In the late 1920s and 1930s, a rough landing strip was established on C.C. Anderson's farm just outside Walterboro. Beginning in 1941 as part of the World War II effort, the U.S. government acquired the site and assembled 3,815 acres for Walterboro Army Airfield. Construction began in April 1942, and the base was activated on August 4, 1942, four months later. The completed installation included a large airfield and extensive support facilities, where Army Air Forces Fourth Service Command conducted combat air crew training, including training involving the Tuskegee Airmen near what is now Walterboro High School. Pilots and crews trained there went directly to combat in many parts of the world. The airfield also contained a compound for German prisoners of war, the largest camouflage school in the country, and about 600 acres used for bomb storage. From Walterboro, air combat support was provided for important defense facilities and cities including the Santee Cooper Dams, Parris Island Marine Base, the Navy Yard, and Charleston. The site was considered highly desirable because of good flying weather and its position beyond the range of hostile navy guns. Effective November 15, 1945, the installation was classified as surplus, and quitclaim deeds conveyed the property to Colleton and Walterboro.