Immediately after the end of World War II, The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas faced a severe housing and classroom space shortage because of the groundswell of returning veterans. Starting in 1946, facilities were leased at Bryan Army Air Field to house both returning veterans and incoming Corps freshman classes, creating "The Annex," the first home of the four Aggie Classes of 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953, who lived and studied there during their Fish years. The Aggies at "The Annex" occupied more than 75 black tar-paper-covered single story barracks with a single common Mess Hall. Each barrack housed 20 students, had no air conditioning, and featured remote shared bathroom facilities. Approximately 5,500 Aggies inhabited "The Annex" during those years and later graduated from the main campus in College Station. "The Annex" was instrumental in producing over 4,000 officers for the Armed Services, 18 Distinguished Alumni, 28 General Officers, seven presidents of the Association of Former Students, and two Regents for the A and M System.