature=player_embedded#!

DFagan		04-Dec-2010 07:31
Thank you for sharing these photos! My dad (Keith Iverson) was a pilot and flight instructor at Fort Wolters and at Southern Airways. I remember going to kindergarten on base and going to the commissary! These pictures brought back memories....when I saw the entrance with the two helicopters on either side I remember driving through there everyday going to school...something I had forgotten until seeing the photo. Thanks for the memories!

R Norris		22-Nov-2010 20:50
I arrived at Ft Wolters in Sept '66 for an ORWAC class but was held over for a month so a contingent of Thai pilots could be trained. A class was limited in size and DA could not hold the Thai pilots for a month. Don't remember the class number but I started Red hat and graduated Gold hat. There was a General's son in the counterpart WORWAC class. The TAC officers had to brief his General father on his progress every night.

Teresa Hickman		09-Nov-2010 05:42
I was a kid fresh out of college, first real job was civil service working on the back 40 of the flight line. I shipped out all the trainers to Fort Rucker,AL. now I live near Ft. Rucker. Met my husband , who was station at Ft Wolters. He was the Post Commander 's driver. Some day I want to go back and look the place over.

Tom Johnson		07-Nov-2010 17:37
Hi Sharon, I think we all taught our wives how to spit shine our boots (LOL). My wife eventually rebelled, and I had to shine them myself (hahaha). I'm sorry I didn't know your husband, as I left Fort Wolters in 1967. But the chopper pilots and medics were really appreciated in Vietnam, believe me! Glad you found the Site.

Guest		07-Nov-2010 02:17
What memories this brings back. My ex-husband, Richard Santmyer, was at Ft. Wolters in 68-69 and I lived off base. He was in Class 69-13 B3 3rd WOC Company. I have pictures of him being thrown in the hotel pool after soloing. I learned to be pretty good at spit shining boots for inspection. lol Our son ended up being born June 3, 1969 at Hunter AAF, GA. on the day Richard received his wings. I would love to hear from anyone from his class. Sharon

Tom Johnson		01-Oct-2010 18:56
I recently learned from the son of Aubrey J. Sharpton that his father, Captain (now Lt/Col) has passed away. He was the Provost Marshall at Fort Wolters while I was there in 1966 & '67. Sad, I remember him as a young man!

Tom Johnson		28-Sep-2010 17:49
Hi Fred & All, I just received the Retirement Service Bulletin from Fort Hood. They are having another Retiree Appreciation Day on October 29th & 30th (I won't be able to make it), They included a map of the Post, but nothing looked familiar (sigh). It would be fun to attend, just to see how much the old Post and Killeen have changed.

frred		26-Sep-2010 22:17
Hey Tom, Thanks for the reply. I did get your private msg in my email. Thanks You're right.. we are practically neighbors in this great state of Texas. That is a funny story about "MP". Well, when you are "gun ho" and young, you will try anything. Who wants to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? But I read history about "D-Day" and the first ones in were the 101st or the 82nd... I remember just before our 1st jump... the instructor told us that when we hit the ground after our first jump, they would have to hide all the 10-T parachutes in Benning because we would want to go up again instantly... lol.. and he was right The most gratefying about the whole training is when the Colonel jumps with you on last jump and we line up in formation and he comes around and pines those wings on our chest followed by a salute and a loud "Ariborne" we respond with "all the way, Sir"... Getting emotional here so I will let go with that... Take care Tom and thanks again for the connect.

Tom Johnson		26-Sep-2010 21:55
Hi Fred, I sent you a private e-mail, but thought I would post a quick reply here in case you didn't get it. I arrived at Fort Wolters in June 1966, and the unit was well established, so I'm assuming it had been there all along. Recruiters often make major mistakes. I had a friend in France who was a GM trained auto mechanic, so the Recruiter wrote "MP" on the paperwork for Motor pool. This guy was slapped in the MPs instead! All that training was wasted! I entered under the Buddy System with two other boys from Seymour (Texas), and we signed up for Airborne, but thankfully we each had a profile that kept us out of Jump School (I didn't really want to jump out of planes anyway - ha). I was a farm and ranch boy, what did I know about parachutes?

Fred Acosta		25-Sep-2010 23:40
Hey Tom, Thanks for the welcome. We have a lot in common duty wise except for you in the MPs. As a matter of fact, when I enlisted the recruiter assured me I would go to MP school. Wrong... I was sent to Radio & Lineman at Gordon. Had a Brother in Germany in the MPs Correct me if I'm wrong. You sharp MPs were everywhere at Hood but I did not see one of you guys all the while I was at Wolters in 65-66. May you all came along after? In any event, Wolters was a quiet place, I think. Except for the WOCs having their dances at the PX hall. I remember lovely young ladies arriving at the base in buses out of Dallas to entertain the WOCs. I must say those young men deserved a bit of "R&R" from their training. What have you published, Tom? If you have books out let me know, I would sure like to read your work. I am living in Abilene, Tx now have a son in the Air Force, he was stationed here at Dyess AFB but got orders for Germany. He's a flight engineer. Proud of him Well Tom, take care of yourself ole man. My email is zero5bravo@yahoo.com. Drop me a line now and then... Thanks again for the welcome... God Bless you and yours. Fred

Tom Johnson		25-Sep-2010 22:28
Hi Fred, Welcome Home Brother! I was with the 84th MPs at Wolters from 1966 to '67. Our PM was Captain Sharpton. Basic at Fort Carson, then AIT at Fort Gordon. First duty station was Fort Hood, 720th MPs. Had a hard time getting out of the 4th Army, except Korea and Vietnam, plus one nice 3-year tour in France. Spent most of my time at Fort Sam Houston, Fort Bliss, and even made it to Fort Bragg for a while. Retired in February '79, but went into publishing instead of law enforcement. Forced to retire in 2004 after a stroke, but I'm still active at 70 (lol).

Fred Acosta		25-Sep-2010 20:17
Hello to my fellow Vets, thank you for serving... I was stationed at Wolters in early '65 and '66 with the 303rd Army Security Agency. The 385th Security Agency was base there at the time also. The pics here bring back lots of good memories. After tours @ Ft. Hood with the 2nd Armored Division, Camp Kaiser Korea with the 7th Infantry and jump school at Benning, it was a rather quiet tour of duty. The only loud noise was the "whirly birds" being flown by fearless WOCs. I learned lots of respect for those young men after my tour in "Nam" in 66-67 with the 19th Engineer Battalion "Stronger Than Dirt". I reuppped in 65 to go back to Korea, but I ended up @ Wolters. I was born and raised in west Texas and joined up to get out and "see the world" My first tour after basic and AIT at Ft. Gordon was @ Ft. Hood. After the reup I was send down here to Wolters. After numerous 10-49s to Korea I must have p***** someboy off and there I go to Nam. But, no regrets. The comradiere, brotherhood, and fellowship in the Army was worth it. So I went "lifer" got out in 81. Thank you to the individual responsible for placing the Wolters photos on line... after my ETS I became a Texas Peace Officer and on one occasion, I think it was in mid 80s, I drove to Ft Worth from El Paso and went by Wolters on my way and drove around the old base. I could not help but get emotional, Imagine me a big Deputy Sheriff in a Sheriff's car just driving around with tears in my eyes. Thank you for your time reading this. If you or someone you know was with the 303rd or 385th drop a line here a maybe we can remenise. My name is Fred and I am now 66 years young, retired. Take care and God Bless.

Tom Johnson		22-Sep-2010 12:15
Cindy, if you need a Book Review, contact me at fadingshadows@juno.com

case54		17-Sep-2010 15:30
I just found this site by accident. I can't believe it! I just finished a book called "Dear Mrs. Gray," about my great uncle Warren who was a cook and baker at Camp Wolters from 1942-1945. The book is based on letters he wrote to my great aunt while serving in the Army. It talks about the Baker Hotel, The Mineral Wells area, Hell's Bottom, Dry Creek, all of it. Camp Wolters was his home for three years. If you want to read more about it, check out Amazon.com or Smashwords.com. Amazon allows you to read the first 6 pages of the book. Smashwords allows you to read the first 50 pages of the book. Enjoy the trip back to Camp Wolters during WW II.

Gary L Hampton		09-Aug-2010 19:46
I was a sp/5 heavy equipment operator in the 864th Engineer Bn from April 1963 untill september 1964. I enjoyed my time at Wolters. I was in Co.C and we built stage field 5 out west of town South of of highway 180 on the Brazos river. I married a local girl and settled in Mineral Wells after returning from VietNam in November 67'. I worked at Southern Airways as a helicpter flight test mechanic untill I went to work for the Post Office in Mineral Wells in April 68'. When we seperated I moved to California then retired to Indiana. I still visit my daughter in Mineral Wells and visit the old haunts .I am a member of the VFW post 2399 there.

Thomas Oldham		30-Jul-2010 14:52
This is a cool site. I graduated 69-31 in May 1969. I then went to Ft. Rucker like a lot did to finish flight. My last flight in an Army helicopter was Oct 2007. I flew for almost all those year for the Army as a Warrant and a DAC at Ft. Rucker. This site bring back may memories. Thanks.

Charles E. Wells		06-Jul-2010 23:03
Hello all that were in the 328th there at Wolters. It was a big part of my life for three years after graduating from North Texas in Jan. 69. Can look back now and say that being there probably saved my live and helped me become a better musician and hopefully person. Can,t say how many were graduates of old NTSU but remember at least six or seven of us there during those three years. I can testify for sure that the 328th had some of the finest musicians anywhere and there was very little if anything we couldn,t play. From jazz band to brass choir to concert band to marching band all you guys were the greatest and I have only lasting admiration and respect for all of you. I didn,t know it at the time but my dad was stationed there during basic in WW11. Also my brother in law Talmidge Hines WO4 was also stationed there a few years ahead of me. Can anyone beat that chance? I remember NEVER having a single weekend off during my three years there, as we were always playing for rodeos, parades, pass in reviews, graduations, and politcal gatherings, even for Ross Perot. I do remember the very sobering sight of almost daily body bags being flown in to the back of the hospital in back of the band hall. Sometimes several a day! Yes, the heat was terrible, especially one summer for 45 days it never got below 100 degrees, not even at night. Remember the Blue Norther that almost blew everyone away on the parade field. Temp droped from over 100 to below 70 in less than a minute! I am retired now after teaching music in grades 5 thru Jr. College in Texas and Kansas and so put much I learned there at Wolters to good use. A special thanks to all of you who put up with me going through a very difficult time for all of us. I have nothing but the best to say about any of you. Sgt Rommilett was great to know as were you all. Would like to meet again sometime as have never been back to Mineral Wells since 72. Thanks for the memories. Spc5 Charles E Wells

Tom Johnson		04-Jul-2010 18:53
After all these years, I've tried to recall names from from the 84th MPs in 1966 & '67, when I was at Wolters, but few come to mind today. I remember an E-6 named Reynolds, and an E-6 named Redder (not sure about that spelling). Our Provost Marshall was Captain Aubrey J. Sharpton, Jr., and though just a captain, he had the guts of a full-bird colonel. He took care of his MPs! My brother-in-law, Jackie Martin, was in the Post Motor Pool during that time. I believe he was an E-6 also. Tall, and skinny, with a hawk nose, Jackie died quite a few years ago. A shame how memory slips away from us!

Marge(using friends computer		21-Jun-2010 20:32
I cannot believe this!!!!!!!! For years I have been searching and waiting to find someone who knew MP Steve Harp.... I knew him and loved him... I named my son after Stephen Ray Harp from Susanville, California and was there for his memorial sevice held in that chapel at Fort wolters. So many years passed. Time is a Traveler and I have always remmebered Steve Harp and have two pictures of him in my living room. Always in my heart forever.

Randall Norris		14-Jun-2010 08:46
I was at Wolters from Sept. 11, 1969 until I was discharged for arthritis on Jan. 19, 1970. Got separated from my buddies in 10th WOC from Ft. Polk (eyes), two weeks as Snowbird, then assigned to 2nd Woc. My TAC officer was a Polish guy, can't remember his name. Went to the hospital 24 hours from flight line. Anyone in 2nd or 10th WOC would love to hear from you. Would also love to hear from anyone who has one of our Ft. Polk Basic books I can buy or scan and return. Or MP Beetle Bailey, Books or Richard Pennington from Boone, North Carolina. MP Steve Harp was my buddy. Killed in car wreck in Weatheford. Also would love to hear from anyone who knew Dr. Beletti, or anyone who was with, or knew about accident where Somsky was killed at Rucker. Anyone knowing whereabouts of Walter Olds, California kid, or Jon Ridenhour from Pensacola, Florida would love to hear from you. Sorry to bother you guys with this, but I'm pretty much on the way out gang and would just like to say goodbye to some old friends and clear up a very confusing time in my life. Any help appreciated. Thanks very much for any information. I didn't make it through Wolters, but I made it through life I guess; two kids, three grandkids, and twin five year old grandsons. Meaner than snakes ha! That's good enough. Thanks for any help, and thanks for all the good memories! Dr. Randall Norris, Ph.D. Former Professor Sauk Valley Community College Dixon, IL Senior Fulbright Scholar Author: Women of Coal, Highway 61: Heart of the Delta norrisr@svcc.edu

Dawn		19-May-2010 05:15
I am proud to say that I am an instructor at Fort Wolters and I have enjoyed looking at these pictures. I drive pass these buildings every day for work and I have even made extra time to drive around to look at the hospital and the theatre and any building I can get close to. I just wanted to say thank you to all who served and/or supported our soldiers that served at Fort Wolters. I am glad to be a part of history myself. Thanks Keith for the pictures!! SSgt Bridges, 6 yrs Air Force and counting..... tink41503@yahoo.com

Guest		10-May-2010 21:45
Tnx for the memorys 9th WOC class 6945 wolters & 6949 Rucker. Man, that was a long time ago.

Guest		09-May-2010 18:24
My dad went through basic training at Camp Wolters in 1943. I went through flight school there in 1967. Thanks for the memories from both of us.

Tom Johnson		16-Apr-2010 00:35
Here's something for the officers that were stationed at Fort Wolters. Sometime in late '66, the MPs were requested to contact the Officer's Club one evening. I took the call and met with an officer at the Club, and he told me they were pulling a trick on the officers, and had a Hubert Humphrey look alike scheduled to make an appearance that evening, and asked for a team of MPs to pull a complete security check of the building just prior to his arrival. Humphrey was the VP under LBJ at that time. So we walked in on a bunch of unsuspecting officers that evening, and went through a security check of the building as requested, and then stood by the door as the pseudo VP entered the building with his Secret Service, then we left. But not before we saw some surprised faces at the Officer's Club!

Guest		14-Apr-2010 15:28
I am trying to locate Charles Phelvis...he was an MP at Fort Wolters until approximately December, 1965. If any of you remember him then or know him now, I would appreciate any informtion you could provide.

Guest		14-Apr-2010 02:18
I am trying to locate Charles Phelvis...he was an MP at Fort Wolters until approximately December, 1965. If any of you remember him then or know him now, I would appreciate any informtion you could provide.

PE Yarnell		07-Apr-2010 04:34
My family lived on the deactivated base for two year, from about the summer of 1947 until 1949. My father worked for a company named ABC and we had been relocated there from Chicago. I was only in the 1st and 2nd grade when we lived there. Our first residence was a barracks (upper floor) very similar to the one in this photo (IMG_1050). The 'powers that be' relocated us to an old mess hall at some point. I remember a family of skunks at our back door and a cow chasing me up the steps into the house. We were moved again to a third barracks, which I believe was also a mess hall, but I'm not sure. It's hard to recall much from that time. I am now 67 and both my parents have passed on. I have really, really enjoyed looking at these pictures and recalling the fun time my brother and I had while living on the base. [There was not so fun times too, like having the red measles in the middle of the first summer we were there and then sometime the next spring having a very severe case of chicken pox.] If there is anyone out there who lived on the deactivated base from sometime in 1947 to 1949 (about) I'd love to hear from you. We were bused to Travis Elementary School in Mineral Wells when I was in the 1st and 2nd grades. Thanks for the memories. [have also posted under the photo (IMG_1050)

LIONEL BEAUDOIN		03-Apr-2010 20:02
I was stationed at Camp Walters from July 1964, then864th engr left April or May of 1965 to go to Cam-Ranh Bay, Viet-Nam. I was with the 864th for 2 1/2 years Nove 1966 I was a mechanic on the heavy equipment dozers, graders,and 830M scraper.

Eddie Watkins		21-Mar-2010 19:12
I spent several great years at Fort Wolters. My father was stationed there from approximately 1961-1967. It was a great place to live. Played little league baseball in the summer, I was on the Cardinals and it seemed that the Dodgers would come in first place every year, jumping on my bike and heading off to all directions on the Post, from sunup to sundown. I attended Lamar Elem. and Robert E, Lee Jr. High. I had some wonderful years there. It was a great place to grow up in. I have many fond memories of the old Fort. Edwin (Eddie) Watkins

Tom Johnson		13-Mar-2010 12:55
More great old pictures of Wolters. If I remember correctly, the barracks were divided into two-man rooms; that would probably be two window areas. Although I was assigned a room to myself. At the time, these barracks were the best I had been assigned to in the Army. They were very modern at the time. I was on the second floor, and we had maid service. Oddly, the only movie I remember seeing at the Post Theater was Tarzan And The Valley of Gold, the first one with Mike Henry. My wife and I were both Tarzan fans, and were some of the first in line for the movie. I'm sure we went to see other films. Thanks for these wonderful memories!

Tom Johnson		27-Feb-2010 14:09
I love the new pictures on the Site, especially the Map. As an MP, I patrolled the Post for almost a year, and recognize some of the landmarks: Officer's Club, NCO Club, the barracks area, Provost Marshall office, HQ. Thanks for the memories!

Tom Johnson		22-Feb-2010 00:00
Thank you, Ann! And thank your brother and son for us, their service means a lot to all of us. After being in the Army for over 8 years, Fort Wolters was the first Army Post with modern barracks that I experienced. I thought the Post was actually very scenic, quite unlike most Army Post I had been to. I was only there for seven or eight months (1966 to '67), but always wanted to go back. Never did. Instead, I went to places like Korea and Vietnam! (lol)

Ann Hilmanowski		21-Feb-2010 18:03
I am glad to find this website about Fort Wolters. I so enjoyed looking at the photos, and reading memoirs. I am saddened Fort Wolters was allowed to fall into disrepair. I spent a short two weeks at Fort Wolters, July, 1973. I was almost 15 years old. My Dad, and Army Reserve Officer, was assigned his annual two week active duty to Fort Wolters, teaching air strategy to some of the Shah's boys. He brought all of his family, Mom, my two brothers, my siter, me, and our two dogs with him. For me, a carefree kid, it was like a summer vacation. I remember the pool, the PX, and the Commisary. I remember the helicopters flying around. I remember going into Mineral Wells, and fishing at Possum Kingdom. I remember riding my bike all over Fort Wolters. I watched Spotted skunks and Collared Lizards by the creek. I hiked in the hills, and had snakes slither, and taratulas scuttle away from me. I remember the Mockingbird that sang in the tree out front of the house we were assigned. I remember my Dad telling me just about every morning, "Ann, whatever you do today, STAY OUT OF THE FIRING RANGE!" Even though I spent such a short time at Fort Wolters, it made such a big impression on me, seeing what people who make their business minding our national defense do. Thankyou to all who served at Fort Wolters. Thankyou to all Vets and Servicemen and Servicewomen for the freedom we enjoy. My youngest brother grew up and served during Desert Storm. My son has now served two deployments to Iraq. Without our strong military we wouldn't have what we have. Thank you, and God bless the U.S.A.

Tom Materene		15-Feb-2010 01:31
Will the owner of this photo set please contact me. I have a question about the photo of the crafts shop. In the photo there is an Opel Kadet Rallye Sport parked in front of the crafts shop and I think this may have been myself in 1967. I was stationed out at Alvarado Texas with the Nike Hercules site, our sister battery was there at Wolters as well as our finance office and of course the hospital was also for our use if we so desired. We were allowed to use several sources for sick call and could choose where we wanted to go. I really can't remember why I was there but the timing and car are in sync.

GEORGE PAPPAS		08-Dec-2009 17:41
My name is George Pappas. I was in the Army (SCARWAF) at Wolters AFB March 55 to Sep 56. I was trained as a heavy equipment operator at Ft Leonard Wood. Upon arriving at Wolters they made me the Battalion Finance Clerk. I really enjoyed my tour there even as a draftee. I went with a local girl for a year and a half..name Joanne Boyle almost married her but I was homesick and she wouldn't move to Indy..She still lives in Mineral Wells...I lived in one of the old barracks shown in your pictures.

Alan Hall		29-Nov-2009 16:36
To all the old 328th Army Band Members, I was a "junkman" (could fill in on almost anything from trumpet to keyboards to baritone horn to French horn and even Bass drum and tymphami). Mianly was a guitarist, but that's another story with the TCU jazz band and Miss Texas who played Thomas Jefferson's wife in the original Braodway play of 1776 and why I played a guitar solo for her. Last time I was down there, the old "Ist WOC" where I was a WOC was a detention camp for juvenile offenders, and nobody much remembers how we flew silly little helicopters here there and everywhere. Got plenty war stories, and they're all true, including later ones with the Air FORCES Reserve, but that's another story Would like to meet again any of us Ol' guys played in the 328th Army Band. Especially or Top Saregent Ed Green or Curtis: best tenor sax jazz players I've ever had the luck to jam with. And, yes, in later years, I came back and practiced Emergency Medicine in the new hospital in Mineral Wells I help found. Still a middlin' part of the faculty over to Weatherford College. Alan Alan H. Hall, M.D. TCMTS, Inc. Laramie ,WY (307) 745-0600 Cell Phone: (307) 399-1564

Guest		29-Nov-2009 01:31
My father in law was trained in heavy, weapons before deploying to Phillipines and Japan . . . WW II. He was part of the Army's 33rd (midwest) division. 13-th Infantry regiment, 53 batallion. I have a cousin who was a Vietnam helicopter pilot trained at Ft. Wolters. I appreciate the Ft Wolters honor of Viet vets but don't forget the historical vet like my father in law. I wanted to get him a Ft Wolters baseball cap for Christmas. . . . . guess I will have to have it custom made.

Guest		20-Nov-2009 16:52
John, I was a Trombone player in the 328th Oct 65-Oct 68. I kind of remember you. I have been in contact with a bunch of the guys and could get you some E mail adresses. I think I was a Spec 5 when you were there and ready to get out . Contact me at rgs946@hotmail.com Bob S

John Batcheller		19-Nov-2009 22:57
I was in the 328th Army Band here from Nov '67 thru June '68. I was a drummer and the company clerk until I was ordered to Viet Nam where I joined the 9th Inf. Div. Band. Would love to reconnect with some of the guys there.

Guest		11-Nov-2009 05:21
I am Lonnie Eason.I own the old catholic Chapel On The Hill at Ft. Wolters and would enjoy seeing any old photos or other info on the church or base. email eason1966@gmail.com

Guest		07-Nov-2009 15:57
Thank you for establishing this site. I have been trying to find info on my father-in-law, William L. Smith who trained at Camp Wolters, Texas, 1942. It helps to put his life together seeing where he trained and served. He died in 1979 before we knew to get all his great stories. He was a happy, playful man that loved his country. Peggy

C.B.		15-Oct-2009 14:53
To T.J. Parry- The motel you mentioned, and pool is still there, just another name. The rotor blades are now at the Vietnam war museum located across the highway, catty corner from Wolters. There is a static display of a UH-1 and some memorial plaques and I think now, a model of the Washington D.C. Vietnam memorial wall. Wolters is a very special place full of history. If you did not know, it was one of the largest forts that trained soldiers for WWII. Audy Murphy went to basic training there! The place had been a military post since the 20's.

Richard (Daniels) Hill		05-Oct-2009 18:04
I was an Army brat living on Camp Wolters 1957-1959. I remember living for the base swimming pool to open in the summer and going to the Teen Club on Saturday night. We moved to Airport Hights, 59-61. I left and joined the Air Force but the brothers and sisters stayed but all eventually left by 1971.

John Samuel Tieman		15-Sep-2009 13:24
PS: My email is jstieman@aol.com .

John Samuel Tieman		15-Sep-2009 13:17
I played clarinet and sax with the 328th. I was there from 1969 until 1970, when I was sent to the 4th Infantry Division Band in the Nam. Today I am a teacher and a writer. I just published a collection of my poetry, much of it about Vietnam, entitled "A Concise Biography Of Original Sin", which is available through Amazon.com. Poetry is where my musical energy now goes. Besides writing, I am a teacher these days. I think a reunion is an interesting idea. I've corresponded with Doug Skinner, and have heard of the whereabouts of a few others.

Janet Thibault		05-Sep-2009 11:51
We,(my family & I) spent 6 years at Fort Wolters. From 1953 to 1959. We lived at the housing development on base. It was still a SCARWAF installation when we got there. I went to Mineral Wells high school. I loved living on base. My years in Texas were wonderful, and altho I am an Army brat, I always state, when asked, that "I am from Texas".

Steve Elias ( Shelton)		12-Aug-2009 03:49
I was born at Beech Army Hospital Feb 2 1971.I am told that I was the last baby born in the hospital. My birth held up my fathers flight group from going to Vienam for a few weeks. It is really great to see these pictures thank you.

Bradley Halfhill		23-Jul-2009 00:41
My dad went to flight school here cica 67-68 and came back as a TAC in 70 after his first tour in Vietnam. I was born in 61 but have memories of Mineral Wells and Ft Wolters. We lived in a trailer park and I attended Travis elementary and Davey Crockett elementary. Thanks for posting these pics. And thanks to all of you Vietnam era veterans!

douglas shortall		04-Jun-2009 01:21
I was 11 years from rhode island whem my family went to fort wolters in 1969. they made us get out of the pool when they landed on the moon! I saw a lot of movies there. rode the horses,split my head open.(poor mom) there were five kids. we stayed at the town & county trailer park. some thing i will never forget. After wolters it was off to rucker. fun times. douglas shortall

Guest		24-May-2009 05:00
If anyone in the area is interested in providing a sort of history tour that trained at Wolters, I would be very interested as would my current soldiers. Ft. Wolters is very active, many do not know this. Soldiers, Marines, Guard, Air Force and the Navy still have pre-deployment rotations through Ft. Wolters. Although Ft. Wolters has changed dramatically it still provides a very precious commodity, training our military forces! If interested e mail me at michael.breito@tx.ngb.army.mil

Corbet		11-Apr-2009 22:29
Great historical photos. I actually was checking out the hospital today taking pictures. I knew it woul've had something to do with the camp, but I wasn't sure until now.

Kay		06-Apr-2009 23:25
I'm searching for info about William Daugherty stationed at Camp Wolters in 1944. Anything would be appreciated.

Fred Fischer		28-Mar-2009 20:44
The area shown in the following: Heliport #2, FtWolters_TX_66.jpg and Remains of heliport #2 tower Are of the only Heliport that existed when I arrived in Aug '65, simply known as The Heliport. After the construction of Downing Heliport it was thence referred to as The Main Heliport. On the map (Staging Fields), it is denoted as Wolters AHP. Item 222838242_o.jpg during WW-II. Items Heliport #2 and 222838242_o.jpg, are roughly looking from the West toward the East. Item FtWolters_TX_66.jpg appears to have been taken from the tower, roughly looking toward the South. The heliports were: Main: On post - Fort Wolters Downing: Adjacent to Mineral Wells municipal airfield. Built late 1967. Dempsey: Out by Possum Kingdom Lake.

Fred Fischer		28-Mar-2009 16:34
Pat Lassalle Pilgrim: I was a Southern OH-23 IP from Aug '65 to Sep '69. Most of those years spent in Billy Choate's flight where your dad was Assistant Flight Commander. Both, two fine gentlemen, of whom I have fond memories.

Ron Heuss		21-Mar-2009 23:49
Someone mentioned setting a chopper down in a mall. I can recall an individual who thought it was fun to chunk beer cans at fishermen on Possum Kingdom lake. All went well until he chunked a few at the post commander.

Ron Heuss		21-Mar-2009 23:47
Hi Tom--great idea! I would love to have a reunion at the old fort, just to remember some pain and misery, if nothing else.

Pat Lassalle Pilgrim		17-Mar-2009 00:15
My Dad, Bill Lassalle, was an IP at Wolters from 1957 to about 1972. I grew up on the base and married a "town" boy. The pictures bring back wonderful memories of all the places I used to go to by the bus that made a loop around the base. Thanks for the pictures and for all of the service you gave to keep us free. My son is in his second tour of Iraq. Thank God for our military. Pat Lassalle Pilgrim

Tom Johnson		10-Mar-2009 15:08
Hi Ron, I think a reunion would be great. Not just for the band, but all who were assigned to Fort Wolters in the past. I would certainly love to see the old Fort again. If you start taking names and emails, I think I've listed mine already, but here it is again: fadingshadows@juno.com Drop me a note if you arrange for a reunion some time.

Ron Heuss		08-Mar-2009 23:45
I served in the 328th Army band from October 1967 - July 1970. I recently visited the old Fort and took pictures. Part of the old band practice room is there and three of the band's barracks that were occurpied during my tenure are still in place, but in ruin. Beach Army hospital is in ruin, as is most of the facility. Most band members remember the end of the month parades and graduation ceremonies that took place on a vacant lot just south of the hospital. I would be interested in a reunion if possible. I do have several contacts.

Ron Harmon		23-Feb-2009 19:59
I was stationed at Fort Wolters from July 1967 to August 1968. I was a Spec5 assigned to the motor pool. I can remember seeing the missiles raised on the north side of the Fort. Many memories there. I can remember the drive-in outside of Mineral Wells that had I think was like .50 cent carload night. I can remember seeing Bonnie and Clyde there with a whole group of us. I drove for Colonel Robert M. Prater.

Tom Johnson		17-Feb-2009 00:17
Hi Tom, I was only there from June '66 to February '67. Not long, but I really liked it at Fort Wolters. I remember one of the trainees setting a "chopper" down in that little Mall just off Post. He had some some trouble with it. I bet he had more trouble when his commander got through with him (lol). But no one was injured in the incident. Loved Mineral Wells also. I guess you went straight to 'Nam when you left Wolters?

T. J. Parry		16-Feb-2009 19:06
Hi, my name is Tom. I spent six months at Fort Wolters back in January-June 1973. Looking back, the experience turned out to be one of the most memorable periods of my life. I was a Warrant Officer Candidate (WOC), attending Primary Helicopter Flight School, I think my class was number 73-35, and I remember with affection my classmates, all twelve or so of us. What an intense period of my life; up at 5:00 AM and off for the daily jog with the TAC Officer, then breakfast and then on to class or the flight line. No walking, it was run, run run, everywhere except the flight line that is. The TH-55 was the primary trainer, and after some trying first few hours, we were soon flying the pattern of the stage fields and practicing autorotations with the instructor. I still remember like it was yesterday, the bus stopping at the Holiday Inn in Mineral Wells and being tossed into the pool by our classmates the day of our first solo flight. The crossed UH-I Huey rotor blades adjacent to the pool were placarded, "under these blades have passed the finest aviators in the world" or something to that effect. The motel is no longer there, but I believe the blades now reside at the WOC Museum at Fort Rucker. While attending a party one weekend at Possum Kingdom, I met a girl from Texas Women's University who I later married and is now my wife of 35 years. I will never forget the fun we had at the class parties and the "purple passion punch." The whole Fort Wolters experience is one of which, I will treasure for life. I have just recently retired after a successful career in commercial helicopter aviation, and to think it all started with the training, knowledge and safety habits I learned at Fort Wolters. In retrospect, the US Army and the training turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.

Kelly Sherman		10-Feb-2009 04:39
Hello , My Name Is Kelly, I just Love Looking at these great pictures, its really amazeing to see the old base in all of its glory, back in its glory days. My Great Grandfather Was a Janitor, at the base, for many years, not sure how long, and what years, but i know he was there in the 60's his name was Earl Watson, from weatherford, texas. i would sure love to see some pictures of him, at the fort, if there is any and if anyone has some. i love history, so i will be checking out your site more, thanks Kelly Sherman Odessa Texas

Dean Peloso		10-Jan-2009 17:16
To Franklin P. Uroda, My name is Dean Peloso my Unlce George Antonhty Peloso was stationed there in the late 40's or early 50's. He was a talented painter and was asked by the chaplin at that time to paint the 12 stations of the cross, which he did. My family used to have photographs of the paintings, but they have been lost. I was wondering if you every saw them in your time there and if you aware of any pcitures of them. Any informtion will be appreciated. My email address is nynydp@aol

Fred Muller		30-Dec-2008 22:04
Fred Muller email is fmuller@associated-allied.net of patandfredmuller@comcast.net

Fred Muller		30-Dec-2008 21:40
I came to Wolters from Brooklyn with the Fighting 328th. I have talked to Streemke and Carpenter and Wong. Anybody else out there? 630-514-5852. God Bless America.

Guest		29-Dec-2008 20:51
Ron. I was a T bone player with the 328th , 65-68. A Ron I remember was from Albany Tx. I have been in contact with a few of the guys that you might remember. A reunion? It would be cool to hear from you, Will give you the E mail addys of the guys I have been in contact with. My email rgs946@ hotmail.com Bob S.

Ron Heuss		28-Dec-2008 23:44
I played trumpet in the 328th Army Band at Ft. Wolters in the late 1960s. Since I was there for over two years, I interested in contacting anyone who served in the band from 1967 - 1970 to discuss a possible reunion. Thanks Ron

Kaye Queen		26-Dec-2008 23:14
I am an avid history buff and would love to go inside some of the abandoned buildings here. I attended class at Weatherford College here on the base. I loved the building. My husband was an instructor at the time and he spent a lot of time in the building (the one that houses the Police Academy, Beauty School and not to long ago the EMT Program) he said alot of unexplainable things happened there. I have driven around the base and can only imagine what it was like back when it was active. If anyone knows who to contact to get into some of the old abandoned barracks and espically the hospital PLEASE contact me. To those of you who were stationed at the base, my hats off to you, thank you for being courageous and taking on the task of defending in our country in Peace and War.

Tom Johnson		10-Nov-2008 18:53
I was with the 84th MPs from about May 1966 to February '67. I loved the unit, town, and the base! A great assignment. We rented off base. I remember buying a house full of furniture from Sears at the little Mall next to the theater off base. I regret not taking any pictures, so was thrilled to find all the photos on your Site. Thanks for the memories.

Judy Richards Shubert		07-Sep-2008 16:56
I was born in Mineral Wells, grew up there, and went to work at the PX in 1962 after high school. Your wonderful photos bring back a lot of memories! I worked in the PX office from 1962 - 1965 under a wonderful woman, Dorothy �Dot� Calhoun, also originally from Mineral Wells. One of my co-workers introduced me to my future husband, a soldier from Tennessee stationed at Fort Wolters with the 303rd ASA. I met a lot of young men who eventually finished their training and went off to fight in Vietnam. Most of their names and faces escape my memory now but their courage and their enthusiasm still are remembered. Thank you for sharing these photographs.

James Connor		02-Sep-2008 03:07
Hi, I was at a place called Edgmeed which was on the old base. Im an Army brat but the place I was in had nothing to do with the service. We were ontop of a hill overlooking the hospital, gym, and pool. I was there in about 1978. We used 2 baricks, a rec hall, admin bldg, 5 houses. Soposadly Edgmeed owend the pool but leased it to the city. Allso owned the hospital and gym. If any one knows about Edgmeed please let me know. We had a softball team one year and allso a bowling team.

Carol (Boling) Short		30-Aug-2008 20:54
My husband was just looking at pictures of my father and saw he had on a t-shirt that said Camp Wolters on it, so I started browsing the internet to see what I could find and stumbled upon your wonderful site. Dad was drafted in March 1942 but I'm not sure if he went to Minnesota first or if it was Texas so need to apply for his military papers and learn more about his time in the Army. Can't tell you how much I appreciate that you brought part of my dad's past to life for me. I tried to get some information from him a few years before he died but he suffered permanent brain damage from a motorcycle accident he had in 1958 so there were many things he knew he should know but just couldn't recall it anymore. He passed away when he was 75 in 1993 so now it's up to me to put the puzzle together for my niece so I can pass on whatever genealogy information I have collected for the past 30 plus years. God bless all of you who serve our country with pride, who stand up for our rights as American citizens. We pray for you every day and appreciate your service to our country. Your patriotism is a thing of pride and we appreciate all you do.

Jessica		08-Aug-2008 13:48
Hi, My husband is training at Fort Wolters right now and has a day pass this weekend so I have to pick him up. I've tried mapquesting directions but it never gives me straight directions on how to get there. I'm worried I will get lost. I will be coming from Dallas, TX. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

Gennie Merrifield		07-Aug-2008 22:08
I'm only beginning to learn about Fort Wolters. I was wondering if annuals were made of the trainees during each session? Thanks for any information!

Debbie		01-Aug-2008 17:03
TO MATT FISH: I would love to see the pictures you have. Can you contact me?

Franklin P. Uroda		16-Jul-2008 23:24
Hi, I was the Catholic Chaplain at Fort Wolters (June 71-Nov 72). For me it's pretty eerie to visit the post: in my mind I replay the sights and sounds of the men and aircraft back then. Whew! I had a great time being Chaplain. I live in Tyler, Tx now.

Guest		06-Jul-2008 22:33
My father-in-law Lee W. Dreves was stationed at Ft.Wolters from 1943-1944. He recently passed and my husband and I were curious if anyone had any information about him, old photos or anything. He was from Sioux City,Ia. We enjoyed looking at the web site and look forward to any information anyone has. Cynthia Dreves

Tracy Blunk		13-Jun-2008 21:48
JAMES TRAVIS I am looking for James who was stationed at Fort Walters sometime around 1940- 1946. He would probably be deceased, so I am also looking for any children or relatives of his. He is a friend of one of my relatives and from what I was told, he was born in Montreal/Quebec Canada in the early 1900's. He was in the Army as enlisted. He at sometime lived in St.Louis,Missouri,which is where he supposedly enlisted. There is a chance he also was stationed in Chicago, Illinois or Mississippi. If anyone has any knowledge of this James,please email me at ttravi02@hotmail.com. I am doing a family biography so any information would be extremely helpful. I also have a pic of James if interested, just email me.

BETTY BOYCE		10-Jun-2008 21:04
i am looking for a marine named Dennis Kaskovich J.R. who was vacationing in barbados with his parents in 1989 or1990 your waitress all the best from BARBADOS

Guest		27-May-2008 20:00
I am looking for someone that was enlisted at camp walters, I am not really sure what year it was. The person I am looking for is named Clarence E. Williams. I know he was stationed there and that is all I know. If you could help with any information, or anyone that could help me, please e-mail me at smallfrye35@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for any information. stacie frye

mike vigus		20-Apr-2008 21:25
It is nice to see the photos of Ft. Wolters. It is quite nostalgic for me. I spent my growing up years there. My father Raymond E. Vigus was stationed there from 1960 until 1968. My friends and I covered a lot of ground on that base with our bikes. I believe I recognize just about every building that shows up on these old picture sites. This base is kind of like my Home Town (Wolters Village that is. I learned to play baseball and other sports here and even how to make a snowman in the winter. It did get very cold and snowy at times. I remember the Base being integrated when the Town Mineral Wells was still segregated. I have a lifetime of memories from this place even though I only spent 8 of my 54 years there. Mike Vigus

Eddie Carpenter		02-Apr-2008 03:12
Contact info: E. Carpenter, 328th Army Band, Oct. 66-May 68 Sousa----eddie0623@gmail.com

Guest		02-Apr-2008 03:07
Eddie Carpenter eddie0623@gmail.com 328th Army Band, Ft Wolters, TX Oct. 66-May 68.

Eddie Carpenter		02-Apr-2008 02:20
R. McElwee, Schuler, Keiser, VanZanbergen, Schneider, Matos, Skillern, Wong, Reisenhour (?) Chirello(?) , Shank(?)

Guest		11-Mar-2008 20:59
Hey Eddie I was in the band with you. You played the sousaphone I was a trombone player. Have been in contact with some guys you might remember. Visited wolters in 1995 took pics, even our old barrack was still standing. Post your e mail addy and I'll get in touch BS

Eddie Carpenter		06-Feb-2008 05:21
I was with the 328th Army Band when it came to Ft. Wolters from Brooklyn Army Terminal in Oct. 66. A staged marching into Ft. Wolters picture was taken soon after arrival. Our primary assignment seemed to be graduation ceremonies and every kind of parade from rodeo to scouts. I was discharged May 68. Any memories of band and/or pictures?

Diana Orrantia		29-Jan-2008 23:23
I am proud to say that I was born in Beech Army Hospital in November of 1965! My dad, Arturo V. Orrantia, was stationed at Camp Wolters during that time! I hope someone remembers him! While I was too young to remember any of it at all really, I have never let my parents beautiful memory of their time there and in Mineral Wells die! I visit every year because I try to imagine the beauty of hundreds of helicopters in the early morning sky as my parents have described it! Thank you to all who served our country, which allows us the freedoms we have now! Thanks Dad, especially! Diana Orrantia-2008

Pam McDaniel		27-Jan-2008 00:18
My father was a trainer at the fort durring the mid to late 50s. His name was William "Bill" Headrick. I would like to know if anyone that sees these knew him, as he died when I was young and would love to hear something about him. Thanks. Also I heard he got a medal for landing a chopper safely when the engine failed. my email is mcdt1@hillcountrytx.net

J. Wade		19-Jan-2008 19:57
I attended Camp Dallas at Fort Walters in the summer of 1964. All the instructors assured us it was worse than boot camp. After on shift of KP, you were very careful about what you ate at the mess hall. It was rumored that the mess sergeant also had the PX rights and increased his sales by serving less than palatable fare in the mess hall. The nights were hot and the days were hotter. Lots of memories - good and bad!

Matt Fish		19-Jan-2008 03:40
I just came across my grandfather's old pictures from his basic for WWII. There are about a hundred pictures of Fort Wolters and the soldiers who trained with him. SOme are labeled, some are not, but the funny thing is that some of the pictures resemble some of the buildings pictured here - excpet they were taken in 1942. I would love to hear from anyone who may be interested - I am sure some of these pictures are valuable to any families of soldiers who served here....

Dennis Kaskovich		24-Dec-2007 03:33
WORWAC 71-31 and 71-37 at Rucker. Active duty 70-75. Last duty: 121st Avn C0/Ft Benning '75. Eventually discharged from IRR as CW3. Very fond memories......thanks.

usmcsky		16-Dec-2007 21:25
My step-dad graduated flight school and eventually taught there. In fact, I had an uncle that either graduated or taught there. If the names Fletcher or Doughty mean anything to visitors... that was them. I too lived there in the 70's and spent most of the 80's on that raquetball court. 90's I spent occasional weekends visiting the National Guard training facility there but the closest I get now is the old Quonset Hut called Woody's. Really neat finding this site.

Phillip S.		04-Oct-2007 17:35
I lived for 2 years in a house at Fort Wolters housing complex during the late 1970's. The hospital was almost new. There were many, many vacant buildings The city operated the gym as a recreation center and equipment barn in one of the copter maintenance buildings. Played a lot of racquetball with Corny and Dennis. Occasionally do all day Saturday beer joint crawls around town. Worked at EDO-Aire Mitchell

Andy chambers		15-Aug-2007 23:33
I went to ROTC camp there, at Camp Dallas, in the summer of 1961. One of the highlights was going on an all night hike and getting "bombed" with small bags of flour by a piper cub type plane that buzzed us while we were walking through the bush. I still remember getting up in the middle of the night and having to roll down the tent flaps when a storm would come up. There was also the military ball at the Baker Hotel.

Mark McCord		04-Nov-2006 03:14
I came to Fort Wolters in December, 1969 for flight training. I was medically eliminated after several months and was assigned to Beach Army Hospital. I was a clerk in the sergeant majors office working for the Adjutant. I also worked as a projectionist at the Post Theater. I remember Mineral Wells quite well. Remember the Chalet? Possum Kingdom Reservior? Bill's Hamburgers? That was about the only place you could eat real late at night! Mountaineer Lanes? Sonic Drive-in? DewDrop Inn? I was there until March 1974. They were closing the base and I got reassigned to Fort Hood Darnall Army Hospital. Had some good times - and some bad ones too.

Lloyd Elliott		15-Jul-2006 18:36
Adding to D. Fincher's comment: I was a Camp Dallas alumnus of 1939, when close order drill still involved "Squads left" and "Squads right' commands, and "Right shoulder arms" was still executed in three counts rather than four. We slept on cots with ticks stuffed with straw from a few bales thrown in the Company Street on the day of our arrival. We amused ourselves in off hours by capturing tarantulas, putting them in pastboard boxes and watching them fight. Occasionally, we would shinny up the center pole of someones pyramidal tent on the sly and impale his Spingfield '03 on the center pin of the pole through the hinged port of the butt plate, and leave it pointing triumphantly to the sky.

D. Fincher		18-Jun-2006 22:03
I have read most of the descriptions about Camp Wolters but fail to read anything about it's being a summer ROTC camp for the Dallas and Ft. Worth schools. The summer camp was called CAMP DALLAS and lasted a month. Dallas schools had a very large contingent and traveled by chartered train to the camp. Those from Ft. Worth traveled by bus or by private car. The encampment was located just north and west of the main gate. The students were housed in 8 men squad tents. I was between the 9th and 10th grades in 1945 and attended the camp.

Bruce Schirmer		19-Apr-2006 16:14
These photos bring back some memories. I was stationed at Ft Wolters in 1966. I passed under that arch with the OH23 and TH55 copters many times. While Mineral Wells was not one of my favorite places at the time, it's nice to look back at it 40 years later and see that something remains of the post. Thanks for the pix..

Jeff Wilson		21-Dec-2005 02:04
I retired from the National Guard. We trained about every two months or so at Ft. Wolters. Past the abandoned hospital are the vehicle and training sites. We used the rifle ranges to quailify. There is a 500 meter range, that the Marines and marksmanship tournaments used. There are newer buildings that those shown in these really nice photos. thanks Jeff Wilson 1st Sgt. retired.

Brian Dasher		02-Oct-2005 07:33
Had read about Ft. Wolters and never really thought much about it until I was down in Palo Pinto County for court one morning, and while waiting for a client to show up, was reading the bulletin board in the courthouse lobby, which was advertising a softball tournament held at Fort Wolters Softball complex #2. Since then, I've learned a lot about Ft. Wolters. God knows that we can't fund everything. But, having been, as a child, around for a base closure where I lived, I never really thought about what happens afterward. Now, Mineral Wells is a ghost town, hard to imagine in its prime. These photos do some small measure of justice to illustrate that feeling.

Dave Beedon		03-Jun-2005 23:40
Nice documentation---thanks. It saddens me to see a facility get abandoned and decline, even if I don't have a personal interest in it. The "past/present" shot of the Art and Crafts Center is especially poignant because of the contrast between the two scenes. So many things will never again happen there: supplies brought in, stored, and disbursed; projects started and completed; construction tips shared; praise offered for a job well done... A similar mood was captured at Fort Ord by another PBASEr: http://www.pbase.com/greg802/image/18326223.

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