Description
This framed 1946 photo of Class 355 Squad U at Kessler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi is in excellent condition for its age and even includes a list of names for the people pictured! It is missing a couple names but the majority of them are listed! Featuring a great group photo on the bottom and pictures of the barracks, buildings and dining halls at the top, this rare vintage military photo is great glimpse of Mississippi military history… Built in 1941, the base was dedicated as Keesler Army Airfield, in honor of 2d Lt Samuel Reeves Keesler Jr., Mississippi native and distinguished aerial observer, killed in action in France during the First World War. It was used as a training base during World War 2 primarily focusing on B-24 airplane and engine mechanics as well as basic training. The Tuskegee Airmen were trained at Keesler, with over 7,000 African American soldiers stationed at Keesler Field by the autumn of 1943. These included pre-aviation cadets, radio operators, aviation technicians, and bombardiers. Many other soldiers received basic training here, on the way to WW2, with trains passing through Keesler daily, dropping off new trainees and picking up graduates. Shortly after war, they wound down basic training and absorbed Radar School from Boca Raton, Florida, into Keesler. The Radar School official arrival 1947 made Keesler responsible for operating the two largest military technical schools in the United States, airplane & aviation mechanics and radar. In 1947 the United States Air Force became an independent branch of the armed services and Keesler Field was officially re-designated as Kessler Air Force Base and is still in operation today… This vintage military photo is in great shape for its age with some slight silvering, but no major damage. The spots seen in the barracks pic were actually on the glass and were easily wiped away after the pic was taken. It measures 15″ x 12″ and the frame appears to be original. The double sided paper has lists of names in the photos and are listed according to location in the pictures. it has some minor wear but everything is legible. A really neat piece of military history that someone spent a lot of time doing the research on. You wont be disappointed with this one! Please look closely at all photos for best idea of condition. More pics available upon request We are asking $45 but would consider offers… We have many other antique and vintage items available, so be sure to visit our shop! We are always happy to combine shipping whenever possible! Email us with any questions! This is one of many listings of to come as we move back into the online world after many years. We are a small family owned business located in the Green Mountains of Vermont and have 1000’s of great vintage and antique items we have acquired over the years to list over the coming months. We are always happy to combine shipping wherever possible and stand behind everything we sell, so rest assured if there is a problem we will make it right! We do accept reasonable offers on items as well. so feel free to shoot us an email with any offers or questions. All shipping costs are actual shipping costs (we never charge for handling or packaging) and will promptly refund any overages. Most items ship with a day or two of payment (we do not ship on weekends). We hope you to enjoy these vintage and antique items as much as we do and hope to earn your business! Happy Hunting!
