Aviation Field Yorktown

W-232

From July 1919 until Aug. 1921, the U.S. Navy operated an aviation training school north of here at what was then known as the U.S. Navy Mine Depot (U.S. Naval Weapons Station). The school provided the first advanced aviation training for naval pilots in bombing, torpedo and gunnery operations. In Oct. 1922 the aviation field supported the first flight made from a U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Langley, which was anchored in the York River. Also, on 8 May 1925 likely the first overland commercial flight from New York City to this region landed there.

Department of Historic Resources, 2006

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References/Bibliographic Citation:

"Airplane Completes Yorktown Flight," Washington Post 11 May 1925; Aviation Field Records and Memorandums, 1919-1923, United States Department of Navy; Chronology of Significant Events in Naval Aviation, http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org4-5.htm, 1 November 1, 2005; Leo C. Forest, Jr., "Aviation Field Yorktown," Virginia Eagles 25 (July/August/September 2002): 8-17; Memo: Secretary of the Navy to Bureau of Steam Engineering, Bureau of Construction and Repair, Bureau of Yards and Docks, and Bureau of Ordnance, 29 July 1919, Re: Establishment of facilities for training aviators for fleet in Yorktown, Va; Daily Press articles 7 May 1925, 8 May 1925, and 9 May 1925; Leo C. Forrest, Jr., "President Reagan Leaves Legacy at Yorktown," The Booster October 2001: 8; "Yorktown Airplane Service Instituted," Washington Post 9 May 1925; "Yorktown Flight By Plan Starts Regular Service," Richmond Times Dispatch 9 May 1925.